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Late Season Gardening Tasksposted: August 14th, 2009
As we approach summer’s end and begin thinking of cooler weather, there are several tasks to consider for continued enjoyment of your garden, both short-term and long-term.
Removing spent flowers, or deadheading, will prolong the flowering of some plants up until frost. Deadheading butterfly bushes, roses and perennials such as Shasta Daisy, Black-Eyed Susan, Coneflower, and Salvia will help extend the bloom time. This practice also keeps the garden looking neat and tidy.[Read more] As we approach summer’s end and begin thinking of cooler weather, there are several tasks to consider for continued enjoyment of your garden, both short-term and long-term.
Removing spent flowers, or deadheading, will prolong the flowering of some plants up until frost. Deadheading butterfly bushes, roses and perennials such as Shasta Daisy, Black-Eyed Susan, Coneflower, and Salvia will help extend the bloom time. This practice also keeps the garden looking neat and tidy.Late Season Gardening Tasks
Keep an eye out for powdery mildew and other fungal disease problems on your landscape plants and try to treat affected plants before leaf drop in the fall. The spores will overwinter on infected plant parts and in debris such as fallen leaves, re-infecting plants in the spring. Environmentally friendly controls include ultra-fine spray oils and neem oil extract.
Now is a great time to think about lifting and dividing perennials that have outgrown their space. You will increase your number of plants by dividing. You may even consider sharing a piece of your garden with a friend. Some good candidates to divide and share include peonies, irises, daylilies and hostas. September through mid-October is a good time to accomplish this task in our region.
And, of course, fall is an excellent time for planting. Don’t forget to call Snow Creek Landscaping for your fall planting needs. |
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Outdoor Lightingposted: August 14th, 2009
This path lighting is our own design using a standard low voltage Hadco Copper Decklyte mounted on a locust bollard that is cut to a length of 3'+/- and camphered on top.[Read more] This path lighting is our own design using a standard low voltage Hadco Copper Decklyte mounted on a locust bollard that is cut to a length of 3'+/- and camphered on top. Outdoor Lighting The lights are drilled with a 1/2" auger bit at an angle for most of their length so the wiring is hidden when the light fixture is mounted. The bollard is installed like a post so that at least a third is buried and tamped. Generally, the bottom of the light is about 18" inches off the ground but can be raised slightly to broaden and soften the light's beam. This treatment works well along trails or at the steps of stone walkways where a very natural appearance is appropriate. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to meet with you to discuss creative lighting needs for your landscape. |
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Now Is The Time To Treat Your Hemlocksposted: August 14th, 2009
Hemlock trees are a very common tree in the mountains and one of the largest and oldest-living species in the eastern United States. To many people, they may seem like a “pine,” since they are somewhat similar to evergreen trees, but there are a variety of significant differences. [Read more] Hemlock trees are a very common tree in the mountains and one of the largest and oldest-living species in the eastern United States. To many people, they may seem like a “pine,” since they are somewhat similar to evergreen trees, but there are a variety of significant differences. Now Is The Time To Treat Your Hemlocks
Hemlock trees are a very common tree in the mountains and one of the largest and oldest-living species in the eastern United States. To many people, they may seem like a “pine,” since they are somewhat similar to evergreen trees, but there are a variety of significant differences. The Eastern hemlock, one of the two species we have, is the most shade tolerant of native trees and can thrive where other species cannot. They often grow in pure stands around streams in protected coves, keeping streams cooler. Our other species, Carolina hemlocks, tend to grow on exposed cliff faces in the Southern Appalachians, almost the opposite habitat.
Earlier in the century, an insect from Asia was accidentally brought into this country on nursery stock. Unfortunately, this insect has been spreading throughout the range of hemlocks ever since. You’ve probably heard of the hemlock woolly adelgid. This tiny insect covers itself in a waxy, woolly coating (hence the name), and feeds on the sap of the trees. Our native hemlocks have no resistance to these insects because they evolved separately. The adelgid only feeds on hemlocks. In their native range they are a minor pest. Here, they kill trees within a few years (most trees die within 2-3 years of infestation).
Hemlock trees are a very common tree in the mountains and one of the largest and oldest-living species in the eastern United States. To many people, they may seem like a “pine,” since they are somewhat similar to evergreen trees, but there are a variety of significant differences. The adelgids were discovered in the North Carolina mountains around 2001 and have been rapidly spreading since. Nearly every untreated hemlock is either infested or dead at this point. Most of the remaining live trees are in poor shape. If they are to be saved, next year is going to be a “make-or-break” year. Since the adelgid first appeared, we’ve learned a great deal on how to control them. Many of the costs have come down with generic versions of the pesticides available, and with new, quick-acting control, even very thin trees can often be saved.
If you have not treated your hemlocks yet, please consider treating them for the many benefits they provide. In the long run, this saves the expense of removing your dead trees. Treatment in the late summer and early fall will optimize your chances of keeping your hemlocks alive. Give Snow Creek Landscaping a call today and schedule an appointment to treat your hemlocks. |
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Residential Rain Harvesting Systems ...posted: February 26th, 2009
You may be amazed at how much rain runs through your gutter downspouts in a year’s time. You probably will be surprised at how much water your irrigation system uses in just one cycle. Why not use one to reduce the other? A home in Asheville, NC with a 2500 square foot roof can potentially harvest a total of approximately 55,000 gallons per year. This water can be harvested in cisterns and reused to irrigate landscapes, wash vehicles, and even be recycled into the home for flushing toilets. Another potential use of the water is for supplement fire protection, as many of us live in rural areas that are hard to reach in times of emergency. This, in turn, reduces the amount of potable water that is wasted. When you factor in the droughts of the last several years, recycling rain water can do a lot to help reduce the stress on municipal water supplies and local wells. [Read more] You may be amazed at how much rain runs through your gutter downspouts in a year’s time. You probably will be surprised at how much water your irrigation system uses in just one cycle. Why not use one to reduce the other? A home in Asheville, NC with a 2500 square foot roof can potentially harvest a total of approximately 55,000 gallons per year. This water can be harvested in cisterns and reused to irrigate landscapes, wash vehicles, and even be recycled into the home for flushing toilets. Another potential use of the water is for supplement fire protection, as many of us live in rural areas that are hard to reach in times of emergency. This, in turn, reduces the amount of potable water that is wasted. When you factor in the droughts of the last several years, recycling rain water can do a lot to help reduce the stress on municipal water supplies and local wells. Several local developments now require the installation of rain harvesting systems, and we expect it to become common practice within a few years.
There are several different types of systems used to harvest rainwater. Above ground cisterns have a lower initial investment, and are most suitable in areas that will not obscure the aesthetic values of the home. These cisterns can range from 55 gallon rain barrels to 5,000 gallon plus containers. Below ground cisterns require a higher initial investment, but are able to be placed in almost any area around the home. Ranging in size from 325 gallons to 2500 gallons, these systems are the most versatile for long term water supplement. These cisterns can be plumbed together to create more storage capacity, which extends the period of use in drought conditions. Another system that has been developed is a group of load bearing containers that are sealed in a waterproof membrane. This system allows for the cistern to be located under driveways or drive courts, which reduces the amount of site disturbance. On steep slopes, this type of system can be especially helpful. These systems can range from 2000 gallons up to 50,000 gallons plus. All of these systems are eligible for LEED certification points, and can be a sustainable element in any construction project.
Depending on the intended use of the captured water, several different methods of conveyance are employed. A simple system may use gravity alone to water landscape plantings through drip irrigation. Submersible pumps are typically used if the cistern is located below the areas of use, or if the water is to be used in a traditional irrigation system with spray heads. A simple system to consider is to have several yard hydrants located throughout the property in areas that may require irrigation. These on-demand systems are easily maintained and winterized, and provide the most flexibility in use.
A properly designed rain harvesting system starts by assessing the amount of water required for the various uses of the homeowner. By totaling these amounts and working backwards, the required capacity of the system can be determined. Another important factor in system design is the average monthly rainfall. When you include this data into the design process, you can determine whether or not the supply will meet the demands throughout the year. No matter how large or small the roof area of a home is, a rain harvesting system can dramatically reduce our dependence on the potable water supply. Whether you are planning to build a new home, or want to add a system to an existing home, rainwater catchment is an easy way to reuse a resource that we all have access to. In many cases, these systems can pay for themselves in less than 10 years. Snow Creek offers system design, consultation, feasibility studies, and installation for all of your water harvesting needs. Give us a call today to discuss your specific needs or schedule a site visit.
Rob Dull, Landscape Designer
Snow Creek Landscaping, LLC
rjdull@snowcreekinc.com |
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Hemlock woolly adelgid posted: February 25th, 2009
The hemlock woolly adelgid is a strange insect. Unlike most insects that are dormant during the winter and become active when it's warm, adelgids prefer cool weather, and actually go dormant during the summer. Their most active times are in the early spring, and late into the fall. [Read more] The hemlock woolly adelgid is a strange insect. Unlike most insects that are dormant during the winter and become active when it's warm, adelgids prefer cool weather, and actually go dormant during the summer. Their most active times are in the early spring, and late into the fall. They do this to coincide their activity with that of their only host, the hemlock tree. Hemlocks, being evergreens, are able to function whenever the weather is not extremely cold, but they have cycles in their production of defensive chemicals, and in water use. While we treat hemlocks much of the year when soil moisture is adequate, late winter into early spring is the optimal time, because water is available and the trees are active, and the chemical can get into the tree to coincide with the rise in feeding as weather warms slightly. Remember: if you have hemlock trees, they must be managed now for adelgid. They have no immunity at all to this non-native insect. Please call Snow Creek to help you with your hemlocks, and with all of your tree care needs. |
Snow Creek Landscaping, LLC | 226 Clayton Road | Arden, NC 28704
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