Landscaping Upgrades You'll Love

Treat Yourself to Trees

The truth about trees on a landscape is that they enhance the value. If you know you’re going to stay put for a while, get young trees and watch them grow. You can also invest in mature trees. Consider investing in something that does well in the region you live in that will enhance your enjoyment of your property.  For example, for those of us in Fargo, Ivory Silk Lilac trees are lovely landscape enhancements that do well in the local climate. Contact us for other varieties that do well in our area.

Light the Outside with Love

You may not spend much time outside on your property at night, but if you upgrade your landscape’s lighting, you might find a reason to start loving the nightlife (in your own backyard). A lighting upgrade will not only boost your property’s safety and security, but you’ll also enhance it’s nighttime curb appeal and overall function. There are multiple styles of outdoor lighting to choose from such as lanterns, spotlights, pathway lights, and more that will make your property more livable and valuable. Not sure if it’s for you? We can come on your property and setup a kit. That way you will know what it will look like.

Hardscape Upgrades

Hardscape upgrades are attractive, sustainable, and they improve the performance of your property. Whether you add a flagstone-paved walkway or pathway around the backyard, a stone retaining wall or fence, or a outdoor kitchen, you are elevating the aesthetic appeal of your property.

Not only are hardscape upgrades good-looking, but they also add to your property’s value. Hardscapes are easy to clean and to maintain; they don’t have to be replaced nearly as often as softscapes. If you know what you want but aren’t sure how to implement it, consult us.

Indulge your senses implementing landscape upgrades you’ll not only love but that will also add aesthetic and monetary value to your property.

Spring is a Great time to Plant Trees & Shrubs

Which Tree or Shrub is Best for your Landscape?

There are so many trees and shrubs to choose from, it is difficult to know which works best for your landscape and lifestyle. Do you want a fast growing tree? Do you need shade? Does your landscape get a lot of sun or is it mostly shaded? Before you select your new tree or shrub, there are a few rules you must follow in order to give your new landscape additions every opportunity to thrive in their new environment:

• Make sure the tree or shrub is right for your area and landscape.
• It is important that you do not fertilize new plantings. You can add a root stimulator application to promote strong healthy roots, but it is recommended that you wait one full year before fertilizing. After a year, a fall fertilization will promote healthy root growth and discourage disease issues. If done too early, it can burn young new roots.
• You want to give your new tree or shrub every opportunity to survive. It is important to make sure that your new tree or shrub is watered frequently. Arborists recommend watering at least twice a week (5 gallons/inch diameter, based on the size of the tree). Continue to water your new tree or shrub as long as temperatures remain above freezing.
• To help retain moisture, protect new root growth and help prevent weeds, add a top layer of mulch. Make sure that the mulch is not placed on the trunk. Mulch placed high on the tree base and trunk can attract insects and cause more harm than good.
• Finally and most importantly, call your local power company for locates before you dig. The utility companies will mark gas, electric, cable and water lines in your landscape to avoid a disaster when you plant your new tree or shrub.

Trees and shrubs add value and beauty to your landscape. Make sure that you give your new planting all of the advantages it will need to thrive. Our designer at GreenEarth Landscaping would be more than happy to assist you with any plants needs that you may need. 

Dormant Tree Pruning

When is the best time to prune trees?

Many homeowners think that the best time to prune trees is when there are still leaves in the canopy. In truth, winter is a great time to prune trees.

The benefits of pruning in winter

There are numerous benefits to pruning your trees in the winter such as:

-Dead or diseased branches are easily identifiable

-Cracks or splits in branches are more visible

-Fungus, cankers or structural defects which can pose a hazard to your property are more observable

-Pruning trees in the winter also allows the wound site to heal before spring when insects appear

-Trees with a full canopy can hide imperfections which can cause trouble later on.

Dormant pruning can be beneficial to your trees overall health. By removing dead or diseased limbs, trees can now put their energy into new growth. For younger trees, the Arborist can help the tree to develop a stable tree form which will benefit it as it matures.  A well pruned tree does not guarantee that it will not suffer from storm damage in the future, however, it will lessen the odds and add to your trees overall health.

LANDSCAPING TIPS: MAINTAINING YOUR PATIOS AND WALKWAYS

Many people think their landscaping chores end when the winter snows begin to fall. Quite the contrary is true, and it is important to remain vigilant during the cold weather months. Otherwise, you might find yourself with major repair projects in the spring.

Here are some simple things you should do for your hard surfaces to ensure they remain in good condition for many years ahead.

1. Be careful using salt and other chemical solvents to remove snow and ice. It’s tempting to use these, but you’ll want to make sure they won’t damage your surfaces or cause discoloration or staining in the process.
2. Maintaining hard surfaces and preventing cracks is important. You will want to fill in and repair any cracks and holes as soon as they develop, lest they grow and become major headaches. One way to avoid most problems is to seal concrete, pavers, and paving stones so that it is harder for ice and dirt to damage them.
3. Finally, be sure to get the weeds while you’re outside.

For assistance with your landscape maintenance in the F/M area, contact the team at Greenearth Landscaping, and we will be happy to provide you with all of the details of our services.