Having issues with your soil? Here's a fun DIY on how to test your soil pH levels without a kit.
Soil pH or soil reaction is an indication of the acidity or alkalinity of soil and is measured in pH units. The pH scale goes from 0 to 14 with pH 7 as the neutral point. As the amount of hydrogen ions in the soil increases the soil pH decreases thus becoming more acidic. From pH 7 to 0 the soil is increasingly more acidic and from pH 7 to 14 the soil is increasingly more alkaline or basic.
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-test-soil-acidity-alkalini…
https://www.esf.edu/pubprog/brochure/soilph/soilph.htm
(If still looking to purchase a proper pH kit containing the necessary chemicals and color charts, check your local garden stores)
Working on some Memorial day weekend yard projects the next couple days?
Check out this How To video from the instructors at Fox Valley Tech. on pruning shrubs!
Check additional pruning guidelines on our pruning page here:
https://www.d-dlandscape.com/pruning-guidelines
WHAT IS POLLINATION?
Pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the male part of a flower to the female part, thus fertilizing the flower and allowing seed and fruit to form. Bees and other pollinators perform this service while collecting flower fuel in the form of pollen (protein) and nectar (carbs). Around 80% of the world’s flowering plants depend upon animals for pollination (the others are wind-pollinated).
Check out these links for a list of trees to attract pollinators; We need them!
https://www.bowerandbranch.com/learn-pollinators/
https://www.arborday.org/trees/health/pests/article-trees-for-bees.cfm
Who's Rhododendron's are in bloom right now?!
Fun fact: There are more than 6,000 different cultivated varieties of Rhododendron
Are you planning to grow your own vegetable garden this year?
Learn when to start vegetable seeds indoors with this Zone 5 planting schedule chart in the link below!
https://www.ufseeds.com/…/planting…/Zone-5-Planting-Calendar
What Does It Mean When a Tree Bleeds Sap?
As you're doing early season pruning you may start to notice that some of the tree's which have been pruned look as if they're bleeding. That is because tree's do bleed just like humans. Read more about it below!
HAPPY ARBOR DAY!
Celebrate this weekend by planting a tree, or 10, or 20.
***Be sure to always break up the root ball encouraging roots to grow outward after removing the nursery pot.***
Happy Earth Day! Appreciate and be kind to your planet today!
-Pick up trash
-Organize your garbage being sure to recycle
-Plant a garden or a tree
-Build garden statues or structures out of recycled or reclaimed materials
-Take a walk
-Start a compost bin
-Build a bird feeder, bird house, or bat house
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DAFFODILS & NARCISSUS?
Narcissus: The term narcissus (Narcissus sp.) refers to a genus of bulbs that includes hundreds of species and literally tens of thousands of cultivars! The Narcissus genus includes daffodils, jonquils, and paperwhites, among many others, so when in doubt, this is the term to use.
Daffodil: This is the official common name for ANY of the plants that fall into the genus Narcissus. So, if the plant is considered a Narcissus, it is also considered a daffodil as well. However, most people use the term “daffodil” when referring to the large, trumpet-shaped flowers of the Narcissus pseudonarcissus. These are those big, showy, familiar bulbs that bloom in spring that we all know and love. Common daffodils have single blossoms and flat, strappy leaves.
Often confused with the use of narcissus and daffodil is the term jonquil, which is a specific type of daffodil with dark green leaves and clusters of several small and fragrant flowers – different from the daffodil's one flower and flat leaves.
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/whats-difference-between-daffodil-narcissus-61448.html?fbclid=IwAR1L-Dpu8ykx3uu4iR3TTx6A7TWygXH3k-ilHOMuvC1YncvgX1vrIjWADKI
Drainage
Anyone's yard look like a small puddle right now? There are many factor's that may lead to different types of drainage issue's. Check out these fun or unique solutions to help with drainage problems!
Be on the look out for Hyacinth bulbs to start peaking through the ground very soon! Follow the link below to learn more about growing & caring for Hyacinth's.
https://www.thespruce.com/growing-and-caring-for-hyacinth-plants-1402248
Spring is just weeks away, and now is the time to start waking up & cleaning your landscape!
Late winter/early spring pruning is an annual maintenance that should be done on woody trees and shrubs to keep them looking their best, and healthy.
Always be sure to keep these guidelines in mind before going into the yard to prune:
-What it is/ When it flowers: (Remember the early blooming plants have flower buds on them in the spring. You can prune these plants after flowering to maximize bloom display.)
-Growth Habit: mature height, mature width, form, growth rate, longevity
-Aesthetics: foliage, growth habit, flowers, fruit, fall color, bark, branches
-Function: street tree, accent, specimen, hedge, barrier, border, edging, foundation, mass, screen, windbreak, groundcover, vine
Follow this link to our pruning guidelines page for more information on basic pruning tips!
A not so common but unique winter tree of interest for this time of year is the Paperbark Maple!
This is an excellent small tree for small properties which deserves a location where its ornamental features can be appreciated (near a deck or patio). They are also tolerant of clay soils, but prefers moist, well-drained soils in full sun-part shade.
The Tradition of Mistletoe at Christmas
Mistletoe is a plant that grows on range of trees including willow, apple and oak trees. The tradition of hanging it in the house goes back to the times of the ancient Druids. It is supposed to possess mystical powers which bring good luck to the household and wards off evil spirits. It was also used as a sign of love and friendship in Norse mythology and that's where the custom of kissing under Mistletoe comes from. 😙
Read more about the Mistletoe at:
https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/mistletoe.shtml
Christmas fern got its name because it stays green right through the holiday season in hardiness zones 3-9.
It is a robust, leathery fern which has glossy, green fronds year-round. Christmas ferns do best in an area that receives part shade or full shade, although they will tolerate some sun. Plant the ferns after the last frost, placing them 18 inches apart and deep enough to hold the roots without crowding.
http://ontarioferns.com/main/species.php?id=4003
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=poac4
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/…/…/christmas-fern-care.htm
No flower says Christmas like the beautiful poinsettia!
December 12th is Poinsettia Day, which marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett in 1851.
Learn more fun facts about this traditional Christmas plant at the link below!
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/poinsettia/facts.cfm
In areas where winter brings sub-zero temperatures and frigid, drying winds, take extra precautions to help your roses survive this winter!
To get in the Halloween spirit!
The Candy corn plant is a small semi-woody evergreen shrub that derives its name from the color and shape of the flowers, which closely mimic the familiar bulk candy by the same name. Commonly grown as an annual in our zone.
https://www.thespruce.com/candy-corn-plant-profile-4587349
Fall Trees- Freeman Maple
The Freeman Maple is a hybrid tree that will naturally grow in a forest setting. It is a cross between the Red Maple (Acer rubrum) and the Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum). The Freeman Maple can serve as a shade tree, a “focal point” in the landscape, as a screen to block unwanted views, plus many other uses.
https://www.kramertree.com/…/tree-week-freeman-maple-acer-…/
