Beautiful yards take a lot less water than you think.  When you use water wisely, you can provide your lawn and landscape plants with the water they need, even during the hottest part of the summer.  Here’s some watering know-how.

Attach a water breaker to the end of your water hose for a gentle flow. Direct the water to the roots which spread two to three times the width of the top growth.  A typical garden hose can deliver five gallons of water per minute.

Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation “snaked” throughout a bed or placed around a tree under the outermost branches.  A soaker hose distributes water one foot wide on either side of the hose.  Drip irrigation uses 50% less water than a sprinkler.

Use a 3 – 5 inch layer of mulch over the plant’s root system to help conserve moisture.

Give watering priority to trees and shrubs planted within the last three to four months.

You might consider treating for grubs again, as Japanese beetles return to the soil this month. 

This will reduce winter mole destruction on your lawn.

Don’t forget that beginning in mid-August and continuing through mid-September is the time for seeding. Whether it is over seeding, slit seeding or hydro seeding getting it done during this time frame is very important. 

If this is something you have in mind feel free to call us for an estimate.

As daylilies finish flowering deadhead spent flower stems. This will encourage repeat bloomers, such as Stella de Oro and Happy Returns, to put out more flowers later in the month. 

Reexamine your yard in this slower time.  If you want more color in your garden consider adding shrubs, which flower now, such as panicle hydrangea types, rose of Sharon or seven-son flower.  Perennials, which flower the most in August are, Goldstrum rudbeckia, Chinese astilbe types, pink turtlehead and many hostas.  Several ornamental grasses are at their best at this time of year.

August is the best time to divide your iris and daylilies.  Cut the foliage back to resemble a small fan.  Lift the clump and pry apart the rhizomes.  Throw away the old center and divide into single or double fan rhizomes.  Let the rhizomes dry for about an hour before replanting, this helps prevent rot.  

1.  DIG IN – dig the plant from the garden and use a garden fork or narrow spade to slice  the crown into clumps.

2.  DIVIDE – be sure each new plants has a  a good amount of roots to support it.

3.  PLANT – set the new plant at the same soil level as it was growing or a bit higher.

4.  FILL – tamp the soil down, making a small low spot into which water can pool.

5.  PROTECT – water newly planted divisions well and shade them from strong sun.

We’re always trying to come up with new ideas for your landscape. We have tried to touch base on as many items as possible to give you insight into the versatility of a variety of plants, designs, products and lighting. There are so many ways to change or enhance your current style of gardening, whether you design something yourself or if your decision is to consult a design professional we can help.

We at E.A. Quinn Landscape want to help you make the most of your outdoor space. Be sure and keep us in mind whether you’re looking to add a waterfall, additional planting beds, pruning, a new walkway, landscape lighting or updating your driveway with pavers.

Well July is finally over, it just seems to be the longest month there is for me. The weather never seems to be consistent.  Hot and humid for a couple of days, then drop dead gorgeous weather for less then twenty four hours oh and lest we forget dry. With little to no rain wells will be feeling the pinch as well as your trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables. See our watering tips in “A few notes from our staff.  Hope everyone had good vacations and are now looking forward to the upcoming school year.

Interesting things that occurred in August

August 1st 1819 – First parachute jump

August 3rd 1910 – Firestone Tire & Rubber  
Company founded

August 4th 1693 – Dom Perignon invents champagne

August 9th 1831 – 1st U.S. steam engine

August 16th 1898 – Roller coaster patented

Thought for the day

How do “Keep off the grass” signs get where they are?