How to Grow Moss in Your Backyard

Growing moss is the perfect alternative to having a high-maintenance lawn that requires constant attention.  Moss provides lush, green ground cover that never needs cut and only needs occasional watering once the plant is mature.

Preparing your backyard for planting moss is relatively simple with little elbow grease.  It is most important to prep your soil, plant any complimentary vegetation before the moss and provide a moist environment with plenty of sunlight.

Prepping Soil

Before planting moss on your landscape, all debris and dead vegetation must be removed.  An effective method to even things out is to use a stiff rake and a coal shovel to pick up tiny rocks and unwanted materials that could keep moss from growing.

Divits and tiny indents in the soil can also be hazardous to the growth of moss.   Water can collect in these areas, killing the vegetation.  Once you have the debris away from the area where the new moss will reside, take a look at any vertical surfaces that the moss may meet.  If you plan to have your moss grow up a tree, for example, be sure gradually to increase the grade of the soil leading up to the tree.  When meeting a vertical surface, moss tends to stop growing so it is necessary to create a 'hill' effect leading up to the surface.

Plant Additional Plants First

Seedlings will not be able to grow under a thick bed of moss, so it is important to plant them ahead of time.  Annuals or perennials make great additions to any moss bed, so feel free to experiment with colors.

To make things easier on yourself, try getting mature flowers to plant along with your moss.

Growth Rate

There are many different types of moss and all of them take some patients to develop.  Pleurocarp moss types can double in size in only 6 months, depending on the level of care and attention.  When planting moss you need to space out everything using tiny pieces.  These will eventually grow together to form a beautiful carpet of moss across your landscape.

How to Water Moss

Moss requires a moist, sunlight rich environment to thrive.  When you first start growing moss, water everything daily for the first two months to promote optimum growth.  After that, water the moss every three days for the third month.

The watering eventually tapers off as the moss continues to grow, so months four and five it is only necessary to water weekly and monthly.

If you are tired of mowing your lawn and constantly landscaping, moss is an alternative that may be best for your backyard.

Before choosing the vegetation for your backyard landscape, try contacting a nursery specializing in moss for tips and advice on your next project.

Prepping your Garden for Labor Day Festivities

Labor Day is a time to celebrate those who work hard for a living.  Nothing is better than having a Monday off and enjoying a cookout with friends and family.

When hosting a Labor Day party, everyone wants to have a landscape that will leave people awestruck.  While there is no simple, overnight way to revamp an entire yard.

Pull Weeds and Prune Plants

Weeding your flower beds and garden can sometimes be overwhelming when left unattended for a period.   It is best to go after them when the soil is moist, so you are sure to pull the root with the rest of the weed.  If you are not a big fan of being on the ground in your garden, try planting beds of thick wild flowers.  Many wildflowers offer lush ground cover, making need for weeding much less when compared to a standard garden.

If you have set conifers, vines or trees,pruning can go far  For long, backyard vines, try 'training' them to grow in the desired shape by tucking in loose vines that fray out from the bunch.  When dealing with conifers or some types of trees, getting rid of dead leaves and branches on or around the plants will keep your landscape looking healthy and alive.

Be Sure to Water

Before tackling the weeds, water your flower beds and garden early in the morning to ensure things run smoothly.  Watering your plants in the morning will make them perk up for guests that may arrive in the evening.  Be careful not to water the leaves, as plants can burn during the day in the hot afternoon sun. 

Protect Delicate Flower Beds

When guests arrive for your Labor Day party, dont worry about your flower beds being trampled by excited children.  A simple solution is to install a small, decorative fence that surrounds any wildflower beds or gardens that are not divided from your regular yard space.

Get on a schedule to do landscaping every other day, to every three days.  This ensures that weeds and overgrowth does not get beyond your control.  There are a number of hassle-free vines, bushes and conifers that require less attention for those who have a busy schedule.  Consulting a plant nursery is a great first step in deciding what plants are best for your landscape and plan.

Photo Credit: http://fogmistandlight.com

Finding the Right Conifer for your Landscape

When moving into a new home, planning your outdoor landscape is an exciting event that can be fun to plan.  Conifers are a great starting point and generally enhance the landscape of any residence.  Adding conifers to your outdoor landscape is the perfect way to freshen up an old backyard, or to add privacy to the property line of a home.  

Climate

Conifers usually prefer a climate zone between 4-6 depending on the plant.  The Red Cedar, or  Juniperus Virginiana, is perfect for adding privacy to your backyard with a width of 10 to 20 feet and growing over 30-40 feet in height.  When purchasing conifers for your landscape keep in mind what USDA climate area you reside in, the type of soil, and the amount of sunlight it will receive.

Size

What type of conifer are you looking for in regard to the area of space you have?  With options like the Dwarf Boxwood for smaller areas, to the Spruce Pine that can grow 60-90 feet in height, it is important to take into account all aspects of the space your new conifer will call home.

In terms of decorating a property border or even a front porch, consider the Winter Gem Boxwood.  Though it is a slower growing conifer, it is a compact evergreen shrub that rarely needs pruned.

Light Requirements

Not all conifers are the same when it comes to light requirements, as some thrive in lower light to partial shade like the Spruce Pine, while the White Pine prefers full sunlight and can often live over 400 years.

If the area of your yard has full sunlight, a Virginia Pine Tree can be a great addition to your front landscape area.  This tree can grow to 75 feet at a rate of 2-4 feet per year.  Perfect for areas with dry soil, or even clay, it prefers a climate zone of 4-8 for optimum growth.

The best approach to finding the right conifer is to pin point your climate area, space for planting, functionality of the plant and how fast you'd like it to grow.  Consult a plant nursery for a quicker solution, as many offer conifers for sale online.  Do your homework and have a few in mind going into it.  Sometimes creating a sketch of your ideal yard is a good starting point in developing the vision of your final product.

Remember, we are here to help with any gardening questions you may have.  Feel free to comment and share your thoughts with us!

3 Trees and Wildflowers to Enhance a Landscape

One of the easiest ways to revamp a landscape is to add some color with trees and wildflowers.  However, finding the right plants for a particular climate zone without professional help can be tricky.  Fortunately, there are a number of easy to care for trees and wildflowers that can suit any climate.  We've highlighted a few that we feel would be great additions to any landscape, adding color, foliage and privacy to your backyard.

Trees to Improve Landscaping

Trees have a number of benefits as an addition to a landscape, however, many get impatient waiting for their tree to grow.  There are a number of fast growing trees that can remedy this including the Dawn Redwood, Leyland Cypress, Empress Tree, Willow and more.  Consult a plant nursery to find out the best tree for your climate and needs. 

Hybrid Willow Tree

The Hybrid Willow is a very strong and hardy tree, and perfect for any first time tree owner.

Ideal climate for this tree is a USDA climate zone of 3-9, with full to partial sunlight and wet, well drained soils.

This tree definitely adds character and class to landscapes, providing that iconic, southern-style feel to any backyard.







Sweet Gum

Scientifically named Liquidambar Styraciflua, the Sweet Gum Tree can grow to 75 feet with a canopy spread of 40-50 feet.  This tree looks great in front yards, and provides a vibrant color display every fall when shedding leaves. 

Red Japanese Maple

One of the easiest trees to care for, the Japanese Maple is a great tree for any first time landscape gardener.
If you are anxious to see your tree blossom, try to order a 4-5 foot Japanese Maple to cut down on grow time.






When selecting the right trees for a landscape be sure to consult an accredited plant nursery specializing in trees to be sure you have the right soil and climate for the tree of your choice.

Wildflowers

Adding wild flowers around your new tree can brighten your yard and add color to any landscape.  Wildflowers are very important, as they help maintain a healthy eco-system.  They attract beneficial insects into the garden that feed on the wildflowers and make their home in them.  We've narrowed down a few wildflowers that would really compliment a landscape.

Bearded Iris

The Bearded Iris is a beautiful addition to any garden.  Thriving in high sunlight, this wildflower is best planted late in summer using a low-nitrogen fertilizer.  Make sure they are planted about 16 or so inches apart, and divide them every 3-4 years as needed.






Sweet William

The Sweet William Flower multiplies quickly and provides excellent ground cover.  They are best planted in the spring or fall, and thrive in partial sunlight.  Keep deer from eating your Tulips with this flower in your yard, as deer tend to avoid the Sweet William due to its fragrant aroma.

Black Eye Susan

Black Eyed Susans are beautiful cone flowers that can give a country-medow feel to any outdoor landscape.  Plant this flower in sun to partial sunlight as a border or flower bed around your trees.
Blooming in mid summer and into fall, this Annual/Perennial can provide beautiful splashes of yellow and orange to your garden or flowerbed.



No matter what your landscaping goals may be, it always helps to consult a nursery before tackling any project in your backyard.  Fortunately, there are many reputable businesses that can aid in your journey to landscaping success!  
Do your research on trees and wildflowers before you purchase anything.  It is best to make sure that your climate is suitable for the plants you choose for your landscape.

What are your favorite trees and wildflowers to use for landscaping?  Share your thoughts below by commenting~ Best comments and questions will be featured in our next blog.

Backyard Landscaping Ideas- Try Using Vines

Adding vines to your garden or out door sitting area goes a long way with minimal maintenance when decorating an outside space.  Most vines thrive in a USDA climate zone between 4-8, with plants like the Strawberry Vine on the higher end, preferring a climate zone of 8-11.

Here are a few ways vines can be a beneficial addition to your backyard landscaping project:

Add Some Color

Fences and gazebos can look bare standing alone, so why not spruce them up with Humming Bird Vines to attract wild life as you enjoy your outside sitting area.  Purchasing vines for your backyard landscape does require a bit of research, so be sure to check your soil type and climate zone before planting.

Easy to Care for

Not much goes in to caring for vines except basic watering and sometimes pruning.  When growing vines such as the Honeysuckle Vine, expect to see rapid growth in a climate zone of 4-9, and even during winter months.

When working with longer vines it is necessary to 'train' them as they get bigger.  Adding some gardening wire to give them something to attach to is an efficient way to gain foliage and color to any outdoor structure.

Added Ground Cover

If your backyard landscaping project entails covering large, bare areas such as a hill side, there are many affordable vines that provide large ground cover.  Snow on the Mountain provides great ground cover with its leaf span and thrives where grass is normally difficult to grow.

Vines will add color and style to your outdoor leisure area without breaking your budget.  Beautiful and low maintenance, they are a great way to spruce up an existing backyard garden.

If you are looking for backyard landscaping ideas involving vines, try contacting a reputable nursery specializing in vines to find the right plant for your climate area.

Photo credits:
 Summer Field Design Blog

How to Plant a Garden

Planting, a successful garden, can be a very rewarding experience. Whether you are trying to grow plants, flowers or vegetables, purchasing seeds is the first step. Secondly, you would have to find a place in your yard that has constant sunshine at least six hours out of the day. There are also varieties of plants and flowers that will flourish in total shade.

Having soil that is rich in nutrients is very essential because it is much more than ordinary dirt. Soil can be tested in a number of ways, but the easiest and least expensive way is to buy a soil test kit at a local garden store. Preparing the soil is done by digging and mixing it up to about two feet down. On the back of the seed package, there should be instructions on how to plant them.

Watering the garden properly is a very important for its overall health. An over or under amount of water can be harmful so give it a thorough soaking during the morning hours every few days. Fertilizers that include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium can be very beneficial to help the garden grow well. Following these procedures should allow you to enjoy your garden for years to come.

 

 

 

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Best Garden Tools For Ease and Efficiency

In order to get any gardening job done easily and efficiently, you have to surround yourself with the best garden tools. Consider investing in these eight garden tools to help make gardening a pleasure rather than a chore.Garden Plants are a joy to grow

1. Sturdy work gloves: Wearing these protect your hands from sharp thorns, chemical agents and poison ivy.

2. Round Point Shovel: Tempered steel is best, featuring a metal, wood or fiberglass handle that has a comfortable grip.

3. Hand Pruner: This device makes it easy to clear away dead branches and other foliage from bushes, shrubs and trees.

4. Utility bucket with handle: Choose a plastic one for easy clean-up and one that carries at least 5 gallons for a quick and easy way to carry everything from water to fertilizer.

5. Hand Trowel: Great not only for digging small holes but also for blending plant food and fertilizer into the soil.

6. Rake: A medium size rake is perfect for gathering up fallen leaves and grass clippings as well as evening out bedding.

7. Watering Can: Most watering chores can be accomplished using a 2-gallon metal or plastic version.

8. Hose: Invest in one with at least a 50-foot range that also features a spray attachment.