There Must Be Something In the Water

Before I begin today's post, please let me "thank you" for being patient with us last week.  In the previous post I let you know that we experienced an unexpected death in our family so the last week has been packed full of family and tears and smiles and laughter (smiles and laughter?!!...yep, that's how our family does things!) So, we appreciate you allowing us the time away and we are working nonstop trying to catch up on phone calls, invoicing, and drawing design plans.  And let me tell you, what is coming will Blow. Your. Mind!  So good!!

Recently, with all of the new installs we have been doing, we have received TONS of questions about watering.  Understandably, when you invest some money into your landscape, you want it to continue to thrive.  So how much water is too much?  What are the best times to water?  If you have an irrigation system, what are some recommendations for getting the most of it?  Well, you came to the right place! :)

So, how much water is too much?  We've heard lots of answers to this question (and its probably the one question we get the most) but we have a few tips to help you determine what your plants need.  Remember when you first brought home your brand new baby...you had no idea what you were doing and all you could think was "I wish they could just tell me what they need"  but, in time, you figured out exactly what every little cry, squeal, and coo meant.  Same with your plants!  Our rule of thumb when it comes to watering actually involves your thumb (or any finger for that matter!).  Stick a finger into the soil around your plant.  If the soil feels moist like a cake, you have a happy plant.  If it is dry, your plants are probably thirsty.  If you pull your finger out to find that it is covered in mud, you are overwatering and your plants need a break!

For those who have an irrigation system, or as we say in the south, the "sprinkler", you may think you have it easy.  It might even be programmable so you really don't have to do much thinking about your watering.  While an irrigation system is convenient, it doesn't take all the guess work out of making sure your plants are receiving the amount of water they need.  Making sure you are watering at the correct times is still key.  We encourage our clients to water in the mornings between the hours of 7-10 am.  There are many reasons why we make this recommendation.  Many of us know that watering during the hottest part of the day isn't the best time because it can actually burn your plants but why not at night when it gets cooler.  Watering during those cooler morning hours allows your plants to get the H2O they so desperately need but also gives ample time for the sun to evaporate any access water so the soil doesn't sit oversaturated.  While watering at night is definitely better than at noon, evening watering causes your plants to have to sit in a puddle all night long.  It can do more harm than good.  So just like hot Georgia sun + a good shower is not a good combination for plants, watering in the evening when the sun won't be able to help with any excess water is essentially drowning your landscape making those cooler morning hours prime time for any type of watering.

Most of all, check your plants frequently.  Depending on how much free water you are getting (thanks weather!), you will need to make adjustments in how often you are watering your plants.  As is true with life, more is not always better.

For more questions or to find out how to reprogram your current irrigation system, leave a comment or give us a call.  We are always available to help "make the neighbors jealous"!

Transformation Tuesday

We hope everyone had a fantastic Memorial Day Weekend!  We have an incredible transformation to share with you on this rainy Tuesday.  We are so proud of how this install turned out.  Take a look at the before, during, and after pictures and let us know what you think!

Here are the before pictures.  This family purchased this home about a year ago.  They have been spending most of their time updating and perfecting the inside of the home and were ready to bring all of that beauty to the inside.  They had some great ideas for that they wanted the finished product to look like with specific plants in mind, an understanding of how much time they would be able to spend maintaining their beds, and the overall appearance of the project.

 

 

Our guys were working hard preparing the beds, clearing out the old plants, and getting the slate clean for new and improved landscaping.

 

 

Here is the finished product!!  The sun was working against us on the pictures so please forgive the bright exposure and shadows.  These foundation beds will only continue to get more beautiful as they grow and fill in this space.  My personal favorite...I LOVE the stone walkway from the front drive to the back porch.  Now with the amazing landscaping and clean bed, it makes an incredibly inviting entertainment space. 





On a personal note: Unfortunately, this weekend has been difficult for the Southern Cross family.  We experienced an unexpected loss that has thrown us all for a loop so please have patience with us during this time.  We are working to reschedule with many of you as our family needs us right now.  We appreciate all of the support (prayers, calls, texts, emails, etc.) we have already received as we grieve one of our favorites!

The Big Pine Straw Debate...

Its that time of year again...Time to replace the mulch in all those beautiful flower beds that adorn your landscape. 

We have been getting tons of requests for pine straw...and then the spouse walks out to say, "But don't you think wood mulch would look better?!!"  Can I get a witness?  Everybody has their own preference when it comes to what to add as that finishing layer to the beds but is there really a difference?  Is there one  product that lasts longer, is better for your plants, or adds more to the soil? 

We could go on for days about all the different types of mulch that exists.  But, for the sake of time, I'm going to focus on the two we are asked about the most: pine straw vs. wood mulch...the great debate!

Honestly, neither one is a bad option but they both can play very different roles for your landscape so its important to have some knowledge about your landscape design to make the best choice to keep your plants happy, happy, happy!  Being from Georgia, we know ALL  about pine straw.  Around here, who really needs to buy it?!!  Just send your minions out to the backyard with some rakes and a day's worth of energy and VIOLA!  Pine straw is great for  providing insulation from temperature fluctuation.  Even with our mild Georgia climate, pine straw helps protect the soil from the changes from extreme heat to the bitter cold.  Because of its interlocking powers (that sounds like a bad superhero), it will not move in heavy rains or strong winds which means your investment won't conveniently find its way to your neighbors yard a mile down the street.  It also works well on hills and slopes because these interlocking powers prevent a lot of movement.

The biggest benefit is weed control.  The pine straw layer blocks out light and keeps those weeds from making an appearance.  Many plants thrive when surrounded by pine straw.  Azaleas, camellias, hostas, hydrangea, magnolia, geranium, strawberries, coleus, and rhododendrons are just a few that thrive when surrounded by pine straw.  Also, there is no fear of getting too close to your plants.  Pine straw is as harmless to your plants as water. 

Annual installation of pine straw is necessary to protect plants and add to soil but for decorative reasons, we suggest adding a fresh layer twice a year.

Wood Mulch works a little bit differently than pine straw.  It, too, acts as a weed barrier by blocking light and suffocating weeds and it helps with moisture retention in the soil around your plants, but it comes in two forms: treated and untreated.

Untreated wood mulch, think the free mulch you see advertised occasionally, can actually bring weeds and disease into your flower beds.  It is just a miss of all the leftover, kinda the hot dogs of landscaping, so you can never be sure what you are getting.  Treated wood mulch as been through a heat process to kill weeds, insects, and diseases.  For this reason, it is more expensive. 

No matter what type of wood mulch you choose, it is all known to wash away easily.  Also with wood mulch, you have to be careful when it is being added to beds.  If you use more than a 3 inch layer, you risk suffocating your plants.  Also, the nitrate in the wood mulch can be detrimental if it is too close to your plants so don't install it all the want to the root ball.  Leave a little room for your plant to breathe.

If you're looking for a cost effective, clean, and beautiful option, we suggest pine straw.  You are definitely getting the most for your investment.  We love the look of wood mulch but it does require more upkeep and money to maintain that look. 

For more information about the different types of mulch and how to pick the right one for your landscape design, check out this video.
http://www.bhg.com/videos/m/93623880/how-to-pick-the-right-mulch.htm

Welcome to the Shepherd Residence!

Today's post is pretty personal for me...because it's actually OUR house.  But it started out as my house!  For the past few years, I've been a single momma raising a sweet toddler.  With a busy schedule of full time teaching and then coming home to my sweet little girl, no much time remained for playing in my yard.  I bought the house as a foreclosure several years ago and while I've been able to create a beautiful interior, the outside just wasn't a priority...and it has been a huge embarrassment for me!  I've dreamed of the outside matching the beauty of the inside but with limited funds and even more limited time, it was a struggle just to keep the grass cut most days.

Like many of you, my front landscape was packed full of boxwoods that over the years had become overgrown and seemed to smother my front entry.  It was dark and uninviting!

 

 

Yep, pretty ugly, huh?!!  I had no idea where to even start.  I, seriously, would just stand in my front yard with a blank stare. 

 

It all changed with I met John Shepherd...ha!  In an effort to when my heart, that sweet man started cutting my grass.  And I fell head over heals <3!  After helping to get the lawn somewhat under control (it's still a work in progress!), we started talking about simple and inexpensive ways we could up the curb appeal.  Little did I know that blond-haired cutie would go from boyfriend to husband a few months later and this eye sore of a yard would go from "mine" to "ours"...He's so lucky!  LOL!

 

Fast forward to about a month ago...

 

I get a text message while a work of a picture of the front of my house.  I knew he was planning on working in the yard...but had NO idea he was going to dig up the entire front landscape!  We hadn't even finalized exactly what we wanted to do with the yard.  All I could see was $$$!  How much is this going to cost us?  I probably should have mentioned that in our marriage, he is the dreamer and I'm the financial adviser.  It has worked well for us so far but I was started to question things when I pulled into the driveway later that afternoon.

 

 

Guess there was absolutely zero turning back now!  So we spent my spring break getting the front yard put back together.  John drew up a design, we shopped for plants, prepared the soil, and got to work.  The results...AMAZING!  I have never been happier coming home each day.  I am so proud of what my house looks like from the outside.  The crazy hubs of mine gave me the front landscape of my dreams!  And the best part for this budget-loving girl...It was completely affordable.  It was actually MUCH cheaper than I anticipated. 

 

 

So here is the nearly finished product!  Isn't it beautiful?!!  To help keep costs down, we opted to purchase smaller plants that will grow in beautifully over time.  Also, the plants John chose for this design are very low maintenance and do not require the weekly pruning of those monstrous boxwoods!  With two children under the age of 4, we are always on the run so low maintenance is the best choice for our yard.  I can't wait to come back and show updated pictures as the landscape continues to flourish.  My little slice of heaven finally looks like heaven!  I'm completely in love <3!

 

Jen 

 



Got Bugs???

Our post yesterday about vegetable gardens and organic produce has raised some great questions. One of our favorites was "How do I keep insects away but still maintain the organic integrity of my veggies?" Here are three pretty fail-proof options to use in your existing gardens to keep those pests away. The majority of us already have the ingredients for all of these so they are pretty budget friendly too!


Oil Spray-...
This organic pesticide works best for those sap-sucking insects like aphids, spider mites, and white flies.

You Need:
1 tablespoon dish soap
1 cup cooking oil (from a newly opened bottle, not the leftovers from last night's fish fry ;))

Mix 4 teaspoons of oil solution with 1 pint of water.
Until ready to use, store in a glass jar in a dry, dark, and cool location.
Apply a liberal amount to vegetables once every 7 days to keep pests away.

Baby Shampoo-
Use this solution, too, to keep aphids, white flies, scale, thrips, and spider mites at bay. It is also safe for both indoor and outdoor plants. Note: this mixture should not be used in sun or on plants with hairy leaves or wax-like coating like squash.
You Need:
Mix 2 tablespoons of baby shampoo with 1 gallon of water
Apply generously and allow to stay on plants for several hours before rinsing with the water hose.





Red Pepper Spray-
Just like red pepper can add spice to your favorite dinner recipe, it can help add the perfect spice to keep those annoying insects from eating your favorite veggies. Use this for leafhoppers, spittlebugs, beetles, and loopers.
You Need:
1 tablespoon red pepper
6 drops dish soap
1 gallon of water
Mix well. Pour into garden sprayer and thoroughly cover your veggies. Reapply once a week, as needed, to keep bugs away.
These are our three favorites. Do you have your own favorite organic pesticide or maybe some that haven't been so successful? Feel free to share your experiences and expertise!

Calling all "foodies"

Growing your own veggies seems to be the new, hip thing these days. Not only is it a budget friendly option but it also helps calm the anxieties of many who worry about long term effects from some of the chemicals our produce is exposed to on the regular. Unless you've been living under a rock, you absolutely can not deny vegetable gardens, raised beds, and even small "gardens" in pots are growing in popularity.

Maybe you don't have a green thumb or you have limited space but you love fresh veggies. Or maybe you've bought into this "eat clean" idea and are looking for ways to enjoy a more healthy lifestyle. Whatever your motive, we can help you grow the most amazing fruits and veggies in your own backyard or your apartment balcony or even your front steps...the possibilities really are endless! Sustainable and edible landscapes are both beautiful and serve an amazing purpose. And, the best part, you don't need much space to produce incredible results! 
 

Contact us for more information on how we can not only plant but maintain your garden so your family can enjoy all the benefits of farm to table produce. We are more than willing to share the fruits (and vegetables) of our labor! Let us help!!

 

Mosquito Monday!

Mosquito Monday! Anybody else covered in bites after a beautiful weekend outside with family?!!
Yep, just call me the Mosquito Magnet (maybe I should consider changing my business card) For some reason, mosquitos LOVE me. I've tried everything to keep them away but I hate the feeling of being covered in bug spray...and lets not even get started on that awful smell! Plus, a lot of the stuff on the market isn't safe for little ones so that really doesn't work for me!

If you... have a standing water problem, like what we addressed in an earlier post, you probably know about mosquitos better than anyone else. So what do you do? Invest in one of those annoying bug zappers, turn your entire yard into a citronella sanctuary...

Did you know there are actually plants you can include in your landscape design that help repel mosquitos??? Many of them work well as potted plants or they can be added to your outdoor landscape to keep those little blood-suckers away.

Check out this blog post on 11 plants you can include around your home that repel mosquitos. I'm already putting in an order...and talking to my resident designer about making space for some of these little gems throughout our backyard. My skin is already so excited!!

http://plantcaretoday.com/11-plants-repel-mosquitoes.html