Dandelions, Plantains and Wild Onions – Spring Weeds have Emerged

Although a field of dandelions looks beautiful, this weed is usually not a welcome addition to a lovely green lawn.  In addition to dandelions, this time of year you will notice wild onions and plantains.  These weeds can push out healthy lawns and sap the water and nutrients your lawn needs. Unfortunately, in order to rid your lawn of these weeds, you will need a good herbicide. 

Dandelions can have 40-100 seeds in one seed head.  They are very prolific and are able to reproduce in any little crack they can find.  Seeds can travel several miles with a good wind, so this becomes a yearly fight for your lawn.  A good broadleaf herbicide can help eliminate these weeds from your lawn – but make sure to do this early before they flower – a pre-emergent is best. Broadleaf herbicides are made to kill these weeds specifically and not to harm your grass. You will want to take care of the dandelions before the white, fluffy seed heads emerge.

Plantain is a broadleaf weed.  The best way to prevent plantains is to aerate compacted soil and to fertilize on a regular basis.  Healthy grass will push out the plantains but a poor lawn will be overgrown by them.  These weeds need to be sprayed or removed prior to them producing seeds. Post emergent herbicides are best in controlling them.

Wild Onions are recognizable by their thin, waxy, tall stems and that they grow in clumps.  Also the scent is noticeable when they are mowed.  Wild Onions are difficult to control.  You can try and remove them, but the bulbs can break off easily and if you do not remove the full bulb, they can propagate from that.  Again, you will want to take care of these before they seed. Even after you think you have removed/killed them from an area, you will need to keep an eye on the area for regrowth.  Keeping the weed trimmed will help it from going to seed and spreading to the rest of your lawn.  Pre-emergent herbicides do not work on these weeds. A good post emergent herbicide will work but may require several applications throughout the year.

All of these weeds can be controlled with a good, broadleaf herbicide which will attack only these weeds and not kill your lawn.  Fortunately, our lawn expert, Glenn Koleda, knows the proper way of dealing with these and other lawn issues.  Glenn would be happy to assess your lawn for you – call us today for a free evaluation.

Winter Damage to Your Landscape Plants and Trees

Long winters with snow, ice and extreme cold can create a lot of damage to landscape plants.  There are both natural and man made problems that can occur.  How can you tell which are major problems and which will work itself out? How can you prevent some of these issues from occurring year after year?  Let us help.

Branches which are splayed open – not damaged but severely bent – can be caused by snow and ice weight during winter.  Some of these branches will bounce back on their own but some will need to be tied up or trimmed.  This can mostly be prevented by proper pruning techniques done at the appropriate time of year.

Defoliation or brown leaves of evergreens in winter (winter burn or scorch) is usually seen with broadleaf evergreen more than needle evergreens and it is caused by desiccation.  Desiccation is when moisture that the plant needs during the harsh winter months is lost due to the sunny/windy weather.  Unfortunately, the plant cannot derive the needed moisture from the frozen soil.  This is another problem that can be prevented with an anti-desiccant which would be applied in late fall/early winter.  An anti-desiccant treatment forms a protective wax-like layer which seals in moisture and helps retard winter dehydration.

De-icing may also cause leaf scorch.  De-icing damage can be caused by casual salting of the area near your landscape plants or from runoff from the roads that contain dissolved salts. This can be prevented by making sure the soil in these areas are heavy in nutrients to help the plants during the winter, planting more hardy plants that can handle the salt better, or being extra careful on salt distribution around your landscaped areas.

With some of these problems, the plant in spring will grow out these areas and new growth will come in.  In other cases, you might need some fertilization to strengthen the plant and give it the nutrients it needs to heal.  If the area is damaged and there is no new growth potential, the area will need to be trimmed.

Not sure what to do?  Not a problem – just call us and we will help.  

Designing Your Space

Since there is not a lot going on in February in regards to landscaping, this is the perfect time to start on ideas of what you want to do when spring arrives.  Start the process now!

Budget – come up with a budget on how much you wish spend on your landscaping this year.  Remember that your landscape adds to the value and beauty of your home.

Decide how long you expect to stay in your home.  Remember that if you are putting your home on the market, Curb Appeal makes a difference.  If you plan on staying in your home for a while, why not invest in the landscape and make it a place you want to surround yourself in. 

What would you want to do with the space you have?  There are so many options: 

• Foundation beds to add a flare to the house itself. 
• Privacy screen/hedge from neighbors. 
• Privacy nook for your own private time of relaxation.  
• Entertainment options – larger patio, greener/lusher lawn, a “picture” perfect place where everyone would enjoy – think of this as another room in your house.

What added features would you need?  Patio, walkway, wall, drainage?

Once you have worked on these steps, then it is time to decide on the design aspects.  Which plants, pavers, stones, trees, shrubs, annuals, mulch, etc. do you want to use?  What would grow well in the area you have chosen?  Is the area in shade? Does the area get water – is there a sprinkler system?  Is the area too wet? What is the soil in that area like? Realize that these are very important questions to allow your plants to grow. 

Next you should think of seasonal colors.  When designing an area, it isn’t just about how pretty all the plants are but, also, when they will be showing off their spark.  You will probably want to pick plants that “show off” at different times so that there is always seasonal interest.  Find out what plants flower in spring and which will flower in summer.  How will these plants look and react in fall and winter?  Which evergreens might look good in a specific area and how big will they get?

We are hoping that these questions will start you on the path to creating a beautiful yard that you will enjoy throughout the year. 

If you would like assistance, we have landscape design specialists who would be able to assist you.  We recommend scheduling soon so that all will be prepared ahead of time.  In that way, as soon as the warmer weather hits, we can make your designs come to life.

Employee of the Year - James Dinizo

It's not easy being the boss' son but that has not stopped James from learning everything he needs to know to be the best for our customers. 

James has his Bachelor's Degree in Landscape Design.  He had attended one year at the University of Northern Iowa where he had received a baseball scholarship and studied business.  He continued both baseball and business studies at St. Petersburg College.  He then came back to New Jersey and completed his degree in Landscape Design.
He is skilled not only in Landscape Design - including 3D design programs for landscapers and landscape architects, but also has extensive knowledge of New Jersey plant material, a Pesticide applicator's license and a New Jersey Fertilizer license.

When asked why he works at Truesdale he answered:

"I enjoy working outdoors, so landscaping is a good fit for me.  I like landscaping and I especially like the design aspect of landscaping because it allows me to take an area or portion of someone's home and create a beautiful space that they will be able to enjoy. Truesdale is a noble place to work because all of the employees really take pride in their work."

What are his interests outside of Truesdale?

"I have always enjoyed sports and physical activities. I took an extensive interest in the game of baseball.  In more recent days my hobbies include golf, softball and fishing."

What is his philosophy when it comes to plants and taking care of landscape?

"Basically, the answer is in the question:  Care.  It is not well known just how much care and attention living plants need to thrive.  Not everyone has a "green thumb" and that's where I can surely be of assistance.  Often landscapers will complete jobs with haste, neglecting certain aspects of plant life that need to be attended to. That is one of the reasons I love working for Truesdale.  I am able to take my time and make sure my work is done correctly."

And, lastly, what are his future plans?

"I plan to stay with Truesdale and continue to learn and master the landscaping field."

We are more than pleased to have James as part of the Truesdale Team and his willingness to continue learning more, his dedication to his clients, and his attitude are why he is this year's Employee of the Year.

Fall Into Winter with Ease

It’s time to finish up those odds and ends before it gets too late and winter is here. If  you haven’t already done so, you should fertilize your lawn before the leaves begin to fall in full force, as this is your last chance to ensure that your lawn gets the important nutrients it needs in order to maintain its lush and healthy vibrancy. Be sure to scan your property regularly; if you notice diseased or damaged plants, now is the time to address them. Take advantage of the warm weather to clean up any remaining bed weeds. It’s always good to mulch beds, add new plants or replace the dead ones at this point. And finally, trim back your trees so that they survive the harsh winter storms. There is still plenty left to do this month in order to prepare your property for the winter. It’s simple; Truesdale is here to handle the tough tasks for you.

Prepare Your Beds

Mulching beds around your trees and shrubs is extremely important in order to help prevent weeds from growing back, to provide warmth for your plants during the colder temperatures and to eliminate moisture. Trim back your perennials, annuals and bulbs properly to reduce any remaining diseases from the winter. Whether it is trimming Hydrangeas or cutting back your beautiful Daylilies and Heuchera, the correct approach in the fall will ensure their beauty next year.

Last Chance for Planting

The best time for planting is Fall. There is still some time to revamp your landscaping by adding new plants or replacing the older ones. Keep in mind that it is best to plant your shrubs and trees sooner than later, while they are still dormant, to give them the best opportunity for growth come springtime.

Fall Fertilization

It’s not too late to fertilize. In fact, fertilization in the fall will boost the root system and help you achieve that beautiful lush green lawn that we all strive for.  

Pruning

Pruning during this time of year promotes fast re-growth in the spring. The leaves have all fallen and the “woody” plants are dormant making it easier to trim. Pruning is necessary to remove dead, diseased, broken or overlapping limbs. It reduces the weight of branches that are prone to breakage from storms or heavy snowfall. Pruning properly drives away those pesky critters and diseases, which also means it’s less work for you in the long run.

Helpful Tip: Importance of Clearing Up the Leaves from your Lawn 

Remember to remove leaves in order to prevent mold disease, for proper growth, and for cleanliness of your property.

While these are all good reasons to get rid of the leaves, there is one important factor to keep in mind (that is not so obvious), which is to help nature step in by allowing the sunlight and plants to work together. This is a crucial time for grasses to rejuvenate themselves and strengthen their roots.

Fallen leaves can overshadow and prevent grass from growing properly (if at all). That being said, remove those excess leaves and your lawn will thank you in the end. 

Are You Sure You Know What, When and How To Prune?

                                               

Some people consider the act of pruning, a form of art; and like any masterpiece, the end result is rewarding. Similar to art, there are several different techniques to pruning if you are looking to achieve a certain effect like privacy, windbreaks or even just for a fuller look. Let’s be honest though … it can be quite time consuming and it takes A LOT of patience. While there are no short-cuts to pruning, when done properly (and with the right tools), you will reap all the benefits in due time.  There’s nothing wrong with a temporary fix, but wouldn't you rather prevent future problems all together?

So let’s get down to the basics!

Plants can usually be pruned after new growth emerges in the spring in order to maintain and control growth. Simply put … the more you prune, the more you will notice any abnormalities and therefore treat them before it is too late. If you want your foliage to look full and healthy, you’ll need to prune anything that is diseased and/or damaged.

Knowing when to prune is often very important, but then again it also depends on the type of plants you own and what is best for them at that time. Think of pruning as one of the answers to most of your plants’ distress if you notice anything irregular. For instance, not pruning before a storm hits can cause more damage than you can believe … not only to your trees or plants, but on your wallet as well. So, bear in mind that pruning properly and regularly often prevents storms from damaging or tearing up your trees or plants tremendously. Really, the best advice we can give is to prune at such a time that will not shock your plant.

Look for:

•  Awkward limbs
• Vertical buds from branches (known as water sprouts)
• Dangling branches, crossing or rubbing branches
• Insect-infested wood
• Excess growth

Truesdale Nursery and Landscaping is here to help you! We have experienced professionals who are skilled and available to prune your plants properly so that they can maintain their beautiful and healthy look. If you want your property to look its best then give us a call and schedule your appointment today. You can reach us at (908) 834-2675.   

What's the Deal with Crepe Myrtles?

 CREPE MYRTLES MIGHT BE SUFFERING AND HERE'S WHY

 Did you know that certain insects, weeds and grubs are emerging now (in June) as a result of the weather we had this past winter? 

We all know how unusually odd the weather has been most recently, but this past winter alone, has been really hard on all of us ... including our plants, trees and lawn. If you notice even the slightest difference with your foliage it's important to treat the area(s) with preventatives. Always keep in mind that small problems must be treated immediately and properly. 

A temporary fix for minor problems will eventually turn into major damages, thus creating a "domino effect"... 

This is why it is imperative that we understand what to look for, how to prevent them, and when. 

Crepe Myrtles

This past winter was really tough on Crepe Myrtles and most are dead due to unusually high levels of moisture; partly from leftover snow that was covering the ground and partly from the cool, rainy spring we've been having. 

That said, they may be prone to mildew which causes the leaves to curl and flowers to bud without blooming. So, take notice of the sprouts on your Crepe Myrtles; if you don't see any by now then they will need to be pulled out and replaced. 

Crepe Myrtles are typically low maintenance and perform best in moist soil. However, don't let them fool you. They also need at least eight hours of sunlight per day. Less than 8 hours could be the reason your Crepe Myrtle(s) didn't last. 

Most insects will not harm your Crepe Myrtle(s), but you might notice what looks like a tough, dark dirt on the leaves. THIS IS NOT DIRT! 

This is actually fungus (or black mold or mildew) that grows on dew or sap that is secreted from certain insects.

Aphids, scales and white flies are sap feeders and you will need to watch out for them. 

These insects love the heat, so don't wait until it's too hot or too late to prevent them from damaging your beautiful foliage!