Preparing for the growing season during the spring means less work during the warmer months
Spring cleanup is a crucial step in maintaining a healthy and vibrant landscape throughout the year. It involves a thorough assessment and preparation of your outdoor space to ensure it is ready to thrive during the growing season. Here are some key reasons why spring cleanup is essential for the success of your landscape:
Prevents Debris Build Up
Over the winter, leaves, branches, and other debris can accumulate in your yard. Cleaning up debris helps improve the overall appearance of your landscape and prevents potential issues, such as mold or disease, from developing.
Promotes Growth
Spring cleanup involves pruning and trimming trees, shrubs, and perennials. This not only helps shape the plants but also stimulates new growth. Removing dead or damaged branches allows the plant to focus its energy on healthy parts, promoting more robust and vigorous growth. Check out our tips on dormant pruningbefore you start this task.
Weed Control
Weeds start emerging in the spring, competing with desirable plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Removing weeds early on prevents them from establishing a foothold and helps keep your landscape looking tidy.
Encourages A Healthy Lawn
Over the winter, soil can become compacted, hindering water and nutrient absorption. Spring lawn maintenance sets you up for a better lawn all summer long. Aeration prepares your lawn for overseed which increases the density of the lawn and fills in patches.
Maintains Soil Moisture
Applying a fresh layer of mulch in the spring helps conserve soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Mulching also enhances the aesthetic appeal of your landscape while providing a protective barrier for plant roots. Check out this post on mulching, to learn more about the benefits .
Provides Time to Plan
Spring cleanup is an excellent time to assess the overall health of your landscape. Take note of any plants that may need to be replaced, consider new additions, and plan for any landscape projects you have in mind for the upcoming season.
Prepares for Irrigation
Check and clean irrigation systems to ensure they are functioning properly. Proper watering is essential for the health of your plants and lawn. Addressing any issues early in the season can prevent stress and damage. Mastering Landscape Irrigation is a great resource for exploring this tool.
By investing time and effort in spring cleanup, you set the stage for a successful and thriving landscape throughout the year. It not only addresses immediate concerns but also establishes a foundation for long-term plant health and beauty. All these tasks can not only be time consuming but require care to ensure they are done right.
Want a good place to start?
Your landscape job doesn’t stop once the crews leave your yard. Your landscape has living, evolving elements and that means you will need regular care to keep it looking as good as the day it is installed. Our team of landscape maintenance professionals is ready to make your life easier and take your garden to the next level. With services ranging from biweekly or weekly maintenance, spring and fall cleanups and property enhancements there is sure to be something that meets your needs. Get in touch with us today to start your maintenance journey >>>
Watering your landscape may seem like a simple task, but doing it correctly is essential for the health and beauty of your plants. Proper landscape irrigation can also save you time, money, and water. Here are some tips on how to water your landscape correctly and the benefits of landscape irrigation.
Water deeply and infrequently: Watering deeply promotes deep root growth, making plants more resilient to drought. Watering infrequently allows the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, preventing root rot and other diseases.
Water in the morning: Watering in the morning allows plants to absorb water before the heat of the day sets in, reducing water loss due to evaporation. It also gives foliage time to dry before nighttime, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
Use the right amount of water: Different plants have different water needs. Research the water requirements of each plant in your landscape and adjust your irrigation system accordingly. Overwatering can lead to water waste, runoff, and plant stress.
Use an irrigation system: An irrigation system can help you water your landscape more efficiently and effectively. There are several types of irrigation systems, including drip irrigation, soaker hoses, and sprinklers. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, so choose the one that suits your landscape’s needs.
Consider using a rain sensor: A rain sensor can detect when it is raining and automatically shut off your irrigation system, saving water and preventing overwatering.
Benefits of landscape irrigation:
Healthier plants: Proper irrigation can keep your plants healthy and thriving. Underwatering can lead to wilted and stressed plants, while overwatering can lead to root rot and other diseases.
Water conservation: An efficient irrigation system can reduce water waste, saving you money on your water bill and conserving this valuable resource.
Time-saving: An irrigation system can automate your watering routine, saving you time and effort.
Increased property value: A well-maintained landscape can increase the value of your property, and a lush, green lawn can improve curb appeal.
In conclusion, watering your landscape correctly is essential for the health and beauty of your plants. Proper irrigation can also save you time, money, and water. By following these tips and investing in an irrigation system, you can keep your landscape looking beautiful and healthy for years to come.
Want a good place to start?
Your landscape job doesn’t stop once the crews leave your yard. Your landscape has living, evolving elements and that means you will need regular care to keep it looking as good as the day it is installed. Our team of landscape maintenance professionals is ready to make your life easier and take your garden to the next level. With services ranging from biweekly or weekly maintenance, spring and fall cleanups and property enhancements there is sure to be something that meets your needs. Get in touch with us today to start your maintenance journey >>>
● Maintenance is essential for your yard’s aesthetic appeal and physical health
● Trusting a landscape professional is the best way to ensure the success and longevity of your landscape
● Regular maintenance saves both time and money in the long term
Why Maintenance Matters
Regular landscape maintenance is essential for the success of your landscape. From aesthetics to plant health, regular service keeps your gardens in peak condition. Here are 5 benefits of regular professional landscape maintenance:
1. Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is more than just what you see, it’s how people perceive your space. Gardens and landscaping can evoke feelings of peace and calm. However, if left to run wild, landscapes can feel overwhelming and even unsafe in some cases.
Your Home is an Expression of You
The exterior of your home is an expression of who you are. In the same way you carefully curate the interior of your space or take care of your cars, your outdoor space should be tended to. The exterior is the first thing people see when they enter your home and often provides the first impression before they even step foot through the door. A team of maintenance specialists will ensure your space allows for positive feelings by keeping things orderly and allowing the true design intent to shine through.
2. Weed Control and Overgrowth
Regular care is not just about aesthetics. Regular services can help ensure the health and wellness of the plants you and your designer carefully selected! If weeds are allowed to run rampant, they can choke out your new plants, not giving them the chance to establish properly and in some cases kill them off.
Your Plants Have a Lifespan
Another thing that constant maintenance takes care of is garden overgrowth. Each of your plants has a different life span. At the end of their life span, they will reach their maximum size and growth potential. Once this happens, those plants will start to either look overgrown or tired. This can leave your whole garden looking underwhelming. A professional team will be able to suggest which plants need to be replaced and what to replace them with. They will also be able to rejuvenate and trim back plants that still have a little more life to live.
3. Control and Manage Disease
Catching disease early can mean the difference between keeping plants alive or not. When you have a team regularly checking on your plant and lawn, they can catch things that you wouldn’t otherwise see such as damage, disease or insects. Any of these obstacles left unattended can be detrimental to the health of any of your trees, shrubs or perennials. Disease can easily spread from plant to plant taking out many along the way.
Catch Disease Early
To stop the spread, the disease needs to be identified as soon as possible to prevent contamination. Damage is also a common garden concern. If a tree or plant is injured, action needs to be taken quickly. A broken limb or branch can easily turn into a larger issue if not pruned properly or promptly on time. Under or over-watering can also lead to disease. Your team will be able to catch and identify disease, damage or improper care with expert perspectives through regular maintenance visits.
4. Saving Time and Money
A lot of time and work go into keeping your gardens in top condition. Many jobs need to be done to have a flourishing garden. Gardens tasks such as deadheading, trimming, weeding, pruning and edging need to be completed. Lawns need mowing and care to maintain their health and colouring. Spring and fall cleaning is required to keep properties tidy and prepare them for the following season. All these tasks pile up and create a lot of work for homeowners. In the long run, regular care doesn’t only save time but it saves you money. It is more cost-effective to regularly maintain your garden than to let it go and have to do a major overhaul.
Garden Maintenance Is For Everyone
It is easy to underestimate the time that goes into maintaining your landscape. It is easy to let your gardens go when the business of life gets in the way. Having a regular team ensures garden care is done with skill so you don’t have to worry about it. Garden maintenance is also great for those who are elderly and may not be physically able to complete these tasks. However, regular maintenance is not just for those who aren’t able, it is also for those who don’t enjoy the jobs or don’t have time to care for their gardens. This allows you to spend more time outdoors relaxing and enjoying your landscape as opposed to caring for it.
5. Experts in Garden and Lawn Care
The best reason to get regular maintenance is the knowledge and expertise your team brings to your garden care. If you choose a reputable company, your team will have a variety of experts on staff that help them make the best care decisions for your garden or grass. These skills will help you save time and money, ensuring the right treatment is applied or the best replacements are recommended. Your team can also help point out improper care such as over or under-watering, and correcting the issue before it becomes a problem. From lawn to plan care, your team of experts will be able to take the guesswork out of gardening.
Want a good place to start?
Your landscape job doesn’t stop once the crews leave your yard. Your landscape has living, evolving elements and that means you will need regular care to keep it looking as good as the day it is installed. Our team of landscape maintenance professionals is ready to make your life easier and take your garden to the next level. With services ranging from biweekly or weekly maintenance, spring and fall cleanups and property enhancements there is sure to be something that meets your needs. Get in touch with us today to start your maintenance journey >>>
Ready to Start Landscaping Your Home?
If you are ready to start your landscape project or to upgrade your existing landscape, be sure to get in contact with Earthscape. Our team of experts is excited to help you create your dream landscape. Earthscape is an award-winning landscape design, build and maintenance company. Our goal as a company is to provide the ultimate experience for our colleagues and our clients by striving to be the best contractor our clients have ever worked with. We are by your side every step of the way, ensuring consistent communication during the entire process.
What We Do Best
Our professional landscaping services include design, installation, maintenance, and landscape enhancements such as landscape lighting, irrigation and much more. With locations in Elmira, Ontario and Toronto, ON we look forward to servicing clients from these areas and beyond. Our on site teams are ready to make the transition from design to construction seamless and headache free regardless of the project value. With open communication and a great track record of successful projects, Earthscape is here to help you!
● Choose a company that can balance aesthetics and functionality with your goals and budget.
● Communication is key. Expect nothing less from the landscaping services you choose.
Choosing a team for your Landscape Design
Choosing a landscape company is hard. You don’t want to trust just anyone to design and build your dream space. Other than a home, your landscape may be one of the largest investments you make, so how do you ensure you make the right choice?
Here are 5 key things to expect from the professional landscaping service you choose.
1. Innovation that Works for You
A good landscape company will provide you with a pretty landscape. A great landscape company will make sure their ideas are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Your landscape company should be able to come up with out of the box ideas to solve your biggest problems.
A good design should balance the function and visual appeal. There is value in the expertise that comes from an experienced and accredited team of landscape professionals.Professionals in the design build space have hands-on experience building and working with landscapes. That makes them a great option to build your space.
Your Goals. Your Budget.
A great landscape firm will also be able to work with your budget. They should see your budget as an opportunity for innovation as opposed to a limitation. This doesn’t mean you will be able to get everything you dream of, depending on your budget, but it does mean that your selected team should be able to work with you to prioritize your needs and find a solution that does work for your budget.
2. Exceptional Customer Service
Another characteristic of a professional landscape company is exceptional customer service. This can take on many different forms but one thing should be clear; Communication.
From clear set timelines to progress updates, a professional company will keep you in the know. Communication is just as important during construction as it is during the design process. It should be consistent throughout your experience.
Open Communication
Exceptional service looks like going the extra mile. A professional landscaping company will be by your side every step of the way, explaining their process and answering any questions you may have.Find a company that is as invested in the success of your project as you are.
3. Integrity and Values
Hand and hand with communication should be the integrity of the company you choose. Anyone can impress when things are going right but when something goes wrong you want a team that can deal with it openly and honestly.
Construction is not a straightforward process and unknowns often arise as you dig further into the project. Companies that have great relationships with their clients make sure to handle these unknowns with integrity, creating a reliable service.
Long-term Relationships
Keep in mind, a large landscape job may last anywhere from six months to a year. You want to pick a company whose values align with your own. Having a good relationship with the company you choose can mean the difference between a fun, exciting experience and a stressful, headache of a process. Professional landscaping services will work hard to create relationships as opposed to just generating customers.
4. Think Long-Term
Professional landscape companies build landscapes that last. Any company can throw together a design but a company that takes the time to suggest ideas to extend the life of your landscape shows they really care about your project. This can look like suggesting tried and true materials, custom building things to fix your specific problems and considering things like drainage to avoid water damage.
While these things can add cost to a project, going with a company that has a good reputation and a track record of long lasting landscapes, means you can trust they have your best interests in mind.
Invested in Their Product
Thinking long term is not just about the materials they use but their philosophy on landscaping. A good landscape company will be just as invested in how your landscape looks on the first day of installation as they are in how it looks 5 years from now.
A good indicator of their investment is the services they provide. A company that designs, builds and maintains is a great example of this as they want to ensure your landscape continues to look its best no matter what growing stage it is at. A company like this has a team of professionals with different areas of expertise to ensure the overall success of your landscape.
5. Organized and Process Driven
Organization is the key to a smooth operation. If your landscape company does not have an organized and clear process there is bound to be things that fall through the cracks. Your landscape team should be able to walk you through next steps and provide checkpoints along the way.
Smooth Hand Off
If your project incorporates subcontractors, your selected team should be the main point of contact so all you have to do is provide input on your preferences. If your project is passed to different members of the team (i.e. designer to project manager) there should be clear communication between those members as well as a clean handoff and introduction to you, the client.
Set Yourself Up for Success
Organization should be clear from the beginning of design creation to the clean up of your outdoor space at the end. This will ensure success and lack of confusion for all parties involved. A professional landscape company will fill you in on their processes from the get go so you start off in the right direction.
Take your landscape to the next level with professional landscape services
While there is a lot to think about when choosing a professional landscape team, keeping in mind these 5 tips will help you make the right choice.Want a good place to start?
If you are ready to start your landscape project or to upgrade your existing landscape, be sure to get in contact with Earthscape. Our team of experts are excited to help you create your dream landscape.
Earthscape is an award-winning landscape design, build and maintenance company. Our goal as a company is to provide the ultimate experience for our colleagues and our clients by striving to be the best contractor our clients have ever worked with. We are by your side every step of the way, ensuring consistent communication during the entire process.
Our professional landscaping services include design, installation, maintenance, and landscape enhancements such as landscape lighting, irrigation and much more.
Located in Elmira,Ontario we look forward to servicing clients from the KW area and beyond.
Our on site teams are ready to make the transition from design to build seamless and headache free regardless of the project value. With open communication and a great track record of successful projects, Earthscape is here to help you!
You may not be thinking about pruning yet as a lot of our plants are still barren from the winter. However, now is the best time to get started. Learn what and how with these helpful tips:
Best Practices: Why Now is the Time to Prune
Ensures proper branching structure for the urban environment.
Open branching structure encourages strong branch unions and disease resistance
Winter and early spring allows for unhindered access and line of sight for making pruning decisions
Energy is stored in the roots during winter. Pruning late winter to early spring allows for that energy to be allocated where it’s most effective, once growth starts, while ensuring as little as possible gets “pruned off” , as would happen when pruning in summer.
Step by Step Guide
Prune mid February to mid April
Select the strongest central trunk all the way to the top of the tree. Prune back all others competing with the top.
Remove any dead, diseased or damaged branches first.
Select evenly spaced branches that will be staying. Prune away any branches crossing, interfering, competing with the ones that will be staying.
Stand back for a holistic view and assess canopy balance. Prune to improve.
Canopy to open trunk ratio should be around ⅓ open trunk to ⅔ canopy of the total tree height
Too busy to look after your landscape? Not interested in yard work?
This classic site was designed in house and installed in early 2020. After construction, our clients opted to continue the process with our maintenance team to ensure their landscape continued to develop and flourish to the best of it’s ability. Their maintenance package includes weekly lawn and garden care and yearly spring & fall clean up.
Year 1 vs. Year 3- Maintained By Earthscape
Weekly care focuses on complete weed removal, perennial care such as pruning & deadheading and an overall garden health assessment. In order to achieve the best results our client had attended a meeting with our head of maintenance to note any trouble areas or climates to focus. This allowed our team to be the most efficient on site as they know exactly which areas to focus time and attention on. The front yard sloped lawn proved difficult to manage and mow for our client. With our professional team, the client no longer has to struggle on the tough slope and worried about a damaged lawn.
The cherry on top of this project is the recently updated lighting. Our enhancement team was able to recommend the best locations for lighting to complete the landscape and highlight the best features during the evening. The new lighting plan makes the front yard feel warm and welcoming well into the night.
Our team has had the pleasure of taking over the maintenance responsibility of this recently installed project. This large site was designed in house and our continued relationship with this client means we are able to keep the site as crisp as when we installed it. Maintenance efforts are primarily focused on keeping the surfaces and various entertaining areas neat and tidy. Mature trees on site are kept fresh with regular pruning and care. Irrigation keeps the site lush and green all summer.
The season-long program includes apple tree pruning in late winter, early spring cleanup and pruning, and weekly lawn and garden management. Other tasks we accomplish on site are hard surface cleaning, vine maintenance, and extensive leaf cleanup due to the large number of mature oak trees along the property line.
Need help with your maintenance? Are your gardens looking tired? Reach out to our talented team of gardeners today >>>
A notable sign of a professional looking garden is its level of cleanliness. Crisp garden edges and weed free beds make your plant material pop. Without paying attention to the details, your garden can quickly become a messy environment. Check out our why edging and mulching your beds are so important:
Best Practices: Why Edge & Mulch?
Edging:
Keeps the surfaces looking sharp and defined. A deep clean edge ensures spreading grass roots stop at the edge of the lawn (roots don’t grow through air – once they hit the sharp edge, they will stop). It’s a lot of work, but is less maintenance over the long run!
Mulching:
Stifles weed growth. Mulch also helps the ground retain moisture, so less watering will be required for you plants.
Step by Step Guide
With a hard rake, pull the existing mulch away from the edge 18”-24” if possible
Dig the edge out with a flat shovel or half moon edger.
Remove any weeds or grass in the 18”-24” area; break up soil clumps and rake out evenly.
Dig out a clean edge 3”-4” deep
Ensure straight lines or consistent curves (stand back to view and assess regularly)
Once the edge is clean or soil clumps and weeds are removed, pull existing mulch back over the soil area but maintain 3” edge depth.
Top up mulch each year to protect against weeds. This can be extended to every other year for mature gardens.
Bonus tip: Too much mulch can be as big of an issue as not enough mulch! If the mulch layer becomes too thick, your plants will start to take root in the mulch. This can be detrimental to the health of your plants, so before putting down mulch make sure your existing mulch is less than 2” thick. If your mulch is over 2” thick, just turn over the mulch with a hard rake to bring back some fresh colour.
Skip the work and leave it to us! Our group of professional gardeners would love to come help you get your gardens in tip top shape. Get started today >>>
As summer comes to a close we reflect back on the warm weather and the time we were able to spend outside. Similar to the spring, we start to consider what needs a refresh or what needs to be removed from our spaces. Our outdoor spaces are no exception! Here are 5 signs it’s time to rejuvenate your landscape:
1. Your Landscape Needs Have Changed
If your landscape is no longer serving your needs then you need to consider rejuvenating your space. Landscapes need to change and grow as you and your family do. Have you expanded your family and need more entertainment space? Consider adding more patios to accommodate. Did your neighbour cut down a large tree leaving an open view into your yard? Consider your options for increasing privacy with new trees or screens. Did you move into a new space and it is just not your style? Edit your landscape to reflect your design tastes. The more you cater your landscape to your needs, the more use you will get out of the space you have invested into. A landscape professional can help you rework your landscape based on your needs.
2. Your Gardens Are At The End of Their Lifespan
Gardens have life spans just like any other living thing. Once they near the end of their life, they do not have the same impact. The typical lifespan of a garden is 10-15 years depending on your plant material (not including trees). There are a few clues you can look for to determine if your garden is at the end of its life. If your plants are not flowering at all or not vibrant the way they used to be, you may need replacements. If your plants are not coming back the same way they used to in the spring or are resistant to pruning techniques, it may be time to swap these out. Maintenance professionals can help you identify plants that need to retire and suggest alternatives.
3. Your landscape is boring and lacks interest
You have a good base to your outdoor space but you can’t help thinking your landscape could be better. Rejuvenation doesn’t just mean things that are broken or tired. It can mean adding spark and depth to an otherwise dull, existing landscape. Take your space to the next level with a focal point feature such as a waterfall or bubbling rock. Brighten up your gardens by adding colour and seasonal value with plants that have fall and winter interest. Expand your backyard use time into the evenings with a lighting system. A landscape professional can offer you suggestions to take your landscape to the next level.
4. Your Landscape Is Not Functioning Like It Use To
As a landscape ages things can become weathered and broken, leaving it unsafe or unusable. Rejuvenation can mean making your landscape more user friendly. Some of these needs in the landscape are more imminent as they can put you at risk for injury if left unattended. A cracked or heaving step can turn into a tripping hazard if left broken. A broken fence can mean your yard is not as safe for pets and children. Nonfunctional landscapes can also look like blocked access points or unusable pathways. Fixing these elements can only increase the value of your space. Getting your landscape into shape is not only beneficial aesthetically but also in over functionality.
5. Your gardens are messy
Chances are if your gardens are looking off or feeling overwhelming, they are in need of proper maintenance. Weeds, messy edges or damaged plant material can reduce the appearance of your garden. If time is an issue, a professional maintenance team will be an asset in keeping your garden looking fresh all season long. Overcrowding can also make your garden appear messy. If your garden was not planned with proper plant sizes in mind, plants will compete with each other leaving things overgrown and other plants lost in the mess. A garden professional will be able to assist in editing plant material out to create proper spacing so your plants will grow and thrive.
A tired landscape doesn’t always mean you need to start from scratch. Enhancing your landscape may be just the thing you need to get your garden back to its former glory. If you have a landscape that needs refreshing, reach out to our team today >>>
Every spring, between snow melt and summer blooms, you may find yourself looking at the bare, brown gardens and wishing for things to hurry up and grow. Fall planted bulbs like crocuses, tulips, and daffodils beautifully fill this gap before perennial flowers really start to shine!
Crocuses are the earliest blooms in many gardens, frequently adding bursts of colour as early as March 15. These charming little flowers come in a range of whites, purples, and yellows. They are also unpalatable to deer, rabbits, and squirrels and therefore suitable for most Ontario gardens.
Daffodils (also called Narcissus) follow the crocuses, blooming between Mid-April and Mid-May. In addition to the classic yellow daffodils, plant breeders now produce white, pink, orange, and multi-coloured options. Like crocuses, daffodils are not attractive to squirrels or deer.
Tulips are one of the most beloved features of springtime in Ontario. They are available in almost any colour and size, with most blooming within the month of May. They can be planted among existing perennial displays without disturbing mature plants, and come back year after year (as long as the squirrels don’t dig them up!)
All of these spring beauties must be planted between October and December to bloom the following year. Here at Earthscape, we offer a complete bulb installation service from selection and purchasing through to planting and fertilizing.
Homeowners who value creative design and exceptional craftsmanship, trust Earthscape’s simple step-by-step process to transform an outdated or non-functional landscape into an exceptional outdoor escape.