We take colors for granted. They enrich our world and provide beauty every day.  Colors come from pigments and most flower colors come from the pigments known as anthocyanins.  These are classified as chemicals called flavonoids and result in pink, red, blue and purple coloring in flowers. Oranges and yellows are from a type of pigment called carotenoids.  The next pigment you’ll probably recognize— Chlorophyll. It is the most commonly known because of all the greenery we see in our world—this abundant chemical puts the green in leaves, foliage and flowers.

A genom Is an organism’s genetic material. Chloroplasts are fixed in the genoms of every flower and plant. These are responsible for color. So what is a chloroplast? Dictionary definition: A plastid containing chlorophyll and other pigments, occurring in plants and algae that carry out photosynthesis.

You may wonder why some flowers are brightly colored and others are pale or dull? Well, think about those flowers and flowering plants who need the help of the birds and the bees to pollinate and reproduce. In order to attract bees, birds and other insects they typically have bright, bold, noticeable colors. They will also have fruits that taste sweet and probably smell nice, too. But for plants and flowers whose pollination is handled by the wind, they don’t need bright colors and their fruit tastes bad or has no taste at all. They may smell bad or have no scent – they aren’t trying to attract anyone!

Essentially, the amount of anthocyanin pigments produced by a flower determine its color, as well as its genetics and the location of the flower. Weather and soil conditions can affect the brightness or dullness of any certain flower or plant. If you want a beautiful flowering garden, you probably want to use bright, colorful flowers. Which flowers you choose to grow should depend on where you live. The Northeast United States can be harsh but summer can bring a beautiful array of colorful blooms. Ask your landscaping professional to recommend flowers for the space that you have available for planting. Certain flowers require more sun or more shade than others so explaining or showing your lawn and garden area to your landscaper will help them make the best selections for you.

Your landscaper will also consider what type of soil you have or are using. Here’s an example of a flower easily affected by soil. The hydrangea blooms in shades of pink and purple when the soil pH is higher. If the pH is 5.5 or lower and aluminum is present in the soil, these flowers produce a bright blue bloom.

Flowers brighten our day and bring cheer to our home. When choosing flowers to plant in the ground or in pots, you will probably consider both color and scent—or maybe you’ll choose them just for looks. But be advised that the flower that looks the prettiest may not grow the best in your home. This is why garden professionals are a great source of information. The other thing you should tell them when asking for recommendations of what to grow is whether or not you want to attract birds, butterflies, bees or even specifically hummingbirds. They can advise you on which flowers will attract which critters. Enjoy your flowering world this spring and summer!

Today’s society more than ever is concerned with being “green”—reusing, recycling, and conserving. The less resources we use the more there will be for future generations. Making a compost heap is a very green thing to do. Rather than buying fertilizers or buying new plants frequently because you haven’t fertilized the plants you have, you can keep your plants and shrubs alive and healthy with rich fertilizer that you made yourself. Remember—fertile soil is the key to growing beautiful plants and rich vegetables.

Some plants and bushes will react more favorably to natural fertilizer than others—ask your garden and landscaping professional about the benefits of compost fertilizer and which of your lawn and garden plants would like it the most. In case you are not familiar with the term, ‘compost’ is natural waste—animal and vegetable material that rots and breaks down. We’re talking about things like vegetable and fruit peels and skin; egg shells; fat trimmed from meats; bones left over from meat; trimmings and pruning from trees and shrubs; dead leaves that you have raked up—basically anything that was living can be added to a compost heap.

By placing these natural waste items into a heap or a bin you speed up the decaying process. You are providing warmth and moisture and this is the favorable environment for compost to become fertilizer. (So the location of your compost heap must allow for moisture and heat to be trapped.  Under the branches of a deciduous tree is ideal because the heap will get both sunlight but also protection.) It is important that you have a mix of items to create good compost. Too much of one item will throw your fertilizer off balance and prevent it from decaying properly. You want to mix in a lot of plant stuff—lawn mowings (grass trimmings) are ideal.  If you do not have enough grass- and leaf-type waste in your compost, the smell will get very strong—you don’t want to annoy your neighbors!

It is also important not only that you have a nice mix of things in your compost heap but that you chop things up into small pieces before adding them to the heap. Throwing a whole branch on there won’t work!  Even things like broccoli stalks should be cut into pieces for optimum compost creation.

Before you start adding all your kitchen scraps and natural waist, you need to put down a bed of three or 4 inches of straw. As you add a layer of trimmings and scraps, you should then sprinkle a layer of soil over top so keep a bag of soil next to your compost heap. Within a few weeks of starting your compost heap you will be able to pull “fertilizer” from the bottom of the heap and sprinkle it around your plants and shrubs or fill into holes places around your plants. With potted plants, add some compost to the soil in the pot. It is fine to use both purchased fertilizer and your own compost on your lawn and garden, as some areas may be too large and you won’t have enough compost. Supplement with fertilizer recommended by your landscaper.

There is no doubt that using compost fertilizer will boost plant health and enrich your soil. And it will stop you from feeling guilty. You know – when you toss out fruits and veggies and other food leftovers that are spoiled and you feel guilty that you didn’t eat them. Well – having a compost heap puts these spoiled items to good use!

With spring upon us, the sun is out, and the flowers are growing. Wondering what to grow in your garden? For summer, you may want to pick plants that can withstand the harsh rays and limited water.

For the average human, four to six hours of pure sunlight each day may translate to one heck of sunburn. However, for some plants it can mean the difference between thriving and wilting or even shriveling up and dying.

Picking the Right Plant

Finding and tending to full-sun plants is an interesting challenge.  Just remember to choose a plant that is native to your region and tolerant to drought. These plants tend to be low maintenance in general.

Those plants you’ll find among the sun-loving crowd include:

• Fennel
• Artichokes
• Marjoram
• Basil
• Cilantro
• Bush Beans
• Melons
• Okra
• Sweet Potatoes
• Peppers
• Tarragon
• Tomatoes
• Squash
• Corn
• Cucumbers
• Dill
• Eggplant
• Cactuses

Where to Plant

Full-sun plants require an arid, dry soil. They’ll do just fine in their own potted containers, but make sure to keep them away from areas where water tends to collect.

Beware the shadow. Don’t plant underneath flourishing trees with outward branches, underneath other full-sun plants (like sunflowers) or in an area where shade will block the sun for an extended period of time. If these plants are going to be kept indoors, make sure they’re in an area where the sunlight can hit them directly for at least 4 to 6 hours per day.

When to Water

Most full-sun plants need only be watered once every few weeks. Be careful not to overwater them as they will not be able to absorb the moisture. Using a dryer soil will help to ensure an adequate amount of hydration over time. Slow release water globes might work nicely.

Soil and Fertilizer

While over-hydration may be an issue, there are further factors to consider when choosing the right soil. Look for high-phosphorus fertilizer with micronutrients. Any slow or “time released” fertilizers will also aid full-sun plants. Remember that your soil should be sandy and gritty. Ask your landscaping professional about soils to use for specific plants you are using.

Whether they’re planted in a pot or out in the dirt, remember to feed these sun worshippers their daylight amount of sunlight and water, and you’ll have the healthiest, brightest lawn and garden on the block!

Whether you are planting a new lawn or redoing/improving your current lawn, you will have some choices to make. If you have struggled with your lawn it could be because of the type of grass that you currently have. First we will talk about planting a lawn and then share with you some of the different types of lawn grasses available. Your local landscape professional can advise you on how to best create a new lawn and how to maintain it for optimum quality. Your lawn can be a thing of pride – and how nice is it to sit on a sunny day looking out over a lush, green lawn that you nurtured?

You can seed a new lawn, which is the traditional method and has the lowest cost. If you are covering a large area, this is most likely your best choice.  When seeding a lawn, you want to choose a good quality seed. You’ll also have some preparation of the ground before seeding. We will cover seeding a lawn in a future article.

You also have the option of laying down sod. Sod costs a bit more. You are putting down large pieces of already grown grass with earth attached. Again, there is preparation of the ground, usually with a roller to flatten and level the earth. You want to remove all rocks and debris before laying down the sod patches. The advantage here is how quickly your lawn is in place—you basically get “a lawn in a day”.

Whether seeding or sodding you will need to choose the type of grass for your lawn. There are dozens of types in existence -  here we share those that are best suited for the Northern United States.

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). In the northern U.S., this is the most popular, most commonly used lawn grass. Thick and hardy.

Bent grass, creeping (Agrostis stolonifera) Tightly knit and fine textured, and ideal for golf courses and especially putting greens. Some varieties are: ‘Penneagle’, ‘Penncross’, and ‘Seaside’.

Blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis) This grass is native to Northern America and is tolerant of dry conditions. It is very tolerant of cold and so ideal for the Northeast.

Ryegrass, perennial (Lolium perenne). Dark green in color with a fine, soft texture. This grass is usually combined with Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues

Zoysia grass (Zoysia species) Different species available: Japanese lawn grass (Z. japonica), Manila grass (Z. matrella), and Korean grass (Z. tenuifolia). Korean grass makes good ground cover.

Fescue, tall or broad-leaved (Festuca arundinacea). Tough and coarse, with varieties such as ‘Kentucky 31′ and ‘Alta’, Has a natural, built-in pest repellent.

How much watering and mowing these grasses need obviously varies, so ask your lawn professional before making a selection. Enjoy your new lawn!

Wikipedia defines aphids as “plant lice, young white flies, green flies and black flies” and names them the most destructive insect pest in temperate regions. They are probably the most common of all the insects you will find in a yard or garden and the problem with them is that their palette is not discerning. They eat just about any type of garden plant—flowers, trees, shrubs, and vegetables. What they eat is the sap or juice in the plant. They love tender young shoots because these are easier to suck the sap out of, but of course this weakens the plant and makes it unsightly.

Choosing aphid control and treatment isn’t as simple as picking something up off of a store shelf. You can choose the right treatment by calling your landscaping and plant professional. Depending on which plants or shrubs your aphids are attacking—where you live—and how close your plants and shrubs are to people, pets and other life – will all affect the right choice for you. There are an enormous number of sprays and powders but most of them have at least some detrimental effect on wildlife—birds that eat insects can be affected and of course beneficial insects can be killed as well. Especially with vegetables and edible plants you must be choosy with pest control products.

Your landscaping professional will determine if one or multiple treatments will be necessary to correct your aphid problem. They are trained in use of pesticides and will use one or a combination of these products below.

ORGANIC SPRAYS

Some people follow recipes for homemade sprays that contain various oils and soaps and even garlic. These can work with moderate results, but usually aren’t effective long term. And they must be applied frequently. Your landscaping professional can recommend a commercially produced non-chemical insect control spray and apply it for you correctly. Potassium salt soap is a common ingredient in both homemade and commercially sold insecticide sprays. Vegetable friendly dusting powder is commonly used also.

CHEMICAL SPRAYS

There are many insecticide sprays used by landscapers, with varying degrees of chemicals and ingredients that could potentially harm other bugs, mice, lizards, birds etc. If you don’t have any other wildlife in your garden or lawn then these are more of an option for you. They are a bit more effective and work faster than homemade or organic aphid remedies.

OTHER INSECTS

Aphids do have enemies. You can actually place other plants that draw these enemies near your plants that are being attacked by aphids and this will significantly reduce the number of aphids you have. Morning glory, calendula, and poached eggplant are examples of plants that will draw other bugs that eat aphids. These include ladybirds, lace wings, and hover flies. Hover flies actually lay eggs that, when hatched, the larvae produced feeds on the aphids and this really works. Nettles are a good plant to have near your aphid plants as well because they attract the nettle aphids which the aphid enemy bugs feed on. But the nettle aphids wont attack your other plants. This ensures that even when your bad aphid population goes down the aphid’s enemy insects will stick around, keeping the population from coming back again.

Your garden and lawn are natural homes for insects. When you’re out watering, a steady hard stream from your garden hose is a quick easy way to annihilate some of your aphids and other plant eating insects until the next visit from your landscape expert. Having them determine the best products and methods ensures that you’ll find something that works, and that you are comfortable using.

So you have landscaped your garden or lawn, and you have probably created a patio area. Now it’s times to add garden furniture or patio furniture. Choosing outdoor furnishings isn’t always easy. Here we share some tips for selecting lawn and garden furniture and decor.

The right garden or patio furniture will complement these areas—not clash with them. Consider that you want your furniture to appeal to both men and women. But you also want them to reflect your style. On top of that, you want the furnishings to go with the style of your lawn and garden. If your garden is full of bright colors—flowers and flowering shrubs–then brightly colored furniture and accessories are fine, but you don’t want overkill. You don’t want too many clashing colors, so keep color schemes similar and limited.

If your lawn is on the drab side and neutral, the tendency is to choose drab/neutral furnishings. However, this type of setting needs a splash of color, so go with something a little bit bold—a slightly brighter color that will accent what you already have. Are you a modern person or more traditional? Think about the furnishings in your home. The patio and lawn are an extension of your home and so if you are conservative and traditional inside, that theme should continue outside. If you like modern stuff (think Danish design), then don’t hesitate to look for outdoor furnishings in this same contemporary style.

But there is more to consider when choosing outdoor furniture than just the look of it. Take a moment to talk to your family, kids, husband or significant other about how the space will be used. There are few things that are more of a shame then seeing an outdoor seating area or recreational area that never gets used. What do you like to do—do you sit in the sun to get color on your skin? Or do you sit in the shade and read a book? Do you like to play games outdoors, cook outdoors, or just serve outdoors? Do you need a coffee table or is that unnecessary? Do you have younger children that would like something that moves—that glides or swings? Do you envision picnics in the backyard and so a picnic table would be a nice addition, or do you want soft comfy seating? Rustic pieces like Adirondacks or sophisticated, lounge-style pieces?

There are many things to consider, and people often do not take the time to do so. Rather, they purchase their patio or lawn furniture on impulse. They see something in a store that appeals to them and they bring it home. This is why you have these seating areas and other things like fountains and swings and benches that go unused. In today’s tight economy, you can’t afford to spend money on things that you will not enjoy. So talk to your spouse or family or friends and make notes about what would be best for you. Fire bowls and chimeneas are very popular now and depending on where you live can be used for most of the year. Another popular feature is to have a somewhat formal dining area outdoors—maybe a high pub table with four barstools for outdoor dinner parties and cocktails.

Let’s consider materials: you have metal, wicker, rattan, bamboo, wood, teak, and resin/plastic. Some of the new plastics look and feel very much like wicker or wood and it is not distasteful to purchase these items. They can cost less and still look nice for years to come. If you choose metal, you want to keep this furniture in a covered area where it is at least partially protected from rain or snow. Obviously the more you invest in your lawn furniture, the longer you want it to last. Check back for an upcoming article on how to protect your lawn furniture and keep your outdoor furnishings and décor items looking good as long as possible.

Last but not least, you should consider your own habits and schedule. If you are an extremely busy person who rarely has time to work in the yard or maintain the garden, then you do not want to purchase furniture that requires maintenance—such as teak furniture that you have to oil every six months, or steel and wrought iron furniture that will need to be painted once a year. While considering what materials are best for you, you also have to factor in comfort, so be sure you actually sit in or lay on the pieces you are purchasing, if at all possible. If ordering online, look for consumer reviews that mention comfort. Best of luck in choosing the ideal furniture for your outdoor spaces. If you have any questions about furnishings in our local area, please do not hesitate to call us at 800-406-6420.

If you are not happy with your lawn—maybe you have bare patches—your grass is too thin—or you would like to make it greener – try fertilizing. Using fertilizer can address these issues. So you head off to get some fertilizer and then you realize that there are different types: dry fertilizers that are powdery or granular, synthetic fertilizers, liquid fertilizers, and natural, organic fertilizers.

The process of how fertilizers work is a topic for a future article. But the bottom line is that, for plants and grass to grow and thrive, they need certain nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. These are found in fertilizers. Here we describe the four basic types of fertilizing products.

Dry fertilizers tend to be a bit easier to use—you just use your gloved hands or a spreader to distribute the particles around your lawn. You will find 20 pound bags and sometimes 50 pound bags—read the bag to see how much fertilizer is needed for your size lawn. You may not need to treat the entire lawn if you just want to apply fertilizer to the thinner spots. You will have a choice between time-release fertilizer that slowly gets absorbed or the fast release type that leads to quicker results. The fast release variety needs more watering and more applications per year than the slow release type. Basically fast release is for lawns in dire need of help or when you are quickly wanting improvements – say, for an Open House or real estate sale.

Synthetic fertilizers are manufactured out of chemical compounds and are quick release, quick to take effect. There is a concern that because these products are not natural they provide no nutrients to the soil and possibly could be damaging to the soil. They do work but the result is usually temporary and so more frequent applications are required. Be careful not to over apply as you could actually burn your grass.

Are you that person that loves to stand out on your lawn with a watering hose in your hand? Then you might like applying liquid fertilizers. You attach your hose to the fertilizer jug and so you are spraying your lawn with a mixture of water and concentrated fertilizer. This provides for easy application but be careful to spread the mixture evenly. With liquid fertilizer, your lawn absorbs the nutrients quickly. Another benefit is that it also kills weeds.

More and more, people are choosing natural products. Organic fertilizers are made entirely from once- living elements with no man-made ingredients. You apply them using a spreader or just your hands and a rake. They usually break down slowly. They can be a little harder to apply in an even manner and may have an unpleasant smell. Do some research, ask your landscaper about the differences in these varieties and if you choose organic, your landscaping company can recommend one.

Your landscaper can also tell you which type of fertilizer works best in your geographic area and with your specific type of soil. Certain soils are more absorbent and fertilizer-friendly than others. Technology has definitely improved the quality of fertilizer products and if you enjoy your lawn, it makes sense to feed it and keep it healthy.

Quick tip: Make sure you’re aware of the laws surrounding the spread of fertilizer on your property. There may be limitations for both homeowners and professionals. In the state of NJ this is the case. In fact, professional landscapers must be trained and receive a special certification in order to do so. We’re proud to share that one of our managers has recently become one of the 1st in NJ to receive this Certification. You can go to http://salem.rutgers.edu/nre/ppt/2011-mangiafico-new-jersey-turfgrass-fertilizer-law-scripted.pdf for more information about this recently passed legislation.

The Northeastern Deciduous forests are an ideal environment for many mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. But what about the trees where many of these creatures make their home? There is a vast variety of trees that grow in the Northeastern Deciduous forests. The following are some fascinating examples of trees that show an awe-inspiring aspect of America’s ecosystem.

Norway Spruce

This tree can grow 115 to 200 feet tall and grows fast when it is young. The Norway Spruce can grow up to one meter per year for the first 25 years under good conditions. While this tree can tolerate acidic soils, it does not do well in dry earth. In fact, from the late 1920s to 1960s, the Norway Spruce was planted on mine spoils in order to create an ideal growing environment. This spruce is an evergreen coniferous, meaning that it will not lose its entire needle-like leaves within a season. Even though people believe that an evergreen never loses its leaves, in reality it is shedding in a gradual manner throughout the year. Although this is a tree native to Europe, it is widely planted in the American Northeastern and Pacific regions as a popular ornamental tree.

Northern White Cedar

This is another evergreen coniferous, but is a much smaller tree than the Norway Spruce. The White Cedar grows between 30 to 60 feet tall with scale-like leaves. This tree prefers wet soils, such as coniferous swamps. The Northern White Cedar goes by many names due to its widespread growth, such as Yellow Cedar, Thuja occidentalis, Atlantic White Cedar, Cedrus Lycea, False White Cedar, Hackmatack, and Lebensbaum. The alias “Tree of Life” was also given to the Northern White Cedar for the medicinal qualities of its sap, bark, and twigs.

Northern Red Oak

An oak tree is known for its beautiful leaves, their unique shape, and its production of acorns. Sometimes the Northern Red Oak is simply called the “Red Oak,” by default, but one should differentiate from the Southern Red Oak. This tree can grow between 90 to 140 feet tall, and is known for living an exceptionally long time – up to five hundred years. The Red Oak’s most defining feature is its noticeable bark ridges with shiny stripes, and its dark red to dark brown hue. The leaves turn to lovely colors in the fall.

American Elm

A native to the American Northeast, the American Elm is the largest and most common elm tree. It can reach 100 feet in height. However, the American Elm is also susceptible to Dutch Elm disease, which is carried by adult Elm Leaf Beetle. This tree is also hermaphroditic, meaning that it can self-pollinate to produce small, purple brown flowers that bloom in early spring before the leaves emerge.

Striped Maple

Unlike the previous trees described, the Striped Maple is a shorter tree that only grows 16 to 30 feet and is a nice decorative choice for your lawn. The Striped Maple tends to grow in mountainous and higher elevated regions. This tree grows well even with shade, and will grow much like a shrub until it has space to sprout to its full height. A young Striped Maple will have striped green and white bark, which will become brown as it matures.

Visiting a wildlife park or nature preserve is a great way to experience America’s Northeastern Deciduous forests. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is an enormous trail that spans 14 states on the eastern border. The trail stretches from Maine’s Mount Katahdin to Georgia’s Springer Mountain, which displays an even greater diversity in deciduous forest trees. These magnificent trees are a testament to the resiliency of plant life, in an age-old cycle that will hopefully last as long as the earth.

Taking care of a garden can be a lot of hard work! The Northeast weather can take a toll on your plants and shrubs – especially if you’ve made the wrong selection of plants for this climate. Fortunately, there are plants that require low maintenance that will make your yard beautiful without a lot of time and energy on your part.

Astilbe

This tough perennial is known for its large, fern-like look and feathery texture. They can come in pink, red, white, and lavender shades and bloom once summer begins. This plant will need shade and wet soil for ideal growing conditions. Due to its need for damp soil, it is a popular plant to grow near ponds or in low-lying areas of your yard.

Carolina Lupines

These native wildflowers grow best in complete sunlight with drained soil. If Caroline Lupines are grown without proper sun, they will grow with a bend that leans towards the light. Lupines can be nearly drought resistant if they are given enough water before they flower. Due to its bright shade, these flowers look best in the middle of the border with a dark background. Lupines are a great robust plant that will add a vibrant hue to any garden and don’t need much nurturing.

Eastern Bluestar

Do you wish that more butterflies visited your garden? The Eastern Bluestar is an attractive, star-shaped flower that is popular with migrating butterflies. The Bluestar needs full and drained soil for proper growth. Another neat aspect is its changing color with the seasons. These flowers are blue in spring, and will transform into a pleasant yellow color for fall.

Maidenhair Fern

This fern may be slow to grow, but the graceful appearance theyproduce is worth it. The fronds have a dainty exterior that resembles lace when clumped together. Maidenhair ferns may be hardy, but will also need shade and moist soil, with a necessity for humid conditions.

Saponaria

These small pink, violet, and white flowers, also known as Saponaria, look excellent in groups. The best part is that they are pretty and easy to grow! Soapworts will need full sunlight and drained soil. If you are a beginner gardener, soapworts are a great “starter plant” for you!

Uvularia

Also known as Bellworts, Bellfowers or Merrybells, this plant is distinctive for its downward hanging flower. Uvularia are easy to grow and add a charming aesthetic to any garden. This plant will require well-drained soil and shade. It is recommended to plant these in groups for the best visual appeal.

These large, white flowers will make a beautiful addition to any garden. These can be grown with partly sunny exposure with well-drained soil. The lowest leaves that grow on the stem are long leaf-stems that tend to either be upright and springy, or lying flat close to the ground. Anemones are great for covering a large space due to their quick growth.

Wild Anemone

Anyone, no matter the experience, can enjoy growing their own garden. The most important thing for any gardener/homeowner is to know what plants will do best in their yards. These plants are all “Jersey-friendly”! Have fun with your landscaping, and happy gardening!

The Wikipedia definition of Ground Cover is:

Groundcover refers to any plant that grows over an area of ground, used to provide protection from erosion and drought, and to improve its aesthetic appearance (by concealing bare earth).

Typically, ground cover is grass. But the term can be used for anything that lies on top of the soil and prevents weed growth and erosion.  There may be areas of your garden where you need coverage but would like to use something other than grass. Here we will give you some ideas.

Many people choose mulch, with good reason. It is inexpensive and fairly long-lasting, especially the treated red mulch.  Mulch made from wood (usually cypress) will need replaced once or twice per year; rubber mulch can last for several years.

But let’s talk about some ground cover that is more visually appealing and has a bit more character than plain old mulch or turfgrass. There are many different types of vines that work well as ground covers with minimal maintenance and a nice green look. One of these is called Vinca Major, pictured here.  Another very pretty flowering vine that gives good coverage especially on a slope is called Creeping Phlox.