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Low Maintenance Landscaping Ideas [Infographic]

It isn’t easy to find time to spend gardening. It is much more fun to relax and enjoy your yard than to spend time fixing it up.

These low maintenance landscaping ideas are just the thing to make your yard look great with minimal effort.

Outdoor living space

By creating an outdoor living space, you can turn a part of the yard into a warm, inviting area. It not only extends the home, but there is less area of the yard to maintain.

Mulch beds

Mulch flower beds give the yard an organic feeling. They also prevent weed issues more than soil flower beds. Mulch beds around outdoor spaces also prevent you from trimming up close to the patio or home.

Crushed stone

Crushed stone is an alternative to mulch. It depends on the vibe you want in your yard or garden.

Avoid climbers

You should be selective of the plants your put in your outdoor space. One to avoid is climbers like ivy that cling to walls and fences. Climbers provide a large workload and may need continually tying up or cutting back.

Trade flowers for shrubs

Shrubs and hedges are perfect borders to put around your back or front yard. Flowers are seasonal and need continued care. Shrubs and hedges can be left all year long and look great.

If you need more assistance with your landscape design, contact Evergreen Landscaping.

New Year, New Landscape: Great landscape ideas for 2019

New Year, New Landscape: Great landscape ideas for 2019

Creating a new landscape for your yard can completely transform your property. The outdoor space is often the first thing visitors see when they visit. A beautifully landscaped home can leave a lasting impression on guests while being an extension of your home’s interior. The natural outdoor spaces accent the home and offers an inviting place for visitors. A new landscape is exciting and a great way to make your home even more relaxing. Whether it is a place for your children to run around or a spot to entertain guests, you can turn your yard into a special place this year.

Build a wine country garden

Anyone who has been to California wine country will have seen the gorgeous, lush gardens around the area’s homes and cottages. Building a wine country garden in your backyard isn’t difficult if you have the right elements. Plant lavender, rosemary, and irises in flower beds in your outdoor space. Not only will these look amazing, but they will smell great too. Next, you will need to add some small fruit trees. The combination of flowers and fruit trees offer a great contrast of colors, sizes and smells.

Sitting area

There is no better place to sit and relax than in your yard. You can create a pleasant sitting area to relax, meditate, or eat at in your outdoor space. After you select the area you want for your sitting area, place gravel on the ground to carve out the space. Surround the gravel with planets, bushes, and other green items. Add chairs and a table to the garden space to finish off your all-new sitting area. It is the perfect spot to start the day with a cup of coffee or sit after a day of work with a glass of wine.

Paved areas

Adding paved areas or stones to the yard can add a color contrast to your outdoor space. The paved areas provide a great spot to BBQ or host guests for parties. Paved areas don’t just provide a great area for parties, but they keep yard work at a minimum. Stones and paved spaces eliminate grass and other plants from the garden. By cutting down the grass space, you will lessen the amount of mowing you must do. You will also spend less time taking care of flowers and other plants.

Raised beds

Raised flower beds are a modern way to create a lush backyard. Raised flower beds not only make an outdoor space look great, but you won’t punish your back and knees gardening. They are simple, yet extremely effective ideas. Moreover, by sectioning off your plants into raised flower beds, you keep them from getting out of control. Plants stay in one place and are easy to maintain.

Artificial grass

Former Major League Baseball player Dick Allen once said about artificial grass, “If a cow can’t eat it, I don’t want to play on it”. In the 45-plus years since Allen’s famous quote, artificial grass has evolved greatly. Today, many homeowners use artificial grass in their backyards. It is perfect for small areas, yards that get little sunlight, or for homeowners short on time to maintain real grass. Artificial grass is also great for older people unable to mow their yards due to health issues. It is also great for people with small children to play on all year round.

Loose gravel and stone

If you have a yard that has difficulty growing grass or you want to lessen the amount of work you must do, then adding gravel and stone can transform your outdoor space. Whether it is your front or backyard, gravel and stone is perfect for a minimalist feel. Gravel and stone are both inexpensive and the color contrasts will make everything in your garden stick out in a good way.

Railroad tie steps and planters

Railroad ties (also known as railway sleepers) are extremely versatile when it comes to landscaping. One of the most popular ways to use railroad ties is to create flowerbeds with them. You can create a variety of sizes and shapes using railroad ties around the yard. One of the more interesting ideas for 2019 is to create a walkway using railroad ties as steps. Cutting long ties in half provides a great size for the steps. Place the railroad ties into the ground about six inches apart and fill in the space in between with gravel. You will have a great walkway to stroll in your garden.

By adding one or two new landscaping ideas for 2019, you can completely change your outdoor space. A new design can make your home feel as good as new. Want more ideas? Contact us today to help transform your yard into something you will enjoy year round.

Irrigation Troubleshooting [Infographic]

An irrigation system is a complex structure of wires, pipes, and valves running underground. Problems can occur, but you can troubleshoot these issues and have water flowing again in no time.

Valve Leaks

Leaks around the valve can be caused by a variety of issues. Inspect the valve to find the leak’s location. Once you find the source, you can decide whether to repair or replace the valve.

Water Pressure

Water pressure issues could be the result of a bad valve, the main sprinkler shut off, or the pressure vacuum breaker. To test the valve, make sure it is turned on all the way. Then, compare it to other valves. Are the other the valves working properly? If so, then repairing or replace the low-flow valve will correct the issue. A lack of pressure in all the valves means there is a problem with the main sprinkler shut off or the pressure vacuum breaker.

Timing Issues

Irrigation systems not turning on with the timer means there is a valve issue or a wiring problem. Turning on the valve manually can isolate the electrical problem. If the valve works, check the wires for cuts or breaks. The issue could also be a bad solenoid.

If your irrigation system is underperforming or needs updating, contact Evergreen Landscaping today.

What is the Best Kind of Christmas Tree For Your Home?

The local market suddenly has its cut trees standing tall for your holiday purchase, but there are so many varieties. Knowing which kind of Christmas tree to choose for your home can be a challenge. Consider a few suggestions from our landscaping specialists as you maneuver through a forest of options. There are several species that fit neatly into the home while providing holiday cheer.

The Classic Douglas

When you think of a Christmas tree, the Douglas fir often comes to mind. People seem to be attracted to it because it has nearly perfect, green needles, reports The Spruce. 

Ideally, look for a Douglas that has a loose cut, which equates to some space between the branches. You don't want a tree that has a dense shape. Adding decorations to it will be a chore otherwise. Add water to the tree's stand whenever it gets low. Douglas trees drink quite a bit after being cut. 

Container Varieties

You may have limited home decor options, such as a small apartment or cats tempted by a large tree. Think about a container tree as an alternative. These living trees are about three-feet tall, which makes them compact yet functional for decorating. 

Many varieties of cypress and pine work well as small trees. Your local, landscaping professionals will often have contacts in the industry if you're in the market for a particular tree.

Other Fir Species

Your Christmas decoration choices used to be limited by the tree species growing natively in Central California. However, many growers have varieties that are normally found thousands of miles away. Think about adding another type of fir to your home, such as these species:
• Balsam 
• Fraser 
• Noble 

Each species seems to have its own personality with needles that hold fast to the branch. The Balsam, in particular, has an aroma that's unlike any other tree, reports HGTV. 

Monterey Pine 

When you want a bushier tree for your home decor, the Monterey Pine is a perfect addition. Each needle is about four-inches long. Because of this feature, the tree has a more relaxed shape in comparison to the firs. The tree is aptly named for its origination point in Monterey, California. You can find it up and down the coastline now. 

Many of these trees grow to seven feet or taller, so be sure to measure your household space before taking a tree home. 

Contact the experts at Evergreen Landscaping today. We can help with your Christmas decoration queries and suggest ideas for the landscape. Our team supports Pismo Beach, California, throughout the holidays and beyond.

6 Landscaping Ideas for the Holidays [Infographic]

The holidays are no time to let your yard be boring. Bring some good cheer and holiday spirit to your yard with these fun landscaping ideas. 

1. Place festive-looking plants in pots around your garden. Varieties with deep green foliage and bright red berries are ideal for this, such as hybrid winterberry, red chokeberry and rockspray. 

2. Add lights in unexpected places. String them along pathways, at the bases of plants, and around garden features such as fountains. Or drape individual strands from tall branches like long icicles. 

3. String evergreen garlands along fences, on the top of low garden walls or between decorative light fixtures. Hang wreaths on pillars, the side of a garden shed, or at the top of an archway. 

4. Use outdoor ribbon to add bows to potted plants. Hang sparkly ornaments on a single tree or on any row of matching shrubs. 

5. Create outdoor centerpieces by arranging poinsettias, evergreen trimmings and berry sprays artfully in urns, large pots, or hanging baskets. Place them in pairs along walkways, near entrances, or hanging from porch railings. 

6. Plant topiaries in strategic locations throughout your garden. Try your hand at trimming them into holiday-themed shapes, or hire a professional to do it for you. You can also purchase plants that have already been shaped and place them in pots around your yard.

Want to transform your landscaping? Contact Evergreen Landscaping today.

How to Protect Your Garden in the Colder Months

Winter is a time for most plants to rest and restore themselves after a long, busy summer. It’s during this time that growth stops, nutrients are stored and the plant prepares itself to bud in the spring. In warmer locales, however, this is not always the case and some plants thrive year-round while others are at their best during the winter months. In any case, it’s important to provide the proper care so that your garden is healthy year-round.

Know your Plants
Learn the needs of the different types of plants in your garden, so that you can prepare a plan for protecting them. To learn more about your specific plants, consult the experts at Evergreen Landscaping or research hardiness zones at on the USDA website, try a smartphone app like PlantSnapp, or contact the University of California Cooperative Extension office.

Watch the Weather
Once you know which plants must be protected during a frost or especially cold weather, keep an eye on the weather. Whenever temperatures start approaching freezing (or whatever temperature affects your most sensitive plants), get ready to place covers. Since the forecast is not always accurate, it is a good idea to also provide protection when the temperature gets within a few degrees of your plants’ hardiness level. For example, if a plant is hardy to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, make plans to cover or protect them when the predicted low is 35 degrees.

Mulch and Cover
You can protect the root systems and stems of tender plants by spreading mulch at their base at the beginning of winter. There are a few things to keep in mind. Don’t let the mulch touch the trunk or base of the plant. Skip wood mulch since it blocks nutrients from your plants, and keep the mulch two to three inches deep for best results.

For the plants in your garden that are most sensitive to the cold, keep some frost cloth on hand. This heavy-duty cloth does a much better job than plastic or cotton sheets. If you have groupings of several plants to cover, consider building a temporary winter structure. You can use PVC pipe to build a frame and then place the cloth over the frame.

Routine Maintenance
Plants in your garden will withstand the rigors of winter better when they are healthy and strong. Treat for any infestations, fungus, or pests that might be causing damage. Take the time to prune any plants that are supposed to be cut back during winter months, such as roses, which should be pruned in late winter. Avoid the temptation to prune plants that are damaged by the cold, however, since this can make them susceptible to disease. Weeds are not usually a big problem in winter, but pull any that do sprout up so they don’t have a chance to steal resources from your garden plants.

Provide Water
Not every plant likes to be watered during winter months, but many do need regular watering to be at their best. Follow the care instructions for each particular plant, but in general it’s not a bad idea to water once a week throughout winter, especially during years of drought. This will keep your plants from struggling through the winter so that they are healthy, strong, and ready to grow again when spring arrives. Don’t water at night or when temperatures are expected to drop below freezing.

Get Assistance
If you’re unsure how best to protect your plants, or want a little help keeping your garden beautiful all year long, call Evergreen Landscaping.

We offer gardening services on both long- and short-term basis, and we also take on special projects such as winterizing your yard, pruning and trimming, and maintaining sprinkler systems.

Give us a call today to see how we can help, 805-773-5395.

Fall in Love with Your Garden

Summer sure felt like one never-ending heat wave, didn’t it? There were times when it just felt like it was going to be summer forever and the heat would never go away — maybe that works for some people who live in hotter climates, but autumn is a welcome reprieve from summer.

Unfortunately, the arrival of fall means that your garden that you so lovingly cared for in the spring and summer is no longer blooming in all its colorful glory. It’s the nature of having a garden, we all know that.

However, it doesn’t mean that you need to leave it as is to languish through the cold months. There are things you can do to prep it for winter, set yourself up for a bountiful spring, and leave it looking lovely even though nothing is blooming or growing.

• Give the leaves you just raked up a new purpose and add them to your compost pile. You can also donate them to your community’s compost pile if you don’t personally have a compost pile. (But if you want to take the opportunity to get one started, check this out for great steps to get started.)
• Prune your perennials. Instead of pruning all the way to the ground, leave an inch or two poking above the ground so you remember where they are in the spring. That will help you plan what you want to plant next year and where. If you have flowers like black-eyed Susans or coneflowers and their seedheads are still in good shape, you should keep them untrimmed for the time being so you can have some interesting things to look at — just prune them before spring comes and new growth starts to come in.
• Remove your spent annuals. Add the dead plants to your compost pile once the first frost blackens them, but if they suffered from any disease throw them in your regular trash because if a diseased plant is composted, it will affect the entire pile and therefore the future of your garden.
• Buy tree guards for your saplings. Animals like mice and rabbits love sapling bark and may use the colder months to help themselves before they have to go into hibernation. Get your saplings wrapped up and protected.
• Add perennials that thrive in the fall months! Autumn doesn’t mean your garden has to look brown and dull until next spring. Add perennials like chrysanthemums, asters, goldenrod, and quite a few others to add color to your garden.
• If you have a section for vegetables you grew, now is a good time to clean the bed they grew in. Harvest absolutely all that you can, then completely remove all the foliage and rake to prevent the debris and insects from infecting the ground over the winter and ruining your crop next year.

As you can see, the arrival of autumn and the approaching winter months doesn’t have to mean the end of a colorful spring and summer garden. You can add color while also prepping your garden for a bountiful spring next year.

If you need help with your garden, contact Evergreen Landscaping today.

7 Things To Do With All Those Leaves [Infographic]

There’s only so many times you can jump into your pile of raked leaves. So what else can you do?

Well, don’t burn them! That will pollute the air. Check out these eight awesome ideas instead!

1. Mow the leaves already on your lawn. They’ll break down into the soil and provide nutrients for your grass.
2. Use them to cover and protect the perennials in your garden. No need to buy mulch when you can give the leaves you already have a new purpose.
3. Give your compost pile a boost with the nutrients in the leaves. Your garden will thank you in the spring.
4. Store your root vegetables between layers of leaves. Vegetables like carrots and beets will thrive this way. Just sprinkle water on each layer.
5. Store the leaves in bags with a little bit of moisture and create leaf mold.    Leaf mold is a kind of leaf-only compost that can be used as a soil conditioner.
6. Dry out handfuls of leaves to make little kindling firestarters. While you may not be able to burn giant piles of leaves, you can still use some to start a bonfire. S’mores anyone?
7. Try crafts. Bring those fall colors indoors with some fun crafts that you can have for years to come.

Doing any of these things will guarantee your garden has a great winter and an even better spring!

Contact Evergreen Landscaping today to create the garden of your dreams.

SOURCES:
thoughtco.com/health-effects-of-burning-leaves-1204092
almanac.com/blog/home-health/natural-living/what-do-fall-leaves
countryliving.com/diy-crafts/g1899/fall-leaf-crafts/?slide=1