Backyard Landscape Design Trends for 2016

Well designed backyard spaces create a welcoming environment for a family to relax, entertain friends, and enjoy the beauty of nature in Central Texas. Here are some of the top landscape design trends for 2016:

Dramatic Garden Structures

Fences, arbors, gazebos, walls and walkways can all create the structures which frame the plants in a garden. The latest trend coming from European gardens is to paint garden structures deeper colors such as navy blue or charcoal gray rather than leaving them in neutral brown or white. Using colored structures for landscape design in Waco creates a more dramatic backdrop for flowers and plants.

Monochromatic Gardens

Another way to focus attention on details of the garden is to create parts of the garden in all one color, like white, yellow or purple, rather than a mixture of colors. Monochromatic landscape design draws attention to the details of the individual plants and can be a great way to highlight a garden water feature.

Fall and Winter Gardens

Although spring and early summer will always offer the best flower displays in a garden, a new trend is to make sure that some spaces in the garden are planted with flowers or shrubs which look best in fall, or remain throughout winter. Planning a four season garden will make the spaces more inviting to use when December weather turns warm, as it frequently does. Adding bulbs like hyacinths, daffodils, Dutch irises and narcissus can add color in January and February.

Using Native Plants Thoughtfully

Native landscape design doesn't have to mean messy, and native plants are both more drought tolerant and better adapted to the weather changes of the Central Texas area. Moreover, native plants can be a draw for butterflies and birds. The key is to have a Waco landscape design expert who can judge the placement of the plants and make sure they are cared for properly so they don't become overgrown.

Specialized Outdoor Features

Adding a fire pit, grill, or outdoor oven continues to be a trend as more people are entertaining outside or wanting to give teenagers a place to gather during a pool party. Patios that shade from the heat and water features which provide a soothing sound are also popular. The bottom line? The design trends this season seek to make outdoor spaces more family friendly as well as to add value and comfort to a home. Picture Perfect Lawn & Landscape is a Waco Company that specializes in Landscape Design, Lawn Care, Grounds Maintenance, and Sprinkler System Installation and Repair.

How and Why you Winterize a Lawn Sprinkler System

Even though the weather in Central Texas doesn't match Northern winters, homeowners still need to protect their lawn sprinkler system by winterizing. Why is this important? If a system is not winterized, pipes or valves can freeze creating havoc and in some instances even create backflow problems of contaminated water into home tap water.

Steps to Winterize Your Lawn Sprinkler System

1. Turn off the water supply to the irrigation system. Make this shut-off valve "freeze proof" by wrapping it in insulation. If you don't have a shut-off valve, then it would be a good idea to have a professional install one.
2. Turn the automatic controller of the irrigation system to the "rain" setting. Don't turn off the power or you will need to reprogram.
3. Locate your backflow preventer and make sure it has insulation installed on it. If it freezes and breaks, that can cause contaminated water to back into your house. One way to insulate is to use R-11 fiberglass insulation (which you can wrap around both the backflow preventer and the main valve). Cover the insulation with plastic and duct tape. Another way to handle this is to buy insulation systems from a sprinkler supply center or a lawn care professional.
4. Turn on lawn sprinkler system valves to get all water out of the pipes.
5. Drain water from irrigation components that are above ground. Open up each drain valve at the lowest point to get the most water out.

Watering During Winter

One common winterizing step for northern sprinkler systems is to blow out all of the water in pipes. In Waco, the ground doesn't freeze and most pipes are buried deep enough that a little water inside won't damage them. In addition, although this area has freezing weather, it also has warm, dry spells during the winter where lawns need watering. So in winterizing, it is important to make it as easy as possible to turn the water back on again when needed. To water during winter, you will need to turn on the water supply and turn your automatic controller back to the regular program.

Winterizing Irrigation System Help

If you are uncertain about how to locate parts of your sprinkler system or how to handle any of the steps of winterizing, be sure to contact a lawn care professional for help.

Why Winter Time is the best time for certain lawn and landscape tasks

Many people look forward to that first Texas freeze as a sign that they can drain the gas tanks on their mowers and put them away for the winter. The cold temperatures might mean weekly lawn care is over for a few months, but some key winter lawn care tips can mean a great start for the lawn next Spring.

Aerate

For many people, aerating their lawns every few years is a rite of Spring, but lawns can benefit from aeration in the winter. At the very least, aerating in the winter opens up the soil to absorb more moisture, allowing water to penetrate to the roots. Even though the leaves are dormant, the roots will continue to soak up water, and aeration can make for a stronger root bed and thus a healthier lawn. Another benefit of aerating in the winter is the ability for better weed control during the growing months. Many compounds are now available that will create a protective barrier for lawns preventing weeds from taking root in the first place; however, that protection is destroyed if the soil is aerated after the chemical is applied. Aerating in the winter allows the lawn to maintain a protective barrier once it's applied.

Fertilize

The winter is the perfect time to apply a quality pre-emergent and fertilizer. Aerating before the first freeze will allow for better soil penetration, and the roots will continue to soak up the nutrients they lost during last summer.

Tidy Up

It can be tempting to let leaves, lawn furniture, and other implements stay on the lawn. Yellow lines won't show, and leaves can help hold moisture in. Unfortunately, both of these things can be bad for a lawn, and they're pretty easy to take care of. Clearing off furniture and implements means they won't get lost in the growth over the winter. This keeps them from leaving dead spots in the yard or damaging lawn mowers in the spring. Likewise, mulching and bagging leaves helps prevent lawn fungus, and can provide fill for flower beds where it will act as a natural compost. Following a few simple winter lawn care tips before closing up for the season can mean a lush, healthy lawn next season. Contact Picture Perfect Lawn & Landscape today to see how we can improve your lawn.

The 5 Key Elements to Maintaining Your Landscape Design

Creating a beautiful landscape takes time and effort. Even the smallest yards require work and commitment to look good throughout the year. There are five key elements that are essential for a healthy, beautiful landscape design. Regular Lawn Maintenance Regular maintenance is essential to a lush green, healthy year-round landscape design. Without it, the landscape can quickly become overgrown creating an eyesore for your home and an invitation to all kinds of diseases and outdoor pests. To ensure a healthy, well-maintained landscape, plan for regular maintenance:

• Weekly or bi-weekly lawn mowing
• Regular weeding
• Regular feeding and seeding
• Cleaning of hardscaped surfaces and flower beds
• Border edging for walkways and driveways
• Tree, shrub and plant care

Fertilization A landscape must receive essential nutrients to keep grass and plants green and healthy, however most soils don't provide enough nutrients throughout the growing seasons. Proper nutrients promote healthy root systems, new leaf growth and stable plants that can fight off environmental stresses like heat, cold and drought. A landscape design plan should include a regular feeding schedule throughout the year to keep grass, trees, shrubs and plants green and healthy. Mulching Mulching is a simple way to provide great landscape benefits. It adds a protective layer to the soil that keeps grass, trees, shrubs and plants thriving year-round. Whether you use organic or inorganic mulch, the benefits for the landscape are huge:

• Retains soil moisture
• Maintains even soil temperature
• Prevents soil erosion
• Reduces soil compaction
• Prevents weed growth

Pruning Regular pruning of trees, shrubs and plants is essential to a healthy landscape. Overgrowth creates an ill-maintained landscape with falling branches and debris and the potential for diseases and outdoor pests. Regular pruning is important, but proper tools must be used to avoid damage, and pruning should be done at the right time of year. Typically, trees and evergreens are pruned during late winter or early spring, while flowering plants are best pruned after their blooming season. Irrigation Lawns need one inch of water every week, either from a sprinkler system or natural rainfall, however irrigation needs vary with grass type and soil conditions. Lawns with sandy soil drain quickly and require more frequent watering, while lawns with clay soil are slow-draining and need much less water. By choosing native plants for your Texas landscape design, you can create a beautiful, healthy landscape that conserves water and maintenance costs.

Benefits of Commercial Landscaping for your Business

As a business owner, you are probably always looking for ways to improve your business and your bottom line. One way to do this is by improving the landscape around your business. Consider these benefits of commercial landscaping and grounds maintenance: The Draw of Increasing Your Curb Appeal By making the outside of your location look more attractive and inviting, potential customers will be drawn to your business. Many customers consider that businesses that take the time and effort needed to enhance their commercial landscape are more pro-active and detail-oriented. Customers want these things from the companies that they do business with. Happier and More Productive Employees Not many employees look forward to going to work in drab surroundings. A relaxing campus landscape of colorful flowers, trees and green areas help improve employee morale. Happy employees are employees that are more productive. Showing that Your Business is Eco-Friendly A carefully planned commercial landscape with drought tolerant plants help show your customers you are committed to the environment. With so many options for native plants, your business can have its own unique landscape while contributing to the beautification of your community. Boost Market Value of Your Business Maintaining the value of your business property is not limited to just maintaining your building. Enhancing and maintaining your commercial landscaping helps to improve the market value of your business, while improving your standing among your competitors. Picture Perfect Lawn & Landscape specializes in commercial grounds maintenance in Waco, Texas. They also perform climate friendly commercial landscape design in Waco, TX.

Top 3 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Lawn Care Service

Pick a reputable lawn care service to deliver quality work while maintaining maximum home security. Landscaping and lawn care crews often have three or more members - strangers who homeowners must trust for guaranteed results and hourly productivity. Before choosing a local contractor, interview at least three prospective companies to confirm fair pricing and other known qualifications of professional lawn care service. Remember, family safety and exterior curb appeal depend on high-quality work. Consider the following factors during the hiring process:
 

1.   Licensed Contracting Services

Ask for proof of professional licensing before discussing pricing, project timelines or any product specifications. Licensing ensures the necessary knowledge and experience for current business operations. On the other hand, hiring an unlicensed lawn care service may lead to wasted time and money.
 

2.   Professional Landscaping Experience / Project Portfolio

Look for professional experience related to all current and future projects. Lawn care maintenance and specialty landscaping companies offer an array of services, which may not overlap. Request a project portfolio, information on services provided/project familiarity and the years of business operation. Popular services include:

• Mowing, edging and weed eating
• Flowerbed maintenance
• Sod installation
• Sprinkler Systems/Watering/fertilizing

3.   Project Timeline

Set ideal project start and end dates before interviewing prospective lawn care companies. Professional contractors should supply an estimated project timeline based on their crew size, the weekly weather forecast and ability to acquire local materials.

Rely on these three factors to determine the best lawn care contractors and crews. In addition, consider requesting information on complementary guarantees, product warranties and continuing grounds maintenance. Every detail puts homeowners in control.

Fall Lawn Care: 8 Steps for Winterizing Your Lawn

As a Texas lawn transitions from warm weather to cooler weather, it benefits from some seasonal care. Taking the time to winterize a fall lawn prepares it to withstand cold weather better, which means it'll come back healthier when it greens up in spring.

Follow these eight steps to keep your fall lawn in the peak of health:

1. Remove matted leaves. Leaf mulch is good for conserving moisture and keeping the soil warmer in winter, but if you have a lot of trees, their fallen leaves can form a solid mat that prevents water from reaching grass roots. Rake fallen leaves or use a mulching mower to shred the leaves into small pieces that allow water to reach grass roots.
   
2. Increase the mowing height. Removing too much of the grass leaf blades late in the season stresses a lawn. Raise mower blades to the next level higher than what you use during the summer.
3. Soil test. Don't second-guess what nutrients a lawn needs -- too much fertilizer is as damaging to a lawn as insufficient fertilizer. Apply fertilizer according to the results from a soil-test, performed by a professional lawn-care specialist or your local Cooperative Extension Service.
4. Don't fertilize too late. Make your last fall lawn fertilizer application no later than 30 days before the first expected frost in your area. If you fertilize after this, new grass growth can be damaged by the frost, which compromises the overall health of your lawn.
5. Aerate your lawn. Before making the last application of fertilizer, use a core aerator to loosen the soil and allow water and nutrients to move more freely to the grass roots.
6. Dormant doesn't mean dead. When your fall lawn naturally turns brown, it's not dead but simply dormant. The roots are very much alive, and they need watering to keep the grass alive. If there's a particularly dry winter, use your irrigation system to keep the lawn watered.
7. Keep on top of weeds. Winter weeds, such as henbit and chickweed, can take over an untreated lawn. Consult your lawn-care professional for best control options.
8. Keep an eye out for diseases. Some turfgrass diseases, such as brown patch, thrive in the cooler weather of fall and winter, when nighttime temperatures dip below 70 degrees F.

With these tips, a fall lawn has a leg up on returning green and healthy next spring!