Backyard games; Design, Use, Play, Enjoy. If you build it, they will come.
So you have a beautiful back yard and a beautiful family. You have the elements already to turn your back yard into a smash hit all summer long while promoting outdoor living. The thing with beauty is that it can be just that, a back yard landscape should have some FUN and functionality to it. Whats missing is playtime activities. The rules are simple, inexpensive and must promote hours of enjoyment. You can tackle the project yourself or hire V.I.P. Home & Yard to install and speed up the process. Give guests a buffet of playtime options and they will make your home the season’s...
Read MoreWhy should I aerate my lawn ?
So winter is over and you look out your window at your lawn. So should I bother aerating my lawn? What is aerating and why should I do it? Aerating is the process of inserting holes in your lawn for better water absorption, nutrient absorption, root development, and helping the process of eliminating thatch. The problem starts when the top four inches of soil becomes extremely hard and compact. Like when you stuff a bag to make more room. Eventually you run out of room and there is no place else for the trash to go. Well this is working on the same concept of compaction. The water and...
Read MoreNovel grasses may be the answer to the next generation of lawn care
With issues of lawn care inputs such as fertilizers, marginal effective weed control and water usage top of mind with homeowners, new varieties of tall fescues and perennial rye grasses may offer the solution. What to do with a terrible lawn? Simply the biggest reason for many poor lawns is that there is little or no soil underneath to support a thriving lawn on top. Without adequate soil, your lawn will always struggle to grow and sustain itself. Last year, we did a complete re-sodding of a lawn and found two 5 gallon oil barrels, a plethora of gravel, stones, mortar and about 1 inch of...
Read MoreFeeling a little Springy today ? Spring Preparation now
With the incredibly mild weather today, I was thinking of longer days and Spring and thought of this amazingly simple yet effective planter feature you can make. I was also thinking of the fresh smell of cut turf-grass and the wonderful emerald lawn color green. Layer spring bulbs in a frost-proof planter for staggered blooms when the weather warms. Larger bulbs, like daffodils, go in first, at 8 inches deep; then tulips, at 6 inches; and smaller bulbs, closer to the surface. This is an amazing landscape feature that is mobile and can adorn your front entrance or accent a porch way or...
Read MoreLeaf removal; To mulch or not to Mulch that is the question
We are busy doing our leaf removal this time of the year and are often asked should I remove my leaves. If your property has many trees (which we think is beautiful) and you have a nice lawn beneath it. The answer is a resounding YES. If leaves are left they will rot and decay which will provides an anaerobic environment where the grass will suffocate underneath and will be decomposed with the leaves. It is a natural art of decomposition. If your property has immature or smaller trees and the eaves are relatively scattered throughout property you are best to mulch the leaves right on the...
Read MoreFertilizer for perenials, shrubs and trees
By now, perennials are starting to fade but they will benefit from 0-20-0 super phosphate fertilizer scattered around the plants at recommended doses and lightly cultivated into the soil. Next spring you’ll have stronger plants with more flowers. Use a hand applicator or wear gloves and lightly scatter. Fall is also a great time to fertilize shrubs and trees. In my opinion, all trees and shrubs need fertilizer, because most of them are located in mulch beds that use up nitrogen as they decompose and we tend to keep them pretty with mulch which does not offer much in the way of...
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