3 Ways to Improve Your Landscaping for Spring  

Improve Your LandscapingThe weather is heating up! Before spring turns to summer, there are a few easy things you can do to help take your landscaping to a whole other level. At Blooms Landcare, we are always happy to give you tips and tricks for turning your outdoor living space into something special.

 1. Old furniture? No Problem!

If you have an old wooden table that you thinking of tossing, think about repurposing it for the outdoors. A quick paint job with some weather-resistant paint can serve for a great gardening table or even as a new table to hold drinks and snacks for those summer nights spent outdoors. Old dressers or shelves can be a great way to store gardening tools, seeds, and insecticides. Up-cycling can be a great way for you to turn something old into something useful and exciting.

2. Pathways and Stones

There is nothing more romantic than walking through a beautiful garden on a stone pathway. There are many different materials you can choose from when it comes to stone pathways:

  • Slate
  • Concrete
  • Pewter
  • Sandstone
  • Recycled rubber
  • Travertine

Stone walkways are a great way to liven up your yard without breaking the bank. The price for a path can vary depending on what you are willing to spend, but there are so many choices that they can fit within any budget.

3. Light Up Your Life

A great modern way to liven up your landscaping is solar lighting. These lights are not only incredibly affordable, but also great for the environment. Because these lights use solar power, you don’t have to worry about increased utility bills. There are many different styles available to match the décor of your home and are also easy and quick to install

If you are looking to improve your landscaping this spring, call Blooms Landcare, at [phone].

3 Native Texas Plants to Put In Your Yard

Native Texas PlantsWhen you are building a beautiful garden, you should keep in mind adding native plants. Native texas plants are beautiful, but also they can withstand the extreme Texas weather, which means less maintenance for you. Below are three great choices to add to your garden.

Eastern Purple Coneflower

The Eastern Purple Cornflower is a beautiful drought resistant plant that has a very unique look. It has long stems with bright lavender petals that attach under a peculiar code shaped center. It is known across the state for attracting a variety of butterflies. It blooms throughout spring and summer, so now would be the perfect time to add it to your garden. This plant prefers full sun and partial shade and can provide beautiful cut flowers for you all summer long.

Black-eyed Susan

With gorgeous golden pedals and a contrasting black center, this is a beautiful perennial coneflower that will brighten any garden. Black-eyed Susans have long lasting and continual blooms which make it a yard show stopper. Also great for cut flowers and is drought resistant so those Texas dry spells won’t wipe it out.

Southern Wax Myrtle

The Southern Wax Myrtle is a great evergreen shrub to add to your Texas garden. It can reach up to 20 ft. in height and provides your yard with a delicious spicy fragrance. It is used as a garden divider or to help shield areas of your garden from sunlight. It prefers partial shade and moist soil for it to thrive. Talk to your garden specialist on how to add Southern Wax Myrtle for some great landscaping.

Our gardening professionals know all about Texas native plants that you can add to your garden, call Blooms Landcare at [phone] to schedule an appointment with us today. We would love to help take your garden to the next level!

Fort Worth Weather And Your Garden

Dallas and Fort Worth Weather & GardenIt is well known that the weather in the Dallas/FW area can vary wildly from day to day. One day you are enjoying great sunny weather in the mid 70s, and the next you are being pelted with freezing hail. This weather can indeed effect your garden and its important that you take steps to prevent damage due to the extreme weather.

Adequate Hydration (But Not Too Much!)

When it gets really hot, plants can dry out easily. Make sure that you keep your plants adequately watered during the really hot days that are going to creep up on us very soon. Although along with spring comes thunderstorms. If there has been a big rainstorm, skip watering your garden. If your garden is on an automatic sprinkler, make sure to adjust it to skip a day or two to let your plants air out.

Protect From The Elements

Ice storms are not uncommon in DFW area. Make sure to keep an eye on the weather and if you are going to have a bad freeze, don’t forget about your garden. Cover the most delicate plants with sheets, cover any exposed piping with foam or spray insulation, and bring all pets inside. Ice storms have the potential to create havoc in your garden.

Fertilize

Right about now you should be thinking about fertilizing your garden in time for spring. Gather some nutrient dense mulch and there are also various brands of great top soil that you can add that will really help your garden be the healthiest it can be. A quick and easy way to help your soil is to throw old coffee grounds in with your soil. It will help prevent pests such as snails and slugs as well as adding rich nutrients to your garden.

If you need assistance in getting your garden ready for the spring storms, contact Blooms Landcare at [phone] to speak with one of our garden professionals today.

Bad Weather Gardening Tips

Rain Drops FallingAs spring approaches, we brace for those spring storms and with them comes lots of rain. Tending to your garden during the rainy season can be a bit more complicated than many think. Make sure to follow these simple tips for gardening in bad weather.

Remove Rain-damaged Plants

Not only will this make your garden look cleaner, it also encourages more growth among your flowers. Often when you sheer off old wilted flowers, you will be rewarded with fresh growth after a nice shower.

Prevent Slugs and Snail Damage

With the increase in rain, snugs and snails come out to play. Make sure to protect the young and new plants that haven’t had a chance to root completely. Many find that slug pellets work well in keeping them at bay.

Watch For Wart-Like Growths

When you start to see weird wart-like growth on the underside of leaves and on the stems, you may have a case of oedema. This is a condition of an over-watered plant. If you start to see these growths, hold off on watering for a few days.

Don’t Overwater

After a long period of heat, and large downpours, plants tend to be stressed. Too much water can damage the roots of the plant. Keep track on your rainfall and make sure that you aren’t watering your garden too much on top of precipitation.

Flood dangers

If you live near a larger body of water, make sure you have precautions incase your garden starts to floor. If you have any fruits and vegetables in your garden that have been covered in flood water, you should not eat them. They could contain dangerous bacteria and chemicals that have been washed into the flood.

If you need help getting your garden ready for the rainy season, contact Blooms Landcare at [phone] to speak with one of our experienced contractors today.

A New Year, A New Garden

A New Year, A New GardenWhen the New Year rolls around people get the itch to remodel. The best part of your home that you can have a new garden. Here are a few reasons why now is the perfect time to spruce up your yard and garden.

Increase Value

Dollar per dollar spent; there is no better remodel you can do for your home than a garden remodel. Not only does it increase the overall aesthetics of your yard, but it also greatly increases the curb appeal of your property, thereby raising its value.

Make it Functional

If you have an area of your garden that you are not fully taking advantage of, turn it into a functional producing food garden. Wouldn’t it be great to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables straight from your own backyard? There is a recent movement of people turning large portions of their gardens into quite an abundant return of tasty treats.

Plant in Off Season

Certain species do better when you plant in cooler weather so they have time to take root by the time the warmer weather sets in. Talk to a professional landscaper in order to determine the best species for your particular yard.

Consider Bird Feeders

Contrary to popular belief, birds are not always detrimental to a garden but can eat pesky insects that may jeopardize the health of your garden. Look at setting up a few bird feeders to start attracting different species to your gardens.

Think About Natural Fertilizer

You will want to start thinking about laying fertilizer and mulch in the next few weeks to get a head start on spring. Consider natural fertilizer from food waste compost. It is rich in minerals and great for the environment.

If you would like to start a new garden or remodel, Contact Blooms Landcare at [phone] to speak with us regarding your garden needs!

 

3 Yard Ideas That Are Simply Genius

Great yard ideasIt is a common myth that the only way to have a great yard is to invest a lot of money into it. With a few tips, you can have the yard of your dreams without blowing your budget.

1. Simple Walkway

First impressions are often the most powerful. For a person’s home, the front yard equates to a first impression. One of the best ways to create a stunning front yard is to create a visual path through the yard to the front door. Walkways are simple to create. You can do a simple brick path, lined with shrubs, or even flowers. If you already have a concrete pathway, line it with mismatched slate or stones to give it a facelift. This will be sure to give your front yard a “wow” factor.

2. Hide your Hose

A tangled up hose on the side of the house is not only an eyesore, but also very inconvenient when you need to water the garden. Find an old bedside table at a garage sale or online. Cut the back of it out and place it against the house where the water nozzle is placed. Coil up the hose and place it inside the bedside table and close the doors. Place a few nice plants on top for a stylish container for your hose.

3. Natural Weed Killer

When you spray harmful chemicals on your garden, you risk not only killing the intended weeds but also harming your plants. Try this mix for a natural weed killer:

  • 1 gallon vinegar
  • 2 cups Epson salts
  • ¼ cup dish soap

Spray this on weeds for a quick kill that won’t harm your garden or your family.

We are full of great tips on how to improve your yard on a budget. Contact Blooms Landcare at [phone] to speak with us regarding your needs!

Landscape Design Ideas for Texas

Texas Landscape Design IdeasThere are a lot of great reasons to live in the beautiful state of Texas, and you probably haven’t discovered them all yet. However, the unique temperament of the Texas climate may present landscaping challenges, especially if you are a new homeowner. At Blooms Landcare, we’d like to present you with a few ideas for creating a beautiful landscape design.

Texas Landscaping

Landscaping in Texas can be as unique and varied as the culture and traditions of this great state. Use these ideas as you think about your own landscaping:

• Consider alternatives to traditional lawns, such as xeriscaping and synthetic lawns.
• Choose native flowers and shrubs for your landscaping.
• Come to know your soil and how to help your plants grow and thrive in it.
• Learn local tricks for water conservation.
• Utilize multiple irrigation techniques to avoid water waste.

The Benefits of a Well-Designed Landscape

Homeowners have many reasons to value the pleasing aesthetics of their landscaped property. Keep in mind, however, that even renters and the neighbors will appreciate the hard work and planning that go into the creation of a balanced landscape design. The right landscaping plan can increase property values, keep maintenance to a minimum, and present an attractive view for those who live and work in the area.

Elements Necessary for Successful Texas Landscapes

The climate and weather in Texas present some unique challenges to homeowners. These challenges can be overcome through the careful selection of plants and flowers, along with organization. Matching plants to the right soil, shade or sun, and placement can ensure that plants don’t grow out of their borders or suffer because of other plants that are more aggressive. A good irrigation system is another very important element of landscaping success. A well-planned system will prevent too much or too little watering and will make the best use of available water.

Let Blooms Landcare help you develop the best landscape design. Call us for more information at [phone].

Benefits Synthetic Lawns Offer for New Families

Creating a Durable Playing Field

Synthetic Lawns for New FamiliesMany of today’s families treasure their time outside. With a synthetic lawn, children have a great place to run and play. Rather than staying inside with video games and other electronic entertainment, children can enjoy time outside as they rough-house with pets, play ball with their parents, and create imaginary worlds of their own. You may wonder if this isn’t possible with natural grass, but there are several reasons why synthetic is more appropriate:

• Synthetic turf is durable. Heavy use often destroys the surface of a natural lawn, leaving dead areas and bald patches. This isn’t an issue with synthetic grass.
• Artificial grass is available in both rain and shine. A natural lawn may be too wet and muddy after a rain shower, but children can play on an artificial lawn whatever the weather is like.
• Synthetic lawns eliminate the occurrence of mud puddles and standing water. These lawns have efficient draining systems, reducing the number of muddy shoes and grass-stained knees.

You may discover additional advantages once your own synthetic lawn is installed.

Maintaining a Beautiful Landscape

With almost no maintenance, synthetic turf provides the tired parents of new babies and toddlers with a few extra hours to themselves. Ordinary lawns require mowing, watering, and fertilizing, but synthetic lawns do not. The artificial grass is long-lasting and will remain beautiful for many years of family playtime, changing seasons, and gorgeous green lawn. If you are ready to update the yard for your family, give Blooms Landcare a call. Our number is [phone].

The Best Sod for Texas Lawns, Part 1

Best Sod for Texas LawnsWhether you are hoping to redo your home’s landscape or you are starting out fresh, Texas sod is likely to be a vital component of your landscape plan. The sod that we sell here at Blooms Landcare is the perfect addition to your yard. It can quickly be installed, it immediately controls soil erosion, it controls and reduces weeds, and it is suitable to be planted year around once it is rooted. When trying to decide the best sod for Texas lawns, consider the following popular options.

Bermudagrass

Bermudagrass is a popular type of grass that is grown all throughout Texas. It is perfect for the state’s hot climate because it tends to be very drought tolerant. Keep in mind, however, that it is not very traffic or shade tolerant.

St. Augustinegrass

This coarse species turfgrass is a great choice for home lawncare because it requires moderate to low maintenance. It is one of the most shade tolerant, warm season grasses but its use is limited to the northern 1/3 of Texas because it lacks cold hardiness. There are some people who believe this is the best sod for Texas lawns, but others prefer different types.

Buffalograss

Buffalograss is a low maintenance variety of Texas sod that functions well in the central and western part of the state where the annual rainfall is typically 25 inches or less. It has a very low irrigation requirement and actually becomes invaded by weeds and other grass species when excess water is applied.

Centipedegrass

This variety of low maintenance turf is well adapted to the acidic soils of East Texas. It does not require much fertilizer and can tolerate infrequent mowing. Centipedegrass is well known for being course leafed and slow growing.

To learn more about what types of grass are most suited for Texas, or for help deciding the best sod for Texas lawns, contact Blooms Landcare at [phone].

Easy Landscaping Tips to Improve Your Curb Appeal

Landscaping TipsCurb appeal makes a home more inviting and can be particularly important if you are trying to sell your house.  We at Blooms Landcare are experts at creating attractive yards and keeping them well maintained. These simple landscaping tips can be implemented with minimal effort and expense.

Mow the Grass

Mowing your grass is a basic way you can really help improve the look of a yard. Your neighbors will also appreciate it when you keep your lawn tidy.

Add Some Color

Infusing seasonal color into your home’s landscaping can make it pop, and flats of annuals don’t cost a lot of money.  You can try several bright color combinations or go for a more monochromatic color scheme, whatever complements your home best.

Weed and Prune

Another one of the easy landscaping tips to follow is to weed your beds and prune back bushes.  These activities can create a neater, more appealing yard. The gardeners at our Dallas and Fort Worth yard care company are experts at keeping yards well groomed.

Replenish Mulch

Touching up the mulch around beds can provide a more finished look to your yard. The dark color of mulch provides a nice color contrast to flowers and plants.  Mulch helps prevent moisture from evaporating, so it may mean less watering and a lower water bill as well. It is also relatively inexpensive and simple to apply.

Add Some Outdoors Containers

Filling containers with plants and flowers can really add character to the outside of a home.  Fill them with plants, flowers and even vegetables. Placing containers near doorways and on patios can provide maximum viewing pleasure.

Following these easy landscaping tips can assist you in improving the appearance of your yard. Blooms Landcare is a full-service, residential and commercial landscaping company and you can contact us at [phone] for any of your gardening needs.