I’m sure everyone is glad that summer is here. School’s out, there are plenty of picnics, pool parties, and vacations planned. Which means the last thing anyone wants to be doing is watering their lawns and gardens. But with all of the heat and humidity that define summers in the Lehigh Valley, I thought it would be a good idea to brush up on the best ways to water our plants.

Many clients ask us, “how often should I be watering my new plants?” When temperatures and rainfall are pretty average, the best answer would be a couple of times per week. However, when the temperature is 90 degrees and it hasn’t rained in weeks, that answer changes. The best way to monitor soil moisture is to simply get your hands dirty! Pull the mulch away from the base of the plant and feel the soil with your hands. If it is dried out or cracking, the plants need water. On the other hand, if the soil is still wet or even muddy, it does not need to be watered. Overwatering is just as bad as not watering enough.

Another good tip is to set the hose at the base of the plant and let the water trickle out, rather than spraying water over the plant with a sprinkler attachment. This insures that the water is going directly where it needs to, the roots. It also eliminates run-off, which is wasteful.

When it comes to the best time of day to water, earlier is definitely better. The sun hasn’t reached its peak, so not only is it cooler, but there is less evaporation.  The plants also have the entire day to absorb the water. If you can’t water first thing in the morning, then do it as soon as you get home from work at the end of the day. But the absolute worst thing you can do is water the plants at night. Watering once the sun goes down not only promotes rot and mildew, but can encourage pests (think slugs! or snails!) or other diseases to take hold.

Hopefully with these few helpful techniques, your watering will become less tedious, and before you know it, you’ll have thriving, beautiful plants that will require less water over time.

Today’s back-yard spaces have become so much more than a square deck and a charcoal grill.  More than just a square deck and a charcoal grill, today it is more of an extension of the indoor living space.  At Plantique, we are experts at creating outdoor living spaces. And what living space is complete without a place to prepare a meal?

Outdoor kitchens have become a requirement of the outdoor experience.  Think about it, why would you want to confine yourself indoors to cook, when your guests are all outside?   Plantique can create a well-designed and constructed outdoor kitchen, where you can prepare everything from ‘burgers and dogs’, to steaks, boiled seafood and vegetables, homemade pizzas, and all the cocktails to go along with them.  Best of all, you can do all this in the company of your guests, instead of being inside confined to the stove!

Call or email us today to discuss your outdoor kitchen, and the next time someone tells you ‘well-done,’ it won’t be just about their hamburger!  Mike Wimmer

Now that the weather is getting warm and it seems like spring is here to stay, I’ve been anxious to get to work in my garden.  One thing that I absolutely love about gardening is all the various wildlife that you can attract.  My weak spot happens to be hummingbirds. 

I’m sure most people just assume that hummingbirds appear in the summer, and so that is when they bring out their bright red feeders.  In actuality, hummingbirds begin their 500 mile non-stop flight from Mexico as early as February!  By the time they reach our area, it is late April to early May, and after that long trip, they are HUNGRY!  So now is the perfect time to be putting out your feeders and preparing your garden for these cool little birds.

As far as feeders go, anything that is red will really grab the hummingbird’s attention.  A ratio of 4 parts water to 1 part sugar is the perfect solution for them.  Most experts recommend using granulated white sugar, NOT honey or brown sugar.  I also shy away from the pre-packaged mixes you can buy at the store, just because you never know the negative effects that different dyes and chemicals can have on them.  

 And it doesn’t hurt to plant some flowers near the feeder as well.  The more things to attract the hummers, the better!  Red, orange, and pink flowers are most attractive to hummingbirds, but there are certain ones in particular that they love.  These include: monarda (bee balm), honeysuckle, annual salvia (the ones with bright red flowers), coral bells, and cardinal flower.  Planting them in groups will increase your chances of success because they will be drawn to the bright color.

Hummingbirds can visit up to 1,000 flowers in just one day!  Once they find a garden that they like, they will continue to return to it year after year.  So start your hummingbird garden now and enjoy these winged jewels for many seasons to come!

Contact me if you’d like to find out more information or need help with any other landscaping ideas.  Rebecca Conrad

#1- Our Level of Experience and Education-                 Sixty-two years in business coupled with over 80 years of design/architect knowledge is coupled with an installation team that has an average tenure of 12 years. We have been doing this for a long time and our expertise shows! The home owner is the beneficiary of our extra efforts.

#2- Uniqueness of Designs-                                                                                                                                                             No two designs are alike because each client has a unique set of needs for their property. All factors are taken into consideration to make each and every project distinct. Plans are created to  exactly match home owner preferences.

#3- Quality of a Projects Outcome-                                                                                                                                                        No corners are cut and we fulfill our obligation to each and every customer regardless of size or scope. The founder of this company instilled a culture at Plantique, that no expense is spared when it comes to meeting those goals. We do things VERY differently.

#4- Length and Quality of Warranty-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Plantique stands behind it’s work unconditionally. Our commitment to to the long term viability of our plants and hardscapes is, without question the best in the industry. The customer service department maintains a ‘no questions asked’ policy when it comes to honoring the landscapes we install

#5- Ability to Start and Complete a Project Quickly and Timely-                                                                                                                                                                         The size and breadth of Plantique allows us to run multple projects at the same time. Our staff, equipment and rsources assure that we can meet any deadline on budget, without sacrificing quality.

#6- Selection and Quality of Plant Material-                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Our sixteen acre nursery is stocked with the hardiest  and most unique plant material in the region. Our on staff horticulturist, Jake has taken years of nursery visits to locate several dozen top-of-the-line plant nurseries with which we do business.

#7- Total Project Costs-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Plantique has the necessary means to offer such a vast array of services provides economies of scale that are passed on to our clients. Our ability to handle every phase of any outdoor project saves our clients both time and money. We have been competitive in all areas and our clients are always pleased with the outstanding value they receive.

#8- Interaction with Clients-                                                Our staff, beginning with the office personel and ending with our maintenance crews are friendly, curteous and professional. We engage our clients and they become involved in the process from design to completion. Communication throughout the process keeps our customers informed and involved.

#9- Aftercare-                                                                                                                                                                                            We care as much about your landscaping as you do! We are always interested to watch “our plants” grow, mature and bloom. We take the time to drive by to look at progress, even years after planting. To that end our aftercare division offers a wide array of services that will maintain and protect your investment, while offering suggestions.

#10- Passion-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   We care a great deal about the quality of our workmanship and the ongoing progress of our work. We are extremely serious about making customers not just happy, but delighted with their landscape. Our passion shows in everything we do and that is a quality that Plantique takes great pride in.

Contact us today to find out how you can learn more about                            The Plantique Experience

I found a recent article that describes 5  Home Improvement To Do in 2010. This is a great article about improving the energy efficiency of your home to make it greener. I thought linking to it would be a great blog entry to kick off the new year. Even though it doesn’t address  landscaping, it highlights changes to make your house more energy efficient. 

There are, however, a number of Green benefits that professional landscaping provides:

Professional landscaping improves a property’s resale value. A study by the American Nursery and Landscape Association found that beautiful landscapes can increase property value by seven to 14 percent and can accelerate the sale of a home by five to six weeks.

Landscaping also adds energy efficiency to your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, carefully positioned trees can cut as much as 25% off a household’s energy consumption for heating and cooling. Properly designed landscapes promote healthy living by filtering outdoor noise and improving air quality, as well as providing safe habitats for wildlife.

Landscaping also enhances a property’s aesthetic value and creates a desirable living environment. We are spending more time at home than ever, and the benefits of adding an outdoor room to your home is appreciated instantly.

This is all important information as we trend towards sustainability. “contact our design team today”  tolearn how Plantique can help you ‘Go Green in 2010′.

Everyone knows what is occurring in our economy. The effects are felt in every region and in almost all industries. The difficult markets we face have been especially tough in the Green Industry, and with design/build contractors in particular.

I started to write a blog yesterday on the ‘State of our Industry’. The reports I received from around the country were, as expected not good. It was only after the arrival of my mother yesterday from central Florida, that I decided to change my report.

Mom hasn’t been to the northeast in almost 15 years. As she flew in and looked out the airplane window on a beautiful Fall morning she was overwhelmed with the beauty below. On our drive home from the airport she couldn’t stop marveling at the wonderful palate of colors that surrounded her, something she just doesn’t see in sunny Florida.  She pointed to the fiery ‘October Glory’ maples in all of their splendor, the rusty red ‘Village Green’ zelkovas and the numerous yellows, orange and rust colored leaves that graced the canvas of our landscape.

It was then that I realized it is time to step back and look at what I have  taken for granted. In all the worries and concerns we face, we often forget the beauty of the world that surrounds us. The simple things. It is important that we stay grounded enough, focused enough to appreciate the blessings we do have; our faith, our families and friends and hopefully our health. The innocent appreciation of a glorious fall afternoon from mom has redefined my focus on what I have, not on what is missing.

We will survive these economic uncertainties, overcome our challenges and be stronger because of it. In the meantime, lets look out the window, in our yards and enjoy the beauty, we too often forget see.

We’ve all got Spring Fever. And why not? This winter was a long, cold one! Spring in the Lehigh Valley is really beautiful, and since we

all want to make the most of our landscaping, I’ve put together some seasonal tips based on frequently requested gardening advice. I hope

they help you enjoy your landscaping this year.

Safeguard suspect trees. If your deciduous trees and shrubs had insect or mite infestation problems last season, dormant oil sprays may

help prevent or control the problem this year. These oils can be used as dormant treatments or throughout most of the season, although

when the weather warms up, a lighter rate of these materials should be applied. Contact our Forever Green tree care division for a diagnosis

and treatment options.

Flowering forsythias = crabgrass control time.

My rule of thumb is, when you see the yellow explosion of the forsythia blooms, it’s time for crabgrass control. Our trained technicians have

several options when it comes to treatments, depending on weather conditions and when they are able to put down the application.

Mother’s Day means flowers. Mom’s Day is usually a safe bet for planting less cold hardy annuals, such as impatiens and geraniums.

The risk of overnight frost or freeze damage is usually gone by this point – although you should still check the local weather reports, just

to be safe. If frost threatens, cover plants with cardboard boxes, cold frames or plastic containers from dusk until morning. Potted plants can also be brought indoors.

What zone am I? The Lehigh Valley and its surroundings fall into a sort of gray area on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which can

sometimes make plant selection and installation confusing. Technically, we fall into zones 5a & 5b. However, the mountainous regions sometime act more like they belong to a cooler zone, while our cities and southeastern sections sometimes more closely resemble warmer ones. Low-lying spots, exposure to the elements, and sheltered areas in your yard are other factors that may affect landscaping conditions. Check with your designer if you are unsure about plant hardiness where you live.

Help for the horticulturally-impaired.

Here are some excellent resources that can assist you, whether you’re an avid gardener or yard-work phobic:

• Penn State Cooperative Extension

(Lehigh Valley): (610) 391-9840 or

http://lehigh.extension.psu.edu

• USDA’s Home Gardening web page:

www.usda.gov/news/garden.htm

• Plantique’s Newly Updated Web Site:

www.plantique.com

• Plantique’s Forever Green division: ??????

610-481-9882, or 610-861-8566

(CC) Audrey Michael/Flickr

National Geographic’s The Green Guide currently has a great article on landscaping and gardening products that are more eco-friendly than some traditional choices. “Greener Garden Supplies” covers a wide range of products, including garden tools, hoses, fencing, patio furniture, composting mixes and rain barrels. There’s even information about pest-eating insects that you can buy, for those who are looking for chemical-free alternatives to insecticides.

According to the article:

More and more people are choosing to garden organically. So it’s somewhat troublesome that garden tools and supplies are often made of materials that are decidedly not environmentally friendly. Just try to find a composter, for instance, that’s not made of a material like polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The wooden handles of garden tools and the fence and other materials we buy require trees, of course, to manufacture. And therein lies the gardener’s dilemma: Must we contribute to environmental degradation in our quest to till the soil? The answer, happily, is no.

For more information on greener landscaping practices and products, please check out Plantique’s tips and advice:

• Plantique’s Green Initiative Page
• Forever Green’s Organic Lawncare Options
• Our Rain Garden Guide

Get ready for an exciting 2009 landscaping season! Plantique will be blogging about many creative and practical landscaping design ideas, as well as useful gardening ideas and news for the greater Lehigh Valley region and beyond.

For more great winter gardening ideas from Plantique, click here.

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Want more great landscaping and gardening news and information? Become a subscriber to our e-newsletter.

These beautiful trees offer this homeowner about $112/year in environmental and economic benefits.

Thanks to a handy new Internet tool at i-Tree, you can now calculate the benefits of planting various trees on your property before you invest.

By entering information about the type and size of tree installed on your property, you can learn about the specific benefits it can provide to your home. For example, a red maple with a 12-inch diameter (measured 4 feet from the ground) installed near a single family house will provide $52/year in benefits from the get-go. This figure comes from a combination of stormwater, property value, energy, air quality, CO2 reduction and ecological savings, all of which are detailed by the site search. Once that same tree reaches a 23-inch diameter size, its benefits will increase to $132 annually.

Go try it out for yourself here.

For more information on the benefit of trees, check out our recent newsletter article on trees, or go to the USDA’s Urban and Community Forestry’s website.

Thanks to Plantique President Mike McShane for sharing this link. For more great landscaping and gardening ideas, visit our tips & FAQs, newsletter archive and photo pages.

It’s just around the corner and Plantique is gearing up for it’s Autumn Extravaganza! Our 16 acre nursery is brimming with the highest quality trees and conifers. Fall is one of the best times to plant trees because soil temperatures stay warmer than air temperatures, which allows for more root development and a head start for Spring.

Since the tree is heading into a dormant phase the transition is a lot easier on the plant. Another great benefit is that you can enjoy the vibrant fall foliage right away. The best reason however is our fall tree-planting discounts! Call call or e-mail us today to find out more.

Autumn is also an excellent time to plant spring-blooming bulbs, and if you are planning or considering them, be sure to check out this great Landscape Management article on the subject. For more info check the PLNA’s “Things ‘to do’ and ‘not to do’ in your garden this fall” or Plantique’s own fall landscaping tips.