Savvy Landscape Investors - January Edition

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Happy New Year!

We hope you are welcoming January with open arms! We are welcoming it with a phone ringing off the hook for winter projects!

We're starting the year with a jam packed blog post for ya so close your office door, sit in your car a little longer or lean back in your recliner because we want to make sure you can take your time and scroll all the way through for the good stuff...now let's get started!

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
To heck with grass clippings getting in your pool. These clients will enjoy corn hole and lounging on their artificial turf for a long time!

A Belgard Diamond 9D retaining wall established the grade and Belgard Cambridge Cobble paver walkway make an easy transition from their house to pool. A river rock perimeter provides the low maintenance look these clients were wanting.

outdoor living
pool landscape
artificial turf

POOLSIDE RETREAT
Getting “just a pool” has become an obsolete idea this year for dozens of our clients. Homeowners are wanting the FULL MEAL DEAL as it pertains to their outdoor living areas.

Pavers, walls, fire, sod and plants to accompany this new pool takes the phrase “complete landscape investor experience” to a whole new level for this client

outdoor living
fire pit
retaining walls
fire pit

PATIO ADD ON
These clients are ready for cozy nights on their patio. Are you?

outdoor fireplace
outdoor fireplace

MORE POOLSIDE ENTERTAINING
This client wanted to maximize the space around their pool with more than just a slope of dirt.

We created more usable space with Belgard 9D Pro walls, fixed drainage issues, installed custom plant design and finished it off with landscape lighting (which we love).

Are you satisfied with your poolscape?

retaining wall
retaining wall
retaining wall
landscape lighting

JUST SAY NO.
To Crape MURDER that is!

outdoor living

Please, please, please do not murder your Crape Myrtle this year. The fact is, you don't even have to prune them if you don't want to.

Here are the top reasons why we prune Crape Myrtles:

  • Improve architecture and look of the tree. Crape Myrtles are vigorous growers and will have hundreds of small limbs and branches grow out every season. Once the leaves fall off they can look very messy.

  • The health of the tree. By pruning out any limbs that touch each other you reduce the risk of fungus and pests.

  • Height control. In certain places one may want to keep their Crape Myrtle from getting too tall. Pruning the new growth from last year will ensure it doesn't get too tall for its space when growing season arrives.

Remove branches in the following order:
1. Suckers coming up from the base
2. All side branches growing from the main trunks up to a height of at least 4 feet.
3. All higher branches growing inward towards the center of the tree.
4. All crossing, rubbing, and dead branches.
5. Branches growing at awkward angles that detract from the tree's appearance. Always cut back to a larger branch of the trunk. Don't leave stubs. 
Removing seed heads on the end of branches is optional. Leaving them doesn't reduce blooming.

REMEMBER - these are small TREES, not foundation shrubs. Make sure you check the height and spread of the tree you are considering to install in your landscape before you purchase it (or plant it next to the foundation of your home!).

HEAVENLY HYDRANGEAS
These plants are a staple in any southern landscape. We absolutely love them.

We prune hydrangeas to help them keep a nice shape, to promote new growth and more blooms in the coming growing season. Remember that most hydrangea blooms are from "old wood" so a heavy "to the ground" pruning will not be a good idea for the plant.
Pruning time and placement is very important. Make sure you are pruning right above a node

outdoor living
paver patio

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES
We prune ornamental grasses to remove dead grass blades. We think it creates a much prettier specimen when spring arrives. Grasses look neater and cleaner when the new blades aren't trying to push their way through and compete with the dead blades.

landscape design

TACKLE THIS!
No, we aren't talking about football...we're talking about your landscape of course! Here is a full list of recommendations for you to tackle this January:

  • Prune Crape Myrtles

  • Prune Roses and Hydrangeas

  • Prune ornamental grasses

  • Now is a safe time to perform hard or corrective pruning on overgrown evergreens like Hollies

  • Blow and remove remaining leaves from your turf.

  • Dead head annual flowers such as Pansy and Viola.

DON'T WAIT
It's true. Clients that wait until spring to plan their landscape will be waiting to have their project completed. Our calendar books up fast in the winter. Connect with us now to get on our schedule before everyone else!

Transforming your outdoor space into outdoor living is lonnnnng overdue.

We have been delivering green industry goodness to our clients via the world wide web for almost two decades now. We thank you for your business and hope you have an AMAZING 2021!