The Side Effects of a Late Spring on Your Plantings
April 17, 2018Is Spring Here Yet?
By Adrienne Angelucci
As many of you may have noticed, Mother Nature has not quite made up her mind as to whether she wants to continue the blustery saga that characterized winter 2017-2018 or allow us the pleasure of an actual spring.
As a result, we along with the plants in our gardens are frustrated and not quite sure how to dress and how to react. With colder temperatures, random snow showers, and blustery winds, expect the signs of spring and plant emergence from trees to perennials to annual flowers to be arriving later than usual.
Although difficult, we will need to be patient with plants this year and give them time to react to warmer temperatures and weather that is more consistent.
One easy way to help determine if plants are simply slow to emerge or dead are a simple scratch test. Using a small knife or even your fingernail, scratch the bark to reveal the internal stem. If green, the plant remains viable; if brown, this portion of the plant may have died back.
The important thing to do is to make sure you test numerous branches in the plant in various locations. This will give you an overall sense, as it is normal for plants to have some dieback here and there. The scratch test may reveal that only the upper portion of the plant is damaged and the internal portion is viable. For this situation, a light pruning will help to promote rejuvenation.
In addition to an overall delay, the highs and lows of this winter were especially hard on broadleaf evergreens (any plant that maintains its leaf in the winter that does not fall into the conifer category). Many plants, including Nandina, Laurel, Azalea, Boxwood, etc.. , subjected to the constant undulation in temperatures, freeze/thaw cycle and harsh winds, are showing signs of winter burn and or defoliation.
EFFECTS OF A LATE FREEZE ON BLOOMING SCHRUBS AND TREES
You may notice this as some of the plants have brown and rust color areas with plants appearing like they have been singed in a fire. Essentially, the plant is showing damage from dehydrated plant cells.
Unfortunately, there is very little can do to treat winter burn. Recommendations will depend on the severity of the burn. For mild burn, proper feeding (fertilizing) and watering will help.
The reality of winter burn is that patience comes into play again. Waiting to see if the plant pushes new buds and seeing how the plant regenerates is the ultimate answer. Unfortunately, successful rejuvenation can sometimes take an entire season if not more.
At this point, it may be more beneficial to remove the plant and consider replacement. Proper planning is key for winter burn protection; the installation of wind breaks, burlap, or application with anti-desiccants prior to winter can help.
Unfortunately, these methods are not the end all, depending on how Mother Nature is feeling. So a little patience, TLC and fortitude will be needed heading into this growing season. If you have questions, DiSabatino Landscaping has answers. Call us to assess your plantings – we can help identify what ones to nurture and which ones need replaced.
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can design an outdoor living environment that will add quality to your life and value to your home. Give us a call today! 302-764-0480
Why Homeowners Should Be Positive About BEES in Their Landscape
April 3, 2018
I DO NOT WANT ANY BEES IN MY LANDSCAPE!
I hear this remark all the time from homeowners for whom I design landscapes. It makes me ask, “Why not”?
Unfortunately, bees have gotten a bum rap by homeowners in the last 20 years or so. People unfairly view Bees as an angry and aggressive intruder in the backyard, an unwanted guest with the sole purpose of ruining your backyard barbecue with family or friends, which simply is not true.
The main purpose of bees is to collect pollen (for their hive) or distribute pollen (on other plants) to aid in the development of fruit on those plants. Pollen provides a valuable food source for bee larvae back in the hive.
Without pollen, bees cannot produce honey, bee larvae will die, and with a hive losing its ability to sustain itself through the creation of new generations of worker bees, will simply perish.
The spreading of pollen from one fruit or vegetable plant to another is how the plant forms fruit…and from that fruit, creates the necessary seed that will allow that plant to reproduce itself again for future generations.
Many of the food crops we enjoy, such as corn, wheat, apples, tomatoes, and blueberries, all rely on bees to spread their pollen. Without the efforts of those pollinating bees, the world’s agricultural industry would collapse!
Homeowners are often afraid of bees for fear of getting stung by them. By nature, bees are not aggressive, unless they must protect their hive from physical threat. Hornets, yellow jackets, and wasps (which do not resemble bees at all) are more likely to be aggressive and sting an unsuspecting human visitor in the landscape.
I have been an active gardener for over 30 years and cannot recall ever being stung by a bee.
What bees and other pollinating insects can bring to a landscape is movement…and life!
Sitting in a quiet space in your landscape and watching bees hover and dance from one flower to the next gathering pollen on their legs is almost hypnotic. For many gardeners, watching bees in their landscape definitely lowers their blood pressure.
Think about these points the next time you see bees in your backyard, and you are tempted to run for the aerosol spray insect killer.
Celebrate Spring With An Outdoor Living Space To Die For!
March 22, 20183 Ways to Enjoy Your Backyard With Protection From the Elements:
I am sure many are skeptical that spring will arrive to Delaware any time soon. With a fourth nor’easter ushering in the season of rebirth, it is hard to imagine warm days and nights spent enjoying the outdoors.
Yet, as sure as the sun rises and sets each day, the warm weather will be here soon. Make this the year that you enhance your backyard with a Pergola, sunroom or a beautiful outdoor living space installed by Delaware’s #1 hardscape experts, DiSabatino Landscaping.
1) A Pergola can provide a beautiful accent to your rear yard. The structure alone can produce a comfortable amount of shade. Enhance that shade with a retractable canopy or overhead lattice work.
2) An Open Rear Porch is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors in any weather. The roof will provide protection from the sun and the rain. Add retractable screens for protection from insects. Add heaters to warm the area for all season entertaining.
3) A Sunroom is another wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors. Add wide open screen windows or a grand wall of doors that slide open to let fresh air in. Sunrooms can also have heat and air conditioning for yearlong enjoyment.
Don’t forget the accents like an outdoor kitchen, fireplace, television or sound system to create your total outdoor living experience.
Entertainment can be a breeze with an outdoor living space full of all the luxuries that one would expect to have to go indoors to enjoy. Get family and friends together for some fresh air, great conversation and superb entertainment that will sooth and rejuvenate the soul.
If you’re looking to extend your home’s living space to the outdoors, get in touch with DiSabatino Landscaping – 302-764-0408
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3 Ways to Prepare Your Patio for Spring
March 6, 2018
This has been one wet winter and as spring approaches, it is not going to dry up anytime soon. When moisture sits continually on cement, brick and stamped concrete surfaces mildew and algae can become a problem. In addition, the freeze and thaw cycles of winter can cause damage to patios that have cracks and crevices.
Many are more than ready for the sunny warm weather ahead, but are our patios ready?Now is the time to prepare for the outdoor dinners, cocktail hours and picnics ahead. Getting your patio in shape for the season can make entertaining a breeze.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING YOUR PATIO FOR SPRING AND SUMMER USE:
1 ) Inspect for Ice Damage: As mentioned before, the winter can cause damage to patio surfaces when water seeps into cracks or crevices and freezes. Early spring is the time to assess any damage done from freeze/thaw cycle.
Not only do cracks or chipped areas on concrete look bad, they could deteriorate even further if not repaired. The approach to repairing these surfaces will vary depending on a number of variables. Check out this Quickrete® Guide on Repairing Concrete.
2) Clean off Mildew and Algae: How you deal with ridding a patio of mildew and algae with depend on the severity of the stains. It is recommended to start with a stiff broom to sweep off as much dirt and debris as possible. While using a power washer is less caustic, it often does not work on stubborn stains.
Using bleach or vinegar is effective, but it could do some real damage to your lawn and landscaping. Baking soda is more natural and gentler solution – try mixing ½ cup baking soda to one gallon of water and 1/8 cup of liquid dish detergent first. Spray it on the patio surface, let it sit for 30 minutes, then scrub and rinse.
If your patio does not receive enough sun to dry up on a regular basis to prevent recurring mildew and algae, consider pruning or removing some trees to allow more sunlight to reach your patio.
3) Apply Sealant: If your patio has not been sealed in that last 3-5 years, it would be wise to have a sealant applied to prolong the life of your patio.
Sealer provide a tough, water-resistant finish that is protects your patio from exposure to water, common acids, alkalies, petroleum, solvents, oils, greases, and salts. Call a professional hardscape specialist to have sealer applied.
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can design an outdoor living environment that will add quality to your life and value to your home. Give us a call today! 302-764-0480
How to Handle the Challenges to Your Landscape for Record Cold Winter
February 20, 2018
2018 has started off as a blustery cold winter and our friend Phil the groundhog gave us some more bad news when he saw his shadow, declaring six more weeks of winter. Whether you believe in Phil’s skills or not, one thing is for sure: this record cold winter has had a major impact on our area.
How has this affected homeowners?
This year, we heard from many of our clients that their pipes have burst for the first time ever in more than 50 years of living in their homes. Sustained wind chills at below zero temperatures have kept a lot of plumbers busy.
Because temperatures were so low and were accompanied by snow, there were higher than average amounts of rock salt being used. In some cases, it was ineffective because it was so cold.
This is an issue because the salt can be dangerous to driveways, walkways, garages and plants that are in close proximity to the street. Even though our clients may be diligent in using safe concrete and paved surface products, tires and wheel wells can pick up significant amounts of rock salt and brine. The residuals can drop onto the driveway or get tracked into patios and walkways. When the snow melts, the salt gets into soil, seriously hurting plants and trees.
Evergreen plants such as boxwoods, cherry laurels, rhododendrons and others get serious winter burn and browning, causing concerned homeowners. Luckily, in most instances the new growth will emerge in the spring.
In addition, our company’s work schedule has been impacted by weather delays and low temperatures that cause unsafe word conditions. This has resulted in a larger than usual backlog for the spring. Even with this cold weather, a lot of our clients have been planning their outdoor living spaces, pools and landscapes to be ready when the warm temperatures arrive. If you are planning a project this spring, we recommend contacting one of our team members for a consultation to get started soon.
This year is starting off as one of our busiest in over a decade. We are committed to taking care of our clients and continuing our tradition of excellence in customer service and quality installs, but we need your help this year to have us out early enough to take care of your landscape, outdoor living space or pool.
And when spring does come, we’ll all be grateful to hear birds chirping, see plants budding and entertain friends and family outdoors!
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can design an outdoor living environment that will add quality to your life and value to your home. Give us a call today! 302-764-0480
4 Steps to Optimal Plant Health for Your Landscaping
February 6, 2018
Why Plant Culture and Environment is Important for Plant Health
A healthy plant, planted correctly in the right location, is more likely to remain healthy and less susceptible to attack by disease or insects.
Healthy gardens and landscapes start not only with healthy plants but also with healthy soil and environments. Quality soil and mulch, with proper watering regimes for new (and sometimes established) plants play important parts of keeping plants healthy and thriving. Good management of the landscape is essential, especially in the soil and root systems of plants. Maintenance, plus fertilizing, pruning and making other adjustment as conditions change, is also essential.
Check out our ‘Plant Health Care Programs and/or Preservation’ suggestions to get your plants lush and healthy.
4 Steps to Optimal Plant Health for Your Landscaping:
1) Soil Testing: determines proper mode of action.
2 )Fertilizing Program: Spring – macro-element based (N-P-K); Summer – granular application for mid-season improvements; Fall – micro-element based (iron, calcium, sulfur and mycorrhizae/humates).
3) Air Spading for root systems (if necessary): De-compacts soil, root collar excavations, girdling root removals and Amendments (compost/organic matter) may be added for additional soil improvement.
4)Pest Management Applications: This should be for plants that still exhibit insect problems or trees that are susceptible to damaging invasive pests/disease. Many applications require more than one for the treatment to be effective. A goal should be to use a minimal risk treatment (cultural practices, oils, soaps, beneficial insects) before applying conventional insecticides/fungicides. However, in many instances, a zero or minimal-tolerance for pests and disease, would be considered grounds for treatment; this means, depending on the extent or severity of the infestation/or disease, that immediate action should be taken to remedy a solution.
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can design an outdoor living environment that will add quality to your life and value to your home. Give us a call today! 302-764-0480
4 Benefits of Planting ‘Winter Interest’ Plants
January 17, 2018The winter weather tends to bring a boring, cold landscape that further makes us want spring to come as soon as possible. All the plants in a landscape are frozen in time or cut back to the ground, awaiting the weather to break and bring us their colorful interest for yet another season.
This winter, as you stay warm in your home, consider spots outside that could benefit from a little color added to an otherwise bland landscape. Winter interest plants may not warm you up, but they are sure to bring some color and lifeduring the boring winter days.
4 Benefits of Planting ‘Winter Interest’ Plants This Season:
 1) COLOR – Color that is otherwise not around until the weather breaks in April. Try color twig dogwood or Switchgrasses (Panicum sp.) as winter accent plants. |
 2) BIRDS –Winterberry shrubs and Hawthorne trees have colorful berries that attract an array of birds. |
 3) FLOWERS – Early flowering Witch-hazel and perennial Hellebore give a surprise of flower color during winter months. |
 4) SHELTER – Grasses that are not cut back are a habitat for wildlife, including some beneficial pollinators that overwinter in stems of grass plants and perennials. |
There is no added landscape maintenance for winter interest plants. ‘Winter Interest’ plants are utilized in many ways to improve the winter view until our flowers and warm weather return in the spring!
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can design an outdoor living environment that will add quality to your life and value to your home. Give us a call today! 302-764-0480
5 Tips on Keeping Fresh Landscape Installations Looking Great
January 2, 2018Did you have a landscape overhaul last season?
Your new landscape may look spectacular for the first year, but it could revert to being lackluster shortly thereafter without pest control, plant feeding, and routine pruning.
A professional landscaping makeover can greatly enhance the value of any home. Keeping a freshly landscaped property well maintained is an art in itself. If you want your landscape to continue to flourish and look nice year after year, you will need to initiate a landscape maintenance plan.
The importance of maintaining your landscape plants and properly feeding, pruning and protected from extreme temperature and pests cannot be overstated. Now that you have invested in creating a beautiful outdoor environment, it is time to protect that investment.
Did You Know DiSabatino Landscaping Designs Beautiful Patios With Pergolas?
December 19, 2017
DiSabatino Landscaping builds beautiful pergolas integrated expertly with custom designed patios and decks.A pergola can provide protection from direct sunlight, yet allow for air to circulate freely. This makes them a welcome respite from the harsh rays of the afternoon sun. Making them a perfect feature of an outdoor living space.
Check out this charming outdoor space that DiSabatino’s creative hardscape architects designed and installed for the Heald Property in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Notice the various gathering places, such as the awesome fire pit adjacent to the Italian Renaissance style pergola. Perfect for outdoor entertainment and enjoyment.
Why Late Winter is the Best Time to Prune
December 5, 2017Most would be surprised to learn that winter is the best time to prune your deciduous plants. Though it might be frigid and snowy outside, pruning plants in the winter months while they lay dormant promotes fast regrowth come spring.
Proper pruning can enhance the health and look of your trees and shrubs. Winter is a good time because most woody plants are dormant and so too are the many insects and diseases that could potential invade at the location of the pruning cuts.