Landscaping Under the New Water Restrictions

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Glenn

Dallas is experiencing its fourth drought since 2000. We went into Stage 1 water restrictions on December 12, 2011 and meteorologists are currently predicting that the drought will continue at least through the summer. Nearby areas such as Frisco and Plano are in Stage 3 water restrictions, that mandate watering no more than one time a week.

It seems to me that “the writing is on the wall” in that smart Dallasites will move toward landscaping designs that involve more draught-tolerant plants. Stage 1 water restrictions mandate that watering can be done twice a week but if draught conditions continue, restrictions could become more severe. Either way, many of the lawns and landscapes I see around Dallas simply aren’t “simpatico” with the concept of water conservation.

As a professional landscape designer, I understand the challenges this presents. The palette of draught-tolerant plants simply isn’t as broad, but there is still plenty to choose from. It is important to remember that just because a plant is native to Texas, doesn’t necessarily mean it is draught-tolerant and that the Southwest, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chili and the Mediterranean all are sources for beautiful plants that come from climates that are similar to ours. Among my personal favorites are native grasses, they are great for adding drama and focus to an environment. Other plants I love that are draught tolerant include rosemary, yuccas, agave and roses.

What can you do in the meantime to optimize the appearance of your landscape while moving toward a more draught-tolerant landscape? Here are some general tips:

Water restrictions mandate that all watering take place between midnight and 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and midnight. Because it stays hot into the evening in Dallas, it is better to water lawns during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are at their lowest. This reduces evaporation and waste.
Cycle soak. This allows the soil to absorb all that is applied, avoiding runoff. The length of the cycle will vary based on the conditions of the landscape, but you want to schedule several short cycles about an hour apart in order to allow the water to absorb to a depth of about 6-8 inches. This is the most important thing that we can all do to save water and improve the health of the plants. We have successfully kept many landscapes alive in Frisco when we were only allowed to water once a week in 100+ degree weather by cycling the water 3-5 times to get a deep soak without runoff. This also helps to promote deep foot growth where the soil stays much cooler.
Raise the lawn mower blade to at least three inches, or to its highest level. A higher cut encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system and holds soil moisture.
Avoid over fertilizing your lawn. Applying fertilizer increases the need for water. Apply fertilizers which contain slow release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.
Install irrigation devices that are water efficient. Micro and drip irrigation and soaker hoses are examples. The most important thing is to make sure that your irrigation system is well-designed and operating properly.

The reality is that the current water restrictions are simply forcing us all to do something we should be doing anyway and that’s reducing the amount of water used in our landscapes though good water management practices. Maintenance becomes even easier when these best practices are combined with draught-tolerant plant choices. Do you have a favorite draught-tolerant plant? How well did your landscape survive last summer’s heat wave and our current draught? We’d love to hear from you.

Why Poinsettias at Christmas?

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Glenn

Ever wonder how poinsettias evolved into the undisputed flower of Christmas? The plant’s association with Christmas also began in Mexico in the 16^th century and centered on a legend of a poor girl who, unable to provide a gift for Jesus’s birthday, picked “weeds” at the side of the road that then blossomed into the beautiful red poinsettia. Beginning in the 17th century, Franciscan friars in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations. The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and the red color represents the blood sacrifice through the crucifixion of Jesus.

Poinsettias are native to Mexico and were introduced to the United States in 1825 by Dr. Joel Robert Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, who dabbled in botany and sent cuttings back to his home in South Carolina. Today, poinsettias represent 85% of holiday season potted plant sales and are the best-selling flowering potted plant in the U.S. even though most are sold in only a six week period!

Three-to-six bloom red poinsettias are the most popular but poinsettias come in several other sizes, shapes and colors. Natural colors for poinsettias can range from creamy white to shades of pink and orange to the traditional red. Also available are marbled bracts of pink and white as well as pink flecks on red. You may see poinsettias in other more exotic colors but these plants are dyed, rather than natural.

Contrary to popular belief, Poinsettias are NOT poisonous. The milky sap from the stem can, however, cause minor skin irritation or mild stomach upset in pets or people.

Christmas Trees: Real or Fake?

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Glenn

Being in the landscaping business, I’m sure you can guess which side of the fence I’m on in this one. I have yet to come across a fake tree that has that wonderful pine scent that immediately evokes images of Christmas. Each year, my surprise is renewed regarding the myths that persist surrounding the “real vs. fake” debate. So, I decided I would dedicate a blog post to a few of the more prevalent myths and “arguments” I hear from folks regarding real and fake trees. (And just for the record, I am not in the Christmas tree business.)

Buy American
One of the best reasons I can think of to buy a real tree is that when you do, you are helping support an American farmer. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, most of the nearly 30 million live Christmas Trees that will be sold this year come from farms. Trees are a crop, planted by farmers to be used specifically as Christmas trees, the same way farmers grow fruits and vegetables for us to eat. Close to half a billion trees are currently growing on tree farms in the U.S. alone. There are 100,000 people employed in America’s Christmas tree industry and nearly 15,000 Christmas Tree farms across the United States. On the other hand, 85% of artificial trees are imported from China.

Go Green
The other argument I hear a lot in the real vs. fake debate is that in some convoluted way, fake plastic trees are more environmentally friendly. This one I don’t get at all. No one is “saving a tree” when they go artificial. While they are growing, real trees provide a habitat for wildlife and generate carbon dioxide. After Christmas, real trees are biodegradable and recyclable; they make great mulch. Fake trees begin life in a factory and last an average of six to nine years before they end up in a landfill.

Be Reasonable
Another issue often raised is that real trees are a fire hazard. When you start examining the statistics on this, the argument falls apart. In reality, Christmas tree fires are rare (that’s one of the reasons they make the news). And nearly 30% of them involve artificial trees. So if you consider that over 35 million real and fake trees are sold every year, the average 240 fires is a miniscule fraction of a percent. Then there’s the weird fact that according to the National Fire Protection Association, 18% of the fires that do occur are intentionally set (ponder that one). Another 20% of Christmas tree fires are caused by a heat source too close to the tree. (I can think of lots of things that put too close to a heat source for a prolonged period of time would catch on fire). With these odds, I’m simply not convinced the label “fire hazard” applies.

At the end of the day, I think what it really gets down to is convenience. Some people think taking a few minutes a day to water the tree and vacuum up random pine needles is a hassle. I personally think it’s no big deal and worth it for the pleasure a live tree brings. Thankfully, I’m in the majority. This year, Americans will purchase between 25 and 30 million live Christmas trees – more than three times the number of fake trees sold every year. Who says the Christmas spirit isn’t “alive” and well – and living?

‘Tis the Season to be Enjoying Outdoor Fireplace and Fire Pits

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Glenn

Fire. It keeps us warm. Allows us to see in the dark. Cooks our food. Is it any wonder that many of the stories about its origins have us stealing it from the Gods? And this time of year when it’s cold outside and the holidays are upon us, what can be more heavenly than a fire in the fireplace? Answer: a fire in an outdoor fireplace or fire pit that allows you to commune with nature in comfort.

Outdoor fireplaces are built similarly to indoor fireplaces except they don’t need a damper (‘natch) and special mortar needs to be used. It also helps for the fireplace to be tall and for the opening to be a bit lower to improve draft.

Even more popular with our clients than fireplaces are fire pits. Fire pits allow for 360-degree (i.e. panoramic) enjoyment – an upscale version of the old-fashioned campfire.

Outdoor fire pit next to outdoor dining area beneath an arbor, shown at night.

A limestone fire pit with a gas fire ring beneath lava rock.

Brick and stone outdoor fireplace shown at night with fire in it.

Outdoor fireplace made of brick and stone.

Outdoor fire pit surrounded by a crushed marble path is situated in a garden.

Fire pit creates a focal point and gathering spot for guests in a garden.

Off-Beat Gift Books for Gardeners

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Glenn

With the holidays approaching, I thought I would to a round-up of a few of the more interesting gardening-related books that have come out this year for anyone looking for gift ideas. It’s a short list and doesn’t contain any practical books on gardening – there are plenty of other sources you can turn to for that. This is just a short list of some of the more interesting and fun plant- and garden-related reads that came out in 2011.

Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation by Andrea Wulf (published March, 2011) is a fascinating look at the founding fathers (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison and Benjamin Franklin) from the unique and intimate perspective of their lives as gardeners, plantsmen, and farmers.

Fifty Plants that Changes the Course of History by Bill Laws (published September, 2011). This book details how plants have influenced human behavior and in turn affected the course of history. By chronicling the commercial activity surrounding the discovery and marketing of the foods and beverages we consume and the plants we transform, the author describes how those activities have impacted wars, politics, habits, social behavior and addictions.

Weeds: In Defense of Nature’s Most Unloved Plants by Richard Mabey (published June, 2011). ”A profound and sympathetic meditation on weeds in relation to human beings” (Sunday Times), Weeds shows how useful these unloved plants can be, from serving as the first crops and medicines, to bur-dock inspiring the invention of Velcro, to cow parsley becoming the latest fashionable wedding adornment. Mabey argues that we have caused plants to become weeds through our reckless treatment of the earth, and he delivers a provocative defense of the plants we love to hate.”

Wicked Bugs: The Louse That Conquered Napoleon’s Army & Other Diabolical Insects by Amy Stewart (May, 2011). This is a sequel to Wicked Plants which came out in 2009. Although it may seem to be a bit of a stretch, since gardeners are always dealing with insects, this counts as “garden-related” in my book (no pun intended) and in fact, Stewart provides some tips for gardeners like putting out rolled up newspaper or cardboard tubes at night to trap earwigs and dumping them into soapy water in the morning – ugh. The book is as creepy and as interesting as it sounds.

What’s New for Thanksgiving 2011? Tim Burton’s “B” Boy

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Glenn

I don’t know about you, but I can’t imagine Thanksgiving morning without the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, with all it’s giant balloons, which got me thinking, how did it all get started? Here’s what I found on history.com (the website for the History Channel).

“Originally known as Macy’s Christmas Parade—to signify the launch of the Christmas shopping season—the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in New York City in 1924. It was launched by Macy’s employees and featured animals from the Central Park Zoo. Today, some 3 million people attend the annual parade and another 44 million watch it on television.

Tony Sarg, a children’s book illustrator and puppeteer, designed the first giant hot air balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1927. He later created the elaborate mechanically animated window displays that grace the façade of the New York store from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Snoopy has appeared as a giant balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade more times than any other character in history. As the Flying Ace, Snoopy made his sixth appearance in the 2006 parade.”

What’s your favorite parade balloon? I’m kind of partial to the Buzz Lightyear myself, but am looking forward to one of this year’s new introductions – Tim Burton’s “B” boy balloon…not exactly traditional Thanksgiving imagery!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Our Pools are like Snowflakes

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Glenn

Although we design and build all kinds of outdoor environments, pools are at the top of the list in terms of popularity. Not surprisingly, we build just as many pools in the cooler months as we do in the warmer months. Hint: They make great Christmas gifts. The great thing is, like snowflakes, no two are ever alike.

Fiddle-dee-dee, Let’s Hear it for Pansies

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Glenn

It’s fall, which means garden centers are full of pansies which are cold hardy and will bloom all the way through spring. Anything but exotic, and not particularly fancy, pansies have been a favorite of gardeners since the 16th century. A member of the violet family, the Pansy gets its name from the French word pensée, meaning “thought.” It was so named because the flower is reminiscent of a human face that in the heat “nods” forward as if deep in thought. My favorite pansy related trivia, however, is that in early drafts of Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell name the main character Pansy O’Hara. Now that would have been a true oxymoron.

For a Better Future, Plant Trees

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Glenn

Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. Warren Buffett

Fig Tree by Yvonne Ayaub

As we get into cooler weather and before plants go dormant, now is the optimum time to transplant trees and shrubs. Fall is the best time to plant fruit trees as roots will have time to grow without the stress of summer temperatures. You might consider pear, Japanese persimmon or fig trees, as these are the easiest to grow in our area. Fruit trees need at least 8 hours of full sun daily and adequate drainage is also important. Plant or transplant other trees and shrubs approximately 4 weeks before first frost. This gives plants and their roots sufficient time to settle into their new location before freezing weather strikes and hibernation takes over.

There are lots of reasons to add more trees to your landscape. Trees absorb sound and reduce noise pollution. This is especially important for people who live near freeways. In some cases, a well planted group of trees can reduce noise pollution by up to 10 decibels, which is pretty impressive. Three trees properly placed around a house can save up to 30% in energy use. Plant on the west and northwest to provide mid-to-late afternoon shade. We recommend deciduous trees because they drop their leaves in the fall, letting in more light and heat during the winter.

Fall Garden Maintenance Tips

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Glenn

As perennials go dormant, don’t be afraid to trim them back. Trim back tender perennials such as firebush, Mexican heather and lantanas after the first freeze and then mulch them to protect them from the cold. Fall is also a great time for moving and dividing perennials; it will reduce your work next spring. The cool, moist weather is ideal for perennial roots to become well established. A good rule-of-thumb is to move and divide plants in the fall that bloom between early spring and late June, if the plant blooms after June, you may want to wait until early spring to do any dividing. Always remember to cut back the foliage by at least half to prevent serious wilting; this helps keep the leaf mass in proportion to the reduced number of roots. And remember, if you’re a less experienced gardener and are not sure what to do or when exactly to do it, you can always do nothing – it just means you’ll have a bit more work to do in the spring. Another good option is always to hire a professional to help your yard and garden during the transitions between seasons. Most landscapers, including Bonick Landscaping, offer as-needed garden and lawn maintenance.