Tag Archives: Landscape Maintenance

Keep Maintaining Your Landscape throughout the Winter

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December is practically here and in a few short weeks we will officially enter winter. We know you probably want nothing more than to stay inside your home nice and warm, but your landscape will still require upkeep. After all, it is the work you put in now that will produce a gorgeous landscape for you to enjoy in the spring.

Before you wrap up and head out into your yard, know that throughout this month you should…

  • Deep-root water trees when the ground isn’t covered with snow or frozen.
  • Spread mulch on perennial beds, shrubs and trees.
  • Gently remove heavy snowfall from trees and shrubs.
  • Take note of any design changes you want to make.
  • Keep walkways clear of snow and ice.
  • Add winter interest with broadleaf evergreens

Be sure to check back with us for tips and hints on maintaining and designing your landscape as we trek into winter, and remember to give us a call at 303-750-6060 should you need our services!

Fall Cleanup Tips to Prepare your Landscape for Spring

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As of right now Denver is experiencing temperatures true to autumn, but the end of the week could possibly bring those that are drastically lower, reaching a high of only 41 degrees. If it does get that cold we know the last thing you will want to do is spend time cleaning your landscape, so we suggest you do it now. It’s important to clean up your landscape now because leaves and debris left throughout the winter can harbor disease, fungus and pests which can wreak havoc in the spring.leaves in grass

According to the ALCC, important things to do when cleaning up your landscape to prepare for spring include:

  • Remove all old veggies, vines, leaves and other debris from the garden.  .
  • Remove all weeds.
  • Add most greens, leaves and small plants to your compost pile. Leave out weeds whose seeds can get back to the garden when spreading the compost, as well as, tomato plants and large-stemmed vines.

If you’d prefer to have the professional help of a Denver landscaper contact Phase One Landscapes at 303-750-6060 to learn more about the maintenance services we provide.

Image: Chris&Rhiannon via flickr

Tips on Purchasing the Best Snow Thrower for Your Landscape

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man using snow throwerNow that we’ve experienced our first few snow showers it’s time to dig out all your snow clearing gear in preparation for the season, but you may want to make a few changes. If you’ve spent previous years bent over, straining your back to clear the driveway and walkways of your home then you may want to consider investing in a snow thrower.

There are countless options available at various price points, but it’s important that you select one that meets the specific needs of your landscape. For help deciding on the best one to purchase, the ALCC recommends:

  • A small-size, single stage thrower if your home has a 1 or 2-car garage, driveway and minimum walkway areas clear. It operates best from ½ inch to 9 inches of snow and can move about 1,100 lbs. of snow per minute.
  • A medium size, single-stage snow thrower if your home has a 2-car garage, wide driveway and some walkways to clear. It can handle ½ inch to 12 inches of snow and move about 1,800 lbs. of snow per minute
  • A two-stage snow thrower if your home has a 3-car garage, larger driveway and/or large expanses of walkways to clear. It works best at snow depths of 5 inches or more and it can move up to 2,200 lbs. of snow per minute.
Be sure to keep checking back with us for tips and hints on how to clear the snow from the drive and walkways of your landscape!
Image: hubertk via flickr

5 Tips to Revitalize Your Lawn this Fall

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lawn care serviceAfter spending the entire summer enjoying your landscape your lawn has probably taken quite the beating. To ensure that it looks its best when spring rolls back around we suggest you revitalize it this fall with these five tips.

  1. Return you mower deck to its normal mowing height (about 2 inches tall) and cut your lawn slightly shorter to help prevent the grass from matting down under leaves and snow.
  2. Attack perennial weeds with a spray or granules.
  3. Remove excess thatch.
  4. Apply a top dressing of soil or compost. It improves growing conditions by reducing thatch, increasing the amount of organic matter in the soil, smoothing bumps in the lawn, and lessening the need for fertilizer.
  5. Completely drain your lawn’s irrigation system zone by zone before freezing weather arrives.

If you’d prefer help from a professional landscaper to maintain your lawn this fall call Phase One Landscapes if you reside in the Denver area.

Colorado Homes & Lifestyles Q&A with Phase One Landscape’s Dave Graham

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Phase One Landscape’s principal and co-founder Dave Graham sat down with the folks over at Colorado Homes & Lifestyles magazine for their Expert Advice feature.  To find out more about what makes this pillar of Denver Landscape Architecture tick, head on over to Colorado Homes & Lifestyles’ website.

Dave Graham Denver Landscape Architect

Phase One Landscape's Principal Landscape Architect Dave Graham

 

What questions would you ask an expert in Landscape Design & Construction?

Garden Chores to Complete in August

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Does Colorado’s unbearable heat have you running for shade every chance you get? We know you want to stay cool, but there are a few chores your need to take care of in your yard garden this August, such as:

  • Composting: As you may have noticed summer’s heat breaks compost down fast, so start building a new pile for fall now. Set any compost that is currently cooking to the side to continue composting since it’s too hot to place around plants.
  • Lawn care: Allow your grass to grow higher to provide share to your plants’ roots and to cool the soil. Also remember to raise your mower height so the sun doesn’t scorch your grass soon after cutting.
  • Tend to houseplants: If you moved any indoor plants outside for the summer remember that they will need fertilizer every 10 to 14 days.

If you would prefer to leave your garden chores in the hands of landscape professionals call Phase One Landscapes at 303-750-6060.

Image: idealhomegarden

Late Summer Irrigation Tips

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As August approaches and summer begins to make way for fall, you want to get the most out of watering your garden and landscape. To do so keep these tips in mind that we found on BHG.

  • Avoid watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. During these peak heating hours, more water evaporates than soaks into soil.
  • Check sprinkler systems. As plants grow wider and taller, foliage can block spray heads or limit water dispersion. Trim offending plants or add a temporary extension to the sprinkler system.
  • Refresh mulch. Some mulch materials, like straw or grass clippings, break down quickly. Continue to replenish mulch through summer to cool soil and slow water evaporation.
  • Use a moisture monitor to check soil weekly during prolonged dry periods. If soil is dry several inches deep, it’s time to irrigate. Check soil moisture in lawn and planting beds. You can get a monitor at garden centers or home improvement stores.
  • Feed as you irrigate. Frequent watering washes fertilizer from containers. Consider mixing liquid fertilizer to half strength and applying at each watering to keep plants in top form.
  • Check hanging baskets twice daily for dry soil. Because baskets are suspended in midair, their soil temperature is typically warmer than that of pots sitting on the ground. Warmer soil loses water more quickly.

For help maintaining your landscape throughout the end of summer call Phase One Landscapes at 303-750-6060.

Before Your Hire a Landscape Architect…

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After reading our post, Is it Time for You to Hire a Landscape Professional, did you decide that in fact it is time for you to hire a landscaper? If so then this post is also for you! Now that you realize you need a help from a professional there are a few things you need to do before you allow someone to start digging, planting and building things in your yard.  Before you hire a landscape architect…Phase One Landscapers working

  • Gather ideas and images on what you’d like your landscape to look like.
  • Consider how much time you want to devote to maintenance once the landscaper leaves, or if you want them to service your yard regularly.
  • Create a realistic budget. Well designed landscapes can add as much as 15 percent to the value of your home, so start your budget with 5 to 10 percent of your home’s worth.
  • Search for a landscape architect. Check to see if they have a degree in landscape architecture, are licensed and have a list of references you can speak to. Also inquire about their fees and services.

If you reside in the Denver area and would like to discuss ideas for your landscape call Phase One Landscapes at 303-750-6060.

How to Deal with Heat Stress in Your Lawn

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The temperature is beginning to raise to extreme heights here in Denver and the hotter it gets the more susceptible your lawn is to endure stress. And as your lawn begins to stress it will notify you by changing colors, from green to a grayish blue color before actually turning brown. It will also be slow to spring back up after it has been stepped on. If you notice that your lawn is beginning to stress from the heat…

  • heat stressed grassMake sure your sprinkler system is in good shape and covering any areas showing signs of stress.
  • Don’t mow play on, mow or fertilize a stressed lawn until it’s been watered.
  • Water long and deep between the hours of 10pm and 6am.
  • If you do have to mow don’t cut off any more than the top one-third of the grass blade and leave the grass clippings on top to provide natural cooling and moisture prevention.
  • Be patient; it takes 10-21 days for stressed grass to recover. (ALCC)

For professional help dealing with heat stress in your lawn contact Phase One Landscapes at 303-750-6060.

How to Make Your Landscape Pet-Friendly

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dog walking near landscapeAre you worried that your four-legged pet will cause damage to recently manicured yard or to themselves by ingesting poisonous weeds? If so then there are a few precautions you can take in an effort to make your landscape pet-friendly before allowing to them run freely this summer, such as:

  • Ward of muddy paw prints being tracked through your home by filling in low areas that collect water or addressing the issue of poor drainage with quick fixes, including placing rocks, gravel or bricks in depressions.
  • Create a well-worn path along your pet’s usual route across your yard with pave stones to counteract unsightliness and mud.
  • Create shade for your dog to cool off in, or allow them access to the north and east sides of your home.
  • Don’t keep you dog confined to your deck because they absorb heat which can lead to heat stroke and they may have splinters if they aren’t sanded regularly.
  • Compost in an enclosed area because you pet can become sick if they eat decaying compost.
  • Know which plants and weeds are poisonous and keep them out of your landscape. (ALCC)

For additional help making sure your landscape is pet-friendly contact Phase One Landscapes if you reside in the Denver area by calling 303-750-6060.

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