<span>Landscaping Tips</span>

Don’t Let Halloween Jack-o’-Lanterns Ruin Your Landscape

Halloween Jack-o’-Lanterns are able to ruin your landscape. It’s something we just don’t consider when we are preparing for the scary and fun autumn holiday. We worry about keeping landscape plants healthy and decorating our homes just right to capture the imagination. But, most of us do not stop to think about what Halloween brings to our homes, besides trick-or-treaters. Your craftily carved Halloween pumpkin is a big temptation to unwanted guests who come in various shapes and sizes.

How to Make a Pumpkin Last Longer

Many homeowners unwittingly make a number of big landscaping mistakes and unfortunately, one is not being aware of what Halloween pumpkins attract to their yards and homes. So, it’s good to know the best proactive step to take is to make your pumpkin last longer – this will help to discourage pests. Since you want the best Jack-o’-Lantern in the neighborhood, you’ve got to start with picking out the right pumpkin.

With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about how to transform that porch pumpkin into a work of art. But before you carve up a masterpiece only to watch it wither away, it helps to understand the life and death of a Jack-o’-lantern. Pumpkins are organic, so there’s no way to stop the rotting process indefinitely. The best way to ensure the longevity of your Jack-o’-lantern is to begin with a healthy pumpkin. While there’s no such thing as the “perfect” pumpkin, there are several things you can look for to get your Jack-o’-lantern off to a great start. –Kitchn.com

If possible, choose pumpkin that’s grown locally because it will be the freshest. Inspect the skin, looking for gouges and/or blemishes. These imperfections might add a whole bunch of character but they promote rot, which attracts pests. Stay away from soft fruits as these are already in the process of rotting. To keep it fresh longer, understand the moment the skin is broken (when you make the first carving cut), the clock starts ticking. Organisms such as fungi, bacteria, molds, and insects are attracted to the rot process.

How to Protect Your Landscape and Home from Halloween Jack-o’-Lantern Pests

When you are ready to decorate your home and yard for Halloween, you need it to remain safe and pest free. Unfortunately, there are many elements which cause safety hazards to exists and also invite pests. Here are some helpful suggestions for how to protect your landscape and home from Halloween Jack-o’-Lantern pests:

• Carve your pumpkin(s) outside. Okay, so you live in sunny, heat-breaking record Sarasota (105 days this year above 90 degrees Fahrenheit this summer), but you should carve pumpkins outside. But the mess created from pumpkin carving is a big one. Lay old plywood across saw horses on your lawn and carve away. Don’t do this on your sidewalk or driveway because the pulp is just too slippery. Lay plastic underneath to catch the pulp so it is easy to clean up.
• Pick up all tools and organic material. When you are finished carving, be sure to pick up all the tools and organic material. Tools are tripping hazards and the pulp is not only slippery, it’s also a giant meal for all kinds of furry pests and insects alike. A slippery area isn’t something you want on your property when people are out on Halloween. Not to mention the putrid odor rotting pulp emits, which is downright unpleasant, to say the least.
• Set insect traps all around the pumpkins. As mentioned above, once the pumpkin skin is pierced, it starts the rotting process right away. Take precautions by setting insect traps nearby and all around. While this won’t ward off all the pests, it will substantial deter insects.
• Consider using hard shell gourds, instead. Hard-shell gourds are a winter squash, ripening in the fall and only edible in their early stages of growth. It’s best to grow and cure hard-shell gourds months before Halloween. But if you have these available, you can carve them instead of pumpkin. Cured hard-shell gourds make permanent Halloween Jack-o’-Lanterns, unlike pumpkin.
• Compost or throw out pumpkin at first sign of rot. When you see any signs of rot on a pumpkin, it’s time to throw it out or add it to the compost pile. Do this as soon as possible because the fruit will only get softer and eventually, too soft to pick up whole. At that stage, it’s a really big mess to deal with and you’ll have to clean up after it more.

If it’s time to update your landscape or add more features, contact us. We are a full-service, professional landscape design company and serve all of Sarasota, including near Bayfront Drive, around Rolling Green Golf Club, along Longboat Club Road, and elsewhere.

Landscape Pond Pump Troubleshooting

Your landscape pond is the focal point of your backyard. It provides beauty and serves as a place to relax. But, it does require regular routine maintenance to keep it working properly. If you love your backyard pond, you’ll do what it takes to keep it looking great.

In fact, one of the largest factors which contribute to pump failure is due to irregular maintenance. Without regular care, like any other machine, it will begin to fail and eventually stop working or barely function. Fortunately, just like the most common sprinkler system problems, there are ways to troubleshoot a pond pump.

Landscape Pond Pump Troubleshooting

A few weeks ago, we looked into how to troubleshoot a pool pump. And, this is much the same thing. That means you don’t have to be a professional pool installer, a licensed contractor, an electrician or an experienced plumber. But you will have to get a little dirty and the process will require quite a bit of patience. Some problems are readily identifiable, while others are more subtle and difficult to decipher.

Replacing a pond pump can prove to be expensive, so it’s always worth considering an extensive check to see if you can service or repair your faulty pump. One of the biggest factors in pump failure is irregular maintenance. But you can check for several different specific problems if your pond pump isn’t working effectively. —Do It Yourself.com

The pond pump is literally the heart of the water feature. It’s what supplies water to the pond, providing a relaxing, smooth rush of water over the rocks. Fish likewise depend on the pond pump to keep them supplied with fresh, oxygenated water and to assist in filtering bacteria out. The good news is, most pond pumps last for many years. But, sooner or later, a pond pump will fail and you’ll have to replace it. Even relatively new pond pumps fail or stop working properly. Whatever the case, you need to know how to do a little landscape pond pump troubleshooting:

• Check the water supply. If the pond pump is no longer supplying water, there’s definitely a reason and it’s best to start with the simplest explanation. Check the water supply to the pond pump to ensure it’s on and supplying water. It might be that simple and easy to get the pump working again.
• Check the power supply. Next, check the power supply to the pond pump. Although this is might seem all-too-obvious, it’s worth taking a moment to ensure the power is on to the pond pump. If a breaker is tripped into the neutral position, there’s a reason why. You can attempt to reset the breaker to see if it trips again. If it does, call in a professional for help.
• Remove the pond pump. If there is power and water being supplied to the pond pump, but it doesn’t work, then remove it from the water. Turn off the power and water supplies first, then gently lift the pond pump out of the water. But do not take it out of the water by pulling on the power line. This puts undue strain on the electrical wires and connection. If you have difficulty removing the pump by hand, tie a rope around it to help lift it out of the water.
• Clear the pump’s tubing. A common cause for a pond pump not working is clogged tubing. After you’ve taken the pond pump out of the water, remove the hose clamp with a screwdriver. Then, you can visually check to see if there’s any blockage. If the tubing is clogged, simply used compressed air or a garden hose to unclog it. Inspect the tubing for wear and tear. If it’s worn, just replace it with new tubing for better performance. Replace the hose clamp, as well, tighten it appropriately to reattach it to the pond pump.
• Unblock the filters and impellers. Two other components which cause a pond pump to fail are blocked filters and impellers. These can be clogged quite easily but are simple to fix. Remove the filter and wash it thoroughly with a garden hose. Replace the filter if necessary. Also, check the impeller, a component which pulls water into the pump. If it’s in good condition, just coax it to turn gently. Wash it with a garden hose or replace the impeller if it’s damaged.

If it’s time to update your landscaping, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are a full-service, professional landscape design company and serve all of Sarasota, including near Bayfront Drive, around Rolling Green Golf Club, along Longboat Club Road, and elsewhere.

Two Ways to Remove a Tree Stump Without a Grinder

A stump is a surprisingly stubborn object. It can take months or years to see the decay begin to set-in, and, that’s just the beginning of a very long decomposition process. It will take a lot more time for a stump to fall apart and for the root system to no longer hold it firmly in-place. Because of the problems stumps present: tripping hazards, lawn mower obstacles. And, being unsightly, you’ll want to deal with it right away instead of letting nature take it’s very slow course.

The answer for some people is to rent a stump grinder. These big, powerful machines seem to be a quick ticket to ridding the ground of a stump. However, looks can be fooling, because it requires a lot of experience and labor to use a stump grinder. It won’t magically disintegrate the stump in one fell swoop, it takes a whole bunch of effort and is a dangerous machine to use for those without experience. The good news is, there are two ways to remove a tree stump without a grinder.

Two Ways to Remove a Tree Stump without a Grinder

Before you get too excited, you should check with your local waste pickup and disposal service to ensure the stump will be hauled away. If that’s not an option, you can burn out the middle, fill it with potting soil, and plant flowers. Another use it to make it into an anchor for something, like a table and umbrella set, or, if it’s still tall enough, you can turn into a fixed table top. Yet another option is to cover it with rocks, creating an ad-lib rock garden.

Cutting down a tree is a fairly easy way to rid yourself of an obstructive, dead or otherwise unwanted tree, but you must still contend with the stump long after removing the log. Although stumps eventually decay naturally, you can easily trip over stumps or run over them while mowing, causing extensive damage to you lawn mower. Garden centers sell stump removal products–chemicals intended to decay the stump for easier removal–but you can use a less harmful method to get rid of the tree stump. —San Francisco Chronicle

However, if you really want to be rid of a stump, you can also call-in a professional service to dig it up in its entirety and haul it away. Of course, this will be a very costly option because it’s labor intensive, no matter the method of manual removal. Speaking of manual removal, that’s one of the ways to remove a tree stump without a grinder.

Manual No Grinder Stump Removal

For small and medium size stumps, these can be removed manually without too much effort. It’s worth cautioning, though, this is still dangerous work, by its very nature. To get rid of a small or medium size stump, do the following:

1. Dig with a mattock. Using a large mattock, dig around the stump to expose the roots and tap-root. You won’t necessarily see the entire root-ball, but, you will expose much of what’s left in the ground.
2. Shovel loose dirt out-of-the-way. Shovel the loose dirt away (which will likely be quite plentiful). You’ll need a clear area in which to work in order to get the entire stump and root-ball out of the ground.
3. Chop through the tree roots. Use a mattock or ax to chop through the tree roots to begin to loosen them from the stump and out of the ground.
4. Break through the tap-root. Now, use an ax to get through the root-ball to the tap-root. This will take real effort but for smaller stumps, will loosen enough that you can begin to pull it out partly or entirely.
5. Work the stump and roots out. Cut through the tap-root with an ax for medium size stumps. Once it is compromised, you’ll be able to extract the whole thing out of the ground.

Backfill the hole after removing the stump and tamp it down at least two to three times to ensure it is firm enough to prevent caving-in.

Chemical No Grinder Stump Removal

Another way to remove a stump without a grinder is to use a tarp and mulch to speed up the natural decaying process. While this won’t allow you to remove the stump immediately, it’s a safe and easy option for getting rid of it.

1. Drill holes into the stump. To start, drill several holes, as deep as possible, into the stump.
2. Fill the holes with water and fertilizer. Fill the holes with water, then with high nitrogen fertilizer.
3. Soak the surrounding ground. Saturate the ground immediately surrounding the stump.
4. Cover the stump with a plastic tarp. Place a plastic tarp over the stump and cinch it into place with rope.
5. Spread mulch over the tarp. Cover the tarp with mulch to trap the moisture and prevent it from being an eyesore.

Now, you’ll just have to wait. Occasionally, you can repeat steps 2 through 5 to help keep the process going and lessen the time needed.

What You Need to Know and Do About Lawn Mushrooms

Here in the Sunshine State and across Sarasota, we see these puffy protrusions poking up from the soil amidst green grass. These are quite common growths, especially during the rainy season, which, we are presently experiencing. Large varieties are referred to as “lawn mushrooms,” while small growths are considered to be toadstools. Regardless of the name or size, these are unsightly nuisances, and, can be quite harmful.

Lawn mushrooms are the result of fungus growing in the ground. Essentially, these are fruits of growth, which are fueled by moisture. Because we live in such a humid, subtropical climate, these growths thrive. All that’s needed is there in droves: soil, moisture, plenty of sunlight, and room to rise. This growth is remarkably rapid, seemingly sprouting overnight, and, when pulled, grow back with vigor.

Constant combat is a worry for homeowners, especially those with vegetable and flower gardens. It’s not just how ugly these growths are, but also, what the possible dangers may unfold as lawn mushrooms push up through the soil and tower just above the grass. Mow over them, and sure enough, they sprout again, or, pull them and the same thing happens.

What You Need to Know about Lawn Mushrooms

As stated above, lawn mushrooms are fungi. We typically associate fungus with gross things. And, these are hardly an exception to that perception. The good news is, most of these do very little to affect the turf. But, certainly aren’t benign. In fact, these are so prominent and associated with negative perception that one folklore purports these growths are what’s left from the devil churning butter in the dead of the night.

They might show up after a rainy spell or emerge in new sod. Or you might have a fairy ring surface in your yard. Whatever the situation, having mushrooms pop up in your lawn can be a nuisance, an eyesore and, if you have children, potentially dangerous. —Bayer CropScience

Lawn mushrooms of all shapes and sizes are not harmless. Quite to the contrary, most are poisonous and considered toxic. Because of this, it’s best to keep children and plant nibbling pets away from these fungi growths. One positive thing about lawn mushrooms is their very short lifespan. After blooming, these release spores to jump start the next generation and then quickly shrivel. However, just because some die doesn’t mean more won’t grow.

What You Need to Do about Lawn Mushrooms

Because we live in a climate that’s very friendly for mushrooms to grow, controlling them isn’t easy. In fact, these are some of the most difficult growths to combat because the food they thrive on is ever-present on the grass and in the soil. Dead roots, rotting wood and leaves, and, thatch all feed fungi growth. These are essential elements for mushrooms, and, there’s certainly no shortage. While this is largely beneficial to lawns, but, still remain eyesores, at the very least, ruining otherwise beautiful landscapes. Mycelia, the root of fungi, is the vegetative part of the growth. These grow at a remarkable rate, so, controlling them is quite difficult. Here are a few ways to deal with lawn mushrooms:

• Pull up mushrooms when they first appear. One way to keep mushrooms from being a potential danger to children and pets is to pull them up by the root as soon as the fungus sprouts from the ground. This prevents the fungi from growing to maturity and spreading spores that promote future growth.
• Mow your lawn regularly and limit watering. When you mow your yard, the grass is shorter, which means it takes less time to dry from morning dew and rain. In addition, limit how much you water because that also contributes to the growth of lawn mushrooms. Before you start mowing, be sure to pull all visible fungi because the blades will cut and broadcast fungi, and it spores, across the lawn.
• Clean all debris on your lawn. Since fungi live off decaying organic matter, limit the food supply by raking leaves, grass clippings, and any other debris which acts as a nutritive source. This is especially important during the rainy season because more organic matter falls to the ground during and after storms.
• Aerate the lawn periodically. If you aerate your lawn, you necessarily increase drainage and promote drier conditions. Dig down about three inches to get to the roots and newly forming fungi for the best results. Try to break-up the mat as much as possible to prevent new fungi from taking hold.
• Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. When you apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, like ammonium sulfate, is speeds-up organic matter decaying process, which gives fungi less food to feed on.

Another control measure is to excavate the area where mushrooms thrive. You’re likely to find rotting wood and other organic matter breaking down that serves as the fuel for fungi growth.

Dog-Friendly Landscaping in Sarasota

We love our furry, four-legged, family members and do everything to ensure they are well taken care of, complete with a good diet, exercise, play toys; and, of course, plenty of room to romp outside. For most families, a two income household is a reality and that presents somewhat of a challenge for Fido and friends.

You want them to be able to heed nature’s call when it’s necessary and don’t want them suffering from heat exhaustion. Here in Sarasota, summers are quite warm and that means keeping pets inside when it’s possible. However, as you and your spouse are working during the day, you probably don’t have time to go home and let the dog(s) out.

That’s okay, because you can make your backyard into a dog-friendly landscape that has all the comforts of home, along with some fun features. This will allow you to leave Spot roam during the day and provide them with a whole host of amenities that will be just right for resting, chowing down, and frolicking about freely.

Adding Features without Decreasing Aesthetics and Function

The first thing that many homeowners think about having a dog, a vegetable or flower garden, and a landscape that accommodates all, is just not possible. Their curious and sometimes mischievous quadruped will wreak havoc on the garden and probably do a number (we’re talking 1 or 2) on their hardscape. Such thinking is a valid concern, but with the right planning, you and your fur-people will be able to have your cakes and eat them too.

A dog or dogs happily romping in the backyard is a classic dog-owner dream. Achieving this, though, takes more thought than just sending your dog out in the yard and hoping for the best. Take the time to make sure your yard provides your dog with the amenities he or she needs and loves. Fortunately, pet-friendly yard amenities are also great for people as well. —Houzz.com

You probably know your dog’s disposition and proclivities, so, try to be creative with a workable solution. You’ll need to provide the basics and can also put in a few things that will provide necessary shelter, comfort, and nutrition. With the right plan, you can also declare certain areas off limits, while making other areas easily accessible. In addition, you should be aware of certain dangers posed by great landscaping features, such as Cocoa mulch, which is toxic to dogs in large doses. So, if your dog likes to masticate on mulch or does so when bored, avoid putting in mulch. That also goes for plants and those on the list are many. You can find a complete list of toxic plants on the ASPCA’s website.

Fences can be great for containment but can also be an obstacle to overcome, or rather, dig under to pull off an escape. If your pet is susceptible to the siren call of a strong scent, that’s certain something to take into consideration so you don’t come home to find your dog has taken flight.

Creating a Dog-Friendly Landscaping Design

To make a dog friendly landscape, you should consider some of the following options to provide a safe, yet fun, environment for your pet to enjoy:

• An automatic water dispenser. A self filling water bowl is just the solution for needed hydration during the day. Fill it once in the morning before you leave for work and that will take care of the day.
• Plenty of food, but not too much. Along with an automatic water dispenser, a food dispenser is also necessary. However, if you have the type of pet who likes to consume every last speck of food in their dish, be sure to moderate the amount to avoid trips to the veterinarian.
• A nice place to nap. You probably have a covered porch leading out to the pool and/or back yard, so make good use of it. A nice comfortable bed under cover out of the sun will be a great place to nap during the day.
• Toys and other play items. Depending on your dog’s chewing and playing habits, pick toys which are appropriate. In addition, you can put out a little swimming pool to frolic in the water when the mood strikes.

Here’s another idea: strolling paths. Some dogs really enjoy patrolling the yard and sniffing along the way. If your’s appreciates this, then put in a stone pathway. This is not only a great exploration feature, it’s also perfect for family and friends to enjoy. To keep their “toilet space” to a minimum, do a little old fashion training, teaching where it is and where it isn’t acceptable to do their business.

The good news is, none of these steps are difficult to take and in just a matter of a weekend, you can create and peaceful oasis of rest and play for your furry friend.

How to Attract Butterflies to Your Landscape

Everyone loves the site of colorful butterflies in their garden. These delicate and diverse creatures are marvels to the eye and provide a sense of nature that can’t be duplicated. The truth is, you don’t really need a “butterfly garden” to attract these beautiful creatures. In fact, if you study the species a bit, you’ll learn that some of the most attractive things to butterflies are weeds–the last thing that we would purposely add to our landscapes.

Butterflies are attracted to certain plants but don’t necessarily spend a lot of time in them. If you want to attract butterflies, you’ve got to think about not only adults, but also larva and caterpillars. In other words, you have to provide a complete environment to truly attract butterflies and this includes other elements than just plants.

The good news is there are so many types of plants that attract these colorful creatures, that’s it’s somewhat difficult to select ones that won’t do the trick. This is a welcome fact, because the more butterflies you attract to your yard, the more they’ll help in pollination and that promotes more robust, health growth of your flowers. However, when to attract these brightly colored insects, you’ll also attract predators, like birds, spiders, reptiles, other insects, which include such unwelcome guests as wasps, flies, and mites, as well as small mammals.

What to Know about Butterflies

Butterflies are very fragile and nearly defenseless creatures. To ward off predators, caterpillars and butterflies have few defenses. Caterpillars can emit foul odors–at least foul to potential predators, or, are poisonous. Butterflies rely on camouflage, flight, poison, and mimicry for defense. Mimicry is the adaptation of certain patterns and colors to fool predators into believing a butterfly is a poisonous one.

Brightly colored butterflies can be a welcome addition to your wildlife garden, not only because of their beauty, but also because of their usefulness in pollinating flowers. Attracting butterflies involves incorporating plants that serve the needs of all life stages of the butterfly. The insects need places to lay eggs, food plants for their larvae (caterpillars), places to form chrysalides and nectar sources for adults. —National Wildlife Federation

Butterflies begin their lives as eggs attached to plants. When the eggs hatch, tiny larva emerge to grow into caterpillars. The caterpillars begin to eat immediately to grow, first their own shells, and second, their host plants. Eventually, a caterpillar will enter its pupa stage and form chrysalis. This is the beginning of what’s known as complete metamorphosis. When the transformation is done, a butterfly emerges and flies off to find host plants to feed and lay eggs. This is why your landscape must incorporate more than just attractive plants. You also need to provide them with shelter and plenty of places to fly about and explore.

How to Attract Butterflies to Your Landscape

To attract butterflies and do so consistently, you have to incorporate all the elements they need for their various life stages. While flowers and plants will certainly do a lot, you’ll need a few other things to make your yard a have for butterflies. Here are some helpful tips you can use in your landscape:

• Plant native flowers. One thing that ought to be obvious is that butterflies prefer native plants. This, of course, is because these serve as their primary food source and because non-native plants can be very poor places for their eggs and larva. In fact, some non-native plants won’t provide caterpillars with the necessities most needed to survive.
• Plant colorful flowers. Butterflies seem to prefer colorful flowers and “open.” Pink, purple, orange, red, and yellow will do the most to attract these pollinators. Butterflies are most attracted to clustered and flat-topped flowers, especially those with short flower tubes.
• Provide places to rest. Flowers and plants alone won’t be enough to attract butterflies. Flat stones, fences, and other places are great places to rest and bask in the warmth of the sun.
• Give them plenty of water. Feeders are another way to attract butterflies, but these colorful creatures also need water. When butterflies drink, they often do so in what’s known as “puddling.” This behavior is grouping together by extracting minerals from puddles. Fill a pan with course sand and work it into the soil to provide the right environment.

Two more Tips for Attracting Butterflies to Your Landscape

There are also a couple more ways to make your outdoor space attractive to butterflies:

• Plant for continuous blooming. If you’re able to work it out, plant flowers to bloom in succession, one after another for continuous blooming. This will give butterflies ample reason to make your landscape their home.
• Refrain from using insecticides. Because butterflies are so delicate, they are susceptible to even benign insecticides. Don’t use these, either organic or chemical, anywhere near where you’d like to attract butterflies.

One more important tip is to provide flowers that thrive in the sun. This is because adult butterflies generally feed from the mid-morning to mid-afternoon and only visit plants that are in the sun.

How to Kill Lawn Crabgrass DIY Style

Here in beautiful, sunny Sarasota, summer is here, even as most of the country remains in much cooler temperatures. That means plenty of opportunity to enjoy the beach, time on the water, and those wonderful sunsets along the Gulf of Mexico. It also means it’s time to get back into the pool, host cookouts, hike or bike along winding trails, get out on the links or the tennis court, or just relax outside with a cool pitcher of lemonade.

It’s also time to give your landscape some attention. A few new plants, flowers, and a trim here and there to make everything look just right is in order. Perhaps installing a new fire pit or adding a deck is on your to-do list. What’s probably not on your want-to-do list is to battle crabgrass, that unsightly and unwelcome weed that thrives on the warm Florida sun and doesn’t ever seem to go away no matter what you do.

You’ve tried yanking it out of the ground, pulling it up by the root, even raking it until none of it remains, yet it comes back to threaten the beauty of your yard, year after year. The only good thing about it is it makes for a nice variety for livestock grazing, which isn’t of much condolence. Fortunately, there are a few different ways that you can win the battle over crabgrass.

Why Crabgrass is a Problem

Crabgrass, also known as tropical crabgrass, summer grass, and southern grass is actually an annual called, “digitaria ciliaris.” It’s thought to have originated in Asia, but now can be found in many places on the planet, and Sarasota is no exception. It spreads by seeds, making it difficult to contain. The roots are actually located at the nodes and its stems produce long runners which allow it to grow fast and aggressively.

Warmer spring temperatures bring your landscape to life. Unfortunately, tenacious crabgrass also comes to life. With a little preventative action, you’ll keep crabgrass from taking over your lawn. If crabgrass has already established itself, you can control and remove it from your lawn. —Lowes

The reasons it’s harmful are twofold: it competes with your lawn for nutrients and sunlight, and can be a danger to pets, especially dogs. Like other weeds, crabgrass spreads at the expense of your lawn, taking in valuable nourishment from the sun and soil, leaving less for your lawn to thrive upon and therefore, suffer shortages. The more crabgrass creeps throughout the yard, the more damage it does and treating it with herbicides poses a danger to household pets.

DIY Ways to Kill Lawn Crabgrass

If you have battled crabgrass in the past, you know that it isn’t an easy weed to kill off permanently. Like other species, such as Brazilian pepper and other invasive species, it is hard to rid a yard of because of the way it grows. Fortunately, there are a few ways to kill crabgrass effectively:

• Pull it up by hand. If you’re yard only has a few patches of summer grass, then water each spot lightly to loosen the soil around it. Using a firm grip, slowly pull the weed out of the ground completely. This can be a quick fix and it might or might not regrow.
• Try solarization. You can harness and direct the power of the sun to kill crabgrass, as well as other weeds. This method works best for small patches, where southern grass is contained in a small area. Moisten the weed lightly with a garden hose, then cover it with clear plastic. Weigh down the edges with rocks or bricks to keep it in place. The process generally takes between four to six weeks and will also have the benefit of killing off pests, harmful bacteria, as well as nematodes.
• Use pre-emergent herbicide. Timing is everything when it comes to controlling and killing crabgrass, so striking before it become a problem is key. This comes in liquid or granular form and can be quite effective in killing this type of stubborn weed.
• Use post-emergent herbicide. If you already have crabgrass sprouting up in your yard, then you can use a post-emergent herbicide to get rid of the weeds. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.

Some homeowners have had a bit of success in controlling crabgrass using household items such as corn gluten meal or baking soda. Mixing a half-cup of baking soda with a teaspoon of cinnamon in a gallon of water creates a homemade herbicide that can be applied to tropical crabgrass to kill it off.

In addition to these controls, you can also prevent crabgrass from growing and/or spreading by maintaining your lawn, keeping it healthy. The less weeds have to feed on, the weaker they become and cannot spread. By properly mowing, watering, and fertilizing your lawn, you can keep weeds from overtaking the grass.

Unexpected Landscape, Outdoor Living Improvement Costs

So, you’ve decided it is high time to really deck the halls or deck out your outdoor living space. You’re envisioning a new deck or patio, complete with an outdoor kitchen, plenty of comfortable lounging space, and a beautiful landscape to make it all pop. You’ve even gone so far as to calculate the cost of a new deckand found just the right outdoor furniture. But, there’s a lot more which you probably haven’t factored into your budget. Regardless, there are still unexpected landscape and outdoor living improvement costs which surprise many homeowners.

Unexpected Landscape, Outdoor Living Improvement Costs

There are a number simple ways to update an outdoor living space. Such as upgrading the lighting, installing fans and misters, replacing that outdated outdoor furniture, hanging curtains, installing a multi use fire pit, putting in a mini bar and laying down an area rug. None of these are terribly expensive but they do a whole lot to really enhance the look and function of your outdoor living space.

Think you know down to the penny what your remodeling project will cost? Not so fast. You may be able to recite the price of materials and the budget for labor in your sleep, but you’re bound to get tripped up by odds, ends and extras — known in the trade as soft costs — that you never imagined shelling out for. That’s why it’s always a good idea to budget 20 to 30 percent over your remodeling estimate so that you’re covered no matter what happens. —Houzz.com

There are also several ways to customize a wood deck. But, you have big, grand plans for a marvelous new, outdoor living space and an eye-catching landscape. You’ve included the cost of materials, furniture, and more. You’ve also thought about the cost of hiring a professional to get the very best results. But what’s likely escaped your planning are the following unexpected landscape and outdoor living costs which really add up quickly and to a lot of money:

• New plumbing. While you have factored in the cost of a new sink, countertop, small refrigerator, and all else that’s needed for an outdoor kitchen, you could easily have overlooked the cost of installing new plumbing. It’s not just about water supply lines and drainage, but also, permits. Oh, and the new landscaping you have planned is also going to run up the cost. You might have to upgrade your irrigation system.
• Higher utility costs. When you undertake any type of home improvement, your utility costs will increase the entire time it’s underway. After all, it takes electricity to power the equipment and your water use will skyrocket as the project goes on. Not to mention, having to go inside and out constantly, which adds to heating and cooling costs. All of that equals higher utility bills, so be prepared. Once your project is finished, you’ll still have more expensive utility bills.
• Waste management. Perhaps the single-most overlooked renovation or new feature installation project cost homeowners forget to include is waste management. After all, you’ll have to do something with the debris that’s created. And make no mistake about it, waste will be plentiful. So, you’ll have to rent a roll off dumpster or hire a local junk removal service. Even if you manage to do it yourself, there’s still dumping fees to pay.
• New electrical wiring. If your outdoor home improvement project calls for more lighting (which it really should so you can actually enjoy the space at any time of day), don’t forget about the cost of installing new electrical wiring for things like fans, lights, outlets, and more. It’s not just the cost of materials, but also, will include labor and probably some building permits will be necessary to obtain.
• Ongoing maintenance. After the entire landscape and outdoor living project is totally complete, you’ll have to maintain it all. Even if you go the do-it-yourself route, it’s going to be an ongoing expense for your household. Although these will likely not be too expensive, they will add to your overall operating expenses.
• Future repairs. Last but certainly not least are future repair costs. Something will inevitably break down or need to be completely replaced and that doesn’t come without a cost. At some point, you will have to pay for repairs or replace this or that.

If it’s time to update your landscape or add more features, like a new deck, just go ahead and contact us. We are a full-service, professional landscape design company and serve all of Sarasota, including near Bayfront Drive, around Rolling Green Golf Club, along Longboat Club Road, and elsewhere.

Don’t Make These Big-Time Landscaping Mistakes

Every homeowner wants their property to look its best, inside and out. After winter and spring has passed, the summer sun comes on strong and it’s a great time to give your home’s curb appeal a boost. However, some homeowners make some big mistakes, not thinking things through when they are planning their new landscape.

Taking ideas from various websites, from home improvement stores, and magazines, they get excited about how it will look once it’s done and that provides the inspiration to get outside and get started. Unfortunately, in the excitement of a new yard comes a bit of myopic thinking, not taking some factors into consideration.

In just a few weeks, months, or even a couple of years, it becomes quite obvious that some of those things were not the best ideas. It’s then you’re left with the task of undoing the damage, which can be costly in some cases, or just purely inconvenient in others. In order to avoid such mistakes, make sure you pick and choose wisely because that will save you time, energy, and money in the future.

How Landscaping Impacts Your Home’s Value

Real estate professionals, such as brokers and home stagers, know the value of a beautiful landscape. They also know when it’s gone too far and when it’s lacking. Curb appeal is a big thing because people form an impression of a home in just 7 to 10 seconds. A nice looking yard with colors not only helps boost your home’s value, but also makes it more welcome for guests and the envy of your neighbors.

Clumsy, neglected, and hodgepodge landscaping not only hurts your home’s curb appeal, it can cut the value of your property and make it harder to sell. Real estate appraisers say bad landscaping is a buyer turnoff that can increase the number of days a property languishes on the market, which also hurts prices. Even more important, bad landscaping is a downer that hurts the way you see and enjoy your home. Don’t let bad landscaping happen to you. —House Logic

Small changes make a big impact and when you’re planning your landscape, think about accenting your home’s exterior features. Try to avoid linear, hard lines, because those aren’t visually appealing. The ebb and flow of non-linear features will look the best.

Identify the best features on the exterior of your home and be sure to pick landscaping material that highlights them. You want to amplify those and spruce-up the not-so-exciting features to really make your curb appeal of maximum value to your home. Another thing to keep in mind is consistency. You want the landscape to have a single theme and not to be a hodgepodge of different things because that’s precisely how it will look. What’s more, it will detract from your property’s curb appeal.

The Top Landscaping Mistakes You Need to Know

When it comes to landscaping, you should have a realistic and actionable plan. Piecemeal, disparate, off-the-cuff installation of different plants, flowers, hardscape features will yield and unsightly result. What’s more, you’re much more likely to sabotage your own lawn. Here are the biggest landscaping mistakes you’ll want to avoid:

• Planting too close to your home’s exterior. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that plants grow, as do their roots. Shrubs, bushes, and trees might be a great idea for specific areas, but be sure they have ample room to grow, or you could see them growing under your home’s foundation or running into plumbing.
• Clumping plants too close together. Not only do you want to put plants away from your home’s exterior, driveway, and walkway, you also don’t want to plant them too close to one another. That will cause them to not only grow into one another, but “fight” for nutrients and water from the ground and sprinklers.
• Planting non-native plants. Invasive plants might look beautiful, but if they are not native to the locality, then the best policy is to outright avoid them. If you choose not to refrain, you’re likely going to deeply regret throwing caution to the wind.
• Putting in messy trees. Ginkgo biloba, sweetgum, and pine are some of the messiest trees and no trees should be planted near a swimming pool. Not only will you have to constantly skim out leaves, but the roots could easily find their way to the walls of your pool and that will be a big problem to deal with.
• Repeating the same thing. Another mistake that many homeowners make is choosing a few plants they really like and planting them all over the place, creating a monotonous look that seriously lacks charm.

Last but not least, and this is where most homeowners get themselves unwittingly into trouble–they overestimate they’re DIY abilities. They put in a lavish landscape and then become disenchanted when they’re spending too much time in upkeep.

How to Prepare a Landscape for a Tropical Storm

With Hurricane Matthew spinning just off the east coast of the Florida peninsula, it’s good to know how to prepare a landscape for a tropical storm. Those conditions are highly expected to occur on the central west coast of the Sunshine State, and Sarasota, still reeling from previous storms, will likely be affected. The good news is, because Sarasota was previously hit earlier in the year, a lot of loose debris has already been cleaned up. What’s more, Sarasota is on the west side of the cyclone, which is much more preferable to the east side. With Hurricane Matthew still a good day, two, or three away, now is the time to prepare your landscape for a tropical storm.

Common Tropical Storm Damage

Tropical storm conditions wreak havoc on homes and landscapes. With so much rain, it’s very possible to have to save a completely flooded lawn. Common tropical storm damage to homes and landscapes include scattered debris, HVAC damage, siding and window damage, roof damage, vehicle damage, uprooted trees, downed trees and branches, scattered mulch, fence damage, downed or damaged hardscape features (like a damaged or fallen pergola), pool debris, deck damage, and more.

The worst thing that people who live along coastlines can do is not to prepare for tropical storms and hurricanes. According to the National Hurricane Center, the two key factors contributing to weather safety during hurricanes are preparing in advance for the risks and to act on those preparations when alerted by emergency officials. —Accuweather.com

This is why upkeep and maintenance are so important. For instance, periodically resealing a wood deck, regular pool filter maintenance, pruning trees, bushes, and hedges, repairing retaining walls, and other proactive steps. But, just keeping your landscape maintained and updated isn’t enough to prepare it for the impact of tropical storm conditions. When winds begin to gust at over 39 miles per hour or higher, your landscape must bear the brunt.

How to Prepare a Landscape for a Tropical Storm

When we think about tropical storm preparation, we typically think about our homes. Covering windows, staging sandbags, buying plenty of non-perishables, water, batteries, charging devices, getting a first aid kit ready, and more. What we tend to forget are the very things which can’t escape the severely inclement conditions — young trees, vegetables, flowering plants, hardscape features, and more. So, here are some helpful tips for how to prepare a landscape for a tropical storm:

• Lay potted plants and trees on their sides. It seems perfectly fine to wrap potted plants and potted trees in tarps but that creates dangerous situations. If you wrap a potted plant or tree in a tarp, the material will probably come loose and act like a sail — creating an unstable projectile. Lay potted trees and plants on their sides and brace with bricks. Face the tops away from the anticipated wind direction, as well.
• Take care of trees, especially near your house. Take time to look at the trees on your property to spot any dead or dying branches, particularly any trees near your house or those with branches extending over the roof. While previous storms might have broken weak branches, there could be more branches will are susceptible to wind damage. Any leaning trees should be dealt with appropriately, especially those which can fall onto your house or vehicles.
• Remove all debris from your front and back lawns. If there is any debris on your lawns, front or back, now is the time to clean it up. Remember, any loose objects become dangerous projectiles when winds gust to speeds of 39 miles per hour or higher. If you have the equipment to cover your pool to repel debris, now is the time. But don’t use the cover if it’s worn or damaged, or if it cannot be totally secured.
• Bring outside furniture and decor inside your garage. Outdoor patio furniture and any decor hung around should be taken to an inside location, such as a garage, shed, or even a pool house or cabana. In the alternative, rope or chain furniture together and secure it to a strong tree that’s well away from your house.
• Don’t forget to harvest your vegetables out of the garden. Now is also the time to harvest vegetables out of your garden so they aren’t lost to the storm. During heavy wind gusts, vegetables will be damaged and/or carried away. Even those which survive and are submerged under flood water will need discarding.

If it’s time to update your landscape or add more features, contact us. We are a full-service, professional landscape design company and serve all of Sarasota, including near Bayfront Drive, around Rolling Green Golf Club, along Longboat Club Road, and elsewhere.