Abrajan Tree & Complete Landscaping Service can handle your fall yard cleanup for you. If you dread the thought of spending your weekend raking, seeding, weeding, or mowing, you might want to consider hiring a professional.
We clean out landscaped beds, remove weeds, clear all debris and clutter from the yard, pruning shrubs and remove dead foliage or tree branches when needed. We can also install new mulch upon request. Call us today at 574-292-2913 or
574-292-2100 to set up an appointment for an estimate or visit our contact us page and fill out the form.
Keeping deer out of your yard.
We all know that Bambi is cute as can be… but we don’t want deer in our yards, eating our landscape plants and destroying our gardens. Here are a few tricks to use to keep deer out of your yard.
“Leaves of three, let it be.”
When poison ivy starts to blossom in the spring, its leaves may be red or a mixture of red and green. Some people confuse these early blossoming leaves with fragrant sumac, a shrub that grows red leaves.
Green flower buds will start to appear in spring and slowly open, turning white.
As the weather gets warmer and poison ivy continues to mature, older leaves will become completely green, but new leaf growth will continue to start out as red.
Poison ivy’s off-white, small berries may be hidden by leaves but you can see them growing on stems if you look closely.
The leaf size can vary from small to large.
Variances in shape will also be apparent. In some instances, poison ivy leaves may appear deeply ridged along its edges, mimicking other plants such as Virginia creeper or oak leaves.
Individual plants may grow quite high. Unless it’s removed, poison ivy vines may overtake outdoor structures. It can also spread in large areas on the ground.
As the days shorten and temperature drops, poison ivy will change color to bright orange, yellow, or red. It’s quite beautiful during this time, but as dangerous to touch as it is during warmer weather.
In cold weather, poison ivy leaves turn deep red, then shrivel and fall off.
The roots can become or remain exposed and look either hairy or completely bare. The roots, which can also cause a rash, can continue to lengthen and grow by attaching themselves to trees, walls, or ground cover.
You may be able to spot poison ivy’s exposed white berries on its bare branches during this time.
During winter, you may see bare and slender poison ivy branches poking out of the snow.
Poison ivy vs. poison oak
Like poison ivy, poison oak contains urushiol, the oil that causes allergic reactions to occur.
Poison oak very closely resembles poison ivy. It usually has three leaves but can have as many as seven leaves per cluster. These leaves can be green, red, or a combination of both.
Poison oak’s leaves are sometimes more deeply ridged along their edges than those of poison ivy. They may also have a textured, slightly hairy appearance.
Poison ivy vs. poison sumac
Poison sumac also contains urushiol and shouldn’t be touched.
Unlike poison ivy and poison oak, this plant’s leaves always grow in larger clusters of 7 to 13 per stem. Poison sumac doesn’t grow as ground cover. It’s much taller than poison ivy and resembles a shrub or tree.
How to remove poison ivy
If poison ivy is growing in your backyard or around your home, you’ll want to get rid of it safely and quickly. The don’ts of poison ivy removal are as important to note as the do’s.
Don’t
Do
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the last spring frost date for 2022 was April 30th, and the first frost date for the Fall will be around October 18th. WooHoo … it’s time to make your yard beautiful!
Perennial Flowers
Perennials are capable of surviving more than two years. While they may die back to ground level in winter, their roots survive and produce new foliage when spring arrives due to increased warmth and light. Perennials usually bloom in the same year that they are planted, while others (particularly if planted later in the growing season) may need to spend time becoming established first.
Annual Flowers
Annuals are plants that sprout, grow, bloom, and go to seed all in one season and only for one season. When winter comes, the plant dies, relying on its many seeds to germinate in the following spring. Since most annuals are frost tender, you’ll need to wait until after the
last spring frost date to transplant them into your garden. Ageratum, asters, bachelor buttons, celosia, cosmos, gomphrena, marigolds, nicotiana, salvia, scabiosa, statice, strawflowers, petunias, phlox, snapdragons, stock, and verbena can be planted after the last spring frost date. Alyssum, calendula, and delphiniums can go outside a little earlier: 1-2 weeks before the last frost.
Spring and Summer Bulbs
Planting bulbs is another lovely way to add seasonal pops of color to your garden. Bulbs are divided into two main categories: spring-flowering bulbs and summer-flowering bulbs.
Spring-flowering bulbs are those that bloom from early spring to early summer. Included in this category are flowers like tulips, crocuses, and daffodils.
Summer-flowering bulbs are those that bloom from early summer to early fall. Included in this category are flowers like gladiolus, dahlias, and cannas.
Generally speaking, spring-flowering bulbs should be planted in the fall (a few weeks before first frost), while summer-flowering bulbs should be planted in the spring (a few weeks after last frost).
For more in depth information, be sure to visit the Farmer’s Almanac, specifically the article: A Guide to Planting Annuals, Perennials, and Bulbs by Robin Sweetser
https://www.almanac.com/when-plant-flowers
Call us today to schedule your spring planting to make your yard beautiful this summer!
