Here's part II of our Transformation Tuesday: What you are looking at is just off the dining room portal. We started off with a flower bed and added a functional dry stream that diverts water away from the house when it rained. Finished off with moss rock stepstones to get to the flagstone pathway, a few plants, and bark mulch to round out the final look. Happy Tuesday!
Q: How often should I be watering now that my irrigation system is turned off? A: We recommend that you give your plants a good (not quick) watering 1-2 times a week depending on the weather in the month of October. From November to December, we suggest watering at least once a week. As we get more into winter (January through February), water once every two weeks, even if we get some snow. In early spring, water once a week until your irrigation system is turned on again. Curious about an issue with your landscaping? Send us your questions!
Autumn Purple Ash (Fraxinus Americana) - Plant in zones 3-9 with moderate water and plenty of sunshine. Beautiful reddish purple leaves cover this deer tolerant tree in the fall. Autumn Purple Ash can grow up to 60' tall and 50' wide. Be mindful of planting this tree in a lawn, as it produces surface roots which can be damaged by a lawnmower. Also, try to plant this tree where it will get some protection from the wind as the branches can break due to strong gusts. With a little bit of planning for the tree location, Autumn Purple Ash can bring great delight in the fall and is well worth the extra effort.
This next Transformation Tuesday will be a 2 part series. This project was a new construction home. To put it bluntly, the front looked very bad. The courtyard turned into a muddy mess when it rained. Our clients wanted a pathway but did not want to use concrete. We used flagstone with a very tight fit. Plants, gravel, flowerbeds, and a water feature were also added to create a little oasis in this Southwest desert. Come back next week to see Part II of this lovely project! Happy Tuesday!
Q: Why are my Aspen trees getting a fungus and what are my treatment options? A: Since we had such a mild winter last year, a lot of fungus and pests survived the cold. The aspen trees this year seemed to suffer the most, although many plants were affected. The long dry spell we had in early summer also weakened the tree's defenses. The best thing to do is clean the leaves once they fall and dispose of them. This will lessen the chance of eggs and spores at the base of your tree. Next, contact a tree company and talk about treatment options with them, or if you prefer to treat it yourself, take a few leaves to a local nursery and ask them what kind of fungicide would be best to use. Stay war
Plant of the week: Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis) - Zone 3-9 This violet spiked pea-like flower is a deer resistant perennial and is a native wildflower. It is also adaptable to a wide variety of soils and should be planted in partial to full sun. The blooms can reach four feet tall and appear in late spring to early summer. Fun fact: Baptisia australis is a member of the Pea family. As a member of the Pea family, it is capable of nitrogen fixation. Nitrogen fixation is a process that, with the help of a special bacteria (Rhizobium), that lives on its roots and can pull nitrogen from the air and convert it into a usable form of nitrogen for the plant to then absorb.
Good morning Santa Fe! Question of the week: Q: Why are my coyote fence posts leaning and seem loose? A: Depending on who installed the coyote fence it may be held together with one continuous line of wire. If this wire loosens or breaks, it can cause the fence to lean or be wobbly. When we install coyote fences, we tie each individual post to the rail using double stranded wire for the best hold possible. You may need to contact a professional to get it replaced.
Plant of the week: Double Flowered Japanese Rose ® (Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora') - Zone 5-9 Radiant yellow flowers that resemble small rose blooms cover this fast-growing perennial in early spring. Just as the early bird gets the worm, Double Flowered Japanese Rose ® will surely capture your attention as it will begin blooming in mid April. Water regularly and plant in partial shade to partial sun in well-drained soil for best results. Easy to care for and deer resistant, this fast grower can quickly reach 8-10 tall and wide so make sure you choose your location well!
Part 4 to our final Transformation Tuesday series: This project was very fun to work on. We added a double water feature that cascades water. A few beautiful plants and rose gravel finished this amazing backyard. A closer look at the water feature: Double Water Feature Have a wonderful Tuesday!
Question of the week: Q: With the leaves falling, is it a good idea to let the leaves stay on the ground to decompose for mulch? A: There are a few factors to consider before raking up the leaves. Where the leaves healthy? Was there any powdery mildew, spider mites or other pests? If so it’s a good idea to remove the leaves. A pile of leaves can provide fungus and pests an insulated home for eggs and spores to survive the winter. If your leaves were healthy and you don’t mind the look, leaves can decompose and provide nutrients and organic matter back to your soil. Just do not allow un-mulched leaves to sit on your lawn over the winter or there will be a lot of bare spots to repair come spri
Plant of the week: Cranesbill Geranium Zone 4-10 Unusual leaf shape, a long bloom season, and several color options (blue, lavender, white and pink) make this perennial a great addition to any garden. Plant in partial to full sun, in a well-drained soil with regular watering for best results. Cranesbill Geranium is a moderate grower that can reach 20 inches tall and 24 inches wide and looks great cascading over a moss rock wall.
We move on with Part III of this Transformation Tuesday: After removing all the backyard gravel, plants and rock borders in this phase of the project, we created a larger flowerbed and filled it in with sunset rose gravel. A double water feature was also installed along with a split rail fence with honeysuckle to provide some privacy from the trail below A different angle of this landscape will be posted next week! Happy Tuesday!
