Bob & Pete's Seasonal Landscape and Gardening Tips for the Sierra Foothills

BP Landscapes of Grass Valley, Nevada City, Auburn, Folsom, and surrounding areas. Voted best landsape design firm for 6 years in a row by readers of The Union newspaper.

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Bob & Pete's Seasonal
Landscape and Gardening Tips

August 2010 Gardening Tips:
Summer Lawn Care...
A brown lawn is not necessarily a dead lawn. Grasses can go dormant in hot, dry weather, but adequate water can bring them back. Lawns need one inch of water every week this time of the year, and it's best to water them during early morning hours, thoroughly and deeply, allowing the soil to warm up afterwards, growing deep, plant sustaining roots. A taller lawn height will help cool the roots and retain moisture; consider adjusting your mower.

All about Xeriscaping...
Here in the Sierra foothills we are fortunate to have abundant water for our landscaping projects, but xericaping, gardening that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental irrigation, is gaining in popularity. Xeriscaping uses locally native plants and those that require little supplemental watering, and it takes full advantage techniques such as mulching, low maintenance design and rainwater retention. Xeriscapes may look more austere, but have the advantage of simpler, less stressful gardening.

Moisture in the Garden
If the hot summer weather is stressing you, take a moment to think about how it may be stressing your plants! Container plants and hanging baskets need more attention in hot weather, check them daily for adequate moisture by pushing your finger an inch or two into the soil. Drip systems are available for container gardens and are terrific time savers; call us for more information and help with your summer landscape needs.

Pruning the Dead...
It can be easy to neglect our garden chores in hot weather, but just a little daily maintenance grooming your flowering plants can make a big difference in your garden's overall appearance. Take a few minutes to pick off dead flowers on annual and perennial plants and you will promote their flowering longer into the season. Pruning hybrid roses now encourages fall blossoms and more enjoyment later!

July 2010 Gardening Tips:
Defensive landscaping...
Living in California means living with wildfires. Your best protection includes keeping that defensible space around your home by mowing down tall grasses and weeds, trimming dead growth from shrubs and trees and pruning back any overhanging branches from rooftop areas. Irrigation systems that keep your landscape green are an added protection and a true property asset. If you need help with irrigation system installations or repairs, call or e-mail us!

Pinch and feed…
Removing dead flowers on roses and other perennials will help maintain the overall health of the plants and will promote bloom production. While you're spending time on these plants, help boost their energy by fertilizing with a well balanced flower/rose fertilizer or organic plant food. If you're blessed with abundant blooms on your roses, take the time to bring some into your home for round the clock enjoyment!

Watering Time…
Summer's warmer temperatures require closer attention to your lawn and garden's water needs. The best watering time is early to mid morning; if you have a sprinkler system on a timer, set it to begin no earlier than 5 AM.
Late evening watering may promote fungus growth; it's best to avoid watering during the PM hours. Mulching around plants in your garden will help retain moisture too. Our landscape experts are available to help with warm weather gardening needs.

Pruning tomatoes?…
By now your tomato plants may be well established and growing quickly. You may want to try pinching back "suckers" that form where the plant branches meet the main stem to help keep your plants open to sun and air and controllable in size. Small suckers can easily be pinched off with your fingers; use a pruner on more established stems. You may be rewarded with larger, more robust tomatoes as your plant develops into harvest time.

Weeds!…
Warm weather can bring on unwelcome weed growth. Here are a few tips on weed control: Weed often, pull a few weeds every day to avoid sore muscles. Weed early in the season: small weeds are easier to remove! Remove flowering and near flowering weeds first to prevent spreading their seeds. Choose low maintenance plants with broad foliage, tall or large plants and vigorous growers to fill in your garden and there won't be as much room for weeds to establish.

June 2010 Gardening Tips:
Ugh, slugs!...
Our exceptionally damp spring may have invited this pest into your garden. Pulling weeds frequently and removing decaying matter and old leaves discourages slugs; be especially cautious in shady areas and under decks. Prune shrub branches lying on the ground to destroy slug havens. Organic deterrents: walk with a salt shaker, try stale beer in a small bowl and always destroy slug egg clusters (whitish, jelly filled and BB sized) you find. We owe it to our gardens to control this destructive creature!

Econo-garden Gifts...
Fathers’ Day is next Sunday; consider economical garden related gifts for Dad this year. Find Dad friendly plants at your local nursery; perhaps a favorite herb he can use in BBQ recipes or a bonsai plant to nurture. Make his garden chores easier with new garden hoses and attachments. Kids can create coupons for garden chores (weeding, lawn mowing, turning compost piles). More generous gifts might include landscape services and drip watering systems. Give us a call for help and more ideas.

Growing Lavender...
Growing lavender is popular with many foothills gardeners. Lavender loves dry, sunny, rocky habitats; it thrives in warm, well drained soil and full sun. Alkaline soil conditions enhance lavender’s fragrance. Once established, lavender is tough and drought resistant and, a bonus in rural areas, it’s avoided by deer. Plants can be pruned in spring to encourage new growth, but take care if your lavender suffers winter die-back; too early disturbance may cause your plants to give up. Look for new growth at the plant base first. Need help? Call us!

Summer Temps and Dry Conditions...
By now summer temperatures and dry conditions may require more frequent watering in our gardens. Remember to water during early morning hours to minimize evaporation and adjust sprinklers to only water necessary areas (not the house, sidewalk or street!). If you haven’t done so already, check your hoses, sprinklers and irrigation systems for leaks and malfunctioning. Give us a call for inspections, necessary repairs and new installation plans.

May 2010 Gardening Tips:
It’s time to get your garden site and soil ready for planting, then you can have fun purchasing your plants! This month we’ll focus on tips for site preparation and soil readiness and then move on to plant selection.

SITE SELECTION AND PREPARATION...
The best garden sites have lots of light, drainage and breezy air flow. Permanent garden bed development is an ideal way to jump start your garden from year to year. You may want to consider raised beds; you can grow more in less space, digging is easier, soil compacts less and it warms up more quickly. If you’re not sure you have the right location or are not able to do the work yourself, give us a call, we provide free consultations.

SOIL PREPARATION...
Soil testing is the best way to determine your soil is ready to help your plants thrive and should be done every three years. Garden centers and nurseries carry a variety of test kits you can perform at home to help you decide on proper soil amendments. If organic is right for you, consider common amendments such as compost, lime, peat moss, leaf mold, composted manure. We have experts to help you when you’re ready.

PLANT SELECTION...
You may want to sketch your garden and note what types of plants you want and where you will plant them. Considerations for selecting include: desirable and compatible flower and foliage colors, potential plant size and shape, sun and shade requirements of various plants, selecting plants that bloom throughout the growing season and will grow well in your soil conditions, choosing plants with similar water requirements. If you need expert advice, call out professional design team.

PURCHASING HEALTHY PLANTS...
Close inspection of your plants when you’re purchasing can insure a good start in your garden. Look for good root development, but make sure roots aren’t growing out the bottom of the pot. Root bound plants may suffer from transplant shock and will never thrive. Check for good soil moisture and avoid plants with weeds growing in the pot. Avoid plants with wilted or yellowing leaves, spindly growth or signs of insects and diseases. Have fun with your garden and remember us if you need advice!

April 2010 Gardening Tips:
GREEN Landscaping offers the homeowner a chance to save money, time, and resources while establishing healthier plants and soil, and adding to the diverse ecosystems of the planet. The future of sustainable landscaping lies in our capacity to accurately mimic the processes of nature for maximum efficiency. Not with short –term, quick-fix, chemical solutions that push our plants and poison our earth. This month learn how to go GREEN.

SOIL QUALITY...
Green Landscaping is all about quality….of the soil that is. Since healthy soil equals healthy plants, green landscapers, (here at BP Landscapes,) are constantly on the lookout for ways to boost soil fertility. When you’re a company focused on sustainable results for the long term, they will provide you with new plants and healthy soil rich in organic matter. This reduces maintenance and watering requirements and increases the life of your plants.

ECO-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPE ESSENTIALS...
Organic matter is the most basic element that determines soil fertility, and compost is the best organic matter source that you can offer a landscape, so compost is an essential part of any green landscaping project. Its job is to nourish your plants by infusing the soil with life and fertility. “Feed the soil, not the plants.”
Bagged compost can be purchased at any hardware store or nursery, but the best quality compost is often found at our local landscape material supplier in bulk form.

IRRIGATION TECHNIQUES AND MOISTURE RETENTION...
The next step in green landscaping is to consider your irrigation options.
Installation and Conservation. Drip irrigation far out performs the alternative – installation is fast and inexpensive, and the system waters deeply while using considerably less water than spray irrigation.
Water Wise. Sustainable landscaping techniques pair choices like a drip irrigation system with drought-tolerant plants, so that deep watering twice a month is often sufficient.
Plant Health. Drip irrigation assists with the development of deep root systems that encourage a stronger, healthier, and more drought-resistant landscape.
Savings. Your natural landscape will naturally lead to a substantially lower water bill.

RECYLCED GOODS...
Using recycled materials in the hardscape ensures that the consumer is not inadvertently supporting environmental degradation by buying stone and rock trucked from far away places. Instead of using expensive lumber that risks damage to the environment, use one of the many recycled plastic products that can be substituted for decks and landscape edging. The recycled materials also last longer because they are not susceptible to rot, like wood, making them a highly attractive option for the hardscape.

March 2010 Gardening Tips:
This month we will giving tips on: How to know when to hire a Landscape Professional. Every landscape improvement has the potential to be a rewarding project you can do yourself, but sometimes it is better to just hire a professional to do the job. Here are some objectives to remember when deciding whether you need a professional to do the work for you.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS...
Decide what areas of your lot you want landscape. Consider your lifestyle. Do you need a flat open area for children to play in, or a fenced-in area for gardening out of the reach of the deer? Do you want to increase your privacy from the street or neighboring houses?

COME UP WITH A PLAN...
Sketch out a plan the meets your needs and wants. Discuss your proposed design with the landscapers. Consider their suggestions, particularly if you’re uncertain about the layout you want. Or consider hiring a landscape designer if your project is large or if you’re having difficulty deciding what you want.