Recommended Plants for 2012

Cat Mint Walkers Low is a must try for hot, dry and sunny locations.

Hybrid Tree Peony Bartzella is a beautiful addition to any garden. Prefers sunny locations.

Coralbells will work well in sun to shady areas with colorful foliage and bell shaped blossoms.

Autumn Ferns offer showy foliage in shady areas throughout the growing season.

Mowing Your Lawn

In the Louisville area we have a variety of turf grasses that are grown for a variety of reasons. Some are cool weather grasses, some can tolerate heat, some produce lush blades that are rich in color. Each of these varieties has its own growing habit. This is why you may notice your lawn growing at varying heights during the early spring months. Don’t worry, just mow your lawn as normal and know that as the weather warms, the shorter grasses with definitely catch up!

For the best look, have your mower tuned up and the blades sharpened. Watch the tips of the grass for any signs of white and shredded edges. If you see this you know it’s time to sharpen the blades again.

Talk to your lawn care expert about your lawn and learn the proper mowing height and care for your type of turf. Avoid cutting more than 1/3 of the grass blade each time you mow. Mowing too short will stress the turf and allow weeds to flourish.

Let your lawn be the envy of the neighborhood!

Plant and Tree Care

Trees, grass and shrubs aren’t the only things blossoming in the spring. Most insects are coming out of their winter dormancy and are beginning their next life cycle. Early spring is the perfect time to apply Dormant Oil to evergreen trees and shrubs. This horticultural oil prevents insect eggs from hatching and harming your plants.

Perennial groundcovers may suffer from fungal attacks as well as scale. This can be controlled by applying an approved fungicide or insecticide to stem attacks.

Apply a time released fertilizer to perennial groundcover for a season’s worth of good!

Irrigation Systems

In Louisville, our local water authority is now requiring residential as well as commercial irrigation backflows be tested by a Certified Backflow Tester. Contact us for springtime start up and test by one of our Certified Backflow Testers. A written report will be provided to comply with the local requirements as specified by the Louisville Water Company.

Lighting Systems

New LED lights are making their way onto the landscape lighting scene. The energy savings for these types of lights makes them well worth the investment. In addition, the manufacturer advises that these lights are expected to last up to 15 years. Most systems can be modified to accommodate these lights. Wonder if this is something that will work for your system? Contact us for an evaluation.