Winterizing Your Lawn

Don't wait too late to winterize your turf for the upcoming winter season. Just about now winter weeds will start germinating. If you wait too late to apply your pre-emergent then these vigorous weeds will take root and create havoc in your lawn.

Most of us do not really understand how a pre-emergent works. When you spray or apply in granular form a pre-emergent, that product turns into a gas layer right above your dirt. When a weed seed germinates, the tender plant hits this gas layer and mutates and then dies. This is why it is so important to apply your lawn chemicals at the right time. Once a weed has germinated and starts growing and then you apply your pre-emergent, its to late. Of course, never fear, you can always apply a post-emergent that will kill existing winter weeds.

With chemical to use?? Just go to your local garden center and ask a garden expert. Make sure you come with important information such as what kind of turf you have and the square footage of your lawn area. Also, double check and read the directions on the bag to make sure it really is the product you need.

 

Live Life to the Fullest,

Chris

Cool Flowers for Cool Weather

I don't know about your yard but mine is looking a little tired. The summer season and the intense heat just added to the exhausting look of my annuals. The good news is that it is time to refresh your seasonal color with lots of  coloful winter choices. It's not just about pansies any more. If you mix and match your selection with great and easy growers such as dianthus (great bright colors), the snapdragon, different kales such as the Peacock Kale, or perhaps the new Emperor Ornamental Cabbage series, you got one great new look. Herbs make for great winter color and text as well. Grow the big leaf Sage, lavender, Variegated Oregano, Silver and Lemon Thyme and the Curled Leaf Parsley.

Of course, pansies still are a must. Try the the new variety called Cool Waves. It is all the rage right now. Why?? Because it grows as a ground cover and blooms it's heart out all fall, winter and into early spring. Cool Waves come in so many colors but I prefer to mix the colors for mass impact. Whatever variety you decide to choose, remember to fertilize when you plant with Blood Meal and then apply a slow release fertilizer such as Shake and Feed by Miracle-Gro.

 

Live Life to the Fullest,

Chris

Winter Containers

Give your yard and patio a make over this fall by simply replanting your containers with some winter hardy evergreens. All you have to do is start with some of the taller plants in the back and staircase  them down to the front of the pot with an assortment of evergreens.  (check out my blog on hearty winter evergreens!)  Remember it is not about symmetry but about balance. Your potted containers do not have to match on both sides of your front door or where you choose to put them. Just place one large pot on one side and on the other side of the door place two pots, one mid-size and one smaller size.

Add some color with your evergreens such as the new Cool Wave pansies. These trailing pansies will fill more garden space and drape the sides of your pots. Load with flowers, Cool Wave pansies come in an assortment of colors. Add ornamental kale such as my favorite variety the Peacock Kale, ornamental cabbages, and evergreen herbs for interested and texture.

 

 

Minature Gardens

No excuses!!! Even if you live in an apartment or a small loft you can now have your very own landscaped garden. Why not create your own miniature garden? You read it right.... There are so many different miniature garden accessories that you can design your own indoor yard. Your can incorporate miniature arbors, fences, houses, fountains, pots, urns, and even light fixtures. Have fun and create the yard of your dreams with no maintenance at a fraction of the cost of a real outdoor landscape

Perfect Pumpkin

 

Now that it is October (I can't believe it is fall already!!!) most of you are probably thinking about decorating your porch and inside with lots of pumpkins. Remember autumn is about harvest so load up on all the different varieties of pumpkins and gourds that are currently on the market. Mix it up and add pizazz by incorporating other autumn accessories such as Terra Cotta aged pots, old outdoor antiques and tools, corn stalks and even firewood. Jhemajanged (my own word...lol) together, these items will give your home a warm fuzzy vibe for this fall season.

Here are some of my favorite varieties of pumpkins: Kamo Kamo, Autumn Cup squash, Lumina pumpkin, Jarrahdale pumpkin, Peanut pumpkin, the big Prizewinner pumpkin, Fairytale and the Cinderella pumpkin, and of course the old fashion Jack-O-Lantern. The more, the better when it comes to pumpkins and gourds.