Our Work Featured on Detroit Free Press Website

One of our projects from last summer (2008) was featured on the Detroit Free Press website recently.

Check it out:

http://www.freep.com/article/20091006/NEWS01/91006023/1322/East-English-

Soil Preparation and Amendments for the 10$ Hole

Soil prep is one of the most important things that can be done when planting. This will help with moisture retention, nutrient retention and root development of all plants.

When you excavate for a new plant, no matter what size plant, mix with the native soil your amendments.

Amendments are peat moss, compost, sand (preferrably sharp sand), top soil, fertilizer and even moisture absorb crystals.

Amendment amounts per plant on average (adjust according to size of root ball): ~ approximately 3-5 pounds of spagnum peat moss ~2-3 heaping shovelfulls of compost, top soil and sharp sand (not beach sand) ~ approximately 2 cups of fertilizer.

Add a little more sand, if you have clay soil.

Add 3/4ths of the fertilizer to the amended soil and reserve the final 1/4th to sprinkle over the top of the root ball.

Do NOT put amended soil over the top of the rootball. Rather, apply a layer of mulch on the top of the rootball. This will prevent suffocation if the plant was planted too deep. 

With the excavated soil in a pile next to the planting hole, mix your amendments into the pile. After mixing, backfill your plants, compacting the soil around the root ball of the plant with your hands, end of the shovel, pry bar knob end, or even a 2×4 scrape. Compacting the soil around the root ball is very important to remove air pockets. Also, fill the hole with water to help settle the new soil.

Also important before planting, I cut slits in the burlap of large balled & burlaped trees and shrubs. For smaller balled & burlaped plants, I completely remove the burlap. Attending the burlap speeds the plants ability to spread roots and grow in its new spot. Girdling of the trunk can occur if the ropes are left on.

Ten Dollar Hole for a Two Dollar Plant

Spend ten dollars on a hole for a two dollar plant. Spend money for the proper soil amendments when planting new plants. The proper soil preparation is costly at first but will pay for itself over time.

Make sure the plants have the correct moisture level at planting time. Water them when dry before planting. Watering the plant after you have back filled may not guarantee the proper water exchange to the plant.

Make sure the soil ball of the plant is well moist throughout the first year after planting to help ensure the root system will grow and expand into the existing soil, giving the plant a more secure future to thrive.    

If you are going out of town after you have planted, make sure you have someone come and water — even if it will rain. And make sure they water enough. Keeping your new plants and trees properly watered their first year is well worth the time and ensures a good start for your investment. Plants and trees have different watering requirements, make sure you ask the nursery or your landscaper. Knowing how much will also prevent overwatering.

Ajuga Reptans

Don’t Use Weed Barrier Under Mulch

Do not use weed barrier under mulch.

Only use weed barrier under gravels and decorative stone.

Mulches decompose and add welcome nutrients to the soil. If you put a weed barrier down first then the composting of the mulch cannot mediate into the soil.

Colonial Williamsburg Gardens

I took photos of the beautiful gardens at the building they call The Governor’s Palace at Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia. Lord Dunmore lived there as the Royal Governor of Virginia from 1771 to 1776. Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry lived there also while Governor of Virginia. It is from this residence that Lord Dunmore led his war against the Shawnee Indians.

Wrought Iron Fencing Along a Williamsburg Street

Spring Chores and Mulch

Get ready for planting season.

Soon the weather will break and that’s when you want to inspect your plantings for winter damage. During the visual inspection look closly at the plant’s stems / branches you will see the damage cuased by freezing, this will have a diferent color than the healthy stems. Using your pruners clip the damaged stem approximately 1/2 inch below the damaged stem. If you are not sure how much to prune off it is always better to be conservative on what / how much to prune, remember to always be mindful of the plant’s shape. Prune any damage you may find including damage from rabbits or mice.

Fertilize all your plants with a good balanced fertilizer. One of the best fertilizers you can buy is “osmacote”.

Prepare the beds for new mulch or by “tilling” up your existing mulch using a garden hook. You don’t have to add new mulch every year, if you do add mulch make sure the depth of the mulch does not exceed 4″. Too much mulch can be very damaging to your landscape.

Excess mulch can suffocate your plants and also create a hard pan — not allowing water to flow through the mulch to plants. Mulch is added to the beds to give plants a moisture retention and warm the soil. Good quality mulch can also add nutrients to the soil as it decomposes. I prefer to use Pine Bark mulch. I like this mulch for the rich color and more consistent size. It also adds some acidity to the soil.

Pine bark mulch costs around $40.00 per cubic yard. 

My second choice of mulch is shredded hardwood bark mulch. The only thing I have found with this mulch is it can become hard packed more easily then Pine Bark mulch. Hardwood mulch costs around $35.00 per cubic yard.

These mulches should be easily found at the local landscape supplier. One cubic yard of mulch will cover approximately 150 – 200 square feet @ 2 1/2 – 3″ thick.

You should expect to pay $35.00 – $45.00 per cubic yard to have it installed by a landscape professional.

Chatham Manor Gardens

Chatham Manor sits on the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, Virgina and was a Union field hospital during the Civil War battles in Fredericksburg.

The Union army took over the home and at one point nearly destroyed it with blood stains and the removal of wood panelling and whatever else they could burn to keep warm. It is now a National Historic Site.

In the 1920’s a new buyer rennovated the property and gardens. The gardens are beautiful and worth the trip. We went in the first week of October.

View Across the River at Fredericksburg

View of House from Gardens

View of House from River