Archive for the ‘Winter Plant Care’ Category
Friday, January 27th, 2012
Will a dry winter mean an equally dry summer? It has been the third driest winter on record in San Jose, CA. Whether or not this will be followed by a dry summer is difficult to say. However, being prepared will help you maintain a healthy and attractive landscape in spite of the weather.
Plants and grass have reduced maintenance needs in winter. Use the extra time to prepare for the growing season. Here are some winter landscape maintenance tips that will improve growth and yield in summer.
- Aerate the soil in the late winter (and remove leaves, branches and debris) to encourage absorption of water and sunlight, and provide easy access to nutrients. This will help strengthen the roots.
- Keep your lawn and flower beds free of debris including leaves and branches to maintain the right pH levels.
- Remove broken branches and twigs to reduce unnecessary weight on your plants and trees.
- Reduce irrigation. Water just enough to keep the roots moist. Over watering leads to swamp like conditions which make it difficult for the roots to breathe. It also promotes rot, mold and disease.
- Test your sprinklers and irrigation equipment for broken heads, clogs and malfunctions. This is the best time to get them serviced or repaired or even check out a new water-efficient system.
- Get a CLCA Certified water manager to assess your requirements and draw up a customized water management plan.
- Explore sustainable (eco-friendly) landscaping to reduce water and maintenance expenses.
- Engage an experienced landscape management company to provide professional care and great results through the year.
A proven landscaping service has the expertise to meet your commercial landscaping needs and growing conditions. Hire a reliable company for year-round landscape maintenance.
Tags: CLCA Certified Water Manager, dry winter, sustainable landscape, water management, winter landscape
Posted in Sustainable Landscaping, Water Use Reduction, Winter Plant Care | No Comments »
Sunday, January 15th, 2012
Dormant winter grass protection will enhance growth and vibrancy in the spring. The cold weather is harsh on grass even in the milder temperatures of California. It’s important to build up tolerance to the cooler weather, disease and pests. Wet, brown grass is not ‘dead’; it’s just resting and still needs the right care to ensure it remains healthy. Start your preparations now to see satisfying results when everything starts to bloom again.
Here are some tips on dormant winter grass protection:
- Have the lawn around your commercial property professionally cleaned up. Remove weeds to prevent them from stifling grass and overrunning your garden in spring.
- Have the lawn raked by a landscape maintenance company to remove thatch, dead grass, leaves and other foreign objects and allow it to breathe. Rotting leaves can increase the soil acidity level which is detrimental to the health of your grass.
- Aerate the soil to remedy compaction and give the roots easy access to nutrients and water.
- Fertilize it to put back the essential nutrients, restore soil balance and build resistance to fluctuating temperatures.
- Treat it for any disease or pest issues. Neglect will only intensify the problem.
- Avoid watering in the cold. It will create soggy conditions and encourage mold and rot.
- Limit foot traffic to avoid trampling dormant grass; it will also help protect the root system.
- Hire experienced lawn professionals for year-round maintenance and grass health.
Take dormant winter grass protection seriously. A few simple measures will reduce your effort and stress in the spring time. An experienced landscape maintenance company has the knowledge and resources to get the job done right.
Tags: dormant winter grass, grass protection, winter lawn care
Posted in Lawn Care, Winter Plant Care | No Comments »
Sunday, January 8th, 2012
Effective wet weather tree care can yield beautiful results when the growing season arrives. Winter is not the time to hang up your garden gloves and neglect your plants. Protect your ornamental, heritage and fruit trees from disease, rot and untimely death by preparing them for the cold temperatures and rainy season ahead.
Wet weather tree care tips:
- Winter fertilizer is important. It gives the tree the vitamins it needs to withstand fluctuating temperatures and resist disease. Take care to follow recommended guidelines; over fertilizing can harm your plants.
- Don’t prune your trees excessively as you damage or kill them. A tree care specialist knows exactly when and how much to cut.
- Insulate your trees against the cold and wet weather by putting mulch around the base and wrapping trunks, especially for young trees.
- Prevent serious root and trunk damage by applying protective and healing treatments before the cold sets in.
- Treat disease and pest infestations to prevent further damage.
- Protect your trees from storm damage by giving weak branches and limbs the support they need. Timely attention after a storm will also prevent tree loss by nurturing them back to health.
Wet weather tree care is an important part of tree maintenance. Engage Certified Arborists to preserve and protect your precious investments throughout the year.
Tags: wet weather tree care
Posted in Tree Care, Winter Plant Care | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
Proper protection of above ground pipes and valves from frost and freezing can save you the cost of expensive repair and replacement. Damage and disruption from frozen pipes, valves and backflow preventers can be a property owner’s / manager’s nightmare. Here are some tips on how to protect your irrigation systems from frost and freezing temperatures.
Backflow Insulation
- Make sure your main shut off valve is frost-proof/frost-free, i.e. it is located in a warm room or sheltered area or is well insulated if it must be outdoors.
- Installing readymade and removable outdoor pipe and valve insulators (there are various types like heat tapes, foil-backed wrap, self-sticking foam, etc.) prevents freezing and reduces wear and tear.
- Remember to insulate backflow preventers as well. If you’re using plastic or duct tape leave an air passage and room for water to drain out. However, above ground backflow preventers should be permanently insulated to prevent early and late season freezing. Insulator bags with ties or padlocks are available easily. They cost far less than having to replace expensive backflow preventers.
- Turn off the water supply and drain all the pipes to prevent bursting when the temperatures dip below freezing. Having easily accessible drain valves will ensures this is done properly. Automatic systems also require the controllers/timers to be switched off.
Winterizing your irrigation system is serious business, and it does take time, effort and the right knowledge. Rely on an experienced landscape management company like Flora Terra that is experienced in frost prevention of above ground pipes and valves.
Tags: freeze protection, frost prevention of above ground pipe, frost protection, plumbing frost protection, protect pipes from frost, protect valves from frost
Posted in Winter Plant Care | No Comments »
Saturday, February 5th, 2011
Previous year’s fires, heavy rains and clear cutting often enable significant soil erosion in California due to loss of planting and weakened root systems. Why lose your beautiful lawn, ornamental plants, trees and shrubbery to soil displacement? Flora Terra has the knowledge and the experience to provide effective erosion control services.
Business parks, commercial complexes, estates and home owner associations in San Jose and San Francisco Bay Area rely on our efficient soil erosion techniques to stabilize their landscapes. We also provide eco-friendly landscape enhancement services to reduce maintenance costs and irrigation requirements.
What kind of erosion control services should you look for?
- Hydroseeding
- Straw-matting, blown-straw mulch
- Jute-mesh
- Silt fencing
- Sand or gravel bag barriers
- Straw wattles
- Sediment basins
Natural factors affect different topographies in different ways. Sustainable green practices are not only an environmental requirement but also much needed in these cash strapped economic conditions. Flora Terra Landscape Management’s ISA-certified arborists and landscaping technicians are committed to providing individualized landscape management services. We believe in getting the job done right the first time. Using the latest techniques and quality equipment, we ensure effective and efficient erosion control services.
Posted in Winter Plant Care | No Comments »
Monday, January 17th, 2011
Professional shrubbery and plant care services in the winter prepare your landscape for the harsh elements. The hardened ground, decaying grass/leaves, lack of adequate moisture and nutrients and freezing temperatures weaken plants. This prevents them from springing back into healthy bloom when the new season arrives.
What kind of plant and shrubbery care should you consider?
- Proper protection for young plants: Young shrubs and plants are like babies; they require more attention and protection in order to reach maturity. Moreover, every plant/shrub is different as is the winterizing treatment they need. Flora Terra’s extensive experience with a wide variety of Northern California plants enables us to provide the exact care that each requires.
- Safeguarding mature foliage: Even mature shrubbery and plant care in winter is vital to their vibrancy and health. We cover them and providing adequate protection from chilling winds, frost and freezing temperatures. This helps increase their lifespan and reduce tissue and root damage.
- Plant Fertilization and feeding: Flora Terra’s expertise in shrubbery and plant care in winter comes from experience and constant learning. Some plants need to be fertilized and others don’t, just like healthy plants don’t need insecticides or disease treatments. We take the time to determine what each one needs and our experience delivers proven solutions with increased effectiveness.
Our practical shrubbery and plant care service in winter will result in breathtaking curb appeal and less maintenance during the growing season. Give us a call, we’d love to discuss your landscaping!
Tags: plant care, shrubbery care
Posted in Arborist Services, Winter Plant Care | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
Palm tree care in the winter helps your beautiful palms prepare for whatever winter throws their way. Northern California winters can be unpredictable with sudden dips in temperature, freezing cold and strong winds. Prevent serious trunk, tissue and root damage by getting the right treatment before the cold sets in.
Evaluate your current palm tree care services.
- Protective shields for trees and plants: Whether it’s burlap, blankets or any other protective covering, our experienced arborists determine what’s best for your specific type of palm trees. We create effective barriers against the biting winds and freezing temperatures, especially for old and very young palms. Sudden chills and strong gusts can damage and weaken your trees. We recommend planting palms in an area that’s not totally exposed to the wind. It’s also important to remember that these covers should come off when the temperature warms up or you will be dealing with mold and rot.
- Soil and mulch covers: Some palms might need a soil or mulch cover rather than a blanket or burlap, or even a combination of both. Flora Terra’s knowledgeable arborists quickly identify the best winter protection for your trees. Our expert palm tree care in winter prevents unnecessary structural damage and palm tree disease.
- Recovery treatments for weak or ill palm trees: It’s never too late for remedial treatments. We have saved many seriously ill or damaged palms on commercial landscapes in Northern California. Our arborists offer expert remedial treatments (in case you’ve missed out on palm tree care in winter). We know how to effectively deal with root, tissue and trunk damage and promote proper growth in spring.
Vibrant California palms add splendor and brilliance to any landscape. Rely on Flora Terra Landscape Management’s professional palm tree care in winter (as well as year-round maintenance).
Tags: palm tree care
Posted in Tree Care, Winter Plant Care | No Comments »
Thursday, December 30th, 2010
There is no substitute for experienced winter care for your delicate fruit trees. Both, quality and quantity of your fruit are hugely impacted by the winter tree care you provide.
It is important to protect your fruit trees with lasting protection from:
- Cold and freezing temperatures
- Pest infestations like worms, caterpillars and moths
- Rodent problems, especially rabbits, moles, squirrels and mice
- Damage to tree structure and root system
Therefore, when you are considering fruit tree care services, be sure to understand the following items which are important to the long term health of your trees:
- Expert pruning: Knowing when to prune fruit trees is key to their good health. Dates, cherries, plums, etc. all have a different schedule, as do mature and young fruit trees.
- Wrapping to prevent insect and rodent problems: Flora Terra’s certified arborists know precisely when wrapping tree trunks is effective and when it needs to be combined with soil and/or mulch covering to increase protection. We also provide insect and rodent control if necessary.
- Dealing with damage: Damaged tree barks and limbs need attention if you want to preserve overall tree health. Flora Terra offers effective remedies and expert fruit tree care in winter.
Properly maintained and protected fruit trees add property value and aesthetic beauty to commercial and residential properties alike, not to mention seasons of fresh fruit!
Tags: fruit tree care
Posted in Arborist Services, Tree Care, Winter Plant Care | No Comments »
Sunday, November 28th, 2010
Proper fall grass and lawn maintenance reduces your spring cleanup tasks and ensures vibrancy during the growing season. Here are the top 10 tips to enhance your commercial or residential properties’ appearance as fall turns to spring:
- Cleaning your lawn of dead leaves, garbage
- Dethatching because thatch cover stifles grass growth
- Mowing your grass to appropriate height
- Core aeration to eliminate soil compaction which prevents roots from receiving enough air, water and nutrients
- Overseeding to ensure a thick and vibrate growth next season
- Weed, disease and pest treatments (safe for your family, pets and the environment) to remedy infestations and persistent problems
- Soil testing for pH levels and administering required fertilizer treatments
- Lawn fertilization to put back essential nutrients in the soil
- Turning off irrigation systems and draining out excess water to prevent pipe bursts
Tip 10. Contact Flora Terra Landscape Management in San Jose for all of your commercial, HOA, medical center and retail landscaping needs – 800-455-0304.
Tags: lawn maintenance tips
Posted in Lawn Care, Winter Plant Care | No Comments »
Friday, October 29th, 2010
It’s getting closer for property owners to begin winter preparations of trees and yards. It’s not time to put away the lawn maintenance tools yet. Fall is the time to make sure your lawn, plants, trees and shrubs are ready for the cold and wet spells that come in Northern California winters, and will give your commercial properties or HOA developments satisfying results next growing season.
Here are some lawn and property winterizing tips that will help you get it done right:
- Clean up debris, dead leaves and flowers that have seen better days. It will give you a head start in spring and avoid increasing your soil’s pH levels more than necessary.
- Cut grass to a height of two to three inches. Grass grows more slowly in winter, but do not cut more than 1/2 of the length of lawn blades at any one time to avoid damaging the plants.
- Prune perennials, shrubs and trees to avoid damage from winter rain and encourage healthy growth next year.
- Preserve soil quality by remove dead plants to prevent growth of fungus, mold and insect larvae.
- Fertilize trees, shrubs and lawns adequately to restore essential nutrients.
- Protect young plants and trees from frost with burlap.
- Winterize your irrigation system by draining and turning off hoses and sprinklers, or set watering frequencies and durations to 50% or less of what you were watering during the summer season
- Service lawn mowers, leaf blowers and irrigation systems to avoid unnecessary damage and replacement costs.
Winter preparation of trees and properties requires time and effort. Experience makes it easy and gets the job done right. An established San Jose Bay Area landscape management company will ensure that your residential and commercial properties are neat and clean, and well-prepared when the cold arrives. Get your landscape ready for winter for a healthy spring!
Posted in Lawn Care, Water Use Reduction, Winter Plant Care | No Comments »
