Here in the mountains of Western North Carolina, we know a thing or two about sloping yards. Some people think a yard that slopes is difficult to work with, but we happen to believe that it provides an amazing opportunity for beautiful, innovative landscaping! Whether you have a gentle slope or are perched on the side of a mountain, we have some great ideas for creating a landscape you’ll love.
Sod is made up of grass and a small part of soil held together by the root system or a biodegradable material. While sod costs more than grass seed, making the investment will provide many benefits for your lawn and property, including erosion prevention, less irrigation, and flood reduction. Sod also gives you an “instant lawn” — no waiting for seed to grow! — and adds to the value of your property by giving it a high-end, lush look.
The best time to lay sod in WNC is spring and early fall, when temperatures are cooler and there’s more rain to help sod take root quickly. But laying it takes a bit of prep work, and you’ll need to properly maintain it afterward. Follow these steps for healthy, happy sod.
Do leaves really need to be removed? Short answer…YES! Leaves can block out the sun while keeping moisture in. This can cause mold, fungus and disease. On the flip side they can keep water from getting in, which is also undesirable because it blocks nutrients from getting to the root system of the lawn
Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year here in Western North Carolina , read more to find out why leaves really fall.
5 Curb Appeal Tips for Fall
Clean Up the Yard: Keep falling leaves at bay with frequent raking and patch up any brown spots in the grass.
Plant Fall Flowers: As your summer plants start to fade, replace them with vibrant mums or other colorful flowers.
Clean Up the Exterior: Fall is a good time to pressure wash the exterior and clean the windows.
Clear Out All Gutters: Be sure to clear your gutters and downspouts of leaves and other debris, which will protect your home from water damage.
Add Outdoor Lighting: Use decorative lights to illuminate walkways, and install flood lights or lanterns to brighten up entrance areas.
Why didn’t someone warn us that we were in for hurricane-like conditions?! I think it’s safe to say that nobody was quite as prepared as they might have liked to be in order to deal with the amount of water that poured into Hendersonville recently. With how badly the roads flooded, our minds were on the many lawns that could have acted as impromptu swimming pools had the weather been warmer. So you might be wondering, what is the best course of action to take as your lawn begins to drain? How should you handle the newly landed leaves, and what is the appropriate time to wait before you even think about mowing? We’re here to help.
Can you smell that? It’s the smell of fall hitting the Blue Ridge Mountains at long last! The leaves are changing, so be sure to head up to the Blue Ridge Parkway before the winds pick up too much and the trees lose their color. We have talked about not allowing leaves to stay on the ground for too long, especially after a heavy rain, and the best removal is your old friend, the rake.
We’ve talked about different ways to protect your lawn and garden from various pests throughout the summer and fall, but what about those annoyances that aren’t preventable? We’re talking about leaves. Fall in Western North Carolina is a time full of vibrant color that has people traveling from afar to get a glimpse. We all enjoy the beauty of the changing leaves, but what about when they fall? Our recent wind and rain has caused some premature falling of leaves, and we’re here to help.
If you are an avid gardener then you already know that the end of spring and summer does not mark the end of prime gardening season. Plants that you should consider planting in the month of September include vegetables like Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Cabbage and Collards.