Published on Wednesday, May 04, 2022
A fire pit is a wonderful addition to any outdoor living space. It can provide warmth during those chilly nights, and you can continue to entertain your house guests outside even after the sun has gone down. However, you do want to be aware of several important factors when designing and building a fire pit on your landscape. Local codes and ordinances are different depending on where you're located, and you need to be aware of these before designing your fire pit. In Des Moines,...
Published on Monday, May 02, 2022
Are the landscape beds on your property here in Iowa in need of a pick-me-up? If so, here are 3 steps that you can take to totally transform your landscape beds this spring. First, you should trim the plants in your landscape beds to keep them looking healthy and beautifully manicured. Next, you should remove any debris and weeds that could potentially be harmful to your plants. Finally, you should replenish your mulch supply so that your landscape beds are covered and your plants are...
Published on Wednesday, April 27, 2022
After our winters in Iowa, you'll want to ensure that your first mow sets the right tone for the rest of the season and gives your lawn a clean cut. The key to this is performing proper maintenance tasks on your mower every year like changing the oil, checking the spark plug, cleaning the air filter, and greasing the lube points to keep your mower running smooth. Perhaps the most important maintenance task is sharpening the blades to prevent the mower from ripping your grass...
Published on Sunday, April 24, 2022
Having healthy trees in your yard is a great way to elevate your curb appeal. Many of their bright and colorful leaves make a great addition to any landscape. But just like other plants and grass, they also require nutrients to thrive. By fertilizing your trees throughout the year, you'll be supplying them with the nutrients that they need to flourish and they'll be prepared for the dramatic shifts in weather. In Iowa, it's also important to fertilize your trees to boost...
Published on Wednesday, April 20, 2022
It's a good idea to be aware of the pH level of your soil in order to cultivate a healthy lawn. When your soil has a low pH level, meaning it has higher levels of acidity, the growth of your lawn is hindered due to a lack of nutrients. However, there is a way to restore these pH levels in your soil, and that is by way of lime treatment. In short, lime makes soil less acidic, which will allow your plants to grow and flourish in healthy soil! One way to tell if your lawn is in need of a lime...
Published on Monday, April 18, 2022
Mosquitoes are a constant nuisance to both you and your property. As the weather continues to heat up and as we experience more rainfall here in Iowa, more mosquitoes are starting to come out and breed. If you’re noticing a lot of mosquitoes in your yard, you may unknowingly have things in your yard that are attracting them. Some things that mosquitoes are attracted to include standing water, piles of debris, overgrown vegetation, and tall grass. By not removing or tending to...
Published on Thursday, April 14, 2022
Beneath your healthy and vibrant grass is the soil that holds the roots and supports your turf. Soil is the layer in the ground where plants grow and thrive. There are many different soil types, including sand, silt, and clay. Here in Iowa, we have a combination of all 3 soil types. Each has varying drainage capabilities and nutrient compositions, which is why it is so important to regularly test your soil to find out what it needs to help your grass thrive. Learn more about the earth...
Published on Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Trees and shrubs are often overlooked parts of a landscape, despite adding great value and beauty. Because of the environmental stressors from the previous season here in Iowa, spring is the perfect time to show your trees and shrubs some much-needed TLC with a root-feeding fertilization treatment. What makes spring the opportune time to do this is that your landscaping plants will need the boost to heal from winter and prepare themselves for the upcoming heat of summer. While there are other...
Published on Monday, April 11, 2022
The winters we have here in Iowa can take a toll on your lawn, which is why your grass needs all the help it can get as it wakes up from winter dormancy and prepares for the growing season. If you're looking for a lawn care solution that doesn't involve chemicals, core aeration is going to be your lawn's best bet.
Core aeration is a mechanical process that includes pulling plugs of soil from your lawn to reduce compaction. It allows nutrients and resources to easily...
Published on Thursday, April 07, 2022
In business, presenting your products and services to your customers in a good way is a must. However, if you are a brick-and-mortar business, your establishment and its surroundings should look good as well. A well-planned landscape design with bursts of colors from landscape beds can be your starting point to improve your establishment's appearance. Your customers will also value the time they spend on your establishment if it has elements of nature from water features and fire pits....
