Dr. Dan's Garden Tips

February Lawn Tips

2012-02-10T05:49:00.000-08:00

Don't let the last couple of days of cooler weather fool you into thinking that there's nothing to be done in your outdoor areas during February. There is PLENTY to do!

Today we're going to touch on lawns and address some items that should be on your February list.

Use post-emergence herbicide on growing weeds (yes, some weeds are growing right now).
Apply pre-emergent crabgrass control when soil temperatures reach 55 degrees for 4 or 5 days.
Try to time applications when the soil is moist and there is no rain in sight for a least 8 hours, preferably 24 hours.
Late February or early March is a great time to overseed your lawn to make it thicker or to cover bare areas.
Although we've had a pretty warm winter, there's still time for a freeze. Never walk or drive on frozen grass.

These are just a few tips to get you started. Our next post will address additional items that will need to be taken care of during the month of February.

Curb Appeal Counts

2012-02-08T05:44:00.001-08:00

How can you improve your curb appeal?

Our top favorites:

Green it up! If your front yard has bare spots, weeds or an overall rough appearance, then invest in a new seeding. If the condition of your lawn is particularly shabby, then sod may be the best investment for you.

Add Color! Is your yard looking dull and lifeless? Adding color is definitely the answer. Enhance your beds with annual or perennial color. Annuals will need to be replaced each year and are more economical initially, but perennials, even though they cost a bit more, come back each year and typically increase in size each season.

Plant a Tree! There are so many varieties to choose from, with appealing color and size choices to suit any yard. A tree can add a splash of color, and even some height interest to your overall landscape.

Open Things Up! Trim back tree limbs. This will open things up and allow people to see your home and the landscaping surrounding it. It's also important to keep any walkways free of overhanging branches.

Shrink the Shrubs! Give your shrubs a good trimming. Allowing them to cover your windows will keep the natural light from filtering inside. If a shrub is too large or too mature, it might not be a bad idea to remove an older shrub and replace it with a young, smaller growing variety.

Expel the Expired! It it's dead, remove it. Get rid of any dead trees, shrubs and plants.

Increase the Inventory! Landscaping looking a little thin and lacking? Add some new shrubs to those barren areas. Shrubs with an assortment of texture and color always add more appeal. Groups of three are always more interesting than shrubs planted in groups of two.

Renew the Mulch! A layer of mulch always spruces things up.

Invite People In! Make your front entry inviting. Put a new mat by the doorstep and add a container of seasonal color.

Giving your home's curb appeal a makeover is one of the easiest ways to show everyone the pride you take in home ownership. Increasing your home's curb appeal can also help if you are selling your home. Most buyers can't visualize the changes a new landscape will bring to a home. Sometimes it's up to the seller to give them that vision that will be their new home.

Crawling with Camellias

2012-02-06T10:44:00.001-08:00

You may have noticed the abundance of these gorgeous beauties during an afternoon walk or a drive through the neighborhood, and you can thank the mild weather we've been experiencing for that! But what do you really know about the camellia?

They are natives of eastern and southern Asia, from the Himalaya east to Korea and Indonesia. There are between 100 to 250 described species, but the exact number has created some controversy between horticulturalists.

The Japanese varieties are the most prominent and well-suited camellias to the Hampton Roads area. Camellia growers favor the japonica varieties because they are much hardier and produce the showiest blooms. They bloom almost the entire winter and give us a welcome burst of color on a dreary February day. Sasanquas produce smaller, single-petal flowers and bring their color to the region in the fall. Planting both types will ensure a colorful landscape.

Numerous varieties are available locally, and camellias have recently seen a boost in popularity. Although a native to Asia, they have an old-fashioned southern charm that fits perfectly into any Hampton Roads landscape.

Can you trust a groundhog?

2012-02-02T05:51:00.000-08:00

It's February 2. We're all awake, waiting for that one groundhog to give us the info on what's in store for us the next six weeks. You have to wonder why, right?

Take a look at the calendar. There really ARE six more weeks of winter. We can't change the calendar or the official start of spring, can we? Rather than dread the next six weeks, why don't more people embrace the calendar and use the next six weeks as a count down to spring? Because seriously, it's not that far away. And with the winter we've had thus far, we have no reason to fear the season!

Take a calendar, any calendar will do. Find March 20 on your calendar, whether paper or on your computer, and count back to today. Write numbers backward from March 20 and you'll know every single day how many days it is until spring.

Here are some ideas:

Create a garden wish list - list the plants you'd like to see in your garden

Find out what gardening zone you're in

Determine your gardening budget

Visit your local botanical gardens

Stop by your library and research plants

Start seeds indoors

Buy a new bird feeder and feed your feathered friends

Go to the market, buy some fresh veggies and make a favorite spring recipe for dinner

The ideas are endless. Just have fun with it, and enjoy the countdown to spring. It will be here before you know it.

How's Your Window Appeal?

2012-01-30T06:23:00.000-08:00

Magazines, television shows, realtors. They all remind us of the importance of curb appeal, but it's the rare occasion that we are schooled on the importance of window appeal. What is window appeal? It's the view you, the homeowner, get when looking out their windows out into your landscape. And it's just as important as the view people walking onto your property get. After all, this is your home, and you should enjoy it from any and all angles. There are so many ways to add visual interest to your yard. Take some time to assess your views from the windows.

Stand in your kitchen, look out the window...what do you see? Do you have some of your favorites planted nearby so you can see them while you cook or wash dishes? If not, imagine the difference when you do plant some color or fragrance close by.

How about your bedroom window? Wouldn't it be great to wake up in the spring to the blossoms of a favorite tree? Or for year round interest, add an ornamental dwarf evergreen or a holly. You might be surprised by the options available to you.

Window appeal also includes your hardscape. A strategically placed pergola, arbor or water feature can add beauty as well. Rock, stone and retaining walls add interest during all the seasons.

An experienced landscape designer can assist you with the placement that will give you the best overall window appeal. Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean you can enjoy your outside spaces.

We're at it again!

2012-01-24T08:15:00.000-08:00

January! It's a great month for shows, and this weekend you can see us at the MyTime Women's Show in the Hampton Convention Center. This show is geared toward today's woman, and will be full of great vendors, demonstrations, rafle prizes and give-aways. We're excited to be a part of this great show.

Not only will this venue give us another great opportunity to showcase our talents, but it also allows us to work alongside some great community partners. We're proud to be part of an event that includes the following organizations: Alzheimer's Associations, American Legion Auxiliary Post 368, An Achievable Dream, Beyond Boobs (a support group for young women diagnosed with breast cancer), Food Bank, Get the Facts, Go Red for Women, Habitat for Humanity, Helping other Peoples Enrichment, Junior League of Hampton Roads, Lackey Free Clinic, Relay for Life, Susan G. Komen, Transitions FVS, Youth Education & Family Services, and Victory Over Violence.

For a list of events and times, click here. Enjoy the weekend, plan to attend the show, take advantage of the demonstrations, and don't forget to stop by our booth and say hello.

Let the Show Begin!

2012-01-11T08:03:00.000-08:00

We are very excited to announce that we'll be a part of the Virginia Flower and Garden Expo. Held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on January 20 thru 22, this event will be full of ideas, displays, fun challenges and activities for the kids.

Arranged by the Virginia Horticultural Foundation, you can be assured this will be an event that will interest anyone who loves gardening or needs the necessary help to create a winning look of their own.

Be sure and stop by Booth 38 and say hello! We would love to talk to you and show you what's new in 2012.

Winter Blooms

2012-01-09T05:37:00.001-08:00

Looking for something to add to your winter landscape? Consider planting Winter Variegated Daphne. Daphne Odora or Sweet Daphne is special because it blooms in late February. What's more welcoming than blooms in the winter? A bloom that offers a lovely scent. A bloom that lets you know that spring is about to arrive. With its dark green, glossy leaves with cream-colored edges, and long lasting purplish pink flowers with white throats, Daphne is a perfect choice.

Daphne is ideal for north and east facing beds, against walls and around patio and deck edges, where its scent is enjoyed up close. As a specimen, its variegated leaves are good for lightening shade garden plantings. Try in groups of three at corners and transitions from path to patio. It can even grow in a well-drained container. Daphne is a great accompaniment to go with Azalea, Burgundy Lace Japanese Maple and Astilbe.

Prune Your Myrtles

2012-01-06T06:38:00.000-08:00

January is an excellent time to prune many trees and shrubs, including crepe myrtle, because most are in a dormant stage. Some exceptions include dogwood, flowering cherry and peach, redbud and azaleas.

That said, let's get back to that Southern favorite...the crepe myrtle!

The most important thing about crepe myrtle pruning is realizing that crepe myrtles should never be butchered. Don't fall victim to CREPE MURDER! The goal is to maintain the natural form of the crepe myrtle. It's important to do an annual pruning to ensure that branches provide enough strength and are fully capable of holding the flowers in their most spectacular upright display. Proper pruning also requires a thinning out that will reveal the smooth, multi-toned bark on mature trunks and branches.

If you do make the inexcusable mistake of butchering your crepe myrtles, then the above scenario is impossible. What you will end up with is a tall stump with some spindly growth too week to hold up the heavy floral display the crepe myrtle is known for.

Keep in mind that pruning isn't a haphazard application, and it always helps to get the eyes of a professional on your trees. Why take chances when it comes to your curb appeal?

So, it's cold out?

2012-01-03T06:49:00.000-08:00

Winter is here, and it's cold outside. But that's not reason enough to forget about your yard. Here in the Hampton Roads region, it's actually been pretty moderate for all of November and December. In fact, you may see some of your perennials already starting to sprout from the ground. Seeing new growth always helps us to see that spring isn't too far away. Yes, we know we still have winter to deal with, but it's never too early to start planning your landscape.

The most important part of a landscape is "The Plan." Too many people make the enormous mistake of planting whatever they find on sale at the Garden Center and planting it wherever there is an open space. Planting sporadically and occassionally can cause you to have the wrong plants in the wrong spot. It can mean that the plants you plant near each other aren't the best selection. The best way to curtail this from happening to your yard is to spend time with a professional, developing a plan and allowing them to design. When your vision is coupled with the expertise of the professional you can put an end to the costly mistakes of haphazard do-it-yourself gardening.

January is the pefect time to beging planning. Start looking at magazines, visiting websites and particularly stopping by our booth the upcoming Virginia Flower and Garden Show at the Virginia Beach Convention Center January 20-22 for ideas and assistance. You'll be glad you did!

Question of the Week

2011-12-08T08:13:00.000-08:00

Today's Question comes from Angie L. from Virginia Beach.

How do I care for and prolong the life of the greenery I've brought indoors during this holiday season?

Answer:

Keep the greenery away from heaters, fire places or other heat sources. If candles are a part of your arrangement, wait to light them on the night of your gathering.

We recommend that you do this misting outside or in a place where water will not cause any damage.

Do not mist while the greenery is exposed to direct sunlight if possible.

Be sure to get water on the stems as well as the needles.

Optional: Mist with an Antitranspirant. This is a clear, odorless liquid that dries to a clear film and slows moisture transpiration from needles. You will need to do this once a week. Your local florists should have this item.

It's for the Birds!

2011-12-05T08:11:00.000-08:00

As cold weather approaches, it's easily to forget about anything outside. But life does go on, and cold temperatures can be particularly tough on our winged friends. It's more difficult for birds to find food. Insects become more scarce. Snow can cover and freeze the berries that they often feed on. Seed is the main source of food during the winter, and without it, birds can starve. It's also very important to keep making water available. Make sure to keep your birdbaths clean and the water fresh!

Some of the best winter foods include:

BLACK OIL SUNFLOWER SEEDS - Black oil sunflower seeds are by far the best food to offer birds in any season. These seeds have slightly thinner shells and a higher oil content than other types of sunflower seeds, making them a more efficient and nutritious food. They will attract a wide range of hungry birds, and can be offered in platform, tube or hopper feeders.

SUET - For high calories, suet is one of the best foods to offer birds. While many birders prefer to avoid suet because it will melt in warmer weather, it is a superb winter food. It is also available in many blends with different ingredients to tempt different species of birds, and it is easy to make your own custom suet blends specialized for your backyard flock.

PEANUTS: Peanuts are a high calorie, fat-rich nut that appeals to many backyard birds, including jays, titmice, nuthatches and chickadees. Because the nuts don't freeze, they are perfect for winter feeding, whether you offer whole or shelled peanuts. Peanuts are also popular to mix with suet for winter feed.

NYGER: Nyger or thistle seed is a favorite food of winter finches such as pine siskins and common redpolls. This is another oily seed that offers a lot of calories, helping birds store fat they need to keep warm through the season. Though expensive, nyger is readily available and is typically treated so as not to germinate if spilled on the ground.

FRUIT: While a lot of songbirds that prefer fruit will migrate in the winter, many other birds that stay in snowy areas year round will enjoy the treat. Offer chopped apples, orange wedges, banana slieces, halved grapes and melon rids on platform feeders, spikes or nailed to trees. Chopped or dried fruit can also be added to suet mixtures.

MILLET: White proso millet is a favorite food of many small ground-feeding birds. This starchy grain is inexpensive and can be easily offered in hopper, tube or platform feeders, and sprinkling it on the ground will attract even more small birds.

SALT: Many birds crave salt as an essential mineral, particularly in the winter when roads are regularly salted. Unfortunately, feeding on the side of the road can be deadly for birds, and offering salt crystals at your feeders will help keep them save. Create a strong saltwater solution and let it evaporate in a shallow dish to make larger crystals, or poor it over a log or stump if there is no danger of freezing.

SEED MIXES: For convenient and economical winter feeding, nothing beats a good quality birdseed mix. Choose a mix that features large proportions of sunflower seeds and millet, but avoid mixes with large proportions of unappetizing fillers such as wheat, milo and corn.

Q & A Thursday

2011-12-01T11:19:00.001-08:00

This week's question comes from Sandy R. in Virginia Beach.

She asks:

When is the best time to cut back mums?

Mums perennialize best when you don't cut them back to the ground in fall. Let the brown foliage alone until end of winter when it snaps off easily. Studies have found the dead foliage helps insulate the plant's crown (growing point).

Send Us Your Questions

2011-11-29T12:36:00.000-08:00

We would love to answer any of your gardening questions. All we ask is that you leave us your question in the comments section, or you may send us an e-mail to drdanslandscaping@cox.net. Each week, on Thursday, we'll select a question and answer it here in our blog. So, send us your questions. Don't be shy. The only dumb question is the question not asked!

Why mulch?

2011-11-28T06:30:00.000-08:00

Mulching is one of the best lines of defense against dropping temperatures. A good mulch layer will protect your perennials through the winter by helping to keep the ground from experiencing a constant freeze and thaw. Additionally, mulch will protect the soil from winter erosion.

There is a reason for mulching twice a year. In the spring we mulch to assist keeping the soil moist during the hot, dry summer. But in the winter, the mulch provides insulation for the soil and plant roots. Leaving mulch out of your fall clean up can certainly lead to root injury in your plants.

How much mulch should you apply? A two to three inch layer is optimal, and will provide the perfect amount of insulation for the cooler days ahead. Over mulching won't give more protection, in fact it can often cause more harm to your plants. Never place mulch too tightly or closely to the stems and trunks of your plants. This can lead to disease in some native plants.

Any newly planted fall trees and plants should be mulched immediately. This will keep your soil warmer and more moist and will definitely help the roots grow for a longer period of time.

Remember, a good mulch cover will keep your soil ten degrees warmer than the air temperature, and this could be the difference in the survival of your plants. Mulch...it's not worth forgetting!

Planting Now...It really is Okay!

2011-11-23T08:25:00.000-08:00

With the mild fall we've been experiencing, it's a great time to plant or transplant trees, shrubs and ground covers.

There are many new species available, some with great color to carry you through to the spring. Two new nandina varieties which give a great cool weather show include 'Blush Pink' and 'Obsession'. Not only will these varieties bring color to your landscape, but they also attract songbirds.

With December approaching, many people's thoughts immediately turn to the Holly bush. Varieties abound, and the berry displays are part of many winter landscapes. Not only do they add to your exterior color, but they also allow you to bring color into your home when your cutting flowers of your summer and early fall garden have disappeared. 'Blue Princess' and 'China Girl' are two newer varieties, both showy and perfect for winter color.

And don't forget everyone's favorite cool weather color...the pansy! It's not too late!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-18T04:33:00.000-08:00

From all of us to all of you, the staff of Dr. Dan's would like to wish you a happy Thanksgiving. Please give thanks to all of of what you have and spend time with family.

Ponds and Paradise

2011-10-14T04:12:00.001-07:00

Now is a great time to enjoy your outdoor living space and create a waterfall/pond to create some ambience in your back yard. Check it out.

Lawn Renovation Month

2011-09-09T04:28:00.000-07:00

September is the best month to consider redoing your lawn. You should be spraying for weeds and getting top soil to fill in all the bare spots. Rent an aerator and core aerate your entire yard. Add quality grass seed and starter fertilzer and start watering on a regular basis.

Professional Women's Month

2011-07-31T05:20:00.000-07:00

In the month of August, we will be promoting Professional Women in Tidewater and their successes in life, family, and businesses. Come join us in all the fun and watch out for our Growing Green Rewards Program this month. Our customers will receive Instant rewards if they decide to get their work done in the month of August. You can get FREE flowers, FREE services, and FREE gas grills or water fountains. We would like to thank all the hard working Women in Tidewater.

Sod and Sprinklers

2011-06-30T04:15:00.000-07:00

Wow, now is the time to install a sprinkler system and put a truck load of fresh new sod on top. Set the sprinkler system to automatic and enjoy your summer. Watch your sod grow and you will be amazed !!!!

Deck and Pergola

2011-06-10T03:25:00.000-07:00

Now is the time of year folks are in their backyard. consider building a new deck and pergola in your outdoor living area. Its great for parties for years to come !!!

Satisfied Customers

2011-05-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

Our customers at Dr. Dan's Landscaping love the customer service we offer. Not to mention the quality of work and great prices, what else could you ask for. Posing for a camera shot, this man is happy with his project.

April Showers!

2011-04-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

April is the perfect time to prepare your yard for the hot months coming ahead! Aerating is key. This will allow water to penetrate deeper into the soil and reduce the need to water during the dryer months ahead. A very easy way to accomplish this is to use a garden fork and punch holes over the surface of your lawn. By loosening the soil you are allowing for better flow of oxygen, water, and nutrients to the root system.

Aprils Events!

Earth Day is coming April 22nd! Some easy ways to celebrate Earth Day and help make a difference for our planet:

Plant a tree

Make nature crafts (bird houses)

Avoid getting gas and ride your bike!

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Pick up litter

Try cooking an organic meal!

Reduce electricity, and get outside

The possibilities are endless, get creative and make a difference.

Arbor Day! April 29th!

Plant a tree today for all of the world to share.

Home and Garden Show

2011-03-06T16:27:00.000-08:00

Thank you for all of our friends and family for attending the Home and Garden show this weekend at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Jarad set up a great design and the place was mobbed for three straight days. The season is wide open !!!! Give us a call sometime.

Sprinkler Systems

2011-02-05T03:40:00.000-08:00

This is a great time of year to be exploring whether a sprinkler system will be right for you. If you are thinking of establishing a new lawn and investing some money into your yard, an irrigation system is a must. It will give you consistent watering which will help your new seed germinate at a faster rate and complete the dream lawn you always wanted. Check it out. Now is the time.

New Deck and Pergola

2011-01-18T04:28:00.000-08:00

As we are getting through the cold months of winter, now is a great time to plan for all your exterior design projects. Before you know it, the spring will be here and you will be sitting on your new deck sipping a drink.