Benefits of Using Mulch in Your Landscaping

Mulch

“Mulching” is the act of placing protective (usually decomposing, organic) materials on top of bare soil and around plants, and it’s one of the best things you can do for your yard, garden, or landscape. It seems the benefits of using mulch are endless, but we’ll focus on the big ones:

  • Inhibits weed growth and germination. Weeds are not only unsightly, they hog nutrients, water, and sunlight from the plants that you actually intend to grow. Adding mulch to your landscape keeps weeds from receiving the sunlight they need to survive. Mulch creates a physical barrier that most weeds do not have enough energy to sprout through.
  • Retains moisture. Mulch acts as a sponge- it stores water for the soil beneath it to use when necessary. Again, mulch acts as a physical barrier for soil as well, which limits evaporation and keeps soil hydrated in hot, dry conditions. Mulch can keep you from having to water your landscaping as much, which keeps your wallet and the environment happy!
  • Protects from temperatures fluctuations. During the winter, a layer of mulch protects plant roots from frost-heaving, in which plants are literally pushed out of the ground by the natural expansion and contraction of the soil as it cools off and heats up. During the summer, mulch keeps plant roots from becoming overheated and damaged.
  • Prevents soil erosion. Mulch not only keeps soil hydrated, it protects it in times of excess precipitation. A barrier of mulch lessens the brunt of heavy rainfall and keeps soil from washing away.
  • Controls pests. Certain types of mulch contain various elements that can actually deter pests from your landscape. As organic mulches break down, they improve the chemistry of the soil which encourages the numbers of helpful bacteria, fungi, and insects. These helpful organisms help to fight off other harmful, destructive organisms. Additionally, some types of mulch, like cedar and cypress, contain natural oils and chemicals that deter bugs.
  • Encourages earthworms. As you can see, mulch can dramatically improve the quality of the soil beneath it. Earthworms are attracted to good, healthy soil, and every gardener knows that earthworms do wonders for a landscape through nutrient cycling.
  • Improves the look of your landscape. Lastly, adding mulch to your garden or landscape can drastically improve the way it looks. Filling in empty spaces with mulch will give your space a more complete, attractive appearance. Not only that, mulch is simple to care for and will never compete with other plants or landscape features.

Whether your soil needs some TLC or you’re just looking to enhance the look of your outdoor space, mulch is a great addition to any landscape. For expert mulch services that won’t disturb your landscape, contact Dudley’s Dew Right Services here!

7 Ways to Save Water in Landscaping

You worked hard (or paid a lot of money) to create the beautiful landscape that surrounds your home, so it only makes sense that you want to maintain it. Many people think that the only way to keep their yard green is to water it constantly. However, overwatering can be detrimental to the health of your landscape by causing shallow roots, weed growth, fungus, and disease. Even more, it’s environmentally wasteful and can become costly. Check out these tips for maintaining a lush yard with less water (and a pleasant surprise when you open your water bill!)

Save Water in Landscaping
  1. Water in the morning. Less evaporation occurs in the morning, so it’s best to set your sprinklers to finish their cycle before 8 am. There is less wind and heat earlier in the day, which allows your landscape to utilize fully the water it receives.
  2. Use mulch. Adding mulch to your landscape is an easy way to save on water (and it can be visually complementary to flowers and plants). Mulch acts as a sponge to hold and retain water, making it available to the surrounding soil when necessary.
  3. Pay attention to the weather. This seems obvious, but many people forget that they should be adjusting their watering frequencies with changing weather. You should be watering the most during July and August and less in the preceding and proceeding months. During periods of precipitation, turn automatic systems off.
  4. Make necessary adjustments and repairs. Observe the pattern of your sprinkler system and if you notice excess water being sprayed on sidewalks, streets, patios, etc., move your sprinklers or reset them to ensure the landscape itself is receiving most of the water. If you feel like something is wrong with your sprinkler system, have it checked out as soon as possible. A leak in an automatic system could waste hundreds of gallons of water or even cause structural damage to your home.
  5. Water heavily, but less often. If you’re watering every day, consider watering every other day or every few days, but increase the time the sprinklers run on these days. This reduces evaporation and allows water to seep further down into the soil, giving roots the moisture they need.
  6. Use a trigger sprayer when hand-watering. Attaching a trigger sprayer allows you to only disperse water from a hose when you need to. This saves water from being wasted when you’re doing anything other than watering your landscape (moving areas, taking a break, etc.). Trigger sprayers are an especially good investment because they serve dual purposes, like washing cars and other cleaning projects.
  7. Install smart sprinkler technology. New technology monitors the weather and condition of your soil and then automatically turns your sprinkler system on when necessary. Smart sprinkler systems, while sometimes pricey, allow you to effortlessly minimize the amount of water used to take care of your landscaping.

Even though it’s been an exceptionally hot summer, you may still be overwatering your exterior landscape. Follow our tips to reduce the amount of water you’re using while keeping the environment, your yard, and your bank account happy!

Making the Most Out of Small Outdoor Spaces

Outdoor Spaces

Being a city dweller means enjoying an abundance of entertainment, culture, opportunities, and more. Unfortunately, a spacious yard is generally not part of the package. Having a small outdoor living space doesn’t mean the space you do have has to go unused, however. With a little creativity, you can transform a small yard into a space that is comfortable, functional, and something to be proud of. Check out these tips for turning a spacially-challenged exterior space into an outdoor sanctuary.

Embrace the sunshine. Keep your yard open and bright by capitalizing on natural sunshine. Avoid bulky pieces of overhead furniture like awnings or large umbrellas, as they will enclose your space and make it seem even smaller.

Create a focal point. Consider adding a water feature or sculpture to your yard as a focal piece. Eyes will naturally gravitate toward a focal point and take attention away from the size of the yard. Some experts recommend placing a statement piece in the center of a small yard, which draws the eye inward and pushes everything else outward, making the space appear larger.

Build winding or diagonal paths. Pathways will add visual interest to any yard, but they are especially beneficial to small spaces. Diagonal lines make your yard appear bigger by elongating the area.

Utilize vertical space. When you can build out, build up. Use hanging or column planters and fixtures to decorate your yard. This will add charisma to your space without taking up precious square footage.

Use multifunctional pieces. When shopping for outdoor furnishings, look for pieces that serve dual or more purposes. Tables that can also be used as seating, benches that open for storage, etc. Because furniture takes up the most space in your yard, it’s helpful to minimize the number of large items in your space.

Keep it simple. A small yard can easily become overpowered or feel cramped if there’s too much going on. Stick to designs that are sleek and minimal, and avoid cluttering your space with unnecessary items. Consider size, scale, and perspective when planning.

A small yard doesn’t have to mean small landscape design. With the right tools and knowledge, your space can become everything you want and need from a yard. Consult with Dudley’s Dew Right to enhance your space, small or large, into the perfect outdoor living area.

Anticipating the Ash Tree Epidemic

Ash trees dominate the Nebraska landscape㆒ there are an estimated 54 million across the state. Many trees struggle to thrive in the midwest region due to climate extremes, but ash trees are one of the few exceptions. Researchers believe, however, that an infestation of invasive pests known as Emerald Ash Borers is inevitable and will wipe out a significant portion of Nebraska’s tree cover. So what exactly is the Emerald Ash Borer? How can they be identified? And what does this mean for Nebraska?

The Emerald Ash Borer is an exotic beetle first discovered in the United States near Detroit in 2002. The adult beetles feed on ash foliage which causes only slight damage. However, the larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree’s ability to transport nutrients and water and eventually kill it entirely. The pests are a shiny, metallic green color and about ½ inch long. They feed on only ash trees and travel across the country through chopped firewood. Currently, these ash borers have been discovered in more than half of the 50 states.

Emerald Ash Borer

A tree infested with EAB will exhibit several symptoms including canopy thinning, branch dieback, vertical bark splitting, zigzag tunnels below the bark, and D-shaped exit holes ⅛ inch across. Woodpeckers like to feed on Emerald Ash Borer larvae, so damage and stress to bark are also common.

Other than causing an environmental hazard, an Emerald Ash Borer infestation could have some serious implications for Nebraska’s economy. Experts have predicted that an infestation could cost residents, businesses, and state and local governments as much as $960 million in tree removal, disposal, and replacement collectively. Generally, an ash tree takes 4 to 5 years to show symptoms of an EAB infestation, and usually by this time, it’s too late for treatment. Based on the experiences of other states who already have EAB, it can be expected that nearly 100% of infected ash trees will be dead within 15 years of the insect’s arrival. Once the trees are gone, they will likely not grow back, and if they do, Emerald Ash Borers will destroy new populations in their early stages.

As of April 2016, there have been no reported EAB detections in Nebraska, but the insects have emerged in several surrounding states like Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri. Nebraska homeowners are being urged to treat their ash trees with preventative pesticides or even voluntarily remove them from their yards before the problem evolves. The experts are certain that the Emerald Ash Borer is on its way to Nebraska and it’s really a matter of when, not if. If you have ash trees in your yard or landscape, make yourself aware of this problem and take precaution㆒ it’ll save you money in the long run.

Sources:

https://www.emeraldashborer.info/
https://www.usda.gov/

Preparing Landscape for Summer

Landscaping

April showers…well, you know.As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers, but your yard has to be in good shape as well. Winter has definitely left its mark on nature this past season, and there’s a lot that needs to be done to get your yard back into tip-top shape. We here at Dudley’s Dew Right would love to make sure your yard is looking its best for the warmer weather.

As the weather gets warmer, you’re going to want to spend more time outside. If you’re spending time outside, you’re going to want to make sure your yard looks inviting for all of your warm-weather activities. We’re here to help you! Here is a checklist to get your yard up to par for outdoor activities.

  • Inspect your trees and shrubs
    Water damage can occur when melting snow and rainfall occur at the same time. You’re going to want to pay attention to your trees at critical risk (trees that look sick or frail). Signs of damaged trees include hollow trunks, small holes in the trunk, decay (cankers, cracks, fungi or soft, crumbling bark), bark with shallow pits and dead twigs and branches). Sound tricky? Don’t worry, give us a call today and we’ll take care of it for you!
  • Prune your dead branches.
    Healthy trees require proper pruning. Pruning protects trees from unsafe branches damaged during the winter. Dudley’s is more than happy to help you prune and jazz up your trees. And, if need be, we’ve got all the resources to remove those trees that came damage your yard.
  • Plant some new trees.
    Spring is a great time to plant new trees. If you need help choosing and planting, we know some people who can help you out!
  • Add mulch to your landscaping.
    As prior blogs state, mulching is a great way to help retain and conserve soil moisture all while controlling those pesky weeds! Check out our mulching services HERE!
  • Fertilize those plants!
    Applying a slow-release fertilizer on your trees and shrubs before peak growing season has plenty of benefits. Not only does it replace nutrients, it also helps to improve resistance to disease damages, insects and stressful weather.

Getting your trees ready for summer weather seems complicated, but have no fear! Dudley’s Dew Right is here to save the day. Give us a call today to set up a meeting to make sure your yard is ready for all those warm weather activities!

Spring's Right Around the Corner. Get Your Landscape Ready!

Prepare Your Landscape

Birds are chirping. Days are getting longer, the nights shorter. What does that mean? Spring is ALMOST HERE. And there’s a lot to do before your landscaping is ready for the warmer weather. These tips from Freshome can help simplify what you need to do.

1) Be familiar with your climate. Know your geographic location on Earth, as well as your yard. You need to choose plants that will be fitting for the amount of sun and shade the different parts of your lawn will receive during the day.

2) Research before you start. Start by planning out your strategy for landscaping in advance. You need to decide if you want to break it into phases, or if you want to hire a professional service, like us here at Dudley Dew Right’s, to help you plan. If you’re curious about what plants or flowers to use, ask your local nursery for advice.

3) Know your local pests. Sure, you have to think of a plan for watering and sunlight in your landscape. But, don’t forget your local pests, like wildlife, insects and stray animals which can cause a lot of trouble in your landscaping. Make sure to plan if you need fencing, wire mesh or if you need to plant natural repellents to deter and ward off local pests.

4) Know your calendar and plant at the right time. Planting new fruit trees and flowering shrubs is always exciting, but you must remember plants will thrive and survive better if you plant them at the suggested time of year. Check gardening websites and ask your local nursery what times are best for planting the plants of your choice.

5) Don’t forget about growth. Make sure to take into consideration how large your plants will grow in weeks, months, etc. You’ll want to double check the height and growth requirements on the pots of your plants before you actually plant them. Or, just give us a call and let us help you!

6) Be inspired. People draw their inspiration from all over: neighbors’ yards, travelling to another part of the neighborhood or other parts of town. Make sure to check out local gardens and home and garden publications for your own landscape improvement ideas and motivation.

7) Make a map. When you get an idea of the plants you’d like to include in your landscape, map it out! Make sure to estimate enough room for walking paths, as well as plant growth and future maintenance. You also want to make sure tall plants won’t obstruct the view lines from inside your home.

8) Don’t forget maintenance. Landscaping requires regular upkeep and care. Everything from pulling weeds to watering and pruning needs to be planned out, as well as an occasional replacement of dead plants. Make sure you choose plants that will fit your maintenance schedule.

9) Low and high maintenance plants are key. Make sure you pick plants that suit your home style. According to freshome.com, if your home has a rustic or desert tone, ornamental grasses that grow wild may be more suitable for your landscaping. In your home is more tropical, flowering plants and shrubs might be more suitable. Give us a call today to talk about plants for your area!

10) Contrast with the outside of your home. Landscaping should enhance the exterior of our home, so make sure to choose plants that compliment or contrast colors in your home. You also want to make sure the plants complement the architecture of your home as well. Plan landscaping to be in harmony with your home.

Give Dudley Dew Right a call now to set up a time to figure out your landscaping for spring! The time to get started will be here before you know it.