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Dos and Don’ts for Summer Lawn Care
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We are approaching the summer heat and have already been in a drought this spring. Here are some ways to keep your lawn healthy:
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– Raise up mower deck to about 3-3.5 inches
– Sharpen mower blades
– Don’t mow too frequently or stop mowing completely temporarily
– Give lawns a deep soak for 20-30 minutes a couple times per week. 1.5 to 2 inches of water per week will suffice
– Consider planting a shade tree for full sun lawns or creating a sunny perennial garden
– Using a polymer, such as Broccolo’s moisture manager treatment, to help lawn retain moisture and keep it green
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Now that your shrubs have put on their spring growth, it’s time to shape things up. Here are some tips to consider:
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– Use sharp, clean pruning tools
– Put down the shears! ‘Mowing’ your shrubs will result in an unhealthy situation
– Shearing promotes insect populations to rise as well as heavy growth on the outside of the shrub, shading out the interior
– Hand prune to keep shrubs natural looking as well as healthier
– We call it ‘poking holes’ when pruning. Create pockets for sunlight penetration and air circulation
– If shrubs are sheared, be sure to revisit them this winter to correct the damage with renovation type cuts
– Avoid pruning more than 1/3 of the growth on any one pruning visit
– Technique and timing. Consult a professional or find education on how to make proper pruning cuts as well as the best time to give your specific plants a trim. (Broccolo offers classes!)
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Featured Landscape Project
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This was the beginnings of a rain garden which the homeowner wanted to expand with the addition of native plants. They also wanted a view from their back porch that would invite them to get closer to nature. The pathway, bench and the patience of the 1st season’s growth has met their vision beyond expectations. We are very proud of this project, especially considering the
obstacles of utilities and rock pan soil left by the original developer. The efforts of adjusting the design and difficulty of working and creating hospitable soil was a success!
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If you are looking for privacy or screening for your yard, think green and consider a living fence rather than putting up a wooden fence. Planting a hedge mixed with different sizes and varieties of plants can bring a great deal more interest!
Read more about the different types of hedges below.
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This plant is perfect for creating an environmentally friendly hedge! It can grow to be 3′ – 9′ tall, and 6′ – 12′ wide, providing great privacy. The flowers are sweetly scented, and although the scent can vary widely from plant to plant, its smell is often described as strawberry scented, pineapple, or even bubble gum.
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Cornell hosted a day long IPM (Integrated Pest Management) symposium on June 15th, which discussed the growing interest in less lawn and more nature. Laurie Broccolo was the guest speaker, and she shared how Broccolo as a landscape company has transitioned to incorporate more native landscapes and lawn reduction into
Broccolo’s designs.
On June 20th, Channel 8 visited the Broccolo Garden Center to showcase a variety of native plants for more environmentally friendly landscaping. Check out the broadcast below!
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