The Green View

From Lawn to Landscape...enhancing mother nature's gifts

Your lawn is the canvas; your landscape is the finished work of art. A well-designed landscape can bring you unending pleasure on many levels. Your community enjoys the view, you increase your property’s resale value and the colorful birds of the air seek sanctuary in your yard. The cardinals, chickadees, finches and other birds specific to your locale are feeding in the spring, so be sure to have plenty of Lyric Wild Bird Food on hand. Hours and hours of enjoyment are yours when nature is your entertainment.

So you have a lawn and it’s beautiful. Planting trees, shrubbery and plants around the lawn may seem pretty straightforward. But if you attempt this without a plan, you may end up with less than picture-perfect results.

On the other hand, if you spend some time organizing and laying a design on paper, creating a visual  representation of your property with key yard-house-people relationships in mind, the result can be astounding! Most importantly, you’ll want to organize your plantings and decorations to ensure maximum usefulness as well as aesthetics. Every entrance and exit to your home will be enhanced if the function and decor are properly designed.

Being realistic is also a key to successful landscaping that has long lasting beauty. With the vast array of plants, flowers, trees and decorations available on the market today, it’s easy to overdo it. So keep in mind that you also want to reduce the maintenance of your landscape so that it’s practical. If in your design, you consider the time and resources you have, this will help you enjoy it for years to come without regrets.

Some varieties of plants or other materials in the landscape may take up a great deal of space and leave little room for people, and that’s another great reason why planning is essential---to make your landscape livable. And for your landscape plantings, our line of Woodace Tree, Shrub and Plant fertilizers will keep your new and established floras and evergreens healthy and strong throughout all of their growth stages.

Landscape Design Basics…

Most homeowners are not experienced landscape designers, but the “do-it-yourself-er” and even the amateur gardener can very adequately design their own outdoor environment by following a few important principles:

First, observe and analyze the habits of all who will be using the space, including adults, children and pets. List their needs, desires, and activities. Figure out about how much space each of their activities requires. Also pay careful attention to the view in and around your property and to the ecology of the site, for a “greener” way to landscape.

Recognize that the art of landscaping differs from other forms of art because it grows and changes from season to season. A newly landscaped property will hold a promise of blooms and views to come and may look a bit scant at the start. But with time, each specimen and flower bed will grow to fill its intended space and add a variety of color and texture for every month of the year.

In your plan, consider landscape construction too, where walls, pathways, water features lighting or other accents may add symmetry, depth, drama or just another level of enjoyment. For example, a trellis brimming with vines and flowers can be a welcoming entry or a dramatic exit to a garden or pathway. After all that work, decorating with comfortable benches will be a welcome site for the weary gardener or admiring guest.

Finally, consider landscaping to attract birds. Every species of bird has its own unique food requirements, and these may change as the bird matures and as the seasons change. Plant the trees, shrubs, or flowers that will provide the fruits, berries, grains, seeds, acorns, nuts, or nectar they crave. Want more birds? Position plenty of feeders using our Lyric Wild Bird Food for all four seasons and provide a constant and fresh source of water. A frog pond, water garden, or bird  bath will be most effective if the water is dripping, splashing, or moving. Trees, shrubs, tall grass, and bird houses will provide excellent shelter for the birds and protect them from predators. Include a wide variety of plants in your landscape plan to attract a greater number of bird species that will amaze the avid birder.

Using both Greenview lawn and landscape and Lyric Wild Bird Food products, in concert, will make it easy for you to transform your landscape into a work of art—one that will become more than something to admire. It will be an extension of your living space—a true outdoor adventure where you can appreciate and share the wonders of nature with family and friends throughout the year.

Content courtesy of Texas A&M and Baltimore Bird Club.

Images courtesy of By Design Landscaping, Superior Landscaping Solutions, Bird Watchin and Landscape Design Advice.

Submitted by J. Weinmann

How to Do a Soil Test

Plants require certain nutrients to thrive, and unless the pH of the soil is at the correct level, the plant cannot absorb these nutrients. A soil test establishes these levels. The most common chemicals tested for in a soil test include calcium, phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen, as well as pH.  It is important for the homeowner to assess these levels prior to developing a fertilization regime.  The test results will let you know how much lime, nitrogen and other nutrients your lawn or garden requires. 

To take a soil test you need to dig appropriate samples of the soil.  For a lawn area this is under the turf, to a depth of about 6 inches.  Sample several areas of the lawn and mix them together in a clean plastic or glass container, before transferring the sample to a bag or box, as required by the laboratory. Total sample should be around one cup in volume. For accurate tests, avoid areas that may be contaminated such as a driveway or road that is salted, or compost piles.  Allow excessively moist samples to air dry before testing or packing.  Do tests for each area of the garden where you intend to grow different things such as azaleas, herbs, tomatoes and lawn, all of which require slightly different fertilizers and amendments.  The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension is a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Extension offices are located in most states, and will provide information regarding where to send soil samples for testing and the cost (generally under $25).  For a list of State Cooperative Extension Agencies, refer to this url: State Cooperative Extension Agencies.

Home tests kits are also available to test pH and a limited number of nutrients.  Prepare the sample for these tests in the same way as for laboratory testing, but follow the instructions for specific needs.

Author - Kate Copsey can be reached at KTCopsey@aol.com

Landscape Tips for the Winter Season

Pot Up Bulbs Now for an Indoor Jump on  Spring

Get a jump on the season by potting up some daffodils, hyacinths, tulips and other spring blooming bulbs to brighten the home during dreary winter days.  Click Here for more ideas and tips.

Fall Planting Tips

                                                                                                                                           

Late fall or early winter is a great time to plant trees and shrubs, many of which will be on sale at area nurseries and garden centers.

As long as the ground is not frozen, you can plant container-grown trees and shrubs, nursery stock that is balled-and-burlapped, or transplant woody plants from one spot in your landscape to another.

Planting container or balled-and-burlapped stock:

When planting container or balled-and-burlapped stock, dig the hole at least twice as wide as the root ball.  The hole should not be any deeper than the height of the root ball.  If you err, do so on the high side.  Planting trees or shrubs too deep causes them to rot and eventually fall over.

Backfill the hole with the soil that came from the site.  Amending the soil with peat moss, fertilizers, compost or other matter is not recommended.  Use your foot to tamp down the soil around the new plant.  Water well.

Continue to supplement rainfall, as needed, to ensure the new plant gets about an inch of water every week until the ground freezes.

Transplanting shrubs and trees:

When transplanting a shrub or tree in your landscape, it's best for the plant to be dormant.  Usually once a plant has dropped it's leaves, it is dormant.

Prepare the new planting site before digging the plant.  Again, the hole should be about twice the width of the root ball and about the same depth as the plant was growing in it's old site.

Use a sharp spade or shovel when digging the plant, trying to lift as much of the root ball as possible.  Move to the new site as soon as possible so the roots won't dry out.  If you are delayed in the planting process, cover the root ball with moistened newspapers or cloth.  Again, no need to amend the soil.  Finish the planting as described above.

Plant Bulbs now to brighten the landscape   

When planting or transplanting trees and shrubs this fall, add a few spring flowering bulbs to the landscape.  Find a spot and plant daffodils, tulips, crocus, hyacinths and other spring flowering bulbs.  You'll be glad you did when they brighten the landscape next spring.

Lawn Tips for Late Fall

Did you know that Lawn Grasses are the Last Plants to go Dormant in Fall?

While trees and shrubs may be losing their leaves, at least one plant in the landscape is still growing. Click here to learn more!

Cool season lawn grasses develop their underground root systems in fall and store nutrients that will carry them through winter.  A healthy, well-fed underground root system is what keeps your lawn green later in the season and makes it one of the first ones to green up in spring.

But it's not just any lawn fertilizer that will do the trick.  A top quality, slow-release nitrogen fertilizer formulated for fall application is the magic ingredient.  A late fall fertilization program also is recommended by county extension agents throughout the country.

The specially formulated, fall fertilizer application promotes underground root development but not top growth.  (Quick release nitrogen fertilizers rapidly green up the lawn and encourage top growth, which increases the need for mowing.)

GreenView Fairway Formula Late Fall Fertilizer contains the slow-release nitrogen recommended for this time of year.  Best applied in November before the ground freezes, GreenView Fairway Formula Late Fall Fertilizer helps lawns recover from summer wear and tear while boosting root development and feeding the grass for up to 16 weeks with a slow-release, nitrogen designed for cool weather. 

This booster application prepares lawns and their roots for winter weather and allows for a quicker green-up in spring.  The result is a beautiful lawn all season long.

To Order GreenView Fairway Formula Late Fall Fertilizer, simply visit GreenView Online today!

While you are there, check out what experts everywhere are using on their lawns.  GreenView offers the best lawn products, in a subscription program, where the best products are delivered to your door, when it is the right time for you to apply them.  Learn how to have the BEST lawn in the neighborhood through the Greenview Annual Lawn Plan.

Plant a Heritage Tree

The poet Lucy Larcom once wrote, "He who plants a tree plants hope."

In keeping with that thought, here's a great idea that not only enhances the beauty of your yard but commemorates special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, or the birth of a child. Plant a "Heritage Tree."

Hoerr Nursery offers a special program called the Heritage Tree. With it you get a specially-priced shade or flowering tree along with a commemorative marker.

I'm sure they are not the only ones offering something like this. I just happened to be on their site and saw it. You might check with your local nursery. I bet they offer a similar thing.

New Lawn Care Website, The Grass Guide

It's so much fun to search the internet not only for helpful lawn care information, but lawn care websites as well. I found one today, The Grass Guide, that has loads of info covering pretty much all aspects of lawn maintenance.

The list is outlined in the left-hand column, so information is easy to find. The articles I perused were quite helpful too, in my estimation. Check it out and see what you think.

While you're at it, don't forget Greenview Online. It has a lot of helpful tips as well.

HELP!! I Have a Bad Wildflower - Five Fingers!

QUESTION/COMMENT:  How do I rid my lawn of a rid my lawn of a wildflower called Five Fingers or potentilla simplex?

ANSWER: Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex) is a summer perennial that makes a net of runners.  Good fertility and a pH above 6.0 will help prevent infestation from this weed.  Follow good turf management practices to create dense competitive turfgrass.

Apply a postemergent herbicide, i.e., Preen Lawn Weed Killer  when Cinquefoil is actively growing and in the rosette to flower stage of growth.

Mother's Day - The Perfect Gift!

You may think I am crazy, but what would be a perfect gift for Mother's Day other than something that could be enjoyed all year long? A PERFECT LAWN !!!!

Now think about it, every time she walks outside, the grass is thick and green with no weeds or crabgrass. This is the gift that keeps on giving! Does she more jewelry? How long will flowers last? (Mothers expect flowers. So flowers are still a good idea - lol.) But seriously, this is a gift that will last year round!

Now I would not recommend wrapping this gift up. Give her a card with a note...I will let you write that!

Order online today and have Greenview Fertilizer delivered to your door or use the store locator to find a dealer near you!

Changing Lawn From Centipede to Fescue

We had the question asked recently, "How do I transform my lawn from centipede to fescue?" I received the following answer from our grass seed product manager...

Centipede grass is a fairly aggressive growing warm season species. I suspect that the only real way to make the switch to tall fescue is to start all over again. You would need to kill the centipede with some type of weed killer and then remove most of the dead plant material by thatching and aerating.

Then you could plant the tall fescue. This job requires the right equipment so I would recommend consulting a landscape contractor in your area who has experience in this type of project. If you don't do it correctly, the centipede could persist and then you will have a mess.