10 Dec

Poinsettias

Posted by jyedowitz in Decorative, Tips / Advice. Tagged: , , , , .

A holiday favorite  is the poinsettia plant.  There are a beautiful variety of colors available that make a perfect touch for any home. Besides there beauty are some interesting facts about Poinsettias.

This plant, which is very popular during the Christmas time, is native to Central America and Mexico. In nature it grows shrub-like and can be up to 4 meters high. The large mostly red leaves - called bracts - are not really the flowers of the plant, but the little green-yellow leaves in the center of the bracts are the true flowers. Because the flowers are very small and inconspicuous, the bracts ensure that insects are attracted to the plant.

When purchasing a Poinsettia, make sure to check that the bracts of the plant are not fully green. Bracts are the colorful part of the poinsettia plant. The leaves on the rest of the plant should be a vibrant green. Avoid plants with pale or yellowing leaves for this is a sign of an unhealthy plant.

When taking care of Poinsettias it is important that they get plenty of sunshine. It is best to put them in the sunniest spot of your house to ensure that they get plenty of light and warmth, however, too much heat is not good either. If the plant becomes too hot it will dehydrate. Poinsettias do not need an abundance of water to survive. Too much water will kill the plant. It is best to only water in areas that are dry to touch.

If you kept your old plant alive from last year AND you want those beautiful flowers to bloom by Christmas, there are a few things you can do to help the plant along. The poinsettia is a short-day plant and flowers only when it gets less than

12 hours a day of sunlight. Therefore, the poinsettia should be in complete darkness at night from October to mid-December.  For example from 4PM to 8 AM you can set the poinsettia in a dark area where it will receive no light. The short light phases and conditions encourage the plant to form flowers. After six weeks the bracts should begin coloring up, then you can stop putting them in the dark.  By the Christmas season your poinsettia can again blossom in full bloom.

And if you are looking for a Quality poinsettia plant, make sure to call my Uncle Bob @ 914-476-6300 and ask him to send a few over to your house to compliment your holiday decorations!  My family has been growing poinsettias for just about 100 years now.

Happy Holidays!

 

 

3 Dec

Things to Do for Winter Prep

Posted by jyedowitz in Gardens / Landscapes, Irrigation, Tips / Advice. Tagged: , , , , , , .

It’s finally December and winter is just about here! Before its starts to snow, there are a couple of preparations that need to be done.

  • First make sure that your garden hoses are drained of water and stored away. By doing this you prevent your garden hose from splitting. You see when water freezes it expands, thus causing your hose to expand with it; this will result in the possible tear of your hose.
  • Secondly it is also important to make sure your hose bib valves are also shut off  for that same reason. If they are left on, chances are they will freeze and break, unless you have a “frost proof” type of valve.
  • In addition, it is important to prepare your lawn mower for the winter since it will not be used for quite a bit of time. Start by changing the oil, and filter (if you have one) Once that is completed add a gas stabilizer to the fuel tank, start the engine and let the stabilizer get into the carburetor.  This will allow your gas to stay fresh until next cutting season. Why not just drain the fuel tank? If the fuel tank is drained it is possible that residual gasoline will remain in the tank and collect moisture. This could cause the parts in your fuel tank to rust and/or get water droplets into your fuel system.
  • What to do with your sprinkler system? It is crucial that it is blown out before the pipes freeze. Similar to the garden hose scenario above, the expansion of the water will cause the pipes, sprinkler heads, zone valves, etc…  to freeze and possibly burst.
  • When it comes to the landscape gardens cut back any dormant perennials and/or ornamental grasses.  You should also remove any annuals (impatiens, marigolds, petunias, etc…) from your gardens and throw them out.   Next, mound mulch over the crown of the rose bush. Use enough mulch to cover the crown of the plant (where the stems emerge from the soil) to a depth of 3 to 5 inches. In doing so, you’ll preserve your roses through the cold winter months.

You should now set to endure the winter temperatures!

 

19 Nov

Fall Lawn-care

Posted by jyedowitz in Gardens / Landscapes, Tips / Advice. Tagged: , , , , .

It’s about that time where all those beautiful leaves are resting on your lawn. Should you leave them there? No! It is important that leaves are raked up from your lawn in order to keep it healthy. If you do not, it is possible that mold can grow under those leaves, similar to snow mold. This mold will suffocate and damage your turf. Sure signs of mold are white or grey spots growing throughout your lawn. In addition, thick layers of leaves can also prohibit the growth of your lawn by suffocating it and depriving it of the necessary sunlight needed for growth.

How else should you prepare your lawn for the current and upcoming weather you ask? Try taking some of these tips:

  • Wondering what to do with those leaves after raking them from your lawn? Consider working them into your garden soil or adding them to your compost pile!
  •  If rainfall is scarce, remember that your lawn will benefit from extra watering this fall. 1″ to 1 1⁄2 ” per week will be very helpful.
  • It’s a good idea to add a layer of mulch to your landscape plantings after the first hard freeze. This will help to keep the soil temperature more consistent through winter for extended root growth.
  • Keep that mower handy! Mowing should continue until your grass has stopped growing for the season.
  • If you have a water garden, you can keep leaves out of it this fall by covering it with netting.

Just by following these few steps your lawn will be sure to thank you with another year of green, lush grass!

12 Nov

Q & A Brown Pine Needles?

Posted by jyedowitz in Gardens / Landscapes, Irrigation. Tagged: , , , , .

My pine needles are turning brown. What could be causing this?

 Browning pine needles can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Root damage or death as a result of exceptionally wet springs and hot, dry summers. Improving soil drainage where the pines are planted can help, along with watering in the late fall (especially if the pines are young).

• Desiccation from dry winter winds pulling moisture out of the needles. An application of antidesiccant spray in the fall can form a protective barrier against these winds and help to hold moisture in.

• Fungal diseases such as tip blight, which can be treated with fungicides.

• Bark beetle infestation (if this is the case, pitch may also be flowing from the trunk, and holes might be visible in the trunk as well). Removal and disposal of infested trees may be necessary.

Of course, a professional inspection of your pines is the best way to determine what might be causing the needles to turn brown. Once a diagnosis is made, the proper steps can be taken toward recovery.

29 Oct

Have You Heard About Hostas?

Posted by jyedowitz in Gardens / Landscapes. Tagged: , , , , .

The plants that keeps on giving

If you have hostas in your landscape, you already know how well they work as perennial bedding plants. With beautiful foliage and flowers, hostas are perfect for groundcovers or backdrops in shady areas. Even better, they’re durable, easy to maintain, and can be divided in the fall to create more of a good thing!

Diving hostas is a relatively simple process. The first step is to dig up a clump with a sharp spade, then separate out sections by hand or with a knife. The larger the clump, the more sections it will produce. When making the divisions, it’s important to ensure that each new section has roots intact.

The sections can then be planted. Planting holes should be as deep as the root ball, and one-and-a-half times as wide. As with any new planting, the new divisions will need room to grow. So, the space between the planting holes should be equal to the diameter of the mature clump the divisions came from. Once planted, a thorough watering will help the new divisions get off to a great start in their new location.

Whether you’re looking to share some plants with a friend or get more mileage out of your current plantings, dividing hostas is a great way to do it!

21 Oct

Change is in the Air

Posted by jyedowitz in Decorative, Gardens / Landscapes. Tagged: , , .

There’s no doubt about it…fall is here! leaves are changing color, temperatures are cooler and we’re all spending more time indoors now that the summer season is behind us!

Looking back over the past year, how satisfied were you with your outdoor living space? In terms of both looks and functionality, are there any changes you’d like to make? This time of the year is perfect for reviewing what works and what doesn’t in your landscape.

With landscape renovations, you can improve your property’s curb appeal and resale value. Not to mention, you can make the outdoor portion of your property more inviting to both family and friends alike.

There are plenty of possibilities depending on your specific needs and budget, for example, consider:

  • Adding something simple like a new birdbath or a few hanging baskets
  • Planting new trees, shrubs or ornamental grasses
  • Installing flower beds
  • Creating screens out of tall-growing plant varieties
  • Installing a wood or vinyl fence
  • Adding landscaping lighting
  • Building a new deck or paver patio
  • Installing a new pathway or walkway
  • Adding a water feature such as a fountain or pond

Any of these suggestions can help to improve your property. Just be sure not to jump into any new projects without planning carefully beforehand. By sticking to a plan, you can complete parts of your landscape in stages (or over several years) according to your available time and money. Knowing what you really want to accomplish will help you get there much more efficiently!

14 Oct

There’s Still Time to Fertilize

Posted by jyedowitz in Gardens / Landscapes, Irrigation. Tagged: , , , , .

BUT THE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY WILL BE CLOSING SOON

Even when visible top growth slows (or stops) for the season, your turf, trees and shrubs are still in need of nutrients. They might seem inactive, but your plants are actually building up nutrient reserve, setting down new roots and strengthening their old ones.

Plants use nutrients over the fall and winter months for two things: to repair any damage they may have suffered during the growing season, and to prepare for new growth in the spring. An application of fertilizer will help this natural process along.

Some of the direct benefits you’ll see from a heavy fall feeding include: 

  •  Improved winter hardiness. Plants suffer less from drying winds and severe weather because of better water-holding ability.
  •  Earlier and darker green-up of established lawns in the spring. Thin turf areas will become denser with improved color thanks to increased root expansion and larger nutrient reserves.
  •  Improved blooming in flowering trees and shrubs.
  •  Stronger growth in new trees, shrubs and fall-seeded lawns. Faster and more complete establishment through the winter will promote better top growth in the spring.
  • An increase in natural resistance to insect, pests and diseases.

To get maximum benefits from fall feeding, your lawn, trees and shrubs should be fertilized as soon as possible (if they haven’t been already). It’s one of the best ways to improve the looks, health and value of your landscape!

20 Sep

Getting Cool-Season Color from Perennials

Posted by jyedowitz in Gardens / Landscapes. Tagged: , , , .

Fall is just around the corner, if not already here, and it’s the perfect time for perennials! Tree and shrub leaves aren’t the only source of fall color. With late-blooming perennials, your landscape can still be a sight to behold this fall. Here are jut a few colorful varieties to consider for your property:

Black-Eyed Susan

Striking yellow, blooms from early summer through fall. Grows in full sun to partial shade.

Hardy Mum

These bloom in every color but blue starting in early September up to mid- October.

Prefers full sun.

Joe Pye Weed

These are attractive to both butterflies and hummingbirds, with dusty rose to mauve blooms in late summer and early fall.

Russian Sage

Lavender-blue flowers from mid-summer through fall. They are easy to grow (tolerant of poor soil and dry conditions).

Aster

Dark lavender and purple blooms from late summer into fall. Can reach up to 5’ in height.

Used alone or in combination, each of these perennials will make an eye-catching addition to your fall landscape.

13 Sep

What’s Your System for Watering?

Posted by jyedowitz in Gardens / Landscapes, Irrigation. Tagged: , , .

Supplemental watering is the absence of rainfall is sometimes easier said than done. Maybe you spend a lot of time away from home. Or, perhaps you just don’t have the time in the day to set up those sprinklers. Either way, if your lawn, trees and shrubs didn’t get sufficient water over the summer, their looks and health are probably suffering.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could give your lawn and landscape plants all the water they need without even lifting a finger? With an automatic irrigation system, you can.

These systems are loaded with “smart” features

The great thing about automatic irrigation systems is their consistency. For example:

  • Built-in-timers can limit watering to the cooler parts of the day when less water will be lost due to evaporation.
  • With independent station programming, these systems can be set to provide certain plants with more or less water than others depending on their specific needs.
  • Smart controllers can even alter the amount of water applied to your property based on the weather conditions and the amount of moisture present in the soil.

What’s your type?

Sprinkler head systems are great for large lawn areas.

Automatic irrigation systems come in two varieties. You’re probably most familiar with sprinkler head systems, which release water from a distribution device attached to the end of a water pipe. These systems work best for spacious lawn areas. Drip irrigation systems, on the other hand, release water from tubes with holes in them. These systems are more suited to flower gardens and other planting beds. Depending on your landscape’s specific layout, just one or a combination of both types may be appropriate for your needs.

Drip irrigation systems work well in planting beds.

Fall is a great time to have an automatic irrigation system installed. Properly maintained, it will provide your lawn and landscape with the right amounts of water at the right times..for many hot summers to come. Not to mention, it can help to conserve water and lower your water bill!

 

 

 

5 Sep

Fall is Fantastic for Fertilization

Posted by jyedowitz in Gardens / Landscapes, Tips / Advice. Tagged: , , .

In Fact, This is the Best Time of Year for It

 Since top growth slows down (or stops altogether) in the fall, your lawn, trees and shrubs no longer have to continue the constant flow of nutrients and water to leaves and blades. Instead, they’re using this time to build up a storehouse of nutrients in preparation for new growth in the spring.

The storage process occurs in the plants’ root systems. A heavy fall feeding makes more nutrients available and helps to trigger the process. The fatter and more extensive roots become from fall fertilization, the better growth you’ll see next year. This is especially true for fall-seeded lawns and newly planted trees and shrubs.

Of course, improved growth isn’t the only benefit you can expect from fall feeding. With an extra dose of nutrients this fall, you can expect:

  • Stronger resistance to insects and diseases.
  • Enhanced winter color in turf and evergreens.
  • Better water-holding ability, which can decrease the drying, browning effects of cold winter winds.
  • Increased blooming in your flowering trees and shrubs.

Heavy fall fertilization is a vital part of any good lawn, tree and shrub care program. By meeting the nutritional needs of your plants this fall, you’ll be rewarded with a healthier, more beautiful landscape that you’ll love coming home to.

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