Landscapes can include countless varieties and designs of grasses, hardscapes, flowers, plants and trees. However, a common thread in nearly all beautiful and healthy landscapes is mulch. Mulch is the most proven and preferred groundcover material to place around those landscaping features that you want to protect and highlight.
Mulch can include inorganic (plastic, rubber, rocks) or organic materials (wood chips, leaves, pine straw). While the material itself is neutral in color and rather simple, it can provide significant benefits to your landscape – especially if you choose an organic mulch variety. Mulch has the ability to protect your flowers and plants from environmental elements as well as nourish the soil. The benefits of mulch are also aesthetic, as strategically placed mulch can provide definition and stage beauty within a landscape.
Most of us learn from a young age about the dangers of touching poison ivy, as it can quickly quarantine you with bottle of pink calamine lotion to ease the discomfort from the itchy rash it causes. Think your exempt from the poison ivy rash? It’s not likely. According to the American Skin Association, about 85 percent of the population is allergic to poison ivy, poison sumac or poison oak. Unfortunately, there are several myths and folklore surrounding poison ivy. To ensure you stay protected from the disruptive poison ivy rash, we’ve busted the following common myths:
Properties come in all shapes and sizes. While many Georgia neighborhoods are established on flat land, there is still a significant amount of homes that were built on a slope or hill. Whether your home is on a mountain that overlooks water or your front yard has a steep incline to the street, you may need to consider the possibility of a retaining wall if you want to protect your landscape.
Shrubs, bushes and hedges are often overlooked and undervalued compared to the colorful plants and flowers in your landscape. However, your trees and shrubs offer numerous benefits. They can enhance your home’s curb appeal, provide natural privacy screens, and be an attractive complement to lawns, gardens and hardscapes.
Trees and shrubs, however, must be maintained. This is done through trimming or pruning services. Unfortunately, when trees and shrubs becomes overgrown and misshapen, there is a notable negative impact on the appearance and value of your home.
A swimming pool in your backyard can provide hours of enjoyment for your family. However, many pool owners are concerned about the effects of chlorinated water on their surrounding landscape. After all, kids frequently splash water outside the pool and onto your grass and sometimes it is necessary to drain the pool to undergo repairs. Does chlorine affect the health of your turf?
The concern of pool water on your landscape is a valid one. Chlorine is a strong chemical that could disrupt the soil’s healthy chemical balance. Pool water also contains antimicrobials that have a rather high pH level. If your pool water regularly soaks your grass, can this acidic environment prevent optimal plant growth?
