Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Design for the Times
James "Motor" Merritt
Partner and Creative Director of Living Color Landscapes
715-849-9600 – www.livingcolorlandscapes.net
Thursday, June 19, 2008
THE SWITCH IS ON – ORGANICS IN THE HOME AND GARDEN
This “new” attitude, (not - for us aging Hippies) is now making its way outdoors into our lawns and gardens. Not only are we giving our kids and pets a less toxic lawn to play on, but the storm water run-off carries less chemicals into our recreational waters, and yes, municipal and ground water too. Then there are the beneficial insects; ladybugs, fireflies spiders, praying mantis, and wasps that combat the destructive insects that devour our plants. It seems that it would be better if we weren’t poisoning these ‘little buggahs’. Recently there is news on the un-explained disappearance of whole colonies of bees. Although many theories are circulating, we shouldn’t rule out environmental pressure and the effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. And finally, we eliminate the exposure to ourselves from mixing, broadcasting and spraying of chemicals. That means less dust in our lungs and toxins through our skin. Now, I am not advocating the elimination of one of the American Male’s great spring rituals, as we all have a bit of “The Tool Man” in us. I am simply suggesting that we consider a better approach.
Too often we are treating symptoms that could be prevented by better preparation. Compacted, dry, or inorganic soils give off signals that we often misinterpret. Our typical response is to run down to the home improvement mart and begin throwing chemicals on the problem. Very often, non-chemical solutions such as de-thatching, core aeration, and simply starting with adequate organic based soils (4 to 8” for a healthy lawn) will correct the situation and produce a lush green turf and abundant blooms.
Last week I was speaking with Jeff Nowak; Living Color’s Landscape Management Director. He told me that he made the switch to organics early this year and his clients are seeing dramatic results in just a few short weeks. Nowak said; “You have to see it to believe it. We are getting six weeks of growth from our annual plantings in only two weeks”. “We are now using non-salt and low-salt based fertilizers and the results are significant. At this point, my curiosity began to peak. What is it? And where can I get it?
“We are using Green Guard Plant Starter Plus for shrubs, ornamentals and vegetable gardens and Green Guard 17 – 9 – 7 Low Salt Turf Builder for lawns. These are available, easy to use and virtually fool proof. This is truly a win – win solution with outstanding results. Seems like a great idea to me!
James Merritt / Landscape Designer
www.livingcolorlandscapes.net
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
"A Safe Alternative"
With this on my mind, I took a stroll down the isle of a large home and garden retailer Sunday afternoon and found myself in the garden chemical isle. I was amazed by the number of products and began reading the labels, and warnings. …Pretty serious stuff about eyes, and children and pets, and then it hit me… We are caught up in an almost ritualistic habit of dumping chemicals on our lawns and gardens in a quest for the perfect patch of green, all without thinking of the effects downstream. Synthetic pre-emergents like Preen,TR-10, Treflan and a host of others, have been proven to be deadly to fish and in higher concentrations to earthworms.” Powers continued, “What ever happened to pulling the weeds?”
OK, here is the good news! There is a safe alternative to chemicals – Corn Gluten meal. Available in several forms, one from Preen under the name “Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer”. It is Organic and safe to use. However, DO NOT Confuse it with”Preen Garden Weed Preventer “which has a warning for children on the front of the container. Although this Organic product is readily available in smaller packaging on store shelves, the price per pound is significantly less if purchased from one of the local coops or feed stores. Corn Gluten is available in 50 lb bags priced around twenty dollars … A much better deal. Applying Corn Gluten is safe and easy. Spread an even layer (not too thick) over the area to be treated. This will reduce your weed germination by as much as 80% while adding nitrogen to your soil. This is a win- win scenario for a healthier environment.
For a links to more information on Corn Gluten and the Gulf of Mexico Dead zone, visit our website – www.livingcolorlandscapes.net
James Merritt - Partner and Creative DirectorLiving Color Landscapes
www.livingcolorlandscapes.net
Monday, June 16, 2008
Spring Cleaning in the Great Outdoors
Spring Cleaning in the Great Outdoors
The weather this past weekend made me stop and question if it was really the end of April and not late October. Like so many of my fellow "greenthumbers" I woke up Saturday morning eager to tackle my spring cleanup list and found snowflakes in the air… Yikes! However, buds are breaking and grass is greening and a little wind and snow was no match for the powerful urge to get out in the garden. There is much to do and this is Wisconsin after all... We can handle it!
Yes, it's time for the main event in the gardener's annual rite of spring… "The spring cleanup". Which includes pruning, deadheading, thatching, fertilization, mulching, and finally applying a pre-emergent herbicide on the freshly mulched beds. It is amazing what a small investment and a little bit of elbow grease can do to improve the health and appearance of your lawn and garden.
OK, here are a few tips to get you started;
Pruning – Shrubs grown primarily for foliage, (alpine currant, barberry, burning bush, dogwood and ninebark), should be pruned in early spring before growth begins. Spring and early summer blooming trees and shrubs, (azalea, chokeberry, forsythia, lilac, and spirea), should be pruned immediately after their bloom time. Next, it's time to clean up the perennials and grasses in the garden. – Cut away the dead leaves and foliage it is important to remove the cuttings and branches from around the base of the plant prior to mulching which will help reduce the possibility of pests or disease. Continue "deadheading" (cutting the spent flowers from your perennials) throughout the growing season to prolong blooms or encourage re-blooms. In the case of spring bulbs, once the plant has flowered, I suggest trimming only the yellow or brown plant material, rather than cutting the plant off at the base. This may require several visits with the pruners, but by doing this it will allow the transfer of vital nutrients to return to the bulb. Oh, and don't forget the area around the receding tulips and daffodils makes a wonderful spot for petunias, and other colorful annuals.
Next you are ready to divide and transplant your summer and fall blooming perennials - Many of our favorites require dividing sometime within two to five years of their initial planting. This is a bonus for garden enthusiasts. Some of my favorite plants in my garden were gifts from friends that had divided their prize irises, daylilies and grasses. Typically, Stella d' Oro daylilies should be divided by their third spring to revitalize their blooms. However, other perennials require dividing at different intervals depending on the species. For further information and a comprehensive list of spring perennials and the recommended division times, please visit our website - www.livingcolorlandscapes.net
Next, you are ready to fertilize your plants with a low-salt organic fertilizer. If you happen to live near a watershed, you will want to watch the phosphorous content as well. And finally, it is time to top dress the planting beds with double shredded hardwood mulch and apply a granular pre-emergent herbicide. This will give your garden a rich, neat appearance, encourage healthy soil and help you to retain valuable moisture while preventing the spread and germination of weeds. Take caution to avoid piling the mulch up against the stem of the plant. I suggest an inch and a half clearance for shrubs and perennials. One note on pesticides… "If hiring out this service, it is important to use licensed applicators". In the state of Wisconsin, anyone who applies any pesticide for hire must be licensed as a commercial applicator. According to Lawn and Garden News…The definition of a pesticide is "a substance or mixture of substances used to destroy or control any undesirable form of animal or plant life… The pest can be mice, flies, bacteria or even weeds. "A licensed applicator will ensure that safe practices are being followed. Check with your landscape professional.
So relax, roll up your sleeves and embrace this wonderful blessing called spring. With a little effort now you will enjoy a beautiful outdoor environment all season long.
James "Motor" Merritt – Partner & Creative Director
Living Color Landscapes