A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC offers the following services:
Metro Denver Lawn Services
-Annual Flowers
-Garden Maintenance Services
Residential Landscape Maintenance
-Commercial Landscape Maintenance
Landscape Construction Installation
-Lawn Sprinkler Installation
Lawn Core Aeration
-Lawn Sprinkler Repair
-Lawn Sprinkler Spring Start-up
Snow Removal
-Snow Shoveling
-Snow Plowing
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Annual Flowers - Spring Color
Annual Flowers - Spring Color
By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
When people hear Spring Color, they think everything from flowering fruit trees, spring bulbs and the flowers people plant after the last spring frost(around mother's day in Denver). The first two, fruit trees and spring bulbs, need to be planned and planted way before spring. Flowering trees can be added while they are blooming and usually do well. Yet today, we will talk about the immediate effect of Annual Flowers.
Annual flowers are the best idea to add constant color to your property. They accent not only you garden, but the crisply cut grass as well. Yet, not all annual flowers are the same. The reason they are called annuals is, for the most part, they need to be newly planted every year. I say mainly because such flowers as snapdragons, dianthus, and even some petunias may overwinter and be growing come spring time. Some even re-seed throughout their growing season. As an annual, the only goal they have is to make more seeds to further their germplasm. Either way it is important to choose the right annuals for the location, cost, and texture.
There are lots of spring annuals to choose from to give your commercial or residential garden a burst of color. Some are better in a container garden, while others look amazing in large displays on the ground. Below are some geraniums which look amazing when well maintained (deadheading & ground aerated by hand).
Some annual flowers, such as petunias, are by far the cheapest, quickest spreading and most vibrant display of color for which you can ask. The brillant display comes with a heavy price, a lot of flower maintenance. All these petunia flowers produce seed pods, after being germinated by bees, wasps or other insects, which need to be removed. It is important to note that the whole seed pod needs to be removed, not just the dead petals & sepals. When these seed pods are removed, known as deadheading, the plant then attempts to produce more seeds. This is done by first producing more flowers for you to enjoy.
Remember, some annual flowers are specifically grown in shade or sun. Some are available because people like the unique texture they bring. The more exotic flowers should generally only be planted into flower container gardens as other flowers will highlight the complexity and uniqueness. Before planning out your annual flowers consider the height, shape, color, and other characteristics which will affect your spring color planting.
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC just wishes to remind everyone we both install and maintain annual flowers. Please contact us for more information.
Labels: aeration, annual flowers, annuals, container gardening, deadheading, flowers, fruit trees, Garden maintenance, gardener, gardening service, gardner, petunias, seeds, spring bulbs, spring color
Commercial Landscpae Maintenance Contracts
Commercial Landscpae Maintenance Contracts
By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
Now is the time to get everything in order for the upcoming landscaping and gardening season.
Below is listed a usual Request For Proposal (RFP) for a standard commercial landscape maintenance contract. This is a standard service schedule for Apartment Complexes, Class A Business Parks, Commercial Retail Sites, and Warehouses & Businesses.
A typical service schedule for a commercial landscape maintenance contract is listed below.
-Mow, Trim, Blow (26 times) - April-October
-Edging (7 times) - April-October
-Debris Removal (26 times) - April-October
-Hand Weeding - weeds over 3" in height(26 times) - April-October
-Round-up Spray (7 times) - April-October
-Pre-emergent Spray (1 time) - March-April
-Spring Clean-up (1 time) - April
-Fall Clean-up (1 time) - November
-Irrigation Start-up (1 time) - April
-Irrigation Checks (Varies) - April-October
-Irrigation Shut-down (1 time) - October
-Fertilization (3 times) - April, July, August
-Broadleaf (2 times) - April, September
-Aesthetic Pruning (2 times) - June, August
This is a full service schedule but can be adjusted to fit your landscaping needs.
Our trained Horticulturist's will listen to you to service your lawn & garden in the best possible way.
Serving the Denver, Littleton, Morrison, Golden, Englewood, Greenwood Village, Ken Caryl, Lakewood, Green Mountain, Cherry Hills Village, Arvada, Bow Mar, Centennial, Columbine Valley, Highlands Ranch, Glendale, Lone Tree, Washington Park and Cherry Creek areas.
Labels: apartment complex, commercial, commercial landscape maintenance contract, Condominiums, gardner, HOA, irrigation check, lawn, lawn mowing, property manager, pruning, sprinkler check
Friday, January 30, 2009
Dormant Pruning - Cutting back to save you trouble.
Dormant Pruning - Cutting back to save you trouble. By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
It is expected to be a high of 51 degrees today and a high of 56 degrees tomorrow in the wonderful city of Denver. With those temperatures and an expected snow on Sunday, these might be the best days to get a little work done in your lawn & garden. As always in this weather it might be a good idea to supplement the water for all the plants in your garden with your hose. (**Rembember to always disconnect your garden water hose from the water spiggot. Possible freeze damage could occur.)
More importantly, now is a great time to perform any necessary dormant pruning. Look for branches in trees which are rubbing against each other. When branches in these trees rub together, over time they present an area on the tree prone to infections. By performing a spot check in your yard and taking the necessary action. I mean either pruning the trees yourself of contacting a professional to take care your gardening needs for you. Much can be saved in the way of time, money or both when later you will need the tree removed due to disease. The other items you should be checking for is both broken branches and sap.
A lot of times you will not see any borer holes or any other symptoms of disease, but there will still be sap coming from a tree. Sometimes what people believe is sap is really an excrement from an insect such as an aphid. This resinous substance is actually known as "honeydew" (This will be discussed at a later blog). Sap though is a 'flare' or 'red flag' from the plant to let you know something is wrong. If you are unsure what you are looking at, consult your local tree expert. A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC only will prune what is approximately within 15 feet of the ground or to where our tools will reach. We recommend Davey Tree Care for large trees, ask for Derek Fox and tell him Jonathan sent you.
Remember, a little extra effort now can save you a load of time and money down the road. Let us know if we can help you have A Better Garden.
Labels: aphid, broken branches, dormant pruning, gardener, gardening service, gardner, rubbing branches, storm damage, tree service
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Indoor Turtle Pond - Way to keep the growing thoughts alive.
Indoor Turtle Pond - Way to keep the growing thoughts alive. By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
Just thought I would share a few pictures of this indoor turtle pond brought to you by Reptiscapes.
Its freezing outside, yet in this garage its 70-80 degrees. There is a 400 Watt Metal Halide Growing light above the setup to provide the full spectrum for both plants and animals.
There are two ponds in this setup. The smaller, lower pool was the original, yet was added onto to accomodate more turtles which reptiscapes has rescued and rehomed.
Check out the Reptiscapes blog at http://reptiscapes.blogspot.com/ .
Labels: grow light, indoor pond, metal halide, pond, reptiscapes, two pond setup, water feature, water turtles
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Dangers of Salt
Dangers of Salt By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
Most people do not consider the impact of using snow and ice removal materials. The makeup of the materials are mainly salts, besides the inert ingredients (clay in slicer, sand with the Sand/salt mix, etc.). These salts (sodium chloride, potassium chloride, & magnesium chloride) which lower the temperature at which ice melts are extremely toxic to your lawn and garden.
Most people have heard about how the Romans dealt with Carthage, the fields were plowed through with salt to utterly destroy them. Well in the same situation we are salting our fields when shoveling snow, if we do not consider where we are storing our snow and ice. The snow and ice which are mixed with salts can cause the same effect.
You may wonder, "How are we destroying our gardens?" To attempt to make this clearer, let me explain. Salts are very attracted to water (hydrophyllic or water loving). Think of how meat used to be stored. The outside was salted to pull water out of the meat. The same is true with soil, the salts we place in our gardens will pull the water out of the soil or at least make it unavailable for plant use. This is because the water has a higher affinity to the salt molecule.
So be careful how much salt (ice melt, slicer and sand & salt) you put down and where you store your snow & ice. Try to push the snow of your main walks, where you have placed lots of ice melt, into the streets or into a rock area which is not utilized for plant growth. Limit the amount of Snow & Ice Removal materials you put down to only what you need for peoples safety. Just as with a lot of things in life, "A little goes a long way.."
Labels: hydrophyllic, ice, ice melt, ice snow removal materials, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, snow, Snow Shoveling, sodium chloride
Ice Patrol & Blowing Snow
Ice Patrol & Blowing Snow
By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
Today, I was out performing what is known as "Ice Patrol." Ice patrol is put in effect for a property for the 2 days following a snow event where a sites snow tolerance was triggered. (If the snow event was not triggered services must be requested.) Usually, this just involves checking properties for ice and putting down the appropriate Snow & Ice Materials requested for onsite use. Meaning if you only have a sidewalk put down ice melt as the appropriate snow material, not sand & salt or slicer. And do not use ice melt for a parking lot. Instead use sand & salt for traction and slicer to break through the ice. Some people even request slicer to be put down for all main drive areas. Each site is different and a plan should be made in accordance with the specific needs (north sides, heavily shaded areas, drainage issues, etc.).
Yet today the denver metro winds crusted most all edges and steps with a sheet of snow. I say, "sheet of snow," because the snow was partially melted together and came up in sections or sheets. It made my job a little harder, yet with a snow scoop shovel I got the job done. It is important to recognize that I used a scoop snow shovel, instead of a push snow shovel, since it made it possible to collect the chunks of the snow sheets & ice as I shoveled. I made sure the curb lines/gutters were clear of any snow and ice. I add ice melt to the steps, walks and anywhere there was ice and I then it is time to be off to the next property to repeat.
Remember it is important to always check the sites you maintain. The amount of snow is sure to be different as you move across Greenwood Village, Denver, and Golden.
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC Website
Labels: blowing snow, commercial contracts, commercial snow removal, ice, ice melt, Ice Patrol, ice snow removal materials, residential snow removal, safety, Snow drifting, Snow Shoveling
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Randy Penns Iris Garden - Directions to the Iris Garden
Randy Penns Iris Garden - Directions to the Iris Garden
By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
It is still a little early since Iris will be in bloom come May-June. I will be having a blog up here to hopefully give dates of bloom for varieties at Randy Penn's Iris Garden. Check out http://www.abtrgarden.com/iris_garden.html come May and it should be running.
If you need directions, the Iris Garden is in Englewood, CO:
Approximate address, if mapquesting, is
4110 S Huron Ct, Englewood, CO 80110-4529
General Directions to Randy Penn's Iris Garden:
Coming from the North (Downtown Denver & Arvada Area):
If you are coming north from Denver, the easiest way to take is Santa Fe Blvd/Hwy-85. From I-25 in Denver take Santa Fe South to Oxford Ave in Englewood. Go East on Oxford Ave. into Englewood. The Iris Garden is located on the South side of Oxford at Huron Ct.. This is about halfway between Broadway and Santa Fe in Englewood.
Coming from the South (Littleton and Highlands Ranch Area):
If you are coming South from Littleton, the easiest way to take is Santa Fe Blvd / Hwy-85. From C-470 in Highlands Ranch take Santa Fe North to Oxford Ave in Englewood. Go East on Oxford Ave. into Englewood. The Iris Garden is located on the South side of Oxford at Huron Ct.. This is about halfway between Broadway and Santa Fe in Englewood.
Coming from the East (East Denver and Centennial):
If you are coming East from East Denver the easiest way to take is Hampden Ave / Hwy-285. From Hampden Ave / Hwy-285, take Santa Fe South to Oxford Ave in Englewood. Go East on Oxford Ave. into Englewood. The Iris Garden is located on the South side of Oxford at Huron Ct.. This is about halfway between Broadway and Santa Fe in Englewood.
Coming from the West (Morrison, Golden, Lakewood, etc):
If you are coming West from Lakewood or Morrison, the easiest way to take is Hampden Ave / Hwy-285. From Hampden Ave / Hwy-285, take Santa Fe South to Oxford Ave in Englewood. Go East on Oxford Ave. into Englewood. The Iris Garden is located on the South side of Oxford at Huron Ct.. This is about halfway between Broadway and Santa Fe in Englewood.
Labels: Denver, Englewood, Garden maintenance, gardener, gardening service, Highlands Ranch, Iris, Iris Garden, Lakewood, Littleton, Morrison
Monday, January 26, 2009
Snow Shoveling
Snow Shoveling
By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
When snow shoveling, it is important to recognize that you save a lot of trouble by not creating compaction and ice by not walking on the snow to be shoveled. A lot of the time a clean surface will be left, after shoveling the snow, when you have had no traffic over the area from which the snow is being removed.
The effort and method will vary with each snow event, but there are a few tips you should do anytime when performing snow removal.
The snow might be wet & heavy or the snow might be very light and dry powder.
To make this easier I will just list the tips for snow removal along with the reasoning behind the tip.
#1 Always try to completely clear the pavement or sidewalk.
This includes the snow along the curb lines of a sidewalk.
When this is not removed it is usually kicked over the area which was shoveled.
If not removed or left to melt the snow will turn into ice.
#2 Do not put ice melt down during a snow storm.
When ice melt is applied, it melts both snow and ice into water.
As more snow continues to accumulates this water will inevitably become ice.
There will always be exceptions to this and you will need to make your own choice.
#3 Always attempt to put the snow from the shoveling in a place where it will not melt and run back down across the areas which were cleared.
This is not always possible, yet should be attempted to reduce labor, material costs and the salts (ice melt) in the storm drain system.
#4 When removing ice, flip the shovel head over and use the other side of the shovel. Not only will this aid in breaking up any compacted snow or ice, it will sharpen the tool to make shoveling more effective.
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC is not liable for any snow removal activity not directly performed by A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC.)
Labels: commercial snow removal, ice melt, ice prevention, ice snow removal materials, residential snow removal, snow, Snow drifting, Snow Shoveling, snow shoveling tips
Friday, January 23, 2009
Winter Watering
Winter Watering By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
The Denver area is considered to be a semi arid climate. Essentially this makes our front range community a desert. Infrequent rainfall and snowfall do not put much moisture in our soil. This is especially true with moisture from a snow event. Even with a 3 inch snowfall, we only receive around a quarter inch of precipitation. We almost never receive enough rain or snowfall to support the true need of the plants in our yards. This moisture needs to be supplemented.
The addition of water during the winter months is a critical addition to the health of all plants (pansies, perennials, shrubs and trees). These plants do not shut down over the winter as it appears. The lack of moisture can cause dehydration of the branches and stems. When this happens in trees, it cause either winter die back or weakens the cells in the branches. This is a process called "cavitation." Essentially the cavities of the xylem, with which the plants pull up water, are destroyed and no water can pass through. This not only affects the physiology of the plant, but also the structural integrity. Winter Watering, done in the correct fashion, can help deter these effects.
Winter watering should only be performed when the air temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Watering should only be performed during daylight hours to reduce the possibility of creating ice. Use of a watering wand with shut-off on the handle is recommended. During the winter a garden should be watered as much as necessary and as the weather permits.
Thank you for reading. Please visit us on the web at http://www.abtrgarden.com/ .
We hope these tips will help you have A Better Garden.
Labels: Denver, Garden maintenance, gardener, gardening, gardening service, gardening services, Golden, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Littleton, WInter Watering
Metro Denver Lawn Services
-Annual Flowers
-Garden Maintenance Services
Residential Landscape Maintenance
-Commercial Landscape Maintenance
Landscape Construction Installation
-Lawn Sprinkler Installation
Lawn Core Aeration
-Lawn Sprinkler Repair
-Lawn Sprinkler Spring Start-up
Snow Removal
-Snow Shoveling
-Snow Plowing
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Annual Flowers - Spring Color
Annual Flowers - Spring Color
By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
When people hear Spring Color, they think everything from flowering fruit trees, spring bulbs and the flowers people plant after the last spring frost(around mother's day in Denver). The first two, fruit trees and spring bulbs, need to be planned and planted way before spring. Flowering trees can be added while they are blooming and usually do well. Yet today, we will talk about the immediate effect of Annual Flowers.
Annual flowers are the best idea to add constant color to your property. They accent not only you garden, but the crisply cut grass as well. Yet, not all annual flowers are the same. The reason they are called annuals is, for the most part, they need to be newly planted every year. I say mainly because such flowers as snapdragons, dianthus, and even some petunias may overwinter and be growing come spring time. Some even re-seed throughout their growing season. As an annual, the only goal they have is to make more seeds to further their germplasm. Either way it is important to choose the right annuals for the location, cost, and texture.
There are lots of spring annuals to choose from to give your commercial or residential garden a burst of color. Some are better in a container garden, while others look amazing in large displays on the ground. Below are some geraniums which look amazing when well maintained (deadheading & ground aerated by hand).
Some annual flowers, such as petunias, are by far the cheapest, quickest spreading and most vibrant display of color for which you can ask. The brillant display comes with a heavy price, a lot of flower maintenance. All these petunia flowers produce seed pods, after being germinated by bees, wasps or other insects, which need to be removed. It is important to note that the whole seed pod needs to be removed, not just the dead petals & sepals. When these seed pods are removed, known as deadheading, the plant then attempts to produce more seeds. This is done by first producing more flowers for you to enjoy.
Remember, some annual flowers are specifically grown in shade or sun. Some are available because people like the unique texture they bring. The more exotic flowers should generally only be planted into flower container gardens as other flowers will highlight the complexity and uniqueness. Before planning out your annual flowers consider the height, shape, color, and other characteristics which will affect your spring color planting.
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC just wishes to remind everyone we both install and maintain annual flowers. Please contact us for more information.
Labels: aeration, annual flowers, annuals, container gardening, deadheading, flowers, fruit trees, Garden maintenance, gardener, gardening service, gardner, petunias, seeds, spring bulbs, spring color
Commercial Landscpae Maintenance Contracts
Commercial Landscpae Maintenance Contracts
By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
Now is the time to get everything in order for the upcoming landscaping and gardening season.
Below is listed a usual Request For Proposal (RFP) for a standard commercial landscape maintenance contract. This is a standard service schedule for Apartment Complexes, Class A Business Parks, Commercial Retail Sites, and Warehouses & Businesses.
A typical service schedule for a commercial landscape maintenance contract is listed below.
-Mow, Trim, Blow (26 times) - April-October
-Edging (7 times) - April-October
-Debris Removal (26 times) - April-October
-Hand Weeding - weeds over 3" in height(26 times) - April-October
-Round-up Spray (7 times) - April-October
-Pre-emergent Spray (1 time) - March-April
-Spring Clean-up (1 time) - April
-Fall Clean-up (1 time) - November
-Irrigation Start-up (1 time) - April
-Irrigation Checks (Varies) - April-October
-Irrigation Shut-down (1 time) - October
-Fertilization (3 times) - April, July, August
-Broadleaf (2 times) - April, September
-Aesthetic Pruning (2 times) - June, August
This is a full service schedule but can be adjusted to fit your landscaping needs.
Our trained Horticulturist's will listen to you to service your lawn & garden in the best possible way.
Serving the Denver, Littleton, Morrison, Golden, Englewood, Greenwood Village, Ken Caryl, Lakewood, Green Mountain, Cherry Hills Village, Arvada, Bow Mar, Centennial, Columbine Valley, Highlands Ranch, Glendale, Lone Tree, Washington Park and Cherry Creek areas.
Labels: apartment complex, commercial, commercial landscape maintenance contract, Condominiums, gardner, HOA, irrigation check, lawn, lawn mowing, property manager, pruning, sprinkler check
Friday, January 30, 2009
Dormant Pruning - Cutting back to save you trouble.
Dormant Pruning - Cutting back to save you trouble. By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
It is expected to be a high of 51 degrees today and a high of 56 degrees tomorrow in the wonderful city of Denver. With those temperatures and an expected snow on Sunday, these might be the best days to get a little work done in your lawn & garden. As always in this weather it might be a good idea to supplement the water for all the plants in your garden with your hose. (**Rembember to always disconnect your garden water hose from the water spiggot. Possible freeze damage could occur.)
More importantly, now is a great time to perform any necessary dormant pruning. Look for branches in trees which are rubbing against each other. When branches in these trees rub together, over time they present an area on the tree prone to infections. By performing a spot check in your yard and taking the necessary action. I mean either pruning the trees yourself of contacting a professional to take care your gardening needs for you. Much can be saved in the way of time, money or both when later you will need the tree removed due to disease. The other items you should be checking for is both broken branches and sap.
A lot of times you will not see any borer holes or any other symptoms of disease, but there will still be sap coming from a tree. Sometimes what people believe is sap is really an excrement from an insect such as an aphid. This resinous substance is actually known as "honeydew" (This will be discussed at a later blog). Sap though is a 'flare' or 'red flag' from the plant to let you know something is wrong. If you are unsure what you are looking at, consult your local tree expert. A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC only will prune what is approximately within 15 feet of the ground or to where our tools will reach. We recommend Davey Tree Care for large trees, ask for Derek Fox and tell him Jonathan sent you.
Remember, a little extra effort now can save you a load of time and money down the road. Let us know if we can help you have A Better Garden.
Labels: aphid, broken branches, dormant pruning, gardener, gardening service, gardner, rubbing branches, storm damage, tree service
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Indoor Turtle Pond - Way to keep the growing thoughts alive.
Indoor Turtle Pond - Way to keep the growing thoughts alive. By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
Just thought I would share a few pictures of this indoor turtle pond brought to you by Reptiscapes.
Its freezing outside, yet in this garage its 70-80 degrees. There is a 400 Watt Metal Halide Growing light above the setup to provide the full spectrum for both plants and animals.
There are two ponds in this setup. The smaller, lower pool was the original, yet was added onto to accomodate more turtles which reptiscapes has rescued and rehomed.
Check out the Reptiscapes blog at http://reptiscapes.blogspot.com/ .
Labels: grow light, indoor pond, metal halide, pond, reptiscapes, two pond setup, water feature, water turtles
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Dangers of Salt
Dangers of Salt By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
Most people do not consider the impact of using snow and ice removal materials. The makeup of the materials are mainly salts, besides the inert ingredients (clay in slicer, sand with the Sand/salt mix, etc.). These salts (sodium chloride, potassium chloride, & magnesium chloride) which lower the temperature at which ice melts are extremely toxic to your lawn and garden.
Most people have heard about how the Romans dealt with Carthage, the fields were plowed through with salt to utterly destroy them. Well in the same situation we are salting our fields when shoveling snow, if we do not consider where we are storing our snow and ice. The snow and ice which are mixed with salts can cause the same effect.
You may wonder, "How are we destroying our gardens?" To attempt to make this clearer, let me explain. Salts are very attracted to water (hydrophyllic or water loving). Think of how meat used to be stored. The outside was salted to pull water out of the meat. The same is true with soil, the salts we place in our gardens will pull the water out of the soil or at least make it unavailable for plant use. This is because the water has a higher affinity to the salt molecule.
So be careful how much salt (ice melt, slicer and sand & salt) you put down and where you store your snow & ice. Try to push the snow of your main walks, where you have placed lots of ice melt, into the streets or into a rock area which is not utilized for plant growth. Limit the amount of Snow & Ice Removal materials you put down to only what you need for peoples safety. Just as with a lot of things in life, "A little goes a long way.."
Labels: hydrophyllic, ice, ice melt, ice snow removal materials, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, snow, Snow Shoveling, sodium chloride
Ice Patrol & Blowing Snow
Ice Patrol & Blowing Snow
By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
Today, I was out performing what is known as "Ice Patrol." Ice patrol is put in effect for a property for the 2 days following a snow event where a sites snow tolerance was triggered. (If the snow event was not triggered services must be requested.) Usually, this just involves checking properties for ice and putting down the appropriate Snow & Ice Materials requested for onsite use. Meaning if you only have a sidewalk put down ice melt as the appropriate snow material, not sand & salt or slicer. And do not use ice melt for a parking lot. Instead use sand & salt for traction and slicer to break through the ice. Some people even request slicer to be put down for all main drive areas. Each site is different and a plan should be made in accordance with the specific needs (north sides, heavily shaded areas, drainage issues, etc.).
Yet today the denver metro winds crusted most all edges and steps with a sheet of snow. I say, "sheet of snow," because the snow was partially melted together and came up in sections or sheets. It made my job a little harder, yet with a snow scoop shovel I got the job done. It is important to recognize that I used a scoop snow shovel, instead of a push snow shovel, since it made it possible to collect the chunks of the snow sheets & ice as I shoveled. I made sure the curb lines/gutters were clear of any snow and ice. I add ice melt to the steps, walks and anywhere there was ice and I then it is time to be off to the next property to repeat.
Remember it is important to always check the sites you maintain. The amount of snow is sure to be different as you move across Greenwood Village, Denver, and Golden.
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC Website
Labels: blowing snow, commercial contracts, commercial snow removal, ice, ice melt, Ice Patrol, ice snow removal materials, residential snow removal, safety, Snow drifting, Snow Shoveling
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Randy Penns Iris Garden - Directions to the Iris Garden
Randy Penns Iris Garden - Directions to the Iris Garden
By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
It is still a little early since Iris will be in bloom come May-June. I will be having a blog up here to hopefully give dates of bloom for varieties at Randy Penn's Iris Garden. Check out http://www.abtrgarden.com/iris_garden.html come May and it should be running.
If you need directions, the Iris Garden is in Englewood, CO:
Approximate address, if mapquesting, is
4110 S Huron Ct, Englewood, CO 80110-4529
General Directions to Randy Penn's Iris Garden:
Coming from the North (Downtown Denver & Arvada Area):
If you are coming north from Denver, the easiest way to take is Santa Fe Blvd/Hwy-85. From I-25 in Denver take Santa Fe South to Oxford Ave in Englewood. Go East on Oxford Ave. into Englewood. The Iris Garden is located on the South side of Oxford at Huron Ct.. This is about halfway between Broadway and Santa Fe in Englewood.
Coming from the South (Littleton and Highlands Ranch Area):
If you are coming South from Littleton, the easiest way to take is Santa Fe Blvd / Hwy-85. From C-470 in Highlands Ranch take Santa Fe North to Oxford Ave in Englewood. Go East on Oxford Ave. into Englewood. The Iris Garden is located on the South side of Oxford at Huron Ct.. This is about halfway between Broadway and Santa Fe in Englewood.
Coming from the East (East Denver and Centennial):
If you are coming East from East Denver the easiest way to take is Hampden Ave / Hwy-285. From Hampden Ave / Hwy-285, take Santa Fe South to Oxford Ave in Englewood. Go East on Oxford Ave. into Englewood. The Iris Garden is located on the South side of Oxford at Huron Ct.. This is about halfway between Broadway and Santa Fe in Englewood.
Coming from the West (Morrison, Golden, Lakewood, etc):
If you are coming West from Lakewood or Morrison, the easiest way to take is Hampden Ave / Hwy-285. From Hampden Ave / Hwy-285, take Santa Fe South to Oxford Ave in Englewood. Go East on Oxford Ave. into Englewood. The Iris Garden is located on the South side of Oxford at Huron Ct.. This is about halfway between Broadway and Santa Fe in Englewood.
Labels: Denver, Englewood, Garden maintenance, gardener, gardening service, Highlands Ranch, Iris, Iris Garden, Lakewood, Littleton, Morrison
Monday, January 26, 2009
Snow Shoveling
Snow Shoveling
By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
When snow shoveling, it is important to recognize that you save a lot of trouble by not creating compaction and ice by not walking on the snow to be shoveled. A lot of the time a clean surface will be left, after shoveling the snow, when you have had no traffic over the area from which the snow is being removed.
The effort and method will vary with each snow event, but there are a few tips you should do anytime when performing snow removal.
The snow might be wet & heavy or the snow might be very light and dry powder.
To make this easier I will just list the tips for snow removal along with the reasoning behind the tip.
#1 Always try to completely clear the pavement or sidewalk.
This includes the snow along the curb lines of a sidewalk.
When this is not removed it is usually kicked over the area which was shoveled.
If not removed or left to melt the snow will turn into ice.
#2 Do not put ice melt down during a snow storm.
When ice melt is applied, it melts both snow and ice into water.
As more snow continues to accumulates this water will inevitably become ice.
There will always be exceptions to this and you will need to make your own choice.
#3 Always attempt to put the snow from the shoveling in a place where it will not melt and run back down across the areas which were cleared.
This is not always possible, yet should be attempted to reduce labor, material costs and the salts (ice melt) in the storm drain system.
#4 When removing ice, flip the shovel head over and use the other side of the shovel. Not only will this aid in breaking up any compacted snow or ice, it will sharpen the tool to make shoveling more effective.
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC is not liable for any snow removal activity not directly performed by A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC.)
Labels: commercial snow removal, ice melt, ice prevention, ice snow removal materials, residential snow removal, snow, Snow drifting, Snow Shoveling, snow shoveling tips
Friday, January 23, 2009
Winter Watering
Winter Watering By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
The Denver area is considered to be a semi arid climate. Essentially this makes our front range community a desert. Infrequent rainfall and snowfall do not put much moisture in our soil. This is especially true with moisture from a snow event. Even with a 3 inch snowfall, we only receive around a quarter inch of precipitation. We almost never receive enough rain or snowfall to support the true need of the plants in our yards. This moisture needs to be supplemented.
The addition of water during the winter months is a critical addition to the health of all plants (pansies, perennials, shrubs and trees). These plants do not shut down over the winter as it appears. The lack of moisture can cause dehydration of the branches and stems. When this happens in trees, it cause either winter die back or weakens the cells in the branches. This is a process called "cavitation." Essentially the cavities of the xylem, with which the plants pull up water, are destroyed and no water can pass through. This not only affects the physiology of the plant, but also the structural integrity. Winter Watering, done in the correct fashion, can help deter these effects.
Winter watering should only be performed when the air temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Watering should only be performed during daylight hours to reduce the possibility of creating ice. Use of a watering wand with shut-off on the handle is recommended. During the winter a garden should be watered as much as necessary and as the weather permits.
Thank you for reading. Please visit us on the web at http://www.abtrgarden.com/ .
We hope these tips will help you have A Better Garden.
Labels: Denver, Garden maintenance, gardener, gardening, gardening service, gardening services, Golden, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Littleton, WInter Watering
Annual Flowers - Spring Color
By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
When people hear Spring Color, they think everything from flowering fruit trees, spring bulbs and the flowers people plant after the last spring frost(around mother's day in Denver). The first two, fruit trees and spring bulbs, need to be planned and planted way before spring. Flowering trees can be added while they are blooming and usually do well. Yet today, we will talk about the immediate effect of Annual Flowers.
Annual flowers are the best idea to add constant color to your property. They accent not only you garden, but the crisply cut grass as well. Yet, not all annual flowers are the same. The reason they are called annuals is, for the most part, they need to be newly planted every year. I say mainly because such flowers as snapdragons, dianthus, and even some petunias may overwinter and be growing come spring time. Some even re-seed throughout their growing season. As an annual, the only goal they have is to make more seeds to further their germplasm. Either way it is important to choose the right annuals for the location, cost, and texture.
There are lots of spring annuals to choose from to give your commercial or residential garden a burst of color. Some are better in a container garden, while others look amazing in large displays on the ground. Below are some geraniums which look amazing when well maintained (deadheading & ground aerated by hand).
Some annual flowers, such as petunias, are by far the cheapest, quickest spreading and most vibrant display of color for which you can ask. The brillant display comes with a heavy price, a lot of flower maintenance. All these petunia flowers produce seed pods, after being germinated by bees, wasps or other insects, which need to be removed. It is important to note that the whole seed pod needs to be removed, not just the dead petals & sepals. When these seed pods are removed, known as deadheading, the plant then attempts to produce more seeds. This is done by first producing more flowers for you to enjoy.
Remember, some annual flowers are specifically grown in shade or sun. Some are available because people like the unique texture they bring. The more exotic flowers should generally only be planted into flower container gardens as other flowers will highlight the complexity and uniqueness. Before planning out your annual flowers consider the height, shape, color, and other characteristics which will affect your spring color planting.
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC just wishes to remind everyone we both install and maintain annual flowers. Please contact us for more information.
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
When people hear Spring Color, they think everything from flowering fruit trees, spring bulbs and the flowers people plant after the last spring frost(around mother's day in Denver). The first two, fruit trees and spring bulbs, need to be planned and planted way before spring. Flowering trees can be added while they are blooming and usually do well. Yet today, we will talk about the immediate effect of Annual Flowers.
Annual flowers are the best idea to add constant color to your property. They accent not only you garden, but the crisply cut grass as well. Yet, not all annual flowers are the same. The reason they are called annuals is, for the most part, they need to be newly planted every year. I say mainly because such flowers as snapdragons, dianthus, and even some petunias may overwinter and be growing come spring time. Some even re-seed throughout their growing season. As an annual, the only goal they have is to make more seeds to further their germplasm. Either way it is important to choose the right annuals for the location, cost, and texture.
There are lots of spring annuals to choose from to give your commercial or residential garden a burst of color. Some are better in a container garden, while others look amazing in large displays on the ground. Below are some geraniums which look amazing when well maintained (deadheading & ground aerated by hand).
Some annual flowers, such as petunias, are by far the cheapest, quickest spreading and most vibrant display of color for which you can ask. The brillant display comes with a heavy price, a lot of flower maintenance. All these petunia flowers produce seed pods, after being germinated by bees, wasps or other insects, which need to be removed. It is important to note that the whole seed pod needs to be removed, not just the dead petals & sepals. When these seed pods are removed, known as deadheading, the plant then attempts to produce more seeds. This is done by first producing more flowers for you to enjoy.
Remember, some annual flowers are specifically grown in shade or sun. Some are available because people like the unique texture they bring. The more exotic flowers should generally only be planted into flower container gardens as other flowers will highlight the complexity and uniqueness. Before planning out your annual flowers consider the height, shape, color, and other characteristics which will affect your spring color planting.
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC just wishes to remind everyone we both install and maintain annual flowers. Please contact us for more information.
Labels: aeration, annual flowers, annuals, container gardening, deadheading, flowers, fruit trees, Garden maintenance, gardener, gardening service, gardner, petunias, seeds, spring bulbs, spring color
Commercial Landscpae Maintenance Contracts
By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
Now is the time to get everything in order for the upcoming landscaping and gardening season.
Below is listed a usual Request For Proposal (RFP) for a standard commercial landscape maintenance contract. This is a standard service schedule for Apartment Complexes, Class A Business Parks, Commercial Retail Sites, and Warehouses & Businesses.
A typical service schedule for a commercial landscape maintenance contract is listed below.
-Mow, Trim, Blow (26 times) - April-October
-Edging (7 times) - April-October
-Debris Removal (26 times) - April-October
-Hand Weeding - weeds over 3" in height(26 times) - April-October
-Round-up Spray (7 times) - April-October
-Pre-emergent Spray (1 time) - March-April
-Spring Clean-up (1 time) - April
-Fall Clean-up (1 time) - November
-Irrigation Start-up (1 time) - April
-Irrigation Checks (Varies) - April-October
-Irrigation Shut-down (1 time) - October
-Fertilization (3 times) - April, July, August
-Broadleaf (2 times) - April, September
-Aesthetic Pruning (2 times) - June, August
This is a full service schedule but can be adjusted to fit your landscaping needs.
Our trained Horticulturist's will listen to you to service your lawn & garden in the best possible way.
Serving the Denver, Littleton, Morrison, Golden, Englewood, Greenwood Village, Ken Caryl, Lakewood, Green Mountain, Cherry Hills Village, Arvada, Bow Mar, Centennial, Columbine Valley, Highlands Ranch, Glendale, Lone Tree, Washington Park and Cherry Creek areas.
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
Labels: apartment complex, commercial, commercial landscape maintenance contract, Condominiums, gardner, HOA, irrigation check, lawn, lawn mowing, property manager, pruning, sprinkler check
Dormant Pruning - Cutting back to save you trouble. By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
It is expected to be a high of 51 degrees today and a high of 56 degrees tomorrow in the wonderful city of Denver. With those temperatures and an expected snow on Sunday, these might be the best days to get a little work done in your lawn & garden. As always in this weather it might be a good idea to supplement the water for all the plants in your garden with your hose. (**Rembember to always disconnect your garden water hose from the water spiggot. Possible freeze damage could occur.)
More importantly, now is a great time to perform any necessary dormant pruning. Look for branches in trees which are rubbing against each other. When branches in these trees rub together, over time they present an area on the tree prone to infections. By performing a spot check in your yard and taking the necessary action. I mean either pruning the trees yourself of contacting a professional to take care your gardening needs for you. Much can be saved in the way of time, money or both when later you will need the tree removed due to disease. The other items you should be checking for is both broken branches and sap.
A lot of times you will not see any borer holes or any other symptoms of disease, but there will still be sap coming from a tree. Sometimes what people believe is sap is really an excrement from an insect such as an aphid. This resinous substance is actually known as "honeydew" (This will be discussed at a later blog). Sap though is a 'flare' or 'red flag' from the plant to let you know something is wrong. If you are unsure what you are looking at, consult your local tree expert. A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC only will prune what is approximately within 15 feet of the ground or to where our tools will reach. We recommend Davey Tree Care for large trees, ask for Derek Fox and tell him Jonathan sent you.
Remember, a little extra effort now can save you a load of time and money down the road. Let us know if we can help you have A Better Garden.
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
It is expected to be a high of 51 degrees today and a high of 56 degrees tomorrow in the wonderful city of Denver. With those temperatures and an expected snow on Sunday, these might be the best days to get a little work done in your lawn & garden. As always in this weather it might be a good idea to supplement the water for all the plants in your garden with your hose. (**Rembember to always disconnect your garden water hose from the water spiggot. Possible freeze damage could occur.)
More importantly, now is a great time to perform any necessary dormant pruning. Look for branches in trees which are rubbing against each other. When branches in these trees rub together, over time they present an area on the tree prone to infections. By performing a spot check in your yard and taking the necessary action. I mean either pruning the trees yourself of contacting a professional to take care your gardening needs for you. Much can be saved in the way of time, money or both when later you will need the tree removed due to disease. The other items you should be checking for is both broken branches and sap.
A lot of times you will not see any borer holes or any other symptoms of disease, but there will still be sap coming from a tree. Sometimes what people believe is sap is really an excrement from an insect such as an aphid. This resinous substance is actually known as "honeydew" (This will be discussed at a later blog). Sap though is a 'flare' or 'red flag' from the plant to let you know something is wrong. If you are unsure what you are looking at, consult your local tree expert. A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC only will prune what is approximately within 15 feet of the ground or to where our tools will reach. We recommend Davey Tree Care for large trees, ask for Derek Fox and tell him Jonathan sent you.
Remember, a little extra effort now can save you a load of time and money down the road. Let us know if we can help you have A Better Garden.
Labels: aphid, broken branches, dormant pruning, gardener, gardening service, gardner, rubbing branches, storm damage, tree service
Indoor Turtle Pond - Way to keep the growing thoughts alive. By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
Just thought I would share a few pictures of this indoor turtle pond brought to you by Reptiscapes.
Its freezing outside, yet in this garage its 70-80 degrees. There is a 400 Watt Metal Halide Growing light above the setup to provide the full spectrum for both plants and animals.
There are two ponds in this setup. The smaller, lower pool was the original, yet was added onto to accomodate more turtles which reptiscapes has rescued and rehomed.
Check out the Reptiscapes blog at http://reptiscapes.blogspot.com/ .
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
Its freezing outside, yet in this garage its 70-80 degrees. There is a 400 Watt Metal Halide Growing light above the setup to provide the full spectrum for both plants and animals.
There are two ponds in this setup. The smaller, lower pool was the original, yet was added onto to accomodate more turtles which reptiscapes has rescued and rehomed.
Check out the Reptiscapes blog at http://reptiscapes.blogspot.com/ .
Labels: grow light, indoor pond, metal halide, pond, reptiscapes, two pond setup, water feature, water turtles
Dangers of Salt By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
Most people do not consider the impact of using snow and ice removal materials. The makeup of the materials are mainly salts, besides the inert ingredients (clay in slicer, sand with the Sand/salt mix, etc.). These salts (sodium chloride, potassium chloride, & magnesium chloride) which lower the temperature at which ice melts are extremely toxic to your lawn and garden.
Most people have heard about how the Romans dealt with Carthage, the fields were plowed through with salt to utterly destroy them. Well in the same situation we are salting our fields when shoveling snow, if we do not consider where we are storing our snow and ice. The snow and ice which are mixed with salts can cause the same effect.
You may wonder, "How are we destroying our gardens?" To attempt to make this clearer, let me explain. Salts are very attracted to water (hydrophyllic or water loving). Think of how meat used to be stored. The outside was salted to pull water out of the meat. The same is true with soil, the salts we place in our gardens will pull the water out of the soil or at least make it unavailable for plant use. This is because the water has a higher affinity to the salt molecule.
So be careful how much salt (ice melt, slicer and sand & salt) you put down and where you store your snow & ice. Try to push the snow of your main walks, where you have placed lots of ice melt, into the streets or into a rock area which is not utilized for plant growth. Limit the amount of Snow & Ice Removal materials you put down to only what you need for peoples safety. Just as with a lot of things in life, "A little goes a long way.."
Labels: hydrophyllic, ice, ice melt, ice snow removal materials, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, snow, Snow Shoveling, sodium chloride
Ice Patrol & Blowing Snow
By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
Today, I was out performing what is known as "Ice Patrol." Ice patrol is put in effect for a property for the 2 days following a snow event where a sites snow tolerance was triggered. (If the snow event was not triggered services must be requested.) Usually, this just involves checking properties for ice and putting down the appropriate Snow & Ice Materials requested for onsite use. Meaning if you only have a sidewalk put down ice melt as the appropriate snow material, not sand & salt or slicer. And do not use ice melt for a parking lot. Instead use sand & salt for traction and slicer to break through the ice. Some people even request slicer to be put down for all main drive areas. Each site is different and a plan should be made in accordance with the specific needs (north sides, heavily shaded areas, drainage issues, etc.).
Yet today the denver metro winds crusted most all edges and steps with a sheet of snow. I say, "sheet of snow," because the snow was partially melted together and came up in sections or sheets. It made my job a little harder, yet with a snow scoop shovel I got the job done. It is important to recognize that I used a scoop snow shovel, instead of a push snow shovel, since it made it possible to collect the chunks of the snow sheets & ice as I shoveled. I made sure the curb lines/gutters were clear of any snow and ice. I add ice melt to the steps, walks and anywhere there was ice and I then it is time to be off to the next property to repeat.
Remember it is important to always check the sites you maintain. The amount of snow is sure to be different as you move across Greenwood Village, Denver, and Golden.
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC Website
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
Labels: blowing snow, commercial contracts, commercial snow removal, ice, ice melt, Ice Patrol, ice snow removal materials, residential snow removal, safety, Snow drifting, Snow Shoveling
Randy Penns Iris Garden - Directions to the Iris Garden
By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
It is still a little early since Iris will be in bloom come May-June. I will be having a blog up here to hopefully give dates of bloom for varieties at Randy Penn's Iris Garden. Check out http://www.abtrgarden.com/iris_garden.html come May and it should be running.
If you need directions, the Iris Garden is in Englewood, CO:
Approximate address, if mapquesting, is
4110 S Huron Ct, Englewood, CO 80110-4529
General Directions to Randy Penn's Iris Garden:
Coming from the North (Downtown Denver & Arvada Area):
If you are coming north from Denver, the easiest way to take is Santa Fe Blvd/Hwy-85. From I-25 in Denver take Santa Fe South to Oxford Ave in Englewood. Go East on Oxford Ave. into Englewood. The Iris Garden is located on the South side of Oxford at Huron Ct.. This is about halfway between Broadway and Santa Fe in Englewood.
Coming from the South (Littleton and Highlands Ranch Area):
If you are coming South from Littleton, the easiest way to take is Santa Fe Blvd / Hwy-85. From C-470 in Highlands Ranch take Santa Fe North to Oxford Ave in Englewood. Go East on Oxford Ave. into Englewood. The Iris Garden is located on the South side of Oxford at Huron Ct.. This is about halfway between Broadway and Santa Fe in Englewood.
Coming from the East (East Denver and Centennial):
If you are coming East from East Denver the easiest way to take is Hampden Ave / Hwy-285. From Hampden Ave / Hwy-285, take Santa Fe South to Oxford Ave in Englewood. Go East on Oxford Ave. into Englewood. The Iris Garden is located on the South side of Oxford at Huron Ct.. This is about halfway between Broadway and Santa Fe in Englewood.
Coming from the West (Morrison, Golden, Lakewood, etc):
If you are coming West from Lakewood or Morrison, the easiest way to take is Hampden Ave / Hwy-285. From Hampden Ave / Hwy-285, take Santa Fe South to Oxford Ave in Englewood. Go East on Oxford Ave. into Englewood. The Iris Garden is located on the South side of Oxford at Huron Ct.. This is about halfway between Broadway and Santa Fe in Englewood.
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
Labels: Denver, Englewood, Garden maintenance, gardener, gardening service, Highlands Ranch, Iris, Iris Garden, Lakewood, Littleton, Morrison
Snow Shoveling
By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
When snow shoveling, it is important to recognize that you save a lot of trouble by not creating compaction and ice by not walking on the snow to be shoveled. A lot of the time a clean surface will be left, after shoveling the snow, when you have had no traffic over the area from which the snow is being removed.
The effort and method will vary with each snow event, but there are a few tips you should do anytime when performing snow removal.
The snow might be wet & heavy or the snow might be very light and dry powder.
To make this easier I will just list the tips for snow removal along with the reasoning behind the tip.
#1 Always try to completely clear the pavement or sidewalk.
This includes the snow along the curb lines of a sidewalk.
When this is not removed it is usually kicked over the area which was shoveled.
If not removed or left to melt the snow will turn into ice.
#2 Do not put ice melt down during a snow storm.
When ice melt is applied, it melts both snow and ice into water.
As more snow continues to accumulates this water will inevitably become ice.
There will always be exceptions to this and you will need to make your own choice.
#3 Always attempt to put the snow from the shoveling in a place where it will not melt and run back down across the areas which were cleared.
This is not always possible, yet should be attempted to reduce labor, material costs and the salts (ice melt) in the storm drain system.
#4 When removing ice, flip the shovel head over and use the other side of the shovel. Not only will this aid in breaking up any compacted snow or ice, it will sharpen the tool to make shoveling more effective.
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC is not liable for any snow removal activity not directly performed by A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC.)
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
Labels: commercial snow removal, ice melt, ice prevention, ice snow removal materials, residential snow removal, snow, Snow drifting, Snow Shoveling, snow shoveling tips
Winter Watering By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
The Denver area is considered to be a semi arid climate. Essentially this makes our front range community a desert. Infrequent rainfall and snowfall do not put much moisture in our soil. This is especially true with moisture from a snow event. Even with a 3 inch snowfall, we only receive around a quarter inch of precipitation. We almost never receive enough rain or snowfall to support the true need of the plants in our yards. This moisture needs to be supplemented.
The addition of water during the winter months is a critical addition to the health of all plants (pansies, perennials, shrubs and trees). These plants do not shut down over the winter as it appears. The lack of moisture can cause dehydration of the branches and stems. When this happens in trees, it cause either winter die back or weakens the cells in the branches. This is a process called "cavitation." Essentially the cavities of the xylem, with which the plants pull up water, are destroyed and no water can pass through. This not only affects the physiology of the plant, but also the structural integrity. Winter Watering, done in the correct fashion, can help deter these effects.
Winter watering should only be performed when the air temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Watering should only be performed during daylight hours to reduce the possibility of creating ice. Use of a watering wand with shut-off on the handle is recommended. During the winter a garden should be watered as much as necessary and as the weather permits.
Thank you for reading. Please visit us on the web at http://www.abtrgarden.com/ .
We hope these tips will help you have A Better Garden.
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO
The addition of water during the winter months is a critical addition to the health of all plants (pansies, perennials, shrubs and trees). These plants do not shut down over the winter as it appears. The lack of moisture can cause dehydration of the branches and stems. When this happens in trees, it cause either winter die back or weakens the cells in the branches. This is a process called "cavitation." Essentially the cavities of the xylem, with which the plants pull up water, are destroyed and no water can pass through. This not only affects the physiology of the plant, but also the structural integrity. Winter Watering, done in the correct fashion, can help deter these effects.
Winter watering should only be performed when the air temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Watering should only be performed during daylight hours to reduce the possibility of creating ice. Use of a watering wand with shut-off on the handle is recommended. During the winter a garden should be watered as much as necessary and as the weather permits.
Thank you for reading. Please visit us on the web at http://www.abtrgarden.com/ .
We hope these tips will help you have A Better Garden.
Labels: Denver, Garden maintenance, gardener, gardening, gardening service, gardening services, Golden, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Littleton, WInter Watering
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]