Gardening Blog

Although the plants in your winter garden are dormant, their tiny biological clocks are ticking, which means there is a lot of action happening underground!

Winter Services

Hard pruning, debris cleanup, and garden bed prep with soil enhancements are a few of the services we offer during the winter months. Our professional and courteous landscaping and maintenance crews are well trained to ensure that your landscape has a healthy growing season, and that your property always looks its best.

Want to start an herb and vegetable garden this year? Let us help you put together a plan for custom raised beds that will maximize your unique space! We can even help you choose which varieties will work best and produce the greatest yield.

Winter is also a great time to start making plans for your summer patio and firepit, outdoor kitchen, or other hardscaping addition. Let our experienced and ICPI-certified design team help you plan the backyard of your dreams!

Ponds, fountains, waterfalls, koi gardens… These types of waterscapes are living works of art that add a peaceful and Zen-like ambiance to your landscape while also helping our native wildlife.

1. Water features serve as a rest stop for many species of birds and other pollinators, providing an opportunity to drink, bathe, and cool off in the heat of summer. The addition of a water feature may even entice some birds to stay – and nest – providing hours of visual enjoyment and functional appeal as they snack on pesky insects like flies, gnats, and mosquitoes. The most beneficial types of waterscapes for pollinators are reflecting pools, fountains, ponds with waterfall features, and water gardens. A koi garden is another great way to reduce insects from invading the backyard!
2. Waterscapes create a relaxing and soothing place to unwind. We like to think of them as a peaceful getaway within the overall landscape. The sound of flowing water from a fountain, waterfall, or small stream can help to ease your mind after a stressful day, or provide a backdrop for enjoying a cup of tea or indulging in healing yoga and meditation practice.
3. A water feature can help transform an outdoor space into the perfect destination for entertaining family, neighbors, and friends. Imagine enjoying a romantic brunch with your sweetheart while the soothing and refreshing sounds of a fountain splash in the background. Or – picture your grandchildren gathered around the water garden, observing goldfish, tadpoles and dragonflies together on a balmy summer day. A thoughtfully planned waterscape can provide a lifetime of enjoyment and serve as a learning tool that provides many teachable moments.

Fresh cut trees and greens add a festive touch to the holidays. With proper care, you can enjoy them all season.

Cut Trees

• Make a fresh cut at the base of the tree and get it into water within one hour to prevent the sap from sealing, preventing the tree from taking up water.
• Keep plenty of water in the tree stand. Your tree may use a gallon or more water a day and the stand may need to be refilled more than once.
• Adding Prolong to the water will assist in the uptake of water and will help the tree retain its needles longer.
• Place the tree away from heat vents and other heat sources.
• Help prevent electric fires by inspecting all cords and unplugging your tree when you are not home.

Fresh Greens

• Soak overnight or up to 24 hours and keep in a cool location, like the garage, until you are ready to decorate.
• Keep away from heat vents and other heat sources. Temporarily remove greens from the mantle when the fireplace is in use.
• Avoid placing wreaths and greenery between the main door and storm door. The heat and sun will accelerate drying out.
• Daily misting will assist in moisture retention.
• You may spray greens with an anti-desiccant such as Wilt-Pruf, which acts as a protective coating to prevent moisture loss. Always use outside and dry thoroughly before re-hanging them. Avoid using on junipers and berries as the product will cause them to turn black.

This year, we were able to donate 491 pounds of cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, squash and melons to area food banks [nearly double the 249 pounds we donated last year] using plants selected from Himmel’s in consultation with Himmel’s staff.

Soil Test

Get a soil test done to ensure the health of your soil. New grass will grow best when the pH of the soil is 6.5-7.2. Apply amendments to correct the pH of your soil as needed.

Mow

Generally, mowing your lawn to 2.5-3” tall is best.

Dethatch

Remove dead plant matter. This will help your new seed to have contact with the soil.

Aerate

This puts holes into your lawn and helps circulate oxygen into your soil.

Apply starter fertilizer

This will give your new seed the nutrients it needs to survive. (There are fertilizers that contain low to no phosphorus if your soil has a healthy concentration of phosphorus)

Apply grass seed

We offer sun tolerant tall fescue blends as well as a blend specifically made for the shade. Ensure the best value by avoiding seed blends that have a high concentration of annual rye grass or weed seed in general.

Apply a cover to your grass seed

We offer straw. Covering your seed will help keep it in place as it grows. It will also deter animals from eating the seed.

Water your new seed

Water every day in the morning and evening (except when it rains) until your new grass is 3.5-4” tall or tall enough to mow. It is important that your lawn is watered evenly every time it receives hydration. Keeping your lawn tall (3.5-4”) will help deter weed seeds from sprouting as well.