Be Ready for Spring 2013!

 Okay, it's been winter for the past couple of weeks. Even though we're going to warm up (maybe to 60!), it's still winter. Not much to do in the garden, but a great time to plan for spring. Spend the next few weeks making decisions about your 2013 landscaping so you'll be able to hit the ground running in March. Need to replace plants? Research options for shade, or sun, or both, depending on your needs. Do you have plants that just didn't do well in in 2012? Find out why...too much water? too little? right amount of shade/sun? soil ph right?

 Lots of sights for this information on the internet. But, if you'd like professional looking gardens in 2013, call Buckeye Landscape and we'll take care of everything!

Buckeye Landscape 614-866-0088 

www.buckeyelandscape.com

R U Ready for Winter?

 

Here are a few suggestions to prepare for winter:

Mower Winterizing: Clean entire machine, sharpen blade, change oil, scrape deck, clean air filter, drain gas or add gas stabilizer (i.e. Sta-Bil)

Around the Garden: Cut perennials back, mulch roses, rake leaves and pick up debris, til the garden, winterize any water features (ponds, pools, fountains) and irrigation system. Disconnect and store hoses.

For the House: Clean the furnace filter, replenish firewood, install storm windows, be sure you have a snow shovel and a blended ice melt product for sidewalk and driveway.

The Car: Keep fuel tank at least half full, check the battery, put ice scraper, blankets, small shovel, extra clothes and blankets in vehicle in case you get stranded.

Snow Blower: Clean the air filter, add fresh gas, check and lube cables.

 Happy Holidays!

&

Let it Snow!

Oh, Deer!

Do you have deer that come to feast in your garden? Below is a list of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and herbs that are unpalatable to deer and other wildlife.

 Trees

• Maples
• Birch
• Redbud
• Dogwood
• Spruce
• Pine
• Magnolia
• Sweetgum

Shrubs

• Privet
• Boxwood
• Potentilla
• Weigela
• Mugo Pine
• Viburnum
• Spirea
• Burning Bush
• Virginia Sweetspire
• Fothergilla

 Perennials

• Astillbe
• Bleeding Heart
• Christmas Rose
• Chrysanthemum
• Coreopsis
• Ferns
• Peony
• Rudbekia
• Salvia
• Sedum

Herbs

• Sage
• Rosemary
• Basil
• Thyme
• Lavender

 Annuals

• Dusty Miller
• Licorice
• Marigolds

Bulbs

• Daffodils
• Hyacinths

These are only a sampling of the plants available. 

Would you like a deer-resistant garden?

Call Buckeye Landscape for all your landscape needs.

614-866-0088

We Encourage you to Vote!

Plant Bulbs Now...For A Spectacular Spring Show!

Bulbs planted now can provide a beautiful garden in the spring. You can plant bulbs directly in the ground or in containers, if space in your garden is limited.

To plant in the ground:

1. Prepare soil and add organic matter--to aid drainage--and granular slow-release fertilizer. Bulbs require proper drainage to thrive.
2. Lay the bulbs on the top of the prepared area to complete your design and provide proper spacing.
3. Using a narrow trowel, plant each individual bulb at the proper depth (3x height).
4. Cover with 1" layer of mulch.

To plant in containers:

1. Containers must have drainage holes and be placed outdoors so they receive normal rainfall throughout the winter.
2. Fill container with soilless potting medium mixed with granular, slow-release fertilizer.
3. Plant the bulbs at the correct depth (same as above, 3x height) and top-off with additional potting mixture and a light layer of mulch.
4. If mixing different bulbs, plant larger ones first (they will be deeper than smaller bulbs) add a layer of potting mixture, planter smaller bulbs at correct depth and fill container with potting mixture. Finish with a light layer of mulch.

You will need to water beds or containers that contain bulbs only if it is a dry fall. The bulbs need proper moisture to develop roots.

Squirrels are very fond of bulbs, except daffodils! To prevent the squirrels from feasting on your recently planted bulbs, be sure to clean the area thoroughly. Pay special attention to any papery coverings that have fallen off the bulbs. If left, any debris will attract the squirrels to the bulb beds. After planting and clean up is complete, determine dimensions of bulb bed. Cut chicken wire 2" longer on each side than the dimensions of the bulb bed. Bend 2" on each side, forming a "box-top" to cover the bed. Push the bent edges into the ground to secure the chicken wire. After the ground is frozen the chicken wire can be removed.

Buckeye Landscape provides complete landscape services including design, planting, maintenance, mowing, clean-up, irrigation service, and snow removal.

614-866-0088

Green Grass for 2013

October is a great time for our lawns. They are green and healthy, responding well to the increasingly cool weather. Especially here in Ohio, where we have experienced drought conditions for much of the growing season; thereby struggling to keep our lawns looking good!

If you do your own yard work, now is a great time to start a journal recording lawncare information such as dates when you:

• fertilize--be sure to include materials used
•  aerate
•  top-dress current lawn areas
• install new lawn (complete or partial areas)

Also record:

•  label information from any turfgrass seed mixture used 
• service information for your mower such as date of purchase, last service, blade sharpening 

Keeping a record of all these activities will be useful in determining what additional work needs to be done and when.

We are approaching the deadline for new seeding, but if you have seeded this fall be sure to remove falling leaves from any newly seeded areas. Leaves left on the seedlings can smother the tender plants. Raking can be tricky, so try blowing the leaves off. Do this frequently so the leaves do not become wet and matted. Wet leaves can promote disease.

You should not have to water newly seeded areas unless it does not rain regularly. However, remember the new grass has very shallow roots and can dry out quickly. Especially if it is windy.

Fall fertilization is an important application, so don't skip it.

You want to remove falling leaves from established lawns, too. Although it is not as critical to do it as often. Mulching the leaves with your mower is a great alternative to raking. Less work and provides organic matter for the winter.

Everything you do in your landscape this fall adds to the beauty next year!

If you'd like Buckeye Landscape

 to provide Lawn Care for 2013, 

call for a FREE Estimate!

614-866-0088

Around the Garden in June

There is much to do in the garden in June. 

Below is a list of activities to keep you busy!

• Keep watering plants--June can bring very hot weather in Ohio (as we have already experienced!) and you need to be attentive to the water/moisture needs in your garden. Water thoroughly as needed. And don't forget the grass!
• Apply new mulch or refresh mulch applied earlier in the spring. Mulch reduces water loss and inhibits weed growth.
• Fill gaps in your beds where plants have not survived the winter. Use annuals to create instant color. Plan to replace plants in the fall.
• Mow your lawn regularly. (See Landscape News blog on mowing tips.)
• Fertilize your lawn. Follow a season long regimen of lawn fertilization and weed/pest control to keep everything looking beautiful.
• Weed the plant beds. Stay on top of this chore by pulling weeds when they are small. This ensures that you get the root and will cut down on the work required throughout the growing season.
• Be sure to attend to any aquatic plants in water features. Thin plants as needed. If water gets a little murky, don't worry, it will clear up after you complete your work in the water.
• Prune lilacs. Overgrown lilacs can be cut back to a height of 18-24 inches. There is still time for pruned lilacs to produce new growth this year.
• Train climbing roses and other flowering vines. Tie the stems onto the trellis, fence, or other vertical structure to keep these plants under control. They can get away from you pretty quick!
• Plan for the next season of color now by choosing and planting flowers, shrubs, bulbs, etc. that will bloom later in the year.

Having a beautiful garden is all about planning ahead. We've seen the result of fall bulb planting in wonderful spring  flowers and are beginning to enjoy the summer bloomers. Pruning our lilacs last summer produced an abundance of blooms this spring. Caring for our roses year round is necessary for rose garden success. So, keep those garden tools close at hand. There is work to be done in the garden year round!

Remember, Buckeye can give you professional results regardless of the scope of your gardens. Call us for design, planting, fertilizing, pruning, mowing, maintenance, irrigation installation or repair. 

We (literally) do it all.

BUCKEYE LANDSCAPE 614-866-0088