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07 Dec 2022
0 Comments By angmoore Gardening

The Best Way to Lay Mulch

The Best Way to Lay Mulch

While mulching your landscape can seem simple at first glance, there is more to consider if you want your labor and time to turn into a pretty landscape with healthy plants. Our quick step-by-step guide will tell you how to lay mulch and give you plenty of tips to use along the way.

Step One – Figure Out How Much Mulch You Need

 The first thing you should do is figure out how much mulch you need. To do this, you must figure out your flower beds’ square footage. You’ll do this by multiplying the width and length of each one. The average step you take is 2.5 feet long, so walk along the edge of the beds and count the steps you take along the length and the width.

  • Total Length – 2.5 x the number of steps
  • Total Width – 2.5 x the number of steps

Once you get the total square footage, you’ll need to figure out how many bags of mulch you’ll need.

  • Two Cubic Foot Bags – Square footage divided by 12 to get the number of bags needed to put down a two-inch layer of mulch.
  • Three Cubic Foot Bags – Square footage divided by 18 to get the number of bags needed to put down a two-inch layer of mulch.
  • Bulk – Square footage divided by 128 to get the amount of bags needed to put down a two-inch layer of mulch.

Step Two – Gather Your Tools

 Once you know how much mulch you’ll need for your garden beds and you buy it, you’ll have to get your tools. You’ll want to get a pitchfork, shovel, wheelbarrow, rake, and gloves. Having everything on hand will help the project go smoothly from start to finish.

Step Three – Clean the Beds Out

 Remove any debris, dried-up leaves, old mulch, and sticks from the beds. Take time to clean up the bed edging along the beds, and use a spade to cut a defined, clean line between the lawn and bed.

Step Four – Water the Beds

If you haven’t had any rain in the area and the beds are dry, water them. The mulch will help to retain moisture. Before you water the beds, you may want to apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weeds from poking through.

Step Five – Remove any Weeds

Clean out any weeds you spot in your garden beds. Remember, the main benefit of mulching is that it suppresses weed growth, so you shouldn’t have to weed the beds nearly as much.

Step Six – Spread the Mulch

Shake the mulch from the bag or shovel it from your wheelbarrow into small piles. Put on gloves and use your hands to spread the mulch, especially as you get close to your plants. The mulch should be two to four inches thick because weeds will push through if it’s too thin. On the other hand, if the mulch is too thick, water won’t reach the soil. Once you finish, you can water the mulch to help it settle into place.

Contact Evergreen Landscaping

Not sure how much mulch you need? Maybe you don’t have time to lay mulch yourself. Whatever the reason, our professional staff is here to help. Reach out and contact us to set up an appointment.

09 Nov 2022
0 Comments By angmoore Landscaping

Everything You Need to Know About Clover Lawns

Everything You Need to Know About Clover Lawns

Clover lawns recently exploded in popularity on TikTok, and they’re the newest trend in heat-tolerant, drought-friendly, and eco-forward landscape designs. People add clover to their lawns to help offset common issues they have with their lawn as a result of climate change. However, before you jump on this trend yourself, you’ll want to know more about it. So, we’ll highlight the important parts of clover lawns below.

Defining Clover Lawns

A clover lawn is either a mix of traditional turf grass and clover or exclusively clover. Clover is a legume, which means it will draw nitrogen from the air and into the ground, which is very beneficial to the grass, soil, and nearby plants. Also, adding clover means you won’t need to fertilize.

Planting Zones for Clover Lawns

Depending on the species, your clover lawns can thrive in USDA planting zones 3 to 10. It does very well in areas like Texas and California, as they offer dry summers and mild winters. Dutch White Clover is very popular; it spreads and grows rapidly when you start it in the spring. Generally speaking, clover grows best in full sun, especially in zones six to nine. You want to check with your local nursery to see which clover cultivar will work in your climate before you buy it.

How to Plant a Clover Lawn

You may already see some clover scattered throughout your lawn, but the real trick is getting a fuller thatch. To do so, it all boils down to consistent work.

  1. Figure Out the Correct Planting Time
    Spring is the best time to plant your clover. After the first frost passes for the season, mow the lawn. At this point, if your soil’s pH levels aren’t between six and seven, you can amend the dirt by adding fine sand.
  1. Check the Soil
    You have to check and prepare your soil before you plant your clover. Once you do, you’ll want to plant your clover seeds and water them thoroughly until they establish a root system. They grow best in loamy or sandy soil with a pH range of six to seven.
  1. Plant the Clover
    Mix the clover seeds into the sandy loam soil while making sure you cover the whole area. Next, lightly rake the area where you seeded your clover, and water it every day for 10 to 14 days until the seeds start to germinate. Once the seedlings grow leaves, cut back on your watering as you now have an established clover lawn.

How to Care for and Maintain Your Clover Lawn

Once the clover establishes itself, you can sit back and relax. Clover won’t need nearly as much mowing as a traditional lawn, and you shouldn’t have to apply any herbicides or worry about pests. Also, clover won’t turn yellow when your pets go to the bathroom like a traditional lawn will.

Mow Sporadically

As long as your clover gets four to six hours of sun every day, it usually maintains itself. You’ll mow it roughly three or four times every year, but you can adjust this based on your preferences. If you’re after the English garden aesthetic, you can let the clover grow to the maximum height of eight inches.

Contact Evergreen Landscaping

If you want to know more about a clover lawn or get help establishing this lush, green look in your own yard, contact us.

12 Oct 2022
0 Comments By angmoore Gardening

A Useful Guide to Companion Planting

A Useful Guide to Companion Planting

Companion planting is learning how to grow different vegetables or plants together for mutual benefits. There is a mixture of herbs, plants, and vegetables that all grow well together, but some will bully others. So, looking at this quick guide to give yourself a solid idea of how companion planting works is a good idea.

Companion Planting Cheat Sheet

Before considering companion planting, rotate your crops. Don’t plant the same garden crop in the same spot for more than one year because this can lead to disease spread, pest issues, and nutrient imbalances. If you rotate your crops and you’re ready to companion plant, the following list can help:

Beans

Broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, cucumbers, peas, potatoes, radishes, squash, and tomatoes

Carrots

Beans, peas, lettuce, onions, and tomatoes

Corn

Beans, cucumbers, peas, melons, potatoes, and squash

Cucumbers

Beans, beets, corn, onions, peas, and radishes

Peas

Beans, carrots, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, radishes, spinach, and tomatoes

Garlic

Beets, brassica, carrots, eggplant, peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes

Lettuce

Corn, pumpkins, and squash

Potatoes

Beans, brassica, corn, lettuce, radishes, and spinach

Tomatoes

Basil or other herbs, carrots, squash, and cucumbers as part of a three-way companion partnership

Herb Companion Planting

Not every garden is big enough to grow a range of crops needed for companion planting. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t take advantage of herbs’ benefits, like repelling or trapping pests and attracting pollinators to the area. A few culinary herbs that can help repel pests and protect your crops using companion planting include but are not limited to:

  • Basil
  • Chives
  • Cilantro
  • Lavender
  • Mint
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Thyme

Ideally, the goal is to allow your herbs to bloom, as this is when they’re at the most fragrant stage. In turn, this is when they do their best to repel pests, and they may even work well to repel deer or rabbits from your vegetable garden.

Companion Planting Mistakes to Avoid

Just like there are plants that play nicely together, there are those that clash. Generally, plants that compete for the exact nutrient needs, like space, sun, or water, shouldn’t be companion plants, either above the ground or at the root level. Likewise, crops with issues with the same plant diseases, like blight, shouldn’t be companion plants. You want to spread them out as far as possible to prevent them from spreading, and the same rule applies to plants with the same pest issues.

Also, some crops will stunt the growth of other plants. Fennel is a very popular example of a poor companion plant that you want to give its own spot in your garden a decent distance away from other crops. This stops it from slowly taking over and taking out your other plants.

Contact Evergreen Landscaping

Do you have more questions about companion planting? Maybe you’d like help setting up the perfect garden space. Whatever the reason, contact us. Our staff is happy to answer your questions and set up the perfect companion planting setting in your yard.

28 Sep 2022
0 Comments By angmoore Landscaping

Six Invasive Shrubs to Stay Away From

Six Invasive Shrubs to Stay Away From

No matter if you’re maintaining the garden you already have or working on building up a new one, it’s essential to know which plants can be more of a hassle than a benefit to your space. Below, we’re going to go over a few shrubs that are widely considered to be invasive, and while they may look pretty, you want to stay far away from them.

  1. Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
    Originating in the eastern portion of Asia, this shrub can get up to 20 feet tall and it thrives in zones four to eight. It’s a very hardy plant that grows where other plants fail. However, this determination, means that it spreads very quickly and can take over your garden. You also have to watch for sharp thorns when you’re around it.
  1. Common Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
    Even though this plant is covered in pretty yellow flowers every year, this isn’t enough to cover the fact that it’s a very noxious weed. There are also very high oil levels in this plant, and this makes it more prone to issues with fire. However, this plant has adapted and now grows even faster after it survives a fire. This plant is another one that is covered in sharp thorns.
  1. English Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
    English holly grows best in zones six to nine, and it’s a medium-sized tree or a larger dioecious shrub that gets between 10 and 50 feet tall. The red fruit is the star of this plant in the colder months, but it also means that you’ll have a ton more of this plant popping up. The leaves are very spiny and sharp, and the male cultivars don’t produce any fruit.
  1. European Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus)
    The name of this invasive shrub references the fruits as they look like a traditional cranberry. After they eat the fruit, birds spread the seeds to help the shrub spread very rapidly. However, it also helps to attracted the viburnum leaf beetle, and they can cause more damage to the surrounding plants. It’s native to Asia and Europe, and this invasive shrub grows well in zones three to eight in part shade to full sun.
  1. Japanese Spiraea (Spiraea japonica, Spiraea japonica var. alpina or Spiraea bumalda)
    This invasive shrub is an imported variety that tends to endanger and take over native spiraea. The main reason why it’s invasive is because it’s so hard to control in landscape designs because the seeds can be dormant for many years. In turn, it’s almost impossible to get rid of completely. It gets up to six feet tall, and this shrub grows best in zones four to eight. It will produce flowers when you plant it in full sun, and this increases the spread.
  1. Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)
    Originating in the eastern portion of Asia, this invasive shrub has stems that will root and widen the original bush anywhere they touch the ground. In turn, the shrub can spread extremely rapidly and take over your garden. It can even form a vine in some cases to help extend the reach and shade out your other plants.

Contact Evergreen Landscaping

Do you want to know more about invasive shrubs to avoid? Maybe you already have some in your yard and you want help removing them. Whatever the reason, reach out and contact the professionals at Evergreen Landscaping today.

17 Aug 2022
0 Comments By angmoore Gardening

How to Plant a Garden to Attract Pollinators

How to Plant a Garden to Attract Pollinators

Fluttering butterflies, buzzing bees, and speedy hummingbirds are fun to watch as they zoom and flit around from plant to plant, but these key pollinators do much more than provide entertainment. They’re responsible for helping pollinate your vegetables and flowers. So, it makes sense that you’d want to attract as many to your yard as possible. But, how do you go about this? We’ll outline several tips for you below.

  1. Create Groupings of Plants
    Did you know that a lot of pollinators are near-sighted? This means that it’s much more challenging for them to find flowers or plants if they’re spread around the yard. To fix this, try to plant your items in groups of three to five to mimic the natural planting style they’d encounter in nature. This gives a can’t-miss target for all of your pollinators to come in.
  1. Provide Shelter
    Any pollinator you attract will need a place to hide and feel secure as they raise their young. Examples of spaces include a compost pile, hedge, longer grass, a dead tree, or soil that doesn’t have any mulch. Try to add shelter around your pollinator garden to entice them to come in, stay, and raise their young next to a safe hideout and a food source.
  1. Incorporate Native Plants
    Ideally; you’ll include a few native plants in your landscape design in your pollinator garden. These plants are usually hardier and not as prone to issues with diseases and pests when you compare them to important plants. A few examples include purple coneflower, Liatris aspera, coreopsis, swamp milkweed, California poppy, and manzanita. If you’re not sure which native plants will thrive in your area, you can contact your local extension office to get a list of native plants. You can group them with non-native plants that have similar growing needs.
  1. Consider Planting Trees
    Include shrubs and trees in your pollinator garden plans. A crabapple or maple tree will come alive with activity during the blooming period, and most pollinators will stick around for more blooms throughout the summer months. Shrubs like butterfly bush, viburnum, summersweet, and spirea all come packed with nectar-laden flowers that pollinators find impossible to resist. If you add these trees with your shade flowers, your pollinators will have layers of areas to visit. As a bonus, the trees can offer shelter.
  1. Stagger the Bloom Times
    One big component to getting pollinators to stick around once you lure them in is to offer an ongoing nectar source. Also, consider the colors as different pollinators respond to different colors. Bees like yellow, blue, purple, and white, while hummingbirds are attracted to red-hued flowers. Butterflies love purple or red tones. Fill your yard with all these colors, and pick plants with different bloom times. Planting flowers in different heights, shapes, and growth habits will also help draw pollinators in.
  1. Don’t Forget the Water
    Even pollinators like access to a nice water source, and it’s relatively easy to add one to your pollinator garden. Consider putting a bird bath in, or you can put a shallow pond or small fountain in. As a bonus, this can give you the sound of running water, and this is something very relaxing to listen to as you go about your day.

Contact Evergreen Landscaping

If you’re going to create a pollinator garden but you’re not sure where to start, contact us. Along with having knowledge of the native plants, we can help you set up a haven that draws the pollinators in all spring and summer long.

03 Aug 2022
0 Comments By angmoore Landscaping

5 Shade Ideas for Your Pool

5 Shade Ideas for Your Pool

Whenever you think of a pool, you most likely imagine a sunny, open space with the pool right in the middle. However, when those scorching summer days come around, having the pool without any shade can easily take some of the enjoyment out of it. You want a shaded area around the pool, so it’s more refreshing, and the following are a few ideas you can take and incorporate into your design.

  1. Add a Pergola
    No matter if you’re building a new pool or upgrading your current one, a pergola can help shade the space. A pergola is a good pick if you’re designing an area that is functional while being aesthetically pleasing. It’s also easy to add to an existing pool area. This is a permanent, hardscape solution to shade your pool, and you can easily extend it beyond the pool to create a nice outdoor living area where you can lounge. For complete shade, you can plant climbing hydrangea or crawling ivy around the base and train it to grow up and over the structure.
  1. Build a Pool House
    To create a permanently shaded area where you can get away from the scorching sun, think about adding a pool house. You can create a design that has space for seating while giving you a clear view of the water. This view can enhance the welcome feeling you get each time you use it. Also, a pool house offers areas for pool equipment and furniture storage, and you can add changing areas.
  1. Consider Flexible Pool Umbrellas
    Maybe you’re someone who doesn’t want a permanently shaded area in your yard, or you don’t have room for it. If so, you can create a flexible shaded spot by adding a few pool umbrellas. You can create a contemporary and sleek look by matching the color to the pool’s colors, or a Mediterranean twist is always fun to consider. To get this twist, get cabana-striped pool umbrellas and set them up over a few lounge chairs. When you don’t need or want the shaded areas anymore, you can take down the umbrellas and move or store them.
  1. Install Canopies or Awnings
    Installing awnings over the doors or windows around the pool, if you have it closer to the house, are great ways to get a little shade during various points in the day. They’re also a very fun way to add patterns and colors to the pool area. It’s also possible to add outdoor fabrics as canopies to help block the sun as a non-permanent shade spot. Many people put up timber posts around the pool area to attach a shade canopy when needed. You can plant flowering climbers and train them to go up these posts to enhance the overall look of the pool area too.
  1. Plant Shade Trees
    Using trees to create some shade around the pool will ensure that the pool blends seamlessly into your landscape. They can work to soften up the lines of the pool, and you’ll get a soft sound as the breeze blows through them. You can also highlight the trees by adding outdoor string lights, allowing you to use the pool after dark. It’s possible to grow the trees right through the pool deck, or you can line them neatly up around the pool area and let them grow.

Contact Evergreen Landscaping

No matter if you want a permanent hardscape or something more temporary and flexible around your pool to create shade, contact us. We’re happy to discuss your options and help you create a stunning oasis you can’t wait to use all summer.