I was honored to be the featured guest on a recent episode of the Hampton Roads Show. We talked about the advantages of having a water feature, from quiet moments in the garden to the practical elements of owning one, including what upkeep looks like for the average homeowner. I personally love having an ecosystem pond (no surprise there!), so sharing my passion for this type of backyard installation was a joy. The best part was watching the host, Chris Reckling,, come to a new understand about all the advantages of water features. View the video below to hear our chat, and let me know if I was a natural on camera...or not! 😆 Spring: my favorite time of year! I love seeing the new buds, blooms and bustling wildlife activity. Here are a few tips for getting your yard in shape- and keeping it there throughout the summer and fall.
1) Pre-emergent Winter annuals (weeds) rarely get out of hand. However, pesky spring and summer invaders are a completely different story. Crab grass, henbit, chickweed, dandelions, pusley, and broadleaf plantain all seem to run rampant if nothing is done. There are many pre-emergent products on the market, one of the more popular being Preen. Preen works well, and won't harm any perennials or sensitive plants. I strongly encourage clients and friends not to use a weed barrier or fabric, unless they are laying out stone or gravel. As the mulch breaks down on top of the fabric, it creates a perfect haven for the weeds to germinate in the mulch. Fabric can also keep the mulch from building healthy soil as it breaks down. Instead, apply a pre-emergent a few times a year to keep the weeds from even germinating. 2) Hard Pruning Hard pruning is best done just before spring breaks through the winter. It’s a perfect time to shape your plants, and also remove gangly branches or obvious winter kill. Ornamental trees should follow the "no crossing, touching, or rubbing" rule. Late winter is also a great time to cut back overgrown shrubs. We will frequently take holly bushes down from 48" to just 12" and let them regrow. 3) Fertilize... As residents of Coastal Virginia, we are used to storms and flooding. I’m sure many of us remember Hurricane Isabel in 2003; the weeks without power, countless fallen trees, damaged homes and crushed vehicles.
I am thankful Hurricane Isaias was quick moving and has done comparatively little damage. However, as we all know, even a quick moving storm can leave us with plenty of cleanup to do. There will be some trees that need to come out, torn up yards, and definitely plenty of scattered debris. If you live in Hampton Roads and need some help finding the best yard care company, I've compiled a list of resources to get your yard back in shape after a tropical storm or hurricane. |
About Easton OutdoorsWe started out as the neighborhood lawn boys – a group of high school friends trying to make some pocket change. It soon became more. We realized how much we enjoyed landscaping. Over the years, we've transformed hundreds of properties, beautified countless landscapes, and made many homeowners proud. This has become our passion! Categories
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