Trees can last for a life time – They can also die!

Trees when well-kept and properly taken care of can last generations.  But sometimes they die.  There are many things that can happen to trees. Below are just a few to watch for and possible solutions.

1. Excessive Winds – High winds will damage your tree’s limbs and could uproot your tree if you have not taken care of by trimming and thinning the tree.  Safely trimming a tree right is not easy and should be done by a trusted tree service.

2. Fertilizing – Trees need fertilizer when planted to give them that jump-start on growing and for setting the root system.  Check the soil condition to be sure what kind of nutrients are needed and feed them accordingly.  Watch the health and growth cycle of the tree; if a problem occurs, check back with your nursery for help.

3. All Kinds of Pest – There are so many you need a dictionary to name them all.  When you see pests around the tree, take notice of the kind.  If you don’t know the type, take a picture and check online or call an arborist.

4. Fungus & Diseases – Check on your trees from time to time and watch for changes.  Many diseases are specific to the tree type. Know the types of trees you have and type of diseases they are prone to have.  There are sprays for most all diseases. Check the lawn & garden store for help.

5. Damage to the Root System – Roots are for taking in nutrients and water to keep the tree alive and healthy.  Make sure the roots are not growing up, too shallow, toward the house or toward your water/sewer system.  That could be expensive.

6. Watering – With an under-watered tree, you will notice the leaves wilting and very dry leaves.  The ground will be dry and sometimes the branches will be very brittle.  With an over-watered tree, you will notice wilting and discolored leaves, but you will also notice algae and mushroom growth at the base of the tree.

7. Unawareness – When buying trees, make sure you tell the nursery what you are trying to accomplish and where you will be planting the tree.  Know how long it will be in the sunlight, the soil condition, water conditions, topography of your site, and ask your nursery for help and their recommendation.

Swan Creek Landscaping, Inc. helps homeowners and businesses in Cecil and Harford Counties with all of their landscaping needs, helpful hints, and questions.  From design, to construction, to maintaining your property year round, we will provide you with a landscaping experience that will exceed your expectations.  When considering your Landscape, Hardscape, or Lawn Maintenance needs, please give us a call for a free consultation on how we can turn your visions and our experience into an outdoor living experience you and your family will appreciate.

Phone – 410.378.8668
Website: http://www.SwanCreekLandscaping.com

10 – Secrets for your home curb appeal!

My real estate friends are always telling me about homeowners who are not concerned about the curb appeal of their home as much as they are about the appearance of the interior when listing their property.  Realtors tell us that the first 2 minutes when the client first pulls up in front of the property sets the stage, positive or negative, for the rest of the showing.  Yes, first impressions are important, very important.  If the outside of the house looks great when they open the front door, they will have a positive attitude. This allows the salesperson to show the true features of the home. Do not forget the backyard.  Most of the time the backyard is the last place shown to the client before leaving the property, and you don’t want them to leave on a downer.

There are many tips to improving the curb appeal of your home and below are just a few:
• Flowers – Easy to plant, pleasing to the eye, and generate a pleasing aroma
• Walkways – Clean them up with a power washer and repair those that are unattractive
• Trees – Flowering trees placed in the right spots will brighten your landscape by adding color and dimension
• Mail Box – Buy a new one or paint the old one but make it attractive and pleasing to the eye
• Decks – Power wash and stain and then add some potted plants
• Patios – Cleaning, reorganizing, and placement of potted plants will change the look of any outside area
• Lawn – Keep your yard maintained, mowed, and the trees trimmed
• Paint – Paint the fence, mailbox, or the front door for a quick makeover
• Siding – Power wash the siding to make the colors pop
• Mulch – Add new mulch to your beds and around trees to catch the eye of others
• Lighting – Add low-voltage lighting around the walkways, deck, and around the house is important
• Edging – Edge around the driveways, walks, flower beds and trees for a clean appearance

A home that is well maintained and cared for is a happy home.  Taking a few small steps to improve the appearance of your home will be pleasing to you, your neighbors, and will put dollars in your pocket when you decide to sell your property.  Yes, you can stage the outside of your house, just like the inside, when selling.

Swan Creek Landscaping, Inc. prides itself in providing unique ideas, tips, and design/build Outdoor Living Spaces to the Cecil and Harford County area that will enhance the value of our clients’ homes and businesses.  From design, thru construction, till the dark of night turns on the lighting system, we provide living spaces that will exceed your expectations.  And, we are not done when a project is completed; we can continue by maintaining that outdoor space and the remainder of your entire property with Lawn Maintenance that will keep it beautiful year round. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you to make the right landscape investment, while enhancing the value of your home.

Phone – 410.378.8668
Website: http://www.SwanCreekLandscaping.com

Planning Your Own Vegetable Garden

Gardens can add a fresh new look to your landscape and great fresh food to your table.

According to Vegetables.co.nz, the most popular fresh produce products are potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, mushrooms, kumara, carrots, capsicums, onions, broccoli, cucumbers, pumpkin, and spinach.

What do you have to do to get started?  Reading, planning, and deciding what vegetables you want to plant is key.

1st Step: Is the climate right for a garden?  The climate in Maryland is most conducive to growing all types of vegetables.  We have good rainfall, lots of sun, and good soils.

2nd Step: Decide what you want to plant and that will direct you to the location for your garden.  Rome was not build in a day.  Start your gardening experience with a small garden to find out if you like it or not.

3rd Step: Garden locations are normally in the backyard, although I have seen gardens in great looking beds in the front yard and have also planted gardens around the house in the flower beds.  The garden location needs to be where there is a lot of sunlight, is accessible to the rain, and in a good drainage area.

4th Step: You will need some tools and supplies to begin and  maintain your garden, including:
• Shovel, Garden Rake, Garden Hoe, Seeds or Plants, Fertilizer, Water Hose & Nozzle
• Plant Name Sticks, Bucket, Protective Fence & Posts (for pest control)

5th Step: Start the process. Turn over the soil (shovel) or have someone come in and work the soil.  Read the instructions on each of the seed packs to ensure you plant at the right depth and distance apart.  Plant your vegetables in rows that you furrow out with your hoe.  If instructed by the seed manufacturer, give the seeds some water, cover the seeds with dirt and watch what happens.

Do you need help and support for your garden?  Sometimes folks want a garden and all the related advantages of having fresh vegetables, but they do not have the time and/or the interest in planting and maintaining the garden.  This would call for a professional gardener who will come with all of the right experience, equipment, and tools to start and maintain your garden.  The only thing you would have to provide is a listing of the vegetables you want in the garden.

Swan Creek Landscaping, Inc. helps homeowners in Cecil and Harford Counties with their gardening needs by providing helpful tips, answering questions or by providing installation and maintenance.   From design, to construction, to maintaining your property year round, we will provide you with a landscaping experience that will exceed your expectations.   When considering your Landscape, Hardscape or Lawn Maintenance needs, please give us a call for a free consultation on how we can turn your visions and our experience into an outdoor living experience you and your family will appreciate.

Phone – 410.378.8668
Website: http://www.SwanCreekLandscaping.com

Why have a professional landscaper do my springtime clean-up?

Spring is just around the corner and the rigors of another all-out clean-up of the yard is closing in on you. You have that sinking feeling that you do not have the time nor the ambition to spend several weekends in the yard even though you know the benefits. If that’s how you feel, then now is the time to call in a professional to give you a jump start on this year’s yard maintenance. Eliminate your stress!

The first step in having your landscape maintenance done by a professional is to have them come to you home and inspect your needs. What needs to be done? What are the equipment needs? What materials and supplies are needed? What are the man-power requirements? Finally, a time-line for the project and the related cost needs to be determined.

A springtime professional yard clean-up could include:
• Removing debris that accumulated over the winter – leaves, sticks, dead plants, etc.
• Pruning your plants and shrubs – they need thinned and cut back to allow for sunlight and air
• Removing old mulch and applying new mulch – 2” to 3” inches should be just about right
• Thatching (if needed) and fertilizing the lawn – to enhance good root growth
• Applying a herbicide for weed control – dandelions and wire grass are surely unwanted
• Edging the beds, sidewalks, and driveway – giving them a sharp, clean appearance

What are the benefits of a professional yard maintenance program?
• By hiring a landscape professional the work will get done quickly
• They bring the right tools and equipment to safely ensure a quality maintenance job
• Your professional has the expertise and knowledge to ensure your landscape has the best care possible and to recognize problems and fix them
• Your yards appearance in the neighborhood will be the source of great pride for you and your neighbors, while allowing you to enjoy your outdoor living space earlier than you expected

Swan Creek Landscaping, Inc. helps homeowners and businesses in Cecil and Harford Counties with all of their springtime landscaping maintenance needs. From design to construction to maintaining your property year round, we will provide you with a landscaping experience that will exceed your expectations. When considering your landscape, hardscape, or lawn maintenance needs please give us a call for a free consultation on how we can turn your visions and our experience into an outdoor living experience you and your family will enjoy and appreciate.
Phone: 410.378.8668
Website: http://www.SwanCreekLandscaping.com

April Showers bring May Grasses

Springtime is here and April showers are filling our earth with water.  You and your family can’t wait to be outside again soaking up the great Maryland weather and sunshine.  But April rains are causing flooding in your yard and may expose your yard to mold and diseases.  After the winter months, one key aspect of preparing your lawn for usage all summer and into the fall is Aeration.  The benefits of Core Aeration and the related Over-seeding of your lawn in the spring and/or in the fall are many.  Helping to eliminate surface flooding in your yard and enhancing healthy grass growth are just two:

1.   Aeration will reduces soil compaction.  Just as you wouldn’t try to plant a flower in concrete, a rock-hard lawn will hinder your ability to have great grass growth and may not allow your yard to absorb the April showers.  Factors that contribute to compaction ofyour lawn are foot traffic, heat, and a lack of water.

2.   Aeration reduces thatch.  Thatch is made up of grass stems and roots that accumulate faster than they can break down and can hinder healthy grass growth.

3.   Aeration allows access to the root system.  By digging down into the soil and pulling out soil plugs, you will be allowing moisture, air, and plant food to soak into the soil right down to the root zone where they are absorbed.

4.   Aeration enhances seeding and germination.  Once you open the soil by Aeration, you will want to follow-up with over-seeding.  Seeds germinate easily in aerator holes as the holes provide them a place to hide and touch open soil.  Over-seeding introduces new grass seed to fill in bare and/or thin spots as well as thickening up the existing grasses.

5.   Aeration and Over-seeding will loosen the soil to relieve the compaction, allowing it to breathe and help reduce the germination of weeds.  Aeration and Over-seeding will immediately allow the April showers to penetrate the soil and improve your lawn’s current appearance.

Swan Creek Landscaping, Inc. helps homeowners and businesses in Cecil and Harford Counties with Aeration and Over-seeding services that will enhance the look of your lawn while meeting all of their other landscaping needs.  These helpful hints and questions are just one way we serve our clients.  From design, to construction, to maintaining your property year round, we will provide you with a landscaping experience that will exceed your expectations.  When considering your Landscape, Hardscape or Lawn Maintenance needs, please give us a call for a free consultation on how we can turn your visions and our experience into an outdoor living experience you and your family will appreciate.

Phone – 410.378.8668
Website: http://www.SwanCreekLandscaping.com

7 Tips for Spring Mulching

Applying mulch around your house landscape beds, around your trees, and throughout your flower gardens provides a neat, clean, eye-pleasing appearance to your landscape and also helps hold moisture in the ground and around the plants.  The following are 7 tips for your consideration that can save you some time and anguish:

1. Buying Inorganic Mulch (man-made mulch) – This a ground covering product called mulch, but is really some other unnatural type of material: plastic, rubber, or other synthetic products.  Make sure you know what you are buying.
2. Buying Organic Mulch – This is a natural ground cover product that breaks down over time and works into your soils, making them richer.   Organic examples include wood bark & chips, fine needles, peat moss, processed wood pallets.
3. Let your nose be your guide – Scoop up a hand full of the mulch and see how it smells.   Is the odor too strong for placement around your home or does it have a sour smell?  Do not buy sour-smelling Mulch.
4. Is the mulch animal friendly? – During the processing of the mulch some added chemicals, coloring dies, or other agents that could cause harm to your family or pets if digested.  Check out the chemicals.
5. Previously mulched surfaces – If you are applying new mulch over last year’s existing mulch, take time to break it up with a rake or cultivator and work it into the ground.
6. Before applying the Mulch – Take an environmentally friendly “home defense pest spray” which is safe around humans and animals and spray around the foundation of your house to add a protective barrier against ants, termites and other insects.
7. Spreading the Mulch – Several tips:
• For best results, spread in the early spring (not on frozen ground)
• If there has been no rain and the ground is dry, water the area
• Feed your plants before spreading the mulch
• Save your time and energy by getting down on your knees and    spreading it with your hands (gloves needed) evenly around the plants, about 3” inches thick, but not up against the plants neck. Smooth the surface out with your hands.

Swan Creek Landscaping, Inc. helps homeowners and businesses in Cecil and Harford Counties with all of their flowering, mulching and spring clean-up needs, with helpful hints and tips.  From design, to construction, to maintaining your property year round, we will provide you with a landscaping experience that will exceed your expectations.  When considering your Landscape, Hardscape or Lawn Maintenance needs, please give us a call for a free consultation on how we can turn your visions and our experience into an outdoor living experience you and your family will appreciate.
Phone – 410.378.8668
Website: http://www.SwanCreekLandscaping.com