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5 Plants that "Give Back"

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5 Plants that “Give Back” Lavender – anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Has been used to treat anxiety, migraines, insomnia and depression. Aloe Vera plant – reduces skin inflammation. Has properties used to treat sunburn and skin irritations. Rosemary plant – Natural Antiseptic properties. Rosemary is not only useful for flavoring that perfect dis h but is bursting with antioxidants which can reduce breakouts and soothe skin. Peppermint – Menthol is the active ingredient which can provide relief from indigestion and headaches. Thyme – Not only does it go well when cooking chicken, it can also help with gastric problems. These are just a few that come to mind. There are so many ways you can make perfect gifts that “give back”! **Please make sure you label the plants as some individuals may have a sensitivity to certain plants** Contact Us Your Landscape is your Sanctuar
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The Ins and Outs of Poison Ivy

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Now that the weeds are growing, it is time for maintenance. But remember that Mother Nature has her own defenses while you are taming her back. Toxicodendron is one of those weeds that has it's own defense.  Toxicodendron is a genus that includes Poison Oak, Poison Ivy, and Sumac. One little brush of these plants can cause an allergic rash and blisters that can last up to three weeks. The rash is caused by Urushiol (a chemical in the sap). As with all allergic reactions, it should be taken seriously. Before we get into getting rid of it, we need to identify it. Poison Ivy is the easiest to identify. It is a woody vine with smooth leaves. The leaves are always grouped in clusters of three. The clusters alternate on the vine. Poison Oak is similar to poison ivy in appearance. It is a woody vine with smooth leaves. The leaves are clustered in groups of three alternating on the vine. The difference is the shape of the leaves. Also, poison oak berries are fuzzy. Pois
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Father's Day

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Dare I say it....it's already Fathers Day!  WOW.  This year is really moving right along. So, what do you get the "Father who has it all"?  Haha..time old question.  Instead of getting him a gift that he may or may not use....give him "time off".  Yep...you heard me..."time off" by giving him your time. Get out there and cut the grass for him or clean that garage.  Giving your time to someone speaks volume!  There are so many pretty cool ideas. Here are just a few: Cook him a nice meal and enjoy it outside together as a family Mow the lawn Wash his vehicle Take him out for a movie day Clean out the garage Plant a bed of his favorite plants/flowers Buy binoculars to "bird watch" with him and make a list of all the birds you see. Go for a hike or an overnight "crazy camping" excursion!   What is crazy camping you ask????  It's backpacking to your location and only taking what you can carry...go old bonding ti
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It's All About Your Style

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What design style celebrates who you are?  Yes, I am talking about landscape designs.  We all have a favorite style that brings peace within our sanctuary.   While there are too many to mention, I wanted to go over a few favorites.  We all agree your sanctuary should be a place of peace...a place where you can "get grounded". For me, that style is a mix between formal and informal .  I like my front yard to be a bit more formal with tightly manicured shrubs and turf cut a bit longer than normal. While in the back I like it a bit relaxed and informal.  A space for relaxation.  This usually means the turf is a little shorter and shrubs not so manicured with a larger variety of plants.  Still looks nice yet entertaining has more of a relaxed feel.  Yep....it's OK to mix your styles! A style that is loved by many yet takes a little work to maintain is the Cottage Style .  This is a tightly variety of plants and trees planted very closer together.  Lots of wind
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Honey, I can't cut the grass.

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Is it true that you shouldn't cut wet grass? This is a debate for the ages. I'm sure that you have heard it all before. Everybody has an opinion about it. Well, just like most landscaping contractors, I'm going to throw in my two cents. First, "How wet is it?"  Do you feel the soil sink as you walk across it? If the answer is yes, do not cut it. If the soil is saturated, you will do more damage than good. The weight of your footsteps and machine compacts the soil. Soil compaction will make it a struggle for your grass to grow.
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Hydrangeas: Color Changing Blooms

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Hydrangeas:   Color Changing Blooms Ever look at a Hydrangea and wonder why the blooms and not the same color as your neighbors?  Well let's just dive right in.... Most people have a hate/love relationship with Hydrangeas and the color of the blooms.  My daughter for the most part, does not like hydrangeas.  She likes the colors of certain blooms that some have but yet hates others.   You can manipulate the color of the bloom by checking your soil.  Soil with a high pH will generally produce blooms of pink to red flowers and lower pH soil tends to lean on the purple and bluish flowers.   Does this mean you can create color variations to blend in with your current landscapes???  YES..., well all except..., Hydrangeas with white blooms!  Unfortunately, Mother Nature will not let you manipulate all colors she offers. So what to do you ask???  You must first determine if your soil is Alkaline or Acidic.  How you wonder do you test this?  Its very simple.  Using a
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Why Use Flowers on Mothers Day?

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Carnations: In 1908 Anna Marie Jarvis created the holiday as a “Sober day of Reflection”.   She sent 500 white carnations to her local church.   White Carnations symbolizes purity, faith, love, beauty and charity ; all traits thought to represent the virtues of motherhood. Always make sure you check the significance of Carnations before deciding what color to buy for your family and friends.   You do not want to send the wrong message.   Color and Meaning of Carnations: ·        Light red symbolizes admiration ·        Dark red symbolizes deep love and affection ·        White symbolizes pure love and good luck ·        Striped symbolizes regret ·        Green symbolizes St. Patrick’s Day ·        Yellow symbolizes disappointment ·        Purple implies capriciousness ·        Pink is the greatest significance of all; it is believed that they first appeared on earth from the Virgin Mary's tears shed over Jesus’ death – making them the symbol of a mother
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Thirsty Lawn?

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Here over the last week we have been fielding quite a few calls. Homeowners are wanting to start their summer watering schedules. Now, more than ever, water conservation is so important. As always, we are here to help. This is a simple process that you can do for yourself. All you need is a rain gauge. Whether you are using an automated in-ground system, or the old faithful garden hose sprinkler. We will discuss both types. In-ground automatic irrigation This system should be installed by a professional. This system divides your lawn and bed areas into several zones. Each zone uses a series of emitters to either spray or drip water on plants and turf. The system will have a central controller. Most new systems can be controlled using your smart phone or computer. If a system is used correctly, it can decrease the amount of water used. First, and most important, make sure that your system is installed with a rain delay sensor. If your system is running during the rain, it i
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