Ryan's Guide to Your Lawn & Landscape
February 14th, 2012
While snow has evaded the midwestern part of our country for the most part this winter it is interesting how the white stuff can have an effect on the health of our lawns in spring.
Anytime snow is allowed to sit on the ground for an extended period of time mold has a potential to develop. There are two forms of the mold: gray and pink. Gray snow mold is less dangerous and occurs when temperatures are just above freezing. The mold will usually develop in small circles and can be expected to heal itself fairly quickly.
Pink snow mold can be more dangerous to the health of the lawn and can occur anytime from late fall to early spring regardless of the amount of snow. The number one way to prevent snow mold is to continue to mow your lawn in the late fall until the grass has for sure stopped growth. Winterization fertilizations can also prove an effective method in preventing this fungi from developing.
To learn more about snow mold visit http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/snowmolds.html
Tags: Kansas, lawn, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma, winter
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January 31st, 2012
This winter has not been typical. Little snow and 60 degree days in January have become expected. Knock on wood. While we may be enjoying the sun’s warmth, our landscape could potentially face a few dangers with the small amount of snowfall received so far.
Any type of bulb foliage that you may be currently seeing could be affected by frost from low temperatures in the evening. The frost damage may turn the edges of the leaves brown and dry, but it will have no lasting effect on the plant and will not stop it from flowering.
Make sure to pay special attention to any evergreens planted in containers. These can continue to lose water through their leaves in the winter, so watering them will help them perform better once springtime arrives.
Tags: Kansas, landscape maintenance, Missouri, Oklahoma, winter
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December 17th, 2011
Winter Grass. Sounds like an oxymoron right? Not quite…
Annual Winter rye grass is an example of one type of grass that will keep your lawn looking green throughout the winter months. While not as heat resistant as many midwestern lawns, this type of rye grass does seem to enjoy (or at least survive) the harsh winters.
Perennial rye is a permanent lawn choice in cooler climate areas, while annual is seeded yearly and lives for one season.
Tags: Kansas, lawn, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma, winter
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December 14th, 2011
While the midwest weather has remained fairly mild so far, we all know that winter snow and ice storms are just around the corner…
Ice storms especially can pose quite a hazard; especially when large trees overhang your house or street. Dead trees and branches are likely to pose the greatest hazard during these storms, and broken or ragged branches are the most likely to develop tree-weakening diseases.
Pruning your trees late-winter or early spring will be best for most trees as it allows the tree to concentrate its stored energy on a few branches. This time of year is also a less busy time for tree surgeons and arborists.
Make sure to call your Ryan pruning experts to help prevent any damage from this year’s winter storms!
Tags: Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma, pruning, winter
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December 2nd, 2011
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! We all know the Christmas Tree is a symbol of the Holiday, but here are a few facts that you may not have known about the tree:
- “Christmas Trees were first sold commercially in the United States around 1885
- President Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the White House lawn in 1923
- The best selling trees are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, balsam fir and white pine
- In the first week, a tree in your home will consume as much as a quart of water per day.
- Christmas trees take an average of 7-10 years to mature.
- Christmas trees remove dust and pollen from the air.
- 30-35 million Real Christmas Trees are sold in the U.S. every year”
To read more fun facts about the history and evolution of the Christmas Tree visit Christmas Tree Facts
Tags: Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma, winter
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November 29th, 2011
It may be cold outside, but don’t be fooled… Now is the perfect time to begin planning your spring landscaping!
Here are some helpful steps to take in order to ensure your landscape will be the talk of the block:
- Research your plant options
- Trees, shrubs, and ground cover will increase size and value of landscaping. Not to mention they require little maintenance.
- Flowers can provide the beauty of your landscaping; however, they may require the most work so choose wisely!
- Map out your designs
- The right combination and placement of trees, flowers, ground cover, and grass will result in a landscape that you can take pride in.
- Order your seeds
Remember that landscapers tend to be very busy as soon as the snow begins to melt so start your planning now!
Tags: flower, grass, Kansas, landscape maintenance, Missouri, Oklahoma, winter
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November 29th, 2011
Despite the mild fall we have experienced so far in the midwest, winter has finally arrived. As the temperature is dropping, the time to begin preparing your landscaping for the climate change is now.
Here are a few techniques that could help your plants return healthy and full in the spring:
1. Cover your plants with mulch, compost, or shredded leaves and water them thouroughly. This mulch will act as a blanket for the root system of the plants; resulting in more constant temperatures.
2. Landscaped plants can be covered with plastic sheets or cardboard boxes. This will allow frost to collect on the covering rather than the plant. On sunny days, the covering should be open to allow the plant all the sunlight possible.
3. Vegetable Gardens can be protected with a system similar to that of a greenhouse. With the use of thin PVC pipe and plastic sheeting, a dome like structure can be created over the top of the garden.
4. Smaller, potted plants can be protected from the wintery weather simply by re-locating them into your garage.
Tags: flower, flowers, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, plants, winter
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November 15th, 2011
Thank goodness for evergreen trees in the midwest. Once all of the beautiful red, orange, and yellow leaves have fallen off of the deciduous trees in the area, only the evergreens are left to provide some color to the landscape. Here is a little guide to the different types of evergreens and what distinguishes each particular variety:
Juniper/Cedar Trees: These trees are very well suited for the Missouri/Kansas climate. Those with allergies may despise them; however local small birds and mammals find comfort beneath their needles.
Pine Trees: Pine trees provide a great windbreak for those living in rural areas. Farmers tend to prefer the pine for their low probability of spreading across a field.
Spruce Trees: The Colorado Blue Spruce and the Norwegian Spruce are most common in the midwest. If you plan to plant a spruce keep in mind that they require full sunlight to reach their full potential.
Arborvitae: Another example of a hearty evergreen that can survive the harshest conditions Kansas and Missouri have to throw at it. Drought resistant, and thrives in the winter; the arborvitae can grow at a rate of 2-3 feet per year.
Tags: Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma, winter
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November 8th, 2011
Halloween has come and gone and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. With the holiday season fast approaching signals the perfect time to winterize your lawn! Compare your lawn going into dormancy with a grizzly bear hibernating for the winter. Your grass needs a heavy application of nitrogen fertilizer to build a large food reserve for spring and early summer use. This ensures earlier spring green-up, excellent color, better rooting and tillering.
This winter application is actually the most important fertilizer application of the year for cool season grasses. Here are a few more tips to make sure this winterization application is fully effective:
1. Make sure leaves covering your lawn are “puffed up” or removed. Leaves stuck to the ground can prevent fertlizer from reaching the soil
2. Keep your lawn mowed. Approximately 1-inch for warm season, and 2-inches for cool season grasses is appropriate.
3. After nitrogen application is applied, make sure to give your lawn one last dose of water. This should help activate the fertilizer!
Remember, the key to a beautiful and thriving spring lawn is good preparation leading up to the winter months!
source
Tags: Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Oklahoma, winter
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