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Creating A Root Cellar

A root cellar was used to store vegetables as well as other food supplies long before electricity came along. Today, many people are looking for a way to save money and eat healthier, organic foods by growing their own vegetables. One option is to create root cellars. This requires a parcel of ground where you can dig down and line with rocks. Many people create roots cellars in their back yards under a shed. You would have a latch door in the floor of the shed that opens and allows you to step down a small ladder into the root cellar.

The root cellar has to be covered to avoid any type of accidents or any animal getting into the cellar. You should line the walls and floor of the root cellar with stones to prevent bugs from getting into the cellar. Products that are stored in the root cellar should be stored in brown sacks to further protect them from rain or insects. The root cellar should be covered at all times when not in use.

Before you start digging on your property, call out your local utility companies so that they can mark out where your utilities are located. You never want to dig on your property unless you know where the utilities are located so that you do not uproot a wire or cable.

A root cellar will enable you to store turnips, carrots, potatoes, onions, and squash for longer periods. If you live in a house where you have a cellar, you can usually use this as your root cellar. You can even create your root cellar indoors by using a wood container that you make yourself to store the vegetables. This container can be kept in a cool, dark place (preferably the basement) to store your vegetables. There are “build your own root cellar” kits online that you can use for this purpose. You will probably find this easier than digging your root cellar on your property.

If you do not have room for a root cellar, you can cook potatoes and freeze them instead of storing them in a root cellar. Turnips and carrots can be frozen uncooked and will be fine. Be sure to peel them before freezing.

A root cellar is an ideal place to store all of your preserved foods as it is cool and dark. Whether you decide to quarter off part of the basement to build a root cellar for your vegetables or build your own, you will find that all of your root vegetables have much more staying power when you store them in a cool, dark place.

10 Shade Tree Options [Infographic]

Shade trees can help you stay cool all summer long, but there’s no reason that you have to wait years for them to mature.

1. Dogwood

The Dogwood tree adds a beautiful element to your yard all year long. You’ll get lush pink, white, or red blossoms in the spring followed by stunning green foliage all summer.

2. Sugar Maple

The Sugar Maple offers a spreading canopy that towers 60 to 75 feet above your yard. It brings a vibrant, colorful show in the fall months.

3. Green Giant Arborvitae

For privacy screens and shade, the Green Giant Arborvitae comes in a beautiful cone shape and is exceptionally hardy to the cold.

4. Weeping Cherry

Growing 20 to 30 feet tall and spreading 20 to 25 feet outwards, this elegant tree cascades pink or white blossoms to welcome the spring.

5. Silver Maple

You’ll get a shimmering silver appearance with a tree that will bathe your backyard in the shade within five years when you choose the Silver Maple.

6. Red Oak

The Red Oak puts on a vibrant display in the fall months, and it can grow up to 75 feet tall with a sprawling canopy.

7. Eastern Redbud

Enjoy brilliant pink flowers in the spring along with a canopy that spreads over 30 feet at maturity with the Eastern Redbud.

8. River Birch

The River Birch grows in clumps with a towering height of 40 to 70 feet and a maximum spread of 30 to 60 feet for maximum shade.

9. Paulownia

The Paulownia has beautiful flowers all spring and summer long. They grow to heights of 30 to 40 feet with a maximum spread of 30 to 40 feet that’s suitable for the back and front yard.

10. American Sycamore

The American Sycamore is a huge shade tree that can easily grow 75 to 100 feet tall with an impressive spread that spans just as large. 

Looking to improve your landscaping? Contact us today.

5 Summer Gardening Hacks [Infographic]

You can use these five summer gardening hacks to keep your garden beautiful and thriving all season long without breaking your back or the bank.

Add Mulch

Adding layers of mulch to your flowerbeds and around your plants add an eye-catching color while helping to lock moisture in and smother weeds. Refresh it once or twice during the growing season and watch your savings add up as you use less water.

Companion Plant

Planting different flowers and plants side by side form beneficial relationships. Basil and tomatoes enhance the flavor of the tomatoes while keeping flies away.

Insulate with Pots

If you’re afraid of your seedlings getting hit with a cold snap and dying, you can insulate them with pots. Flip terra cotta pots over and place them over your seedlings at night to insulate them.

Use Natural Pest Control Methods

You can deal with pesky bugs in your garden by adding natural pest control. Mint plants can ward off biting bugs, and citrus peels or essential oil can get rid of several pests without harming your plants.

Encourage Deep Roots with Deep Watering

Watering your plants deeply every other morning or evening can help to encourage deep roots. This deep root system will make your plants more durable and resistant to drought.

Need help creating your perfect garden? Contact us today.

Backyard Design Ideas on a Budget – Six Tips

Are you ready to transform your backyard into an oasis where you can get away and relax during the warmer months? Upgrading your backyard doesn’t have to be expensive to get great results that your entire family loves. Sometimes, you just need a little time and a lot of creativity to get stunning results. We’ve outlined several ideas for you below.

1. Create Stone Pathways
Do you want to get around your yard without causing large disruptions or running into tripping hazards? If so, you can create a stone pathway for a few hours of time and some odds and ends. Lay down materials like bricks, mulch, or stones to outline a clear path from your patio or back door to the different areas in your yard. You can line it with solar lights or stones that glow in the dark for dusk strolls.

2. Invest in Yard Art
Do you have a smaller yard and you’re not sure what to do with it? You can invest in a few pieces of yard art like a small fountain or bench. A small fountain is a great way to get a water feature without taking up feet of space. You can tuck your fountain by your seating area and enjoy the sound of running water while you relax.

3. String Up Lighting
You can add a whimsical touch to any backyard by stringing up some lighting. They don’t have to be expensive lights, either. You can go to your local store and buy some inexpensive string lighting. You can bring it back home and run it along your fence, through the trees, or around your seating area for a little mood lighting.

4. Create a Vertical Garden
If you don’t have a lot of space, but you want a garden, you can create a vertical garden along one edge of your backyard. You can get wood pallets and drill holes in plastic planters or boxes before attaching them to the pallet. Take the pallet and set it up against a tree, pole, or fence before you plant your garden. It can also double as a privacy fence!

5. Add a Fire Pit
A fire pit gives your backyard a gathering space that’s perfect for entertaining family and friends on those long summer nights. You can create your own fire pit by digging out a hole and stacking landscape or river stones up. Another option is to buy a portable metal fire pit and place it in your yard. Group seating around this fire pit and enjoy.

6. Plant Bright Flowers
You can turn your backyard into a tropical paradise with the right flowers. Hydrangea bushes or tulip bulbs create splashes of color that you can use along the edges of your yard. You can also scatter colorful flowers around your seating area, play area, or anywhere you’d like to draw someone’s eye.

These six quick tips can help you create your backyard getaway without breaking your budget. Add one or add them all, get outside, and spend your summer months relaxing in your own private oasis.

How to Increase Your Curb Appeal Affordably – Five Expert Tips

Adding curb appeal to your home doesn’t have to break the bank, and there are several small things you can do to spruce up the look of your home. We want your property to look its best year-round. This is why we rounded up the most affordable ways you can achieve this.

1. Paint the Front Door
You can try to glam up your front door by painting it a pretty color that coordinates well with your home’s color scheme. You want to have some contrast between the door and your home to draw the eye to it. If your home is white or grey and you have black shutters, make the door pop with a bright splash of red. Whatever you do, just make sure you take your time to make it look fabulous.

2. Wash Your Home
Over the years, things like dust, cobwebs, and grime can accumulate on your home and cause it to look dingy, faded, and worn. You can turn your hose on the strongest setting it has and spray your home’s exterior, roof, porch, garage, and sidewalk. If it’s not strong enough, you can rent a power sprayer too. Just make sure that you keep the power sprayer away from your doorways and windows because it can damage it.

3. Update Your Exterior Lighting
Old lighting can age your entire home, especially in the harsh light of day. You could go with a classic and timeless design, so they don’t go in and out of style. If you don’t want to buy all new light fixtures for your exterior, you could add a coat of spray paint to your current ones. This can help refresh them, and you can even make them look like they’re new.

4. Manicure Your Lawn
No one likes a neglected or overgrown lawn. It can make your entire home look messy and unkempt. Get out your lawnmower and go over it every other week to keep it short and groomed. If you have weeks, tackle them and remove them. For patchy grass, you may have to fertilize and spread grass seed to get that green, lush, and full lawn that you see other people having. Also, pick up your grass clippings when you mow.

5. Refresh Your Driveway
If your garbage cans or recycling bins are out in your driveway in plain view, this can create an eyesore for anyone who sees it. You can store them in the garage or in specially made containers. Next, reseal any small cracks or holes in your driveway, or you can patch them. You can do this yourself or call a company to come in and do it for you.

Bottom Line

Boosting your home’s curb appeal doesn’t have to take a lot of time or break your bank. These five quick tips can help you make your front yard the envy of the neighborhood, and it’s an excellent way to show off your pride in your home.

Contact us today to talk about improving your curb appeal.

What to Consider when Choosing Grass for Your Yard

You can’t just go to your local home improvement store and tell the clerk you need some grass seed.  Sorry, but the process is much more involved than that!

How will you know which grass seed you need?  Here are just a few varieties.  How would you make the choice?

• Fescue
• Bahia
• Bluegrass
• Bermuda
• Zoysia
• Bent Grass
• Centipede
• St. Augustine

And that’s just a few of the varieties out there.  Would you know which one you’d want to adorn your yard?  Well, certainly not without a little information!

As we said before, there are literally hundreds of different varieties out there.  How do you know which one is right for you?  Well, we can’t choose your grass seed, but we can tell you the attributes of different varieties, and then you can choose for yourself!

First, though, consider what you’re looking for when it comes to your lawn and how to care for it.  Are you wondering which grass is best for you?  Here are a few considerations:

• Maintenance required: some grass species require more care than other, high maintenance grasses.
• Climate conditions: most grasses have a preference for specific climates such as humid, coastal, dry, and cool.
• Temperature tolerance: each grass performs better or worse depending on the average temperature range during the growing season.
• Drought resistance: some grass species are better suited quickly recover after going dormant during extended drought conditions.
• Shade adaptation: grass species are classified by how much or how little sunlight they need to maintain their health and vigor.
• Wear resistance: this is a measurement of how well a grass species can recover from foot traffic.

Not every grass is good for every climate. Some species are good for shade, others are good for cold climates and still others perform better in extremely hot areas. The following is a list of the best readily available grasses for specific adaptations.

Best for shady areas

Fine-leaf Fescue:  (cool season) does not tolerate traffic, drought resistant, shade tolerant. Some varieties are more disease resistant.

Tall Fescue: (transition zone) low maintenance that offers good drought resistance and better tolerates light traffic.

Bahia Grass: (warm season) is low-growing, requiring less maintenance, has a coarse texture, makes a thick turf that fends off weeds.

St. Augustine Grass: (warm season) tough, vigorous, thick, weed-blocking. Tolerates some shade, but requires frequent watering, mowing and fertilizing. Standout varieties include Better Blue, Delmar, Raleigh, and Seville.

Best in hot climates

Bahia Grass: (warm season) is low-growing, requiring less maintenance, has a coarse texture, makes a thick turf that fends off weeds.

Bermuda Grass: (warm season) fine texture that tolerates traffic. Vigorous and tolerates drought and salt. Does not do well in shade and tends to build up thatch. Standout varieties include: Cheyenne, Patriot, Tifgreen, and Tifway II.

Seashore Paspalum: (warm season) tolerates sandy soil, salt, and wet conditions. Holds up to drought and tolerates traffic.

St. Augustine Grass: (warm season) tough, vigorous, thick, weed-blocking. Tolerates some shade, but requires frequent watering, mowing and fertilizing. Standout varieties include Better Blue, Delmar, Raleigh, and Seville.

Zoysiagrass: (warm season/transition zone) slow-growing, dense grass, drought tolerant. Does better with frequent watering. Builds up thatch. Standout varieties include: El Toro, Emerald, and Meyer.

Best for drought resistance

Tall Fescue: (transition zone) low maintenance that offers good drought resistance and better tolerates light traffic. Standout varieties include Arid and Jaguar 3.

Bahia Grass: (warm season) is low-growing, requiring less maintenance, has a coarse texture, makes a thick turf that fends off weeds.

Bermuda Grass: (warm season) fine texture that tolerates traffic. Vigorous and tolerates drought and salt. Does not do well in shade and tends to build up thatch. Standout varieties include: Cheyenne, Patriot, Tifgreen, and Tifway II.

Buffalograss: (warm season) one of the few native North American grasses, is drought tolerant but doesn’t hold up to traffic. Turns brown when it gets hot and when it gets cold. Grows slowly.

Seashore Paspalum: (warm season) tolerates sandy soil, salt, and wet conditions. Holds up to drought and tolerates traffic.

Zoysiagrass: (warm season/transition zone) slow-growing, dense grass, drought tolerant. Does better with frequent watering. Builds up thatch. Standout varieties include: El Toro, Emerald, and Meyer.

Best in high-use/traffic areas

Perennial Ryegrass: (cool season and over-seeding in warm season areas) medium texture, handles traffic, handles drought conditions without a lot of additional watering or fertilizer. This grass does not do well in shade. It does mix well with other grass types.

Kentucky Bluegrass: (cool season) most common cool season grass and the hardiest for cold weather. Fine texture, fills in bare spots quickly, requires more mowing, does not do well in shady areas and does not tolerate salt. Standout varieties include Adelphi, Award, Baron, Midnight, Nu Destiny and Touchdown.

Bermuda Grass: (warm season) fine texture that tolerates traffic. Vigorous and tolerates drought and salt. Does not do well in shade and tends to build up thatch. Standout varieties include: Cheyenne, Patriot, Tifgreen, and Tifway II.

Zoysiagrass: (warm season/transition zone) slow-growing, dense grass, drought tolerant. This grass does better with frequent watering, and builds up thatch. Standout varieties include: El Toro, Emerald, and Meyer.

Best for low-maintenance requirements

Fine-leaf Fescue: (cool season) does not tolerate traffic, drought resistant, shade tolerant. Some varieties are more disease resistant (Aurora)

Tall Fescue: (transition zone) low maintenance that offers good drought resistance and better tolerates light traffic. Standout varieties include Arid and Jaguar 3.

Bahia Grass: (warm season) is low-growing, requiring less maintenance, has a coarse texture, makes a thick turf that fends off weeds.

Buffalograss: (warm season) one of the few native North American grasses, is drought tolerant, but doesn’t hold up to traffic. Turns brown when it gets hot and when it gets cold. Grows slowly.

Centipedegrass: (warm season) coarse, fast-spreading, low growing and requires little fertilizer. Is not drought resistant and may turn brown in high heat. Outstanding varieties include Centennial, Oaklawn, and Tifblair.

Growing In Shady Areas

What do you do if you have a shady area that needs grass?  Well, don’t fret!  There are some types of grasses that are specifically designed to thrive in shaded portions of your lawn.  Try a fescue in this case.  However, you can still use general grass seeds as well in those shady areas, but you have to care for it properly.

Here are some suggestions:

• Mow at the proper height and frequency for the type of grass.
• Water the grass deeply.
• Prune or thin nearby trees to permit more sunlight to the grass.
• Consider mulch or shade-tolerant ground covers for densely shaded areas.
• If you have heavily shaded areas in your lawn where the grass is thin, consult your lawn care specialist for recommendations on improving the lawn.

To find out which of the above best-of-breed grasses will work for you contact Evergreen Landscaping today for a free quote. Contact us at 805-773-5395 or fill out the form here.

5 Ways to Make Your Landscaping Stand Out

5 Ways to Make Your Landscaping Stand Out

Creating a great looking lawn isn’t difficult thanks to the myriad of gardening products and do it yourself videos available on YouTube. Having a landscape that stands out amid the dozen in your neighborhood isn’t quite so easy to create, however.

A lush, green lawn is a great start to a landscape that truly stands out. Regardless if you have just a small space or a larger area to landscape, you can create something unique that looks like no other property.

Not only will your new landscape stand out, but it can improve the value of your property. So, creating a one of a kind landscape around your home is worth much more than just improving the opinions of visitors.

Trees add so much

A tree can break up a large patch of grass that sits in front or behind your home. A well-manicured tree not only offers shade from the sun and can block the wind in winter, but it provides a beautiful look no matter how large your lawn is.

You can plant a small sapling and grow it into a full-size tree or transplant a larger tree if you would prefer something more full grown. Larger lawns can take on several trees and if they are well spaced, can provide a tremendous border to the property. Even smaller properties with little outdoor space can take on one or two trees.

Trees are great to use as borders around a property or to line a long or medium sized driveway.

Keep length with your lawn

One of the biggest mistakes home owners and DIY landscapers make is cutting their lawn too short. It is often believed that cutting grass short looks better, but it isn’t always the case. Grass is at its greenest when it is slightly longer which allows photosynthesis to take place at a normal rate. If grass is cut too short, the process won’t work in the same way as photosynthesis goes into overtime to regrow. This causes brown patches to appear and DIY landscapers assume they must water the lawn more. In the end, they overwater the grass.

You should keep your grass two to three inches long. This will allow it to shade the roots. In addition, mow your lawn a different direction each time.

Add rock

A lawn that is pure grass may look clean and tidy, but it also looks boring. Adding rock to a garden can improve it and make the lawn look natural when landscape properly.

Rocks can be arranged in a variety of ways. You can use them to build a planter or to line a path. You can also hide eyesores in your yard by using rocks to build over or around the problem.

Plan accordingly

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is attempting to do too much at one time. Your yard is an extension of your home, so biting off more than you can chew can cause lasting headaches that damage the appearance of your lawn.

You should plan and research the project you intend to complete before ever purchasing and beginning work. You want the project to fit into the lawn and home that already exists on the property.

Also, the project should work with your family. If you have small children, you may want to rethink adding rocks that could hurt them when they play. Think about the project long before you start it and the end product will come out just like you imagined.

Add a water feature

A water feature can add a whole new look and element to your lawn and garden. It doesn’t even have to be a large or complex water feature. A simple birdbath can add a different look to your property. However, you may choose to add a larger feature that blends into the surroundings.

A small pond or waterfall can be built by adding rocks to make an extremely peaceful setting for a late afternoon cup of tea or coffee. The sound of flowing water is soothing and provides relaxation. You can add fish to ponds to create a natural setting and to bring color to the area. Meanwhile, the addition of a birdbath offers you the chance to bird watch.

The type of water feature you choose can be blended into your overall lawn or garden to make your landscape stand out. A simple addition to your property can make your landscape shine and be the envy of the neighborhood.

 Ready for a beautiful landscape without all of the hassle? Contact us today!

Best Practices for Starting Your Own Herb Garden

 

Best Practices for Starting Your Own Herb Garden

Do you want to grow your own food but lack the time to start a full-blown vegetable garden? Why not start an herb garden and grow plants that will accent your cooking? You don’t need much space to start an herb garden as a windowsill planter plant pot is just enough space to do the job.

Here are some great tips on starting your own herb garden.

Succulents vs. Non-succulents

It is important to know exactly what kind of herbs you want to plant in your garden. The variety you plant depends on the amount of water and sunlight they need. Many non-succulent herbs love sunlight; therefore, they need plenty of water or they will wither. In contrast, some succulent herbs originate from harsh environments so they don’t need quite as much.

How much space do you need?

Space shouldn’t be an issue when growing an herb garden. You can grow the plants in a larger garden, a windowsill planter, or pot. Many gardeners will simple use leaves or parts of the herb plant throughout the year for cooking. So, you may only grow a small batch in a pot.

Summer means more water

The summer sunlight means you need to water your herb plants more often than at other times of the year. Summer also means the plants will grow more quickly. So, you will need to cut them back more often. Always cut and trim the plants at a 45-degree angle.

If you need assistance with your garden or landscaping ideas, we’re here to help. Just give us a call.

Hillside Landscaping: Improve Your Hard to Maintain Outdoor Space

A slope or hilly yard can be difficult to maintain. You may struggle to mow the area due to the steep terrain. Soil erosion can also be an issue as it runs downhill following heavy rainstorms. But hillside landscaping has a lot of advantages that can make maintaining your yard simple and great looking.

Hillside landscaping is not as difficult as it might sound. You don’t even need a steep slope to build a great looking outdoor space. Whether you want to makeover a gradual incline or revitalize a difficult to maintain steep slope, these ideas should help you improve your hard to maintain outdoor space.

Trees and Texture

Due to a lack of plant coverage on a hillside, you may experience soil run off when the weather gets wet. By adding a variety of textures such as grass, trees, shrubs, and flowers, you can make the area better protected. Conical evergreens are a popular feature for a hillside. Adding spiky flowers and shrubs around the evergreens gives the slope variety.

The texture and variety of plant life gives you a great view when peering out from your windows. If you live in the suburbs, it can also give your home privacy and a country feel.

Planting Pockets

Often times, slopes and hillsides become exposed due to soil run off. Rain uncovers stones and roots that make a slope unattractive. You can revitalize the entire area, however, by creating planting pockets.

You can plant low growing flowers and plants that grip to the hillside after placing additional soil in certain areas on the slope. You can add to the hillside by building a rock path with the planting pockets on either side.

Stone Walls

Stone walls are a beautiful addition to hilly backyards. A terraced slope can tame the hillside and give it a dynamic look. Stone walls are a lot of work to put in place if you go the do it yourself route. However, the end results are well worth the work it takes to build them.

Planting areas are created by stone walls. The areas can be made wide or narrow. It truly depends on what flowers or trees you want to plant in the walled off areas. Grass is also a great option for stone wall planting areas. In fact, when a hillside is terraced, it is easier to mow.

Landscape a Hillside in Sections

Some homes are built with a large, steep hillside behind the property. These types of slopes can be extreme and very daunting. Rather than landscaping the entire hillside, it is better to break it up into sections. You may only landscape the lower portion nearest your home.

By adding low-level planting boxes, you create a great base for the slope. The boxes provide a simple garden space that can produce flowers, shrubs, trees, or even fruit and vegetables. You can add steps that lead up the steep higher portions of the slope that allow easy access to the elevated areas. You may leave the areas above the planting boxes untouched allowing grass to grow naturally.

Rocky Hillside

Large rocks and boulders allow you to anchor soil and plants to take hold in the dirt. Water run off can wash soil and plants away before they take hold. Large rocks and boulders prevent water run off giving the plants the chance to thrive. Once the plants blossom and flower, the rocks provide texture and color that brings your outdoor space to life.

Large rocks and boulders add a natural look to your garden. Maintenance is low when it comes to adding large rocks and boulders. Sure, you may have to do some weeding in the first year or two, but soon, the natural look will take over without the need to constantly maintain the area.

A Terraced Vegetable Garden

A hillside can provide you with a great area to grow vegetables. Plants can receive more direct sunlight than if they are placed lower down or closer to the home. The garden can be terraced in rows with a different set of vegetable plants making up each row. You can add flowers around the vegetable garden to add further texture and colors.

Before deciding on a terraced hillside vegetable garden, you may consider just how difficult it may be to water the plants. You will need to research some ideas on how to get water to plants before installing the garden.

If you need assistance with any of your landscaping, contact us for a free quote.

5 Reasons You should Use Solar Landscaping Lights this Summer [Infographic]

Solar landscaping lights are a great addition to your outside space. The lights are inexpensive, and cost-effect in over time.

Whether you choose solar lights that are pegged into the ground or hang on structures in your garden, you can improve the evening and nighttime feel of your yard.

Here are 5 reasons you should use solar landscaping lights this summer

1. Solar power
   The best reason to install solar landscaping lights is that they are powered by the sun. You won’t see your electricity bills increase after installing the lights and you will help the environment using clean energy.

2. LED lights
   Solar landscaping lights use LED lights which last longer than other lighting options. Some LED lights can last up to 10 years.

3. No wiring needed
   The lights are simple to install and homeowners do not need to be experts in electrical wiring. Solar landscaping lights do not have any wires at all making it quick and easy to get them up and running.

4. Lighting options
   Solar lights give homeowners options because they do not have to be plugged in. You can hang them, peg them into the ground, or place them in other outdoor areas you want to light up.

5. Long lasting
   Solar lights can work for 8 to 10 hours. As long as the lights are placed in an area that receives enough sunlight to power them, they can shine hour after hour.

If you need help with your landscaping light installation, contact us.