10 Winter Plants To Brighten Up Your Balcony

Posted on 4 February, 2017 in Gardening

Isn’t it nice to look out your window and see your colorful plants blooming? Just because it’s winter does not mean you have to stop gardening! Here’s a list of plants that will survive the chilly months to give your balcony (or patio) a makeover!

Winter Heathers

Winter-flowering heathers love wind and rain! Plant them in a pot or container on your balcony

and you will have beautiful blooming plants during the coldest months!

Dwarf and Slow-Growing Conifers

Conifers give structure and color to gardens or patios even in wintertime when other plants die down.

They are also good companions for heathers providing bright green foliage.

Climbing Plants

There are only a few climbing plants that bloom in the bleak months of winter. One of them is the Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica.

There are other climbers such as the Lonicera fragrantissima or the Clematis cirrhosa that will survive winter.

Ornamental Kale and Cabbage

Create some unique textures on your balcony by adding some cool looking ornamental kale and cabbage varieties!

They are some of the most popular winter plants! The inner leaves develop pink shades as soon as the

temperature gets below 10 degrees celsius.

Holly and False Holly

False Holly is a small evergreen shrub with holly-like leaves that are irregularly spined and green edged

in creamy-white. These shrubs are great for winter plants and will attract birds to your container garden.

Not to mention, they will provide a bit of privacy as a hedge, border or foundation plants.

Swiss Chard and Kale

Swiss Chard and Kale are a popular vegetable grown for fall and winter.

There are varieties that won’t perform well in the cold season as well as some

that are remarkably cold-tolerant. Be sure to make sure you pick the correct variety.

Christmas Box

Christmas Box or Sarcococca confusa is an evergreen shrub with dark glossy green foliage and

tiny creamy white sweetly scented flowers. The flowers are followed with black glossy berries that

will attract birds on your patio or balcony.

Coral Bells, Heuchera

Heuchera is a perfect perennial to brighten up your balcony throughout the winter season.

Also known as Coral Bells, they come in various different colors and the leaves can be heart-shaped, rounded or triangular.

Hellebores

There are not many plants that actually bloom in January’s snow, but Hellebores is one of those limited plants!

This beautiful flower can withstand cold, wind and rain, thriving in the coldest time of the year!

Creeping Thyme

This evergreen subshrub with a typically aromatic foliage that can be used for cooking is typically an aromatic foliage.

This mat-forming plant keeps low to the ground and spreads steadily so it can fill the areas as a ground cover.

Need some planter ideas? Check out our Pinterest board of some of our favourites!!

Save Water, Time and Money by Switching to Artificial Turf

Posted on 16 January, 2017 in Landscaping

Lawn care and maintenance has turned into a major issue in communities that are facing water shortages. Today, droughts, increased populations and water waste have led to a serious need for increased efforts toward conservation. Unfortunately, water restrictions and increased utility rates have led to brown, unsightly lawns that ruin the beautiful aesthetics of neighborhoods and businesses. While it may be tempting to keep watering surreptitiously even with restrictions in place, there are far more effective ways to enjoy a green lawn while protecting the environment. Artificial grass makes it possible to save water, and enjoy these benefits for transforming your landscaping plan into one that saves time, money and natural resources.

Ditch the Sprinklers
Most people use sprinklers and other types of irrigation systems in their landscaping routines. While these are effective for hydrating the soil and plants, they also pose major headaches for conserving water. Sprinkler systems are notorious for leaks that waste water and your money. They also tend to be ineffective when sprinkler heads become clogged or require repair. With artificial grass, watering is no longer a worry. This allows you to get rid of your ineffective watering system and save water and money in the process.

Eliminate Toxins in the Land and Air
Water conservation is only one aspect of caring for the environment. While your natural lawn does provide some benefits for the air quality such as promoting more oxygen, the processes involved in its maintenance tend to cancel that out. Your lawn equipment wastes fuel and spews toxic exhaust into the air. Natural grass also contains pollen and other allergens that contribute to respiratory illnesses in those who are sensitive. Fertilizers, weed killers and pesticides also contain toxic chemicals that ruin other plant life while contributing to run off that goes into the community’s water supply.

Revitalize Your Budget
When you make the decision to focus on saving water, you also gain the opportunity to capitalize on your efforts by saving money. It does not matter whether you mow your yard yourself or contract with a lawn service because both of these methods cost major money over the long run just to keep your landscape green. Lawn care chemicals and equipment are expensive, and you waste valuable dollars every year trying to keep your lawn seeded and trimmed. While artificial turf will require a slightly larger initial investment, it lasts over ten years. This allows you to save more money over time on your utility bills as well as your lawn care.

Redirect Your Time to What Matters
In a world where productivity is everything, it is important to assess how you spend your time. You could spend hours every weekend making sure your lawn is maintained, or you could dedicate that time to other efforts such as volunteering in your community to preserve the environment. Artificial grass can be installed in as little as one day. After that, your time is yours again to spend doing things that truly matter to you.

According to eNature, just a 1,000 square foot lawn will require more than 10,000 gallons of water for just one summer to keep that perfectly green appearance. This adds up to a huge burden on the environment as well as your pocketbook. Make the switch to artificial turf today, and reduce your watering needs to almost nothing since the synthetic blades will stay green year round without excessive watering.

New Years Resolutions – – 10 Landscaping Goals for 2017

Posted on 2 January, 2017 in Edging, Gardening, Landscaping

Happy New Year!

I’m sure your social media and emails have been blowing up with posts on New Years Resolutions.

Don’t mind us as we jump on the bandwagon and add another one to your list!

Here’s 10 New Years Resolutions for your landscaping!

1. Try something new.

Tired of the same old things? Here’s five ways to update your space.

2. Think about Curb Appeal.

Who knew a little paint could make such a difference?

3. Be on top of your maintenance.

Mowing grass, cleaning gutters, and raking leaves… Each month comes with its own list of To-Dos.

4. Think out of the box.

Your backyard could be so much more than just a bit of grass. What about a butterfly sanctuary??

5. Focus on making experiences.

2016 focused on making your landscaping a destination rather than just something pretty to look at. Let’s keep that trend going!

6. Keep up with the trends.

Speaking of trends… Here’s what you have to look forward to for 2017!

7. Think Colors!

Your Fall and Winter don’t have to be bleak and colorless!

8. Think about the environment.

Why should we only focus on this during earth day? Let’s make everyday earth day!

9. Light it up!

Your landscaping should be able to be enjoyed no matter what time of day!

10. Consider Landscape Edging.

There’s so many benefits to using landscape edging… And we’re not just saying that!

How To Improve Your Winter Landscaping

Posted on 23 December, 2016 in Gardening, Landscaping

Once the snow covers the ground and everything outside, it can begin to look dreary… especially in January after the holiday directions are taken down. But this is the time where you should begin to think about what you can do to spruce up our landscaping for next winter.

Many photographers are very active in the winter because the bare trees against the winter landscape are an extraordinary sight. Things like an old farm fence on a country road or a large rock outcropping creates a certain appeal against the cold, white and grey colours of winter.

Here’s what you can consider for your own winter landscaping.

Landscape Forms

Things like archways, fences, trees and hedges loose the colour and denseness as summer fades, but if they are placed right, it also helps protect the home from a build-up of snow. Large rocks are a great landscape feature as they become a thermal storage unit when the sun comes out. The heat keeps the snow away for hours which allows any coloring or form designs on the rocks are in view for most of the winter.

Lighting

The bare tree limbs of deciduous trees can be strung with mini-lights. Putting them up for Christmas does not mean taking them down in January. With the right colour of clear or colored lights (only one color) the trees take on a light of their own! You can apply this to any other structure in your landscaping – archways, hedges or fences. Rock formations an coniferous shrubs can be lit up with small or colored spotlights to create an enchanted scene in your backyard landscape. With the technology out there, you have the ability to program the lights change either by our or each every night!

Tree Forms

Outside of your common deciduous trees, there are vine-type trees that show off amazing shapes against the winter background that are hidden in the summer. Grape vines are also a great backdrop for lights!

Animals

Animals aren’t really part of your landscaping, but they do complete your winter theme! By using bird feeders and berry bushes you can attract snow birds, squirrels, and other beautiful animals.

Plan a Winter Landscaping Project

Winter is the best time to plan and design your winter landscape for next year. Check out this blog post for a list of things to consider.

Top Ten Winter Gardening Tips

Posted on 21 December, 2016 in Gardening

When the harsh winds and cold temperatures from winter arrive, it doesn’t mean your garden is done for good! There’s so many ways to ensure that your plants live longer! Here’s our top ten tips!

MULCH

With the cold snow and ice, plants have a harder time avoiding the harsh elements. When this happens, they have a harder time recovering in the spring. To prevent this from happening, you should protect your plants and keep everything warm by adding mulch under and around the plants. This will help keep the root temperature stable. Mulch should be put down at the beginning on December as it will allow it to settle in and start protecting the plants before significant cold snaps happen.

COMPOST

Some people neglect their garden in the winter as they feel as the plants do not require any protection or care. This is the farthest from the truth. If you’re a serious gardener and want your plants to thrive, you should add compost. When adding this at the right time, it will supply nutrients to the soil and plants will grow faster! Ideally when adding compost, you should only put about three inches worth around the plants so it allows them to breathe and grow.

WATER

Before the freezing temperatures, you should water your plants… especially the annuals and potted plants. You should make sure to water their roots and above ground shoots. By doing this before a cold storm, you are able to protect your plants and ensure that they look good throughout the winter.

EXTRA PROTECTION

Container plants should be covered with a frost cloth or a protective blanket. To keep the potted plants warm, you can also set them near the foundation of the house as it is warmer than the rest of the yard. However, during severe storms, you should bring your plants inside the house or garage.

CONTINUE

Is the ground soft enough to dig a big hole? Then you should continue to plant. This will allow a person to continue to improve the yard and complete the job before spring! This is especially beneficial for climates where it does not get extremely cold. This might not work for gardeners in the northern states; however people living in the south or the west coast can continue to put new items into the garden most of the year.

ANIMALS

In some areas, animals will try to eat your plants as they have no other choice. This might not be problematic for a gardener living in an urban environment, but it will be for people who live in the country. To prevent this from happening and to protect the plants, you can place a barrier around the edge of the garden. Remember that in the colder months, animals will snap and eat plants.

LOCATION

When you plant your plants, you should try to place them facing north. When they’re exposed to the north, they will receive more sunlight and a greater temperature variation. For a new plant, this is crucial as it will prevent damage and allow it to thrive when it gets enough sunlight. This is one of the most important yet easiest winter gardening tip to follow.

CAREFUL

When you’re using salt or other substances on your driveway or street, a gardener should be very careful. Plants will suffer from a bad PH balance when salts from the road seep into the garden. To prevent this from happening, a homeowner should lay down salt slowly and methodically when around the garden or plants.

CHOOSE CAREFULLY

When you are planting in and right before the winter, you should be aware of which plants will thrive and which won’t. You should do research that includes looking into your specific region. If you follow this tip, you can have a successful winter landscaping setup.

FERTILIZE OFTEN

Plants will suffer from the cold during the winter, which is hard to prevent, but by fertilizing the plants regularly, it can give them a fighting chance. With the right fertilizer, a person can strengthen the plants. This is incredibly important as some shrubs won’t survive without adequate nutrients and care.

7 Curb Appeal Tips for Fall

Posted on 30 November, 2016 in Gardening, Landscaping

While the beautiful colours of fallen leaves are attractive, it does not mean you can skip the lawn maintenance during this season! Be sure to rake frequently and patch up any brown spots in the grass.

Once your lawn is taken care of, spice it up with a bit of colour. As your summer plants start to fade, replace them with vibrant mums or other colourful flowers.

Making your front door the focal point of your home’s exterior is always a good tactic for curb appeal. You can spice it up a bit more with a simple wreath.

As the trees lose their leaves, your home becomes more exposed, making the exterior appearance even more important. If your paint is chipped or faded, apply a fresh coat to revive your home’s appearance.

Be sure to clear out leaves and other debris from your gutters and downspouts to protect your home from water damage.

As the days get shorter, it becomes even more important to illuminate your walkways with flood lights or lanterns to create a safe path to your front door.

While a wreath and a pot of seasonal flowers make your home look inviting, going overboard won’t. Keep that in mind… especially during the Holidays.

14 Fall Tips For A Better Spring Garden

Posted on 14 November, 2016 in Gardening, Landscaping

Plant seeds like poppies, cosmos and delphiniums in the fall. They will sprout and grow in the spring!

(Make sure the varieties you chose are suitable for fall sowing and can grow in your area).

Plant your flowering bulbs in the fall and you’ll thank yourself in the Spring!

Check your local nursery for the best options in your area.

You can continue growing veggies through the fall and winter, or get your garden beds ready now for spring planting. To enrich the soil, add compost or consider growing a cover crop.

Fall is the best time to plant garlic bulbs for a plentiful and delicious harvest in the new year!

Many plants can be divided and moved 4-6 weeks before the first frost.

Protect Your Landscape Against Winter Weather

Posted on 28 October, 2016 in Landscaping

Cold weather and landscaping are not an easy mix to deal with… But the forecast doesn’t have to be the end of your landscaping this winter!

Mulching is super important! Be sure to mulch new and existing trees and shrubs with two or more inches of top quality shredded pine mulch to help protect the roots from deep freezing.
Pick plant materials that are winter-hardy and adapt to your climate zone.
Protect your landscaping plants by adding a fence or a hedge of shrubs to offer protection from cold winds!
Fall clean-up is not something you should forget about. Unraked leaves will prevent moisture from reaching roots and sunlight from reaching the glass blades.
Water your plants and trees at the root level when the temperatures rise above freezing. Avoid getting the stems or leaves wet if at all possible.
Protect new tree trunks by wrapping them with a commercial tree wrap.
Shield plants from hungry rodents, rabbits or deer. Creatures like this can cause serious damage to your landscape.
Refrain from knocking the snow off your shrubs or tree limbs. They will be frozen, fragile and can break easily. Snow acts as an insulating protection blanket for perennial gardens and leaves.

9 NOTS to Avoid This Fall/Winter Season

Posted on 21 October, 2016 in Gardening, Landscaping

Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone could have a nice looking yard without having to do the manual labor or having to pay an arm and a leg? Unfortunately, that’s not possible… Here’s 10 winter landscaping preparation mistakes every homeowner should avoid this season.

Not mowing in a regular basis.

When manicuring the lawn, it is crucial to keep consistent with recommended grooming requirements. Some types of grass can be severally damaged if it is cut too low.

Not doing once-over lawn manicuring

As winter nears, it’s typical for homeowners to reseed, aerate or mow the lawn. For optimal health and proper growth, plant specialists recommend the once-over lawn manicuring technique to ensure it looks nice and even throughout the winter. The final process is to reemphasize the lines diagonally. This will keep a lush, neat appeal even as springtime returns.

Not Watering Plants

Despite the colder winter months, the hedges, fruit trees and shrubs all need water. Poor watering of your plants could result in some serious damage arising from dehydration and/or disease.

Not using the correct plant fertilizer.

Be sure to use the right fertilizer for your plants based on the weather and temperatures. Granular fertilizer isn’t an ideal product for plants because it takes longer to dissolve, especially in colder temperatures. If the lawn or plants aren’t getting enough fertilizer, it is more likely for it to wither or suffer severe frost burns.

Not using high-quality mulch to treat the soil

Poor quality mulch could infest healthy soil and plants with fungus or pests. Gardeners should mulch the soil of trees or houseplants and the surface if the weather permits it. If the ground has frozen, it will be difficult to undertake this task successfully.

Not raking the leaves.

Yes, it’s a pain, but neglecting this duty can allow fungus and mold to thrive with the snow accumulating on the leaves.

Not jumping into spring planting.

By delaying your spring planting, you are ensuring that your harvest won’t be as fruitful since it takes a while for plants to mature. Shrubs, crops and trees need adequate time to grow.

Not stocking up on new garden supplies.

Summer and spring clearance at a local gardening supplies store are the best place to get bargains on tools, soil, pots, seeds and more! Sometimes it can save you up to 90%!

Not dealing with pests.

If you notice that crops harvested have worms or signs of pest infestation, it is necessary to take care of the yard to minimize infestation. Not taking care of the problem promptly can have serious consequences.