Category: Landscaping

5 Common Plant Diseases and How to Treat Them

In a perfect world, your plants would never get sick. They’d flourish season after season without a problem. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Plant diseases are very common in every type of plant you have. Some are more sensitive to them than others, but these diseases can wreak havoc on them if you don’t catch it quickly and treat them. If you’re curious as to what plant diseases you can treat on your own and which ones require professional help, read on. 

1. Bacterial Leaf Spot

While this plant disease is very common and will impact almost every plant you have in your garden, people who have fruit trees should be especially wary. This disease thrives around apricot, plum, and cherry trees. When your plants get it, they’ll start developing black or dark brown spots all over their leaves. It can also form a yellow halo around each spot.

A combination of bacteria will cause this disease. You can find these bacteria in the seed oil soil, and humid or warm weather can cause a growth explosion. This bacteria will go dormant in the winter months before transferring itself onto the plant when the weather warms up.

Treatment

The best form of treatment for this plant disease is prevention. Clean up the soil around your trees and remove any rotting fruit or debris. Cover the ground with a thick layer of mulch. Water your plants from underneath and avoid getting the leaves excessively wet.

2. Black Root Rot

This is an aggressive fungal infection that can be very difficult to pinpoint. This is why it’s a good idea to call in professional help, especially if you see your pansies or other bedding plants like petunias dying. You’ll notice that any visible part of your plant is yellowing or wilting. You’ll have to pull up the root to see it. If it has this disease, it’ll be black and rotting. It spreads through fungal spores, and this makes it extremely difficult to remove.

Treatment

Start by enlisting a professional to help you choose the best plug-in plants. Have them help you get rid of any plants that look like they could be infected with this plant disease. Additionally, they can help test your soil’s pH levels and help you get it and keep it below 5.5. You should avoid overwatering. Make sure the soil dries well between watering sessions because this makes it hard for the fungus to spread and grow.

3. Mildew

Mildew is another fungal disease, and you’ll notice it on your plants if the humidity levels are too low. Downy and powdery mildew are the two most common types. If you have a downy mildew problem, you’ll have a fuzzy white growth on the underside of the leaves with yellow spotting on the top. Powdery mildew causes raised blisters on the leaves that turn into a powder. Both will cause the leaves to shrivel up and die.

Overwatering your plants in the spring months is the main cause of downy mildew. Powdery mildew appears when it’s warm and humid with very dry soil.

Treatment

To avoid both types of mildew, keep your soil in the best condition possible. Water sparingly in the spring during the early morning hours. Make sure you water regularly once the temperature and humidity levels rise. Also, allow the soil to dry out between watering sessions.

4. Rust

This is another very common plant disease that comes from a fungal infection. It can attack all types of plants ranging from bulbs and grasses to shrubs and fruit trees. When it first attacks, you’ll notice brown spots on your plant’s leaves. As the infection gets worse, the leaves will slowly get covered by a powdery substance.

Rust’s biggest triggers are a lack of sunlight with high humidity and warm temperatures. To make it worse, adding a sudden influx of sunlight once the disease takes hold will help it advance. Eventually, this plant disease will cause the leaves to dry out and fall off. It can kill the plant at this point.

Treatment

Treating rust can be a time-consuming process. You start by picking off any infected leaves you see. You’ll have to do this several times over the course of a week or two. Avoid using sprinklers to water your plants. Make a point to always water in the morning when it’s cool. This will give your plants time to dry as the day progresses.

5. Mosaic virus

The final plant disease on our list is the Mosaic virus. You’ll see it a lot if you have Peonies, and it can be very aggressive. It starts by showing a green or yellow mottled pattern on the leaves. As the disease progresses, the leaves will start to curl, cup, or become distorted.

Treatment

Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot you can do to treat this plant disease. Instead, you have to destroy any plants affected by it. This will curtail the spread of the disease. If you act quick enough, you can save the majority of your plants. 

Bottom Line

Plant diseases can be difficult to identify and treat. This is why it’s always a good idea to call in professional help before the disease spreads too far. If you think you have a plant disease developing or taking over, contact us at Evergreen Landscaping. We’re happy to take a look and advise you on the best way to treat it.

Rain Water Harvesting Do’s and Don’ts

Harvesting rainwater is an excellent way to conserve water and give your plants something fresh to drink. You can drink rainwater and use it for your pets and animals too. However, there are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to harvesting rainwater, and we want you to be successful when you implement this system at your home. Our comprehensive list will give you the confidence boost you need to succeed in this project.

Do’s for Harvesting Rainwater

When you think of harvesting rainwater, it should be simple, right? While you are partly right, there are several things you can do to boost your success ratio and ensure you get clean water.

• Clean your roof every two weeks. Cleaning this area will allow you to remove debris and leaves that could contaminate your rainwater. Ideally, you’ll clean it after larger storms too.
• Regularly empty your rain separators. You should empty your first rain separator either right after or just before every rainfall. This will ensure it’s ready to go for the next round.
• Every two months, you want to wash the jelly stones in the filter to remove any debris. If you notice the mesh gets damaged, replace it at the same time.
• Mark it on your calendar and make a point to thoroughly clean your tank once every six months. Also, keep your tank firmly closed at all times to prevent debris from slipping inside.
• Double-check the pipes leading to your containment system and make sure they’re in good working order.
• When you set up your rainwater harvesting system, keep your RWH and sanitation lines separate. This will help you avoid cross-contamination.
• If you have any gratings leading to your rainwater supply, take a few minutes and make sure they’re in good working order. They’ll seal animals out.
• You want to slow down the runoff each time it rains. To do this, make sure you use permeable pavements in your driveways, parking lots, and walkways.
• Consider and implement ways to control mosquitoes. They’ll breed in your rainwater if there is even a small amount exposed.
• On the top of your rainwater tank, make sure you have a lid that fits tightly. You want no sunlight to get in and encourage algae growth.

Don’ts for Harvesting Rainwater

Along with things you should do, there are things you shouldn’t do to keep your rainwater as clean as possible. We’ve picked out the five biggest don’ts and outlined them.

• Don’t use hazardous substances, chemicals, or paints on your roof because they can chip off and end up in your water.
• Don’t leave the filter and the first rain separator valve open at the same time because it’ll let debris slip through.
• Don’t leave the tank uncovered during any dry periods because dust will find a way in.
• Never drink any rainwater you collect that you don’t filter first.
• The roof is a catchment area for your rainwater, and you shouldn’t allow birds to nest here.

Contact Evergreen Landscaping

Do you want more tips and tricks on how to set up a rainwater harvesting system? Maybe you need help with your landscaping or irrigation system. Whatever the need, we’re here to help. Contact us today to find out more.

Sustainable Landscaping Practices

Incorporating sustainable living practices into your life is more than just a choice. It’s an important practice for future generations as well. Sustainable landscaping practices refer to behaviors that help limit your use of our non-renewable resources. If you want to start these practices, we’ll outline several easy ways you can get started below.

Grow Your Plants in Pots

Maybe you don’t have the space for a garden or flower bed. If so, you can grow your plants in pots or containers. This works well for people who only have a deck, patio, or rooftop space for their outdoor living areas. You can grow herbs and vegetables with trellises to climb. It’s also possible to grow flowers that attract pollinators or use your potted plants as a nice, natural privacy screen.

Create Your Own Compost By Recycling

When you mow your yard, leave the grass clippings laying in the lawn instead of rounding them up. The grass clippings will start to decay and release nutrients back into your lawn. If you have dead or dying leaves, use them as a mulch mixture around your home. Coffee grounds, fish, and eggs all make excellent fertilizer additions too. You can create your own compost bin and use this instead of traditional store-bought fertilizer.

Watch and Limit Your Water Usage

Yes, you have to water your plants and landscaping for it to grow and stay healthy. But, there are things you can do to limit how much water you use. For example, you can collect water in a rain barrel and use this. If you have a fish tank, this water is excellent for your plants. Check your irrigation system regularly to make sure it’s in good working order if you have one. Consider installing a smart irrigation system that will automatically cut back on your water usage.

Create a Wildlife Habitat

You want to attract pollinators to your landscape because they are a natural way to spread your flowers. Start by adding plants that give you several foliage levels. Birds, pollinators, and small animals like to stay in places that use grasses, shrubs, and trees to create shelter and give them food. The birds can spread seeds, and small animals provide fertilizer.

Replace Problem Areas

Over time, you’ll find yourself switching your landscape up and swapping plants or shrubs out. Do you have areas that create chronic problems for you? Maybe they require pest control, large amounts of water, or more labor to keep them looking nice. If so, you can replace these areas with plants that are hardier and lower maintenance. This can include things like shrubs or small trees.

Create and Use Natural Fertilizers

When you use chemical fertilizers, it sinks into the ground, and it can contaminate water around it. A good sustainable landscaping practice is to create or buy natural fertilizers. These fertilizers use things like coffee grounds, fish parts, eggs, and other organic matter to enrich the soil without polluting it with chemicals.

Contact Evergreen Landscaping for Sustainable Landscaping Ideas

If you’re ready to make the switch to sustainable landscaping, contact us. Our staff is ready to help you design and implement a landscape design that is beautiful for years to come.

What are Some Good Ideas for a Yard Pond?

Having a pond in your backyard is a nice way to add a touch of whimsy and elegance to the landscape. Many people find the sound of running water soothing, and you can transform your backyard into a relaxing oasis by adding a pond. We’ll outline several great ideas for a yard pond below. They may just inspire you to try it out for yourself.

1. Container Pond
If you have a smaller backyard, a container pond is an excellent way to go. You can use as large or small of a container as you like. Once you pick out a container, you can decide which plants to use. Water lilies are very popular. You can add a small filter with a few fish for pops of color and movement. A small pump will circulate the water, and you can change 15% of the water every week to keep it clear.

2. Repurposed Stock Tank
If you want an above-ground pond, a stock tank makes the perfect base for your new pond. You could also bury it in the ground for an in-ground pond. Fill it with water, add water softener, and pick out a few water plants. You can spread the plants and rocks around the container to make it look more natural. You should have a mix of submerged plants, water’s edge plants, and deep-sea water plants to balance out your pond.

3. River Rock Pond
You’ll find river rock in many landscaping stores for relatively cheap, and you can use it to build up a gorgeous custom pond. You’ll need a water pump, pond basin, and vinyl tubing to complete the project. This will be a slightly larger pond, so you do want to make sure you have enough space for it to fit comfortably. You can shape the river rock around the pond however you like, and you can even make a waterfall.

4. Garden Fish Pond
This is a very quick and relatively inexpensive pond idea. All you have to do is dig out the area you want your pond, line it with the appropriate liner, and use rocks to hold the liner in place. You can add a small filter if you like, or you can use water plants to aerate the water for your fish. It should sit for three or four days before you add your fish to it. If you put a pump in, block it with mesh, so it doesn’t accidentally suck up your fish.

5. Preformed Garden Pond
If you don’t have a lot of time, you can buy a preformed garden basin and bury it in your yard. You could even keep it out of the ground and stack rocks around it to create a raised pond. Fill your basin with water, pick out your plants, and choose the rocks to make it look natural. 

Contact Evergreen Landscaping

If you’re ready to ad the perfect yard pond to your space, reach out to our team. We can help you design one that flows with your space, and we can give you plant suggestions to keep it looking fantastic all season long.

7 Zero-Maintenance Landscaping Ideas

Everyone loves to have a beautifully landscaped yard. However, not everyone has the time to dedicate to a labor-intensive project. But it is possible to have a gorgeous yard with zero-maintenance landscaping. We’ve picked out several ideas you can incorporate into your next landscape design below.

1. Hardscape
If you don’t have the time to mow your lawn or maintain it, hardscaping is an option. Hardscapes are areas that use asphalt, concrete, or stone instead of grass. You can turn a part of your yard into a patio or entertainment area. Once you get your medium of choice in, it requires no maintenance to keep it looking like new. Hardscapes can also last for years at a time.

2. Install Artificial Grass
Artificial grass is getting more and more popular with businesses and homeowners alike because it’s durable and attractive. You don’t have to work to keep it looking nice by watering or cutting it. Instead, all you do in install it and leave it alone. It’ll look nice in the different sun and shaded areas, in high traffic areas, and more.

3. Plant Perennials
Perennials like daffodils and tulips are almost zero maintenance plants. They don’t require special coddling to come back year after year. Instead, you have to plant them and add a layer of mulch. They’re resistant to droughts and full sunlight. They’ll add fun pops of color to your yard, and they look bright and cheerful in the spring and summer months.

4. Evergreen Bushes and Trees
Evergreen bushes and trees are very hardy plants that look beautiful in summer and the winter months. These trees and shrubs can be more expensive, but they pay off in the long run. You can plant low bushes around your home to give in a little curb appeal, or you can plant a row of trees to create a natural fence around your yard. They require very little in the way of maintenance or upkeep once they establish themselves.

5. Install an Automatic Irrigation System
You’ll have to water your lawn, plants, or garden eventually. However, installing an automatic irrigation system can take the work out of this chore. You can set the system to go off at the same time every day. When the set time comes, the sprinklers will go off and water your space. All you have to do is pick your date, time, and duration.

6. Set Up Rock Gardens
If you want flower beds but don’t want the work that comes with them, consider adding rock gardens to your home. These gardens usually have plants that are very bright and tolerant of droughts. The rocks don’t require any maintenance, and they provide a decorative look to your landscape.

7. Use Mulch
Weeds are a pest for anyone who has ever had flower beds. Mulch serves a dual purpose. First, it layers on the ground to prevent weed growth. Second, mulch retains water. This will help you cut back on your watering while ensuring your plants look wonderful all season long. 

Contact Evergreen Landscaping Today!

Are you ready to set up a zero-maintenance landscape? If so, reach out and get in touch. We’re happy to help design it, pick out your plants, and give you tips.

5 Things to Consider when Designing a New Landscape for Your Yard

Whether you want to make a few changes to your existing landscape or perform a complete overhaul, there are five important factors to consider while you lay out your plan. Many people run straight to their local garden supply store without planning, but creating a plan beforehand will help you create a stunning landscape that thrives. We’ll outline the five most important things to consider when you design a new landscape for your yard below. 

1. Think About Your Theme

Having a theme can help you create a seamless landscape that flows from one area to another, and it can help you choose your materials and plants. Your theme can be something as simple as using consistent forms and shapes throughout your design, or they can be as complicated as designing an Oriental or relaxation garden.

An excellent place to start is by taking a look at your home’s architecture. The goal is to create a theme that complements your home’s styles and lines because your yard is an extension of your home. Your theme will help you place your decorations, plants, structures, and hardscapes. 

2. Your Yard’s Characteristics

Think about your yard’s topography, regional climate, and soil type when you plan your new landscape. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is an excellent tool to help here. You also want to look at your yard’s microclimate and consider the shade and sun exposure when you pick your plants. Microclimates will be on the plants you choose, and they’re usually labeled as deep shade, shade, partial shade, or full sun. 

3. Maintenance

No matter which type of landscape you design, how difficult your maintenance is will be a big factor. For example, having lots of hardscapes and ornamental flower beds may look pretty, but they can be difficult and time-consuming to maintain. You should leave enough space to fit your lawn equipment around them, and decide if you plan to maintain it on your own or hire someone to do it for you. The more complicated it is, the more you’ll pay someone. 

4. Planting Structure

When you pick out your plants and structures, make sure you think about your visual planes. Start from above you and work your way down, remembering to include trees or archways.

Next, look at your vertical space and consider how far apart or close together; you want to place your plants. Decide if you want to stagger or layer plants, and keep the plant’s widths and heights in mind. Most people tuck smaller plants in between and in front of larger plants. Finally, include your hardscapes, groundcovers, and how you’ll group your smaller plants. 

5. Keep the Future in Mind

As your landscape grows and matures; it’ll change. When you pick out your plants, take their maintenance needs, growth rate, and the mature size into consideration. Every plant should have enough room to accommodate their mature size, or close to it. 

Contact Evergreen Landscaping Today

If you’d like help designing your new landscape, get in touch. Our professional staff is ready to help you design the perfect landscape for your home.