Spring Home Lawn & Garden 2013

Self-sustaining gardens • Garden Edging • YardManagement • Lawn Care • Landscape fabrics

Moss-growth • Automatic Irrigation Sysems

A Special Supplement To

EEccoo--CCoonnsscciioouussWays to Tend Your Lawn

CCoossttEEffffeeccttiivveeFencing Options

BBeenneeffiittssTo Hiring a Landscaping Service

May 2013

S P R I N GL A W N & G A R D E N

2 � Spring Home, Lawn & Garden - May 2013 JG-TC jg-tc.com

Pros & Cons of automatic irrigation systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Managing difficult yard situations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Eco-conscious ways to tend to your lawn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Cost-effective fencing options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7Caring for a freshly sodded lawn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7How to edge a garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Addressing moss-growth on your property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9Plant a self-sustaining garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-10Did you know? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Benefits to hiring a landscaping service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

A & A Lawn & Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4All-Pro Tree Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Alwerdt’s Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Beeson-Keigly Masonry . . . . . . . . . . . .10Don Baker Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Barkley Farms Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Birkey’s Farm Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Brooks Creek Cedar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Charleston Appliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Coach House Garages . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Consolidated Communications . . . . . . .12Country Shoe Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Family Health Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

J Creek Storage Buildings . . . . . . . . . . .10KAS Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Kull Lumber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Marshall Mudjacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Mette’s Cabinet Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Morton Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Power Plus Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Rocke Overhead Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Scotty’s Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Sunrise Landscaping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Westside Greenhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Wright Tree & Lawncare . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Yoder’s Gazebos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

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SPRING LAWN & GARDEN 2013

Water is essential tokeeping a lawn or garden ingood health. The trouble withwatering is that it can betime-consuming, especially ifyour idea of watering isstanding outside with thehose. But thanks to irrigationsystems, watering hasbecome a lot less hands-on.An irrigation sprinkler ordrip system takes much ofthe work out of watering alandscape. Some can also befitted to deliver fertilizer andweed-prevention products to

a lawn. But before anydigging takes place,homeowners might want tolearn about the advantagesand disadvantages ofirrigation systems.

AdvantagesOne of the most obviousadvantages is the timesavings afforded by anautomatic sprinkler or dripirrigation system. Onceinstalled, many systems canbe set to a timer to water atspecific time intervals and on

certain days of the week.This means there's no needto worry about forgetting towater the lawn and comingback from vacation to findcrisp, yellow grass.Another advantage is thatirrigation systems,particularly the drip type,can be positioned so thatwater is more effectivelytargeted where it is needed.Nozzles can be adjusted andunderground drip tubes willdeliver water right to theroots, rather than sprayingwalkways and driveways.Another advantage is thatautomatic irrigation systemsare generally hidden fromview, which means there areno unsightly hoses stretchedacross the lawn and no moretripping hazards. Sprinklerheads pop up to spray andthen retract when the job isdone. Underground dripsystems do their work out ofview. For families with youngchildren and pets who shareoutdoor spaces, automaticsystems may be a saferoption.

DisadvantagesThe primary disadvantageassociated with a sprinklersystem is the expense. Thesesystems can be quite costlydepending on the size of theproperty. Furthermore,portions of the lawn will haveto be dug up to installpipework and attach it to theplumbing system of thehome. This can equate todays or weeks without use ofthe yard. Afterwards, thelandscaping will have to berepaired.It is best to install anirrigation system prior to theinstallation of sod orextensive landscapingbecause some of it will haveto be torn up. Homeownerswho already have pristineyards may be turned off bythis reality.

Even the most efficientsprinkler systems can havetheir pitfalls. Wind canwreak havoc on sprinklers,directing water in the wrongdirection. Underground pestsmay damage water-deliverysystems, resulting in waterpooling or broken parts. Therepairs to fix an irrigation

system can be much morecostly than replacing adamaged garden hose.Irrigation systems havetheir advantages anddisadvantages, andhomeowners should weightheir options before installinga new system.

jg-tc.com JG-TC Spring Home, Lawn & Garden - May 2013 � 3

PROS AND CONSof automatic irrigation systems

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Many homeowners aim fora picture perfect lawncomplete with rolling acresof soft, green grass. ButMother Nature may haveother things in mind,providing homeowners withless-than-stellar growingconditions for their lawns,plants and other foliage.Frustration can mountwhen a yard is muddy, isespecially shady or has soilthat doesn't seem to grow athing. In such instances,homeowners may have to gothe extra mile to get theyard they desire.

Irrigation issuesImproper drainage or low-lying areas in a yard maycontribute to a muddy mess.Soil that is inhospitable forgrass also may end upcausing muddy patchesbecause the grass simplydoes not grow. In somecases, remedying a muddyyard is easy andinexpensive. Somehomeowners find that tillingthe soil and amending itwith a fiber mulch helps toabsorb extra water andmake the conditions betterfor lawn seeds to sprout.This also helps to aeratecompacted soil that canhinder grass growth. Addingsoil fill also may help tolevel low-lying areas thatcan be puddling.Some homeowners findthat they need to do a littlemore work and spend somemore money to fix irrigationissues. Installing a drainingsystem or having theproperty sloped to drawwater away can sometimesbe done by a homeowner butis often best left to aprofessional. You may needto dig trenches, and theproperty may need to beregraded to make a

difference. Sandy soilGrass and other plantsmay not grow well withsandy or clay soil. Again,amending the soil is oneway to remedy the problem.Although it will take somework at the outset,amending the soil canimprove conditions andreduce how muchmaintenance the lawnneeds. Digging down severalinches and adding nutrient-rich filler soil will helpcreate conditions that arebetter for growing. Thosewho are interested inplanting vegetables couldopt for raised garden bedsabove the challenging soil.

ShadeSometimes a yard isproblematic because of theamount of sunshine itreceives. Too much sunshinecan scald certain grasses,while inadequate sunshinemay result in bare patcheswhere grass won't grow. If

cost is no object, removingor planting trees toestablish better growingconditions could be anoption. However, today thereare many grass blends thatare tailored toward specificsunlight scenarios.Homeowners may find thatlow-light blends will growbetter in shady areas.For those who are findingno luck with grass blends, itmay just be necessary tothink creatively. Plantshade-loving plants, such asferns or ground cover, wherethe grass won't take. Designthe landscape so it looksintentional. Flagstone andslate placed in certain areasalso may masktemperamental growingareas.There are different optionsfor managing varioussituations in the yard thatcan make growing lawn orother plants challenging. Ifprojects are difficult, it couldbe smart to call in aprofessional.

Managing difficultyard situations

Shady situations may impede grass growth in a yard.

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Many homeowners areconstantly on the lookoutfor ways to make theirhomes more environmental-ly friendly. Such a pursuit isboth noble because it helpsthe environment and practi-cal because it often savesmoney.While there are many eco-friendly improvementshomeowners make insidetheir homes, it's importantto note that there are sever-al ways for men and womento be more environmentallyconscious outside of theirhomes as well. Lawn carecan be done in a way that'sconscious of the environ-ment, and the results can bejust as appealing as if thelawn were tended to with-out regard for the planet.The following are just a fewof the many ways homeown-ers can adopt more eco-friendly practices whentending to their lawns.• Be conscientious whenwatering. Overwatering alawn is pretty common,especially during the dogdays of summer, when

homeowners try to overcom-pensate for hot days withexcessive watering. Thegrowth of moss on side-walks or the driveway is atelltale sign that you'rewatering too much, as is astanding pool of water onthe grass. Homeowners whofind it difficult to determinewhen their lawns have got-ten enough water can pur-chase an intelligent irriga-tion control system thatadapts your watering to alawn's needs as well as theweather.• Turn back the clock onyour tools. Before gas mow-ers became the standard,man-powered push mowerswere used to cut the grass.Such mowers still exist, andthey require no fuel, mak-ing them a more eco-friend-ly option than their gas-powered counterparts. Along those same lines,leaf blowers are a far lessfriendly way to rake leavesin the fall or clean the yardafter a long winter. Whilethere's no denying theireffectiveness, leaf blowers

need gas to operate, while arake just requires someelbow grease and a littleextra time out in the yard.• Stay local. If you need toplant new grass or you'rebeginning a garden, thenstick with local plants, flow-ers and grasses rather thanmore exotic options that are

not native to your area.Plants, flowers and grassesthat aren't native to yourregion will require moremaintenance and oftenmore watering. That addedmaintenance might prove tobe a headache, and thatexcessive watering will notbe beneficial to the environ-

ment. Native plants, flowersand grasses have alreadyadapted to your climate,and they can be provide justas much aesthetic appeal asmore exotic alternatives.• Avoid pesticides when-ever possible. Many home-owners treat their lawnswith pesticides, which canmake a lawn look beautiful.But that beauty typicallycomes at a steep price,impacting local wildlife andperhaps even the localwater supply. When pesti-cides are applied to a lawn,the chemicals within mayrun off into your local watersupply. If you can't avoidpesticides entirely, then doyour best to minimize howoften you use them.• Don't let rain water goto waste. Rain barrels are agreat way to make good useof rain. Rain barrels can beplaced beneath a gutter'sdownspout, where they willcollect water that can bereused throughout yourproperty to water the lawnand garden. Rain barrelscan be relatively expensive,but over time they will payfor themselves as you savemoney on your water bill.Lawn care can be conduct-ed in a way that benefitsthe environment as well asyour bottom line.

ECO-CONSCIOUS WAYS to tend to your lawn



Visit our website or come in today tocustomize the spaces in your home.

Corner of S. Rt. 45& Airport Rd., Efńgham

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Fencing serves many pur-poses. Some homeownerserect a fence for privacy,while others do so to con-tain pets and children.Because fencing can beexpensive, some homeown-ers look for ways to cutcosts, which can be rela-tively easy, especially forthose homeowners willingto consider various materi-als when erecting theirfence.Traditional fences are

available in materialsranging from wood to vinylto metal. Homeowners haveother options at their dis-posal if they prefer a morenatural fence. Differentshrubs, trees or grasses canbe planted to create a bar-rier between properties orwithin the property.When choosing a fencingmaterial, consider thateven a less expensive mate-rial may prove more expen-sive in the long run if it

needs significant mainte-nance or has to be replacedin just a few years. There-fore, the most cost-effectivefencing material may notnecessarily be the leastexpensive one at the store.Here are some materialshomeowners can consider.• Found material: Repur-posed wood or metal can becrafted into a rustic, one-of-a-kind fence. Materials canbe found that are no cost,requiring only the cost oflabor. Should you build ityourself, this can be next tonothing. Sometimes exist-ing fences on another prop-erty can be disassembledand re-built on your own

property for little to no costas well.• Chainlink/chainwire:Chainlink fencing is one ofthe most economical typesof boundary fencing. Thefencing comes in a varietyof diamond sizes and isfixed to galvanized pipesspaced across the perime-ter of the property.Although it is some of theleast expensive fencing, itdoes not offer much privacyon its own. But if you arelooking at fencing simplyas a barrier, chainlinkcould be the way to go.• Picket fencing: A wood-en picket fence is anotherinexpensive fencing materi-

al. The pickets can be pur-chased in various heights,and this fence may be usedas garden border fencing orto mark a property linebetween homes. Spacingthe pickets widely apartmay cut down on the num-ber that need to be pur-chased, further keeping thecost down.• Bamboo: Bamboo is arapidly growing grass thatproduces a hard wood-likematerial that is used inmany building applica-tions. Bamboo wood can beused to build a fence, butthe natural plant also canbe planted to form a livingfence for privacy.• Stockade fencing: Astockade fence is one of themore basic wood fencingoptions. Wooden slats areplaced alongside one anoth-er to form an effective andaffordable privacy fence.Stockade fencing can bestained or painted to pre-serve it. Many homeimprovement retailers sellpanels of stockade fencingso that you can make fenceinstallation a do-it-yourselfproject.• Vinyl fencing: Althoughvinyl fencing is one of themore expensive fencingmaterials at the outset (itcosts about twice the priceof a wood fence), it does payfor itself rather quicklythanks to minimal mainte-nance. Unlike some othermaterials, vinyl will not rotor discolor. You also won'thave to purchase stain,paint and expensive clean-ers for a vinyl fence. Thatmeans once you make theinvestment, you will haveyears upon years of main-tenance-free enjoyment.There are many differentfencing materials that cancoordinate with a variety ofbudgets.


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Sod, sometimes called turf,can quickly turn a barrenlandscape into a rich, thickcarpet of green. Homeown-ers hoping to revive theirlawns commonly turn to sodas the quickest means to dojust that. However, once thesod has been laid down, fewhomeowners may know howto keep it looking its best.Sod is real grass that isgrown on special farms. It isgenerally grown locally toavoid long transport timesthat could dry out the prod-uct. Sod is typically sold insquares or rolls of grass thatcome with the roots and soilalready attached. Theremay be some sort of thinbacking material on the sodto keep the grass bladestogether.Many homeowners turn tosod when growing lawnfrom seed becomes problem-atic or too time-consuming.Seeds can be blown aroundin the wind or be eaten bybirds and other animalsbefore they have a chance togerminate.Sodding a lawn is a majorinvestment, costing as muchas $1 per two-foot square.

Depending on the size ofyour lawn, this can be acostly job even beforeadding the cost of additionalsupplies, such as soil, fertil-izer and tilling equipment.Many homeowners whoinstall sod want to ensuretheir investment lasts. Hereare the main ways to carefor and protect sod until it isfully established.• Once the sod has beenlaid down, the lawn shouldbe thoroughly soaked withwater. Most experts recom-mend soaking it to a depthof 6 inches.• It is important to estab-lish a watering schedule tokeep the sod moist. Waterthe sod to a depth of oneinch every other day for thefirst three weeks to enablethe roots to securely estab-lish themselves in the soil.• Water the sod everyother day unless the weath-er has been very warm.After four weeks you cangenerally go up to five dayswithout watering as long asyou transition slowly. Thesod will change colors if it isnot getting enough water.Never let the lawn turn yel-

low, otherwise you may haveto cut out dead spots and re-sod.• Wait two to four weeksbefore mowing the sod.Keep the lawn height toaround two inches to ensurethat it won't scald in thesun.• After two months ofestablished sod growth, aer-ate the sod to keep the soilfrom being too compact andto enable oxygen and nutri-ents to get into the soil.• Keep children and petsoff of the sod while it isestablishing itself.• Fertilize the lawn every50 to 60 days, beginning inMarch and ending in Octo-ber.• Inspect the sod for pests,which may include insectsor problems like fungi orweeds. Treat accordinglywith products designed toremove pests.Using sod to establish alush lawn is a fast, albeitmore expensive option tosowing seeds. After a fewweeks the lawn will be thickand secure.

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Edging a lawn is a springtime rite of passagefor many homeowners. When winter has comeand gone, many lawns are left in need of someserious maintenance, including edging. Well-defined edges around the yard make the yardlook more organized and better maintained. Andedging is relatively easy, especially for thosehomeowners with a smaller yard. Edging can betime-consuming for those with more property,but when done properly, edging is definitelyworth the effort.• Remove debris from the areas you plan toedge. Before you even begin to edge, be sure toremove any debris from those areas that neededging. Debris, including rocks, twigs or the kids'toys, left lying around can be kicked up when

you're edging, potentially causing injury to youor someone standing nearby. • Purchase safety goggles. Even if you haveremoved all visible debris, there still may besome items hidden in the grass. These items canbe kicked up and hit you in the eye, so purchasesome safety goggles and be sure to wear themwhenever you're edging. As an added precaution,keep kids and others away from any areas you'reedging so they aren't injured by any unseendebris that gets kicked up while you're working.• Check your tools. Edging can be done byusing a gas-powered edger or a string trimmer.Before you begin to edge, inspect these tools toensure they're capable of handling the task athand. Inspect the blades on a gas-powered edger

to make sure they haven't dulled since theirmost recent use. If they are dull, sharpen thembefore you start to edge. When using a stringtrimmer, make sure you have enough string onhand to complete the project. String trimmersuse a particular kind of string, so visit your locallawn care or hardware store if you don't feel likeyou have enough.• Position your edger properly. Once you havegiven your tools the green light, it's time to startedging. When you begin, make sure the edger isbetween the sidewalk or driveway and the edgeof the lawn, placing the wheel of the edger on thesidewalk or driveway and then pushing andpulling the edger until you have created a clearedge. If you have never edged before, you maywant to practice on smaller, more isolated areasuntil you become comfortable operating theedger.

How to edge a garden

Lawn care enthusiasts put lots of time andeffort into their lawns and take great pride whenthat work pays off with a luscious green lawn.But no lawn is immune to problems, and eventhe most well-maintained property can developissues that compromise the lawn's health andaesthetic appeal. Moss is one potential lawn issue that manygreen-thumbers would prefer to avoid. Whilemoss is not always harmful, it can be unsightlyand lawn care enthusiasts may spend a signifi-cant amount of money attempting to control it.

Controlling moss can be costly, but there aresome ways to control moss that will not costhomeowners much money at all. Before address-ing moss in your yard, it helps to understandwhy moss grows and then look at the variousways to control it once it does.

What causes moss growth?Moss can grow in a yard for a variety of rea-sons, but the most common cause of moss growthis insufficient sunlight to support the grass. Sun-light might be blocked by shade from nearby

trees or shrubs or even shadows from your home.Soil conditions may also be responsible formoss growth. Soil that is very acidic can promotemoss growth, and the moss that grows because ofacidic soil will appear very healthy. Compacted soil can also promote moss growthbecause such soil has low oxygen levels thatmake it hard for the turf to establish strongroots, and moss will take advantage of thoseweaker roots.Soil with low fertility levels is also amenable tomoss, as it does not produce a healthy turf.

Addressing moss growth on your property

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Statuary • Garden Gift ShopWander the many display gardens ´lled with ideas totranspose to your own landscape. Get a close-up viewof how a particular plant will perform. As you stroll,be sure to enjoy the fragrances you will encounter.

Spring Hours:Monday - Friday 9-5Sat. 9-4 • Sun. 12-4

Take Rt. 16 east to Kansas; turn north on Rt. 49,then east on Rt. 133. Turn north on road 1200East and follow signs for approximately 4 miles.Just north of Paris, Illinois.

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Unhealthy turf makes iteasy for plants with a lowdemand for nutrients,including moss, to establishthemselves.

How can I solve the prob-lem of moss growth?Moss that grows becauseof excessive shade can oftenbe addressed with someminor efforts. If the shade is

a result of trees or bushes,prune them regularly sosunlight can reach the turfand promote strong turf androots. If the shade is causedby your house, then youmight consider removingthe existing turf and thenseeding the area with a turfmix that caters to shadedareas.If moss is growing because

of compacted soil, aerate theturf and soil to break it upand allow the oxygen toreach the soil. When thatoccurs, the turf will begin toestablish stronger roots andmake it more difficult formoss to grow.When soil is tested and it

is determined that the soilis acidic, then the soil mustbe adjusted. Lime might beapplied to rebalance thesoil, but homeowners shouldconsult a lawn care profes-sional for advice as to thebest way to rebalance theirsoil.

Lawn-care enthusiastsoften bristle at the sight ofmoss on their lusciouslawns. But moss is often aneasily remedied issue thathomeowners can address ina variety of ways.


Plant a self-sustaining garden

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• Trees • Hanging Baskets • Rock • Annuals

“A Destination Garden Center!”

Located 1 Mile Southof 1-70 Exit at Altamont.

1/8 Mile East

Spring HoursMon.-Fri. 8-6

Sat. 8-4 • Sun. 12-4

For Information, call: 618-483-5798Please visit our new website

www.alwerdtsgardens.com

•Perennial•Herbs•OrnamentalGrasses•ShadePlants

•

•LandscapeEdgings•Vines•Mushroom

Compost•Stone

ALWERDT’S GARDENS

PLANTS FOREVERY GARDEN

ANDLANDSCAPE

NEED!

Gardening is arewarding hobbywith thousands ofdevotees. Backyardgardens providebeauty and aesthet-ic appeal to a land-scape, and they canbe a source ofhomegrown foodand a natural habi-tat for outdoorwildlife. A self-sus-taining garden canbe an efficient addi-tion to any home,but gardens requireupkeep and a cer-tain measure ofdedication.A self-sufficientgarden is a gardenthat sustains itselfthrough properplanning and exe-cution. Such gar-dens can almosttake care of them-

selves so long as thesoil is healthy soil,the seeds arereused and organicmaterial is pro-duced. Self-sustaininggardens also repre-sent a lifestylewhere individualsare responsible forproducing their ownfoods -- thus sus-taining themselveswithout the need toshop for produceelsewhere. Whenplanting your ownself-sustaining gar-den, consider thefollowing tips.• Start with soil.Healthy soil isessential to a thriv-ing garden. The soilmust have the rightpH, correct textureand composition,

and be full of nutri-ents. Very often thenative soil in yardsis not adequate tokeep a gardenthriving. In suchinstances, the soilneeds to beimproved. Addingcompost -- whichcan be produced inthe yard as well --to the soil willenrich the soil withnitrogen, phospho-rous and potassi-um.• Maintain propersoil consistency. Soilthat is the rightconsistency, mean-ing the optimumbalance of sand,clay and actual soil,is another necessityfor a self-sustaininggarden. The idealratio should be 40

percent sand, 40percent silt and 20percent clay. Havingthe right balance ofsoil can secure rootformation and pro-mote properdrainage.• Test the pH.Certain plants needa specific pH inorder to grow. Aneutral pH range istypically ideal forgrowing vegetables.A pH tester can bepurchased from agardening center.Amend the soilaccordingly to getthe soil back to itscorrect level.• Know the grow-ing season. Vegeta-bles should beplanted during theseason in which cont. on next page


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Landscape fabrics are used toprevent weed growth while stillallowing air, oxygen and water toflow to and from the soil. Landscapefabrics are a chemical-free way toprevent weed growth, endearingthem to eco-friendly homeowners.Landscape fabrics, once laid, alsoare a far less labor-intensive methodto prevent weed growth, as they canbe effective for several years, during

which homeowners can expect toperform little or no maintenance. Inaddition, many homeowners preferlandscape fabrics because they canhelp the soil effectively maintainmoisture during dry periods, whengardens might otherwise be highlysusceptible to drought. Once putdown, landscape fabric can becovered with mulch to add aestheticappeal.

When people think of outdoorstorage, they generally envision gardensheds to house their lawn and gardenequipment and tools. However, if spacedoesn't allow for a large shed, there isno need to fret because there are otherstorage possibilities. Consider a gardenottoman or bench, for example. Thisstructure can be built from wood andthen painted or covered in paddedfabric. Store small items inside theottoman, which can also serve as a table or additional seating. In

addition to an ottoman, a garden toolthat can keep shovels and rakesorganized. Homeowners with a deckcan construct lidded deck boxes tostore patio cushions or any otheroutdoor equipment. Utilizing the spaceunder the deck is another idea. Coverthe perimeter of the bottom of the deckwith lattice and install one piece on ahinge to serve as a door. Storeequipment underneath and out ofsight. It also will be protected from theelements.

cont. from pg. 9they will thrive.Peas, beets and cab-bage, for example,are cold-tempera-ture vegetables,while cucumbers,squash and melonsthrive in warm cli-mates. Plantaccordingly so that

the vegetables willhave the bestchances for success.• Purchase quali-ty seeds. Use freshseeds, particularlyones that have beenharvested fromyour own gardenthe year before, tohave the best

chances for germi-nation. Or buyseeds from a rep-utable source, like agarden center or anonline retailer whospecializes in veg-etable seeds. • Start seedlingsindoors. You maywant to work with

seedlings indoors sothat you can moni-tor growth and carefor them more easi-ly. Then transplantthe seedlings out-side when they arestable enough forthe elements.

The desire to have a pris-tine, well-manicured land-scape leads many home-

owners to toil outdoors forhours every weekend. Hir-ing a professional landscap-

er can free up homeowners'time and help them ensuretheir yards are cared forproperly.One of the benefits of hir-ing a landscaper is the timesavings. Landscapers typi-cally have commercial-grade equipment that candramatically reduce thetime it takes to mow andperform other maintenancetasks around your property.Furthermore, some serviceshave multiple employeesworking concurrently,enabling them to tackleseveral projects at thesame time and completethem in a fraction of thetime it would take a home-owner working on his orher own.Landscapers familiarwith botany and landscapedesign understand how toproperly care for plants andtrees on your property,while novice green thum-bers may be unaware aboutwhen to prune trees andshrubs, at what height to

cut the lawn and whichplants will thrive in partic-ular locations. Such do-it-yourself maintenance mayeven cost more money thanleaving it to a professional.Hiring a professionallandscaper is, in manyinstances, more economical.For a certain weekly ormonthly fee, homeownersreceive the benefit of pro-fessional knowledge andexecution. Also, homeown-ers will not have theexpense of purchasing thevarious tools and equip-ment necessary for lawnand garden maintenance,tools and equipment thatinclude lawnmowers, stringweeders, edgers, fertilizer,grass seed, leaf blowers,and shovels.Another benefit is thelawn will continue to bemowed whether a home-owner is home or not. Dur-ing the spring and summervacation season, it's easyfor homeowners to overlooktheir lawn and garden in

favor of recreation andleisure activities. Withoutproper watering and main-tenance, lawns and gardenscan brown or overgrowthcan occur. But hiring alandscaping service allowshomeowners to restassured that their yardswill be maintained whetherthey're home or not.Hiring a local landscapingservice will not only benefithomeowners, but also itwill benefit the local econo-my. Residents can feel com-fortable knowing their lawnservice will be available forcalls when needed and willbe familiar with the com-munity. Also, local contrac-tors may go the extra mileto earn your business rec-ommendation.Hiring a landscapingservice can be advanta-geous to homeowners whowant to free up time andstill enjoy a well-main-tained landscape.


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Documents

Spring Home Lawn & Garden 2013