Now Is The Time

Have you thought about winter landscaping?  Are you watching the leaves cover your lawn, wondering if you'll find time to rake or blow them to the curb?  Do you know how to prepare your yard for winterizing?  Would you rather be sitting in front of the fireplace or watching football instead of outside planting your spring bulbs? Are you wondering if you should  mulch now or later?

We have answers those questions and more!  We love the outdoors and can help preserve your landscaping and gardens for Spring.  The time is now to give us a call to help with your winter landscaping. 

A few thoughts we wanted to share with you as the days grow shorter and the cool weather sets in...

Fall is the best time to plant everything.   Trees, shrubs, bulbs, perennials, grass seed and sod all benefit from the cooler growing conditions.  Plants that are planted or transplanted in the fall enjoy an abundance of moisture and ideal growing conditions that allow roots to thrive and grow into the surrounding soil. Fall planting conditions allow your plant roots to develop through two growing seasons .  This saves you  a bundle on your water bill and allows plants to be better able to handle the stressful heat of summer. Landscape and Design center will be planting up until Christmas, as weather allows.

Now is the perfect time to plant your spring flowering bulbs such as Tulips Daffodils,Crocus and Hyacinths.  We also recommend  planting and dividing perennials and spring flowering bulbs.  Most bulbs are at half price now, and we can install them at great savings to you.

Plant fall and spring pansies now, to get that great lush spring look that will complement your spring bulbs. Remember non-hardy Annuals can not be planted until May.  Bulbs and pansies will hold you over for the two to three months between early spring and May

Plants and trees that provide color in the month of October and November include Burning Bush, Fall Camellias, Ornamental Cabbage and Kale, Pansies, Viburnums, Crape Myrtles, October Glory Maple, Red Sunset Maple, Nandina, Hollies, Fothergilla, Itea and Dogwoods.

November and into the first part of December is the time to feed your plants and lawn with a good quality plant food.  We recommend fertilizing perennials and flowering shrubs and trees. There are several low nitrogen "Bay Friendly" natural fertilizers available, including Sea Kelp, Fish Emulsion and Green Sand.  These Earth Friendly fertilizers contain other micro nutrients that are all natural and won't toxify your soils with harmful salts, like the chemical based fertilizers.

We recommend feeding all your broadleaf evergreens such as  hollies, boxwoods, laurels, azaleas and rhododendrons, now, to promote the essential uptake of water to get them through the drying wind of winter. Trees should also be fed now to promote root growth over the next six months.

We also recommended to apply Wilt -Pruf or Anti-Dessicants to protect the foliage of your broadleaf evergreens from winter winds and fluctuations in temperature over the winter. Wilt -Pruf can go a long way in saving your plants from Winter Burn. 

Leaf Removal and Garden cleanup is essential to the health of your plantings.  Leaf build up on lawns and garden beds can suffocate and create harmful conditions for your plants.  Lawns can be smothered, leaves and old foliage  can promote slugs and disease to flourish.

Prepare now for healthy lawns for next spring and summer. Lawns should be tested for proper PH and limed as needed. Lime can take up to six months to activate.  Lawns can also still be aerated at this time.

Fruit and Vegetable Gardens

Remove all old vines and foliage of beans, squash, etc. to the compost pile and then spade or till the garden. Top-dress with organic compost.

Sow winter rye and do not mow it. Turn over in the spring for added nitrogen.

House Plants

Time to bring houseplants back indoors.  If needed, spray them first with a natural spray such as soapy water, or other commercial product.   Repot pot bound plants with a potting mix.

We are ready to help with any of your winter landscaping needs.  703.754.3551 or email us today.