Landscaping Tips & Maintenance.

Because of the dedication we have to our clients and our projects we offer a simple approach to maintenance. It isn’t by accident that our landscaping projects have lower maintenance needs.

This begins with selection of the highest quality, toughest and hardiest plants, shrubs and trees that we offer. However, to protect your investment, there are maintenance needs.

The maintenance involved demands specific time, attention, equipment and expertise we we specialize in. Doing your own maintenance is time- consuming and tedious as well.

In this very busy world with high demands outside of your home environment, why spend more time away from family and friends during your precious spare time? Let us take care of your space so that you can enjoy your space, not work on it.

We offer single services as well as yearly or seasonal programs and will help you find the best for for your outdoor commercial or residential space.

Please feel free to give us a call: (262) 534-5388

MULCH INSTALLATION

Mulching is a covering on your soil to protect your plantings from weed growth. There are many types of mulching available and trough all of our specific seasons in the midwest. However, each mulching material has it’s own protective and nutritional value.

Mulch helps in the control of weeds by cutting off sunlight for weed growth and choking the weeds. However, care should be taken in the choice and application of mulch. Mulching in the spring and summer is important to protect from weeds and pests.

FERTILIZATION / WEED CONTROL

New lawns are fertilized by us at the time of installation. The next required Lawn fertilization is approximately 1 month later (if fall planted, the following spring). We recommend a balanced Lawn fertilizer, not a blend too high in nitrogen (the first of the 3 numbers on the label). Use a local source such as Burlington Garden Center or others for specific materials and information. A mid to late fall application of winterized Lawn fertilizer has been shown to be the most important time to feed a lawn (new or mature).

Total weed control is a two-step approach. Pre-emergent control involves treating the soil/planting beds with a chemical, which prohibits the germination of seeds – before they sprout. This chemical has no adverse effects on already green and growing plants, be they weed or not. Preen, Snapshot, Treflan and Chip-co are brand name pre-emergent herbicides. Read and follow label instructions for application. Typically these are used twice annually (April 1 & August 1 approximately).

When weeds have sprouted they need to be treated with a post-emergent herbicide. These types of herbicides work through contact with plant leaves. Generally, these products will kill or injure whatever plants they come in contact with, so it is critical that they are applied carefully and according to their instructions. Kleen-up, Round-up and Finale are some readily available products to use once weeds are growing.

TREE & SHRUB BED / WEED CONTROL TIPS

  • Apply pre-emergent herbicide per label directions annually in March or April for spring germinating weeds and again in July or early August for fall germinating weeds.
  • Top dressing with shredded bark mulch after pre-emergent applications tends to increase its effectiveness.
  • String trim or clip heavily weeded areas prior to post-emergent herbicide spraying. This will use less chemical and aid in clean up.
  • Maintain a 1-3” mulch layer in planting beds to help eliminate most weeds as well as aid in pulling those weeds who show themselves.
  • There is no such thing as 100% effective weed control. The key is to keep up with it before it becomes a major problem.
  • Weeding is like a good marriage. It takes a little effort every day to maintain the highest level of satisfaction.

TREE AND SHRUB CARE

Proper nutrition is essential for healthy plant growth and establishment. We recommend Tree and Shrub fertilization the year following planting and every 1-2 years thereafter. In general a balanced formula with micro nutrients is best. We have our supplier blend our custom formula for us.

Or you may purchase a quality material from a quality supplier such as the Burlington Garden Center and always follow all label instructions.

DISEASE CONTROL, PREVENTION, INSECT, TREE / SHRUB DISEASE TIPS

  • Send a sample of the insect or infected leaves in a sealed zip-lock bag to U.W. Plant Pathology. All information is found on their website at the University of Wisconsin-Madison/Extension Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic
  • The most common mistake we see made by homeowners, is treating an insect problem with a fungicide or a disease problem with an herbicide, etc. Identifying the problem correctly is the most important step.

WATERING YOUR LAWN

  • Prior to germination we recommend Landscape watering at least three times daily with a small amount of water to keep the mulch and the soil moist. (In general this would be 20-30 minutes of watering with a sprinkler.) On warm and/or windy days it may be necessary to water for a longer period of time.
  • After the seed has germinated (typically 7-10 days), reduce the frequency of Landscape watering to once or twice daily but water heavier and to a slightly greater soil depth (45 minutes with a sprinkler). This will encourage root growth.

ORNAMENTAL LANDSCAPE PRUNING

For basics you need to prune out the 3-D’s: Dead, Diseased and Damaged branches and twigs. Next is pruning for shape or size, which is more subjective. Most new plants have been properly pruned at the time of planting. The first required pruning is typically the following fall or spring. Pruning is as much an art as a science and therefore it is probably best to consult a trained professional to keep your growing investment in tiptop shape.

Another good source for tree pruning techniques is your county horticultural agent. In Racine, Kenosha and Walworth counties the phone number is 262-886-8460. There are a number of excellent state publications available. Certain plants can be damaged or killed by improper pruning. Service Berry, Birch & Pagoda Dogwood are plants that refuse to be sheared or topped.

SPRING AND FALL YARD CLEAN UPS

Our maintenance divisions begin in Spring with a simple Spring or Fall cleanup. We are happy to quote your indiviudual needs.  Please contact us for an estimate.