Assessing the Damage
Start by walking through your yard to identify areas that are most affected. Look for signs of soil erosion, water pooling, or patches where the grass has been uprooted. Check for debris and other materials that might have been deposited by the flood. Inspect the soil for changes in texture and color, which can indicate contamination or nutrient loss. Note any unusual smells that could signify the presence of pollutants. Pay special attention to low-lying areas and the perimeter of your property, as these are often hardest hit by floodwaters. Taking detailed notes and photographs can help in planning your next steps.
When it comes to planting trees and shrubs, one popular method is using ball and burlap trees and shrubs. This technique involves planting trees or shrubs that have been grown in the ground and then dug up with a ball of soil around the roots, which is then wrapped in burlap. This method can be a great way to ensure the success of your newly planted trees and shrubs. In this blog post, we will explore how to master the art of planting ball and burlap trees and shrubs, as well as how to diagnose and treat common issues that may arise.
Whether you are an experienced gardener or just getting started, you may have heard of the concept of using mulch to protect your plants. This seemingly simple practice offers numerous benefits that not only promote plant health but also enhance the beauty of your landscaping. Here are the top five reasons you should consider mulching your landscaping beds.
Do you have grubs in your yard? Grubs are a common pest in Western North Carolina, and many lawns are affected every year by them. Grubs are the larvae of June bugs, which are a common sight in gardens and lawns across the southeast. While grubs don’t come up to the surface and feed on established plants, they do eat the roots of many plants and grasses and can decimate a lawn incredibly quickly. So how do you know you have grubs in your lawn? Keep reading below for signs and treatment of these pests!
Part of a gorgeous landscaping plan includes special touches such as an outdoor dining area or a pergola. Both of these can really boost your space and make it even more enjoyable to be outside in your yard. There are many possibilities of design when it comes to your landscaping, so we’re going to talk about what to consider when looking to update your space with a pergola or outdoor dining area!
One of the many common lawn and soil pests we have in Western North Carolina is Brown Patch Fungus.
Brown Patch Fungus can mimic other lawn ailments or pests such as grubs or over/under watering and can be challenging to spot to the untrained eye. While it’s still early in the season for the fungus, it becomes rampant around July and August, when the temperatures and humidity are highest. That’s why it’s important to start keeping an eye on your lawn and taking preventative measures now to curb this pesky fungus that can leave your lawn with large brown spots and make it more susceptible to other pests or lawn diseases.
Water features such as fountains, ponds, and waterfalls are a fantastic way to add tranquility and serenity to any outdoor space. Incorporating water features into your hardscape plan can transform your backyard into a peaceful oasis. Keep reading below for some tips on how to incorporate water features into your hardscape plan!
Spring is a great time to start thinking about adding or updating your patio! Something to consider when you’re thinking about your patio is what materials you should choose. Patios can be constructed from a variety of materials, including pavers, flagstone, concrete, wood, and more! Some options are below!
Spring is a crucial time for lawn and garden care, and fertilization is an essential part of maintaining a healthy and lush landscape. Proper spring fertilization can help your plants and grass thrive and reach their full potential. However, there are certain dos and don'ts that you should keep in mind to make the most of your efforts.
Keep reading below to learn more about the dos and don'ts of fertilizing your Western North Carolina lawn this spring!
Earth Day was first observed in 1970, when Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a way to introduce the issue to American public policy and agenda. Before 1970, there were no environmental protections, and corporations and people could do what they wanted with toxic chemicals, factory smoke, toxic substances and more. Before 1970, there was no Clean Air Act, no Endangered Species Lists, and no Clean Water Act, which in turn meant that there were no legal or regulatory policies in place to protect the planet.
More than 20 million Americans held demonstrations for environmental protections that year, paving the way for Earth Day to help future policies go into place to protect our planet. In December of 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency was created and since then, more has been done to protect the planer from greenhouse gases and climate change.
A big part of contributing to the Earth Day revolution has to do with our home lawns and gardens, considering that you avoid the use of heavy pesticides and chemicals.
In fact, a 25 square-foot-area of healthy lawn can produce enough oxygen each day to meet the oxygen needs of one adult. They also work by cleaning the air, helping to trap runoff, prevent erosion and more. But aside from your lawn doing so much heavy lifting, you can do even more to contribute to a healthier planet by following any of the tips below!
Are you struggling with keeping your lawn looking lush and beautiful? If so, maybe it’s time you consider an irrigation system!
With warmer weather and dry summer days coming, now is the time to start considering adding an irrigation system to your lawn and garden. Keep reading below for the benefits of adding an irrigation system to your property!
To start, moles actually play a beneficial role in the management of soil and the control of undesirable grubs and insects by tunneling and shifting soil particles. Moles provide better aeration of the soil, to help dry out sod and enable organic matter to travel deeper into soil. However, moles can also play a big role in harming your lawn. Moles create easily noticeable trails of dead grass throughout the yard. When moles burrow close to the surface, this can cause harm to grass roots, which leaves behind brown patches. Moles can also play a part in the disruption of roots of vegetables, plants and other turf.
Moles are something of an unseen pest in American yards and it’s not because the animals alone are rare…there are actually seven different species of mole found throughout North America. Rarely identified by sight, these pesty creatures can cause damage to our lawns and gardens. Most of the time the only way to distinguish a mole problem is to thoroughly investigate their mounds and tunnels. Once you know you have a problem…do you know how to get rid of moles in your yard without hurting them?
As the temperature gets warmer and the days get longer, you’re probably beginning to get your backyard ready for those summer activities with the family. If you’ve been dreaming about creating a more inviting space in your backyard for your friends and family to enjoy, you probably have considered adding a gazebo or other landscape structure.
Spending time outdoors is something that everyone enjoys, especially when the weather is nice. Gazebos are the perfect way to spend time outdoors in the summer and even enjoyable during the winter too! Gazebos have a lot of benefits for your property and your lifestyle.
Regardless of the season, weeds are working hard to rob your plants of water, nutrients, and ultimately, their health. Weeds can spread almost like wildfire depleting the soil of nutrients. Here are some ways to help prevent your weeds and grass from taking over your flower beds and other areas of your lawn.
If you’re looking for no-cost methods, an “English Border” both looks and works well. This method is simply a shallow ditch dug between the flower bed and lawn, typically with the side facing the lawn cut straight down for a crisp and clean look. This style of border doesn’t take too long to dig, especially when the soil is moist enough!
Related to the wildly grown and easy to find Rhododendron shrubs gracing the mountain sides around Asheville, they come in a variety of colors ranging from the classic pink to fiery orange, encompassing just about every common flower color you can think of.
It’s hard to find an Azalea that doesn’t meet your needs, unless of course your lot is graced with full sun exposure which carries the posibility of leaf burn to this shade and dappled light loving plant. There are a couple different types of Azaleas, and they come in both evergreen and deciduous varieties. Deciduous varieties do better in full sun, whereas evergreen varieties do best in dappled light. Keep reading on for some tips on how to care for your azaleas.
Western North Carolina is well known for its black bear population. The mountains and foothills offer an ideal environment for all types of life, but particularly black bears. Black bears need a mix of coniferous and deciduous foliage, streams and swamp lands which makes this area perfect for them.
As the human population in this area surges and a new development is popping up every other week it seems, this can spell trouble for people and bears alike. As people have taken over more of the land in this area, homeowners and renters are reporting increasingly frequent encounters with these animals, and many don’t know how to deter them or what to do when they see one.