Lawn Care Services in Milwaukee

Spring Bulb Clean-Up

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As your spring flowers begin to die off and foliage begins to droop and yellow, it’s time to take action! Follow our advice to trim these plants properly so your bulbs will produce gorgeous flowers for you again in the fall.  

Hyacinth

When flowers are spent, holding the flower stem firm, cut the stalk as close to the base as you can and remove.  

Tulip

When flowers are spent, holding the flower stem firm, cut the stem as close to the second leaf as you can. 

 

For both tulips and hyacinth, be sure to leave the remaining foliage up until it yellows. That is how the bulb makes nutrients for next year’s flowers.  After foliage yellows, you can pull, rake, or cut it off and dispose.

Daffodills

Daffodils are a little different than tulips and hyacinth.  There are many late blooming varieties, they often grow in large clumps, and sometimes the foliage will stay green well into June.  As the flowers die and the foliage starts to flop or interfere with spring planting, you can cut the foliage back to make it more attractive, while still leaving enough for the plant to store nutrients in its bulbs to flower next year.

Gather the leaves in your hands and cut straight across leaving 6”-8” of the foliage still standing. Your clumps will look nice and tidy and you can plant around them without interference.

Just like with your tulips and hyacinths, wait until leaves have yellowed before fully removing them. 

 

Pro Tip!  Consider interplanting your bulbs with perennials.  As the bulbs fade, the perennials grow and hide the dying foliage, leaving you with less work! 

Dividing & Transplanting

If you want to relocate your spring flowering bulbs or if you notice they are not blooming well, you can divide and transplant them. It is best to wait until the foliage starts to die back so that the bulbs have time to store nutrients from the plant. 

When you transplant the bulbs, add a little bone meal or bulb fertilizer to give them a boost as they root in and prepare for next year. Be sure to give them a good watering and then wait for some gorgeous flowers in fall!

Note: Tulips do not typically have the longevity in Wisconsin that the daffodils do, so over time it might just be best to replant with new ones.  

It’s always a great idea to get expert help with your landscaping. Get in touch today to schedule an appointment for new design/construction or to inquire about our maintenance programs.

June Landscaping Checklist

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Flowers

  • Continue planting annuals and vegetables.
  • Direct seed annuals and vegetables into the garden early in the month.
  • WATER! Annuals and veggies need regular water due to their shallow root systems. Remember that fewer, deeper waterings are more beneficial than frequent, shallow waterings.
  • Fertilize as needed. Perennial beds can use a slow-release fertilizer or can be fed along with annuals with a liquid like Miracle Gro. Vegetables can also be treated this way although many people have moved towards organic methods like compost to enrich the soil in the vegetable gardens.
  • Deadhead annuals and perennials for enhanced appearance and improved blooming.
  • Stake or trellis newly planted things like vines and tomatoes right away to avoid damaging the plant later.
  • Get on a regular weeding schedule. It’s easier to keep up a little at a time than to let things get out of control.

Lawn

  • Apply fertilizer and broadleaf weed control. 4-6 weeks after your prior application is best. Avoid using weed control on newly seeded areas.
  • Monitor for disease and insect problems and consult a professional if needed.
  • Keep grass cut at about 2 ½” to 3”. Cutting the grass shorter will allow more heat and light to penetrate to the roots causing stress. It also creates more openings for weeds to take hold.
  • Water as needed. Remember that fewer, deeper waterings will be more beneficial than frequent, shallow waterings. Lawns require about an inch of rain per week.
  • Newly seeded or sodded areas will require more water than an established lawn.

Trees/Shrubs  

  • Monitor for disease and insect problems and consult a professional if needed.
  • Prune spring blooming shrubs right after they are done blooming.
  • Trim boxwood, yews and other evergreens.
  • Fertilize roses and pre-treat with fungicide if they are prone to disease issues.
  • Trees and shrubs planted within the last year should be monitored for water. They will need it before your established plants do. If it’s hot and dry and we’re receiving less than an inch of rain per week, give them a good long drink.

Download Checklist

May Landscaping Checklist

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Flowers

  • Remove spent flowers and foliage (once yellowed) on spring flowering.
  • Plant tender annuals after the last expected frost date, approximately May 15.
  • Set flower supports early. Let plants grow through them.
  • Over-wintered tender annuals or tropicals such as hibiscus, gardenia, mandevilla and geranium may be pruned, cleaned, fertilized and gradually introduced to a protected location outdoors once night temperatures reach 50°F.
  • Begin pinching top 1-2 inches of new growth on chrysanthemums to encourage full bushy plants.
  • Prune sage, butterfly bush, Russian sage and Caryopteris back to the point of new growth.
  • With sharp spade, edge flower beds.

Lawn

  • Fertilize with a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer and apply a broadleaf herbicide for weed control.
  • Make sure you are mowing at the proper height.  Never remove more than 1/3 of the turf height at one time.  We recommend keeping your grass at a length of approximately 3”.
  • Re-seed or repair damaged turf areas. Keep newly seeded or sodded turf areas well watered.

Trees/Shrubs  

  • Prune spring flowering shrubs right after they are done flowering.  These plants use the growing season to develop next year’s flowers, so pruning them late in the season will prune off next year’s blooms!  These include:  Forsythia, lilac, viburnum, fothergilla, kerria, mockorange and weigela.
  • Start monitoring your plants for pest infestations. Insects in moderation are a natural and necessary part of the environment, but excessive groups of them or excessive damage from them sometimes warrants treatment.  Contact your landscape professional for identification and a treatment plan.
  • Apply systemic insecticides to trees and shrubs (for example birch & viburnums) prone to borer right after they are done blooming.
  • It’s still a good time to apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to shrubs and perennials.

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Time to Do Some Fall Landscape Clean Up!

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The air has turned chillier, the leaves are changing colors, and it’s time to tackle your fall landscaping chores! Set yourself up for springtime success by doing some fall landscape cleanup. Here are a few items that should be on your “to-do” list.. 

Plant Fall Bulbs

Fall-planted flower bulbs are a great way to add color to your garden come spring, and Midwestern cold winters are perfect for planting them. For the best strategies and tips on planting these bulbs, check out our blog post. 

Clean Up Your Lawn

The colorful leaves on trees are a telltale sign of fall and colder weather. While they look pretty on the trees and on your lawn when they fall, mulching the leaves helps return nutrients to the soil. If that’s not an option for you, raking the leaves and keeping your lawn clear of debris can prevent your lawn from being smothered and stunting new grass growth. 

Cut Back Perennials 

After the first frost, it’s time to trim your perennials. Cut the tops and stems down to the crown of leaves at the base of each plant. Once you’re done, make sure you rake the beds and dispose of dead plant material so your garden still looks fresh during the winter months. 

Apply Fertilizer and Herbicide 

Fertilize your lawn before the first freeze to ensure it looks its best come warmer weather. Once the weather begins to warm up, the grass will draw on the nutrients. Spraying perennial weeds (dandelions, clover, etc.) before the first freeze as well allows the weeds to take in the herbicide to prevent a weedy garden. Fertilize your trees and shrubs too, since it encourages root growth which leads to fewer dead branches and increased spring growth. 

By following these tips, your landscape will be in much better shape once spring comes around. If you need help tackling these fall landscaping chores, our team of experts is always available to help! 

Why You Should Avoid Mulch Volcanoes

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‘Tis the season to get out your shovels and rakes and spread some mulch in your garden beds and around trees. Mulch has numerous benefits to your landscape, but beware! In this case, there can definitely be too much of a good thing and it can be deadly for your trees.

Benefits of Mulch

First, let’s talk about the benefits to establishing a layer of mulch around your trees:

  • eliminates potential injuries from mowers and string-trimmers 
  • separates major root zone areas from nearby sod areas, and 
  • breaks down, enriching the soil and providing nutrients to tree root
  • moderates soil temperatures
  • decreases erosion
  • aids in drainage

Issues with Mulch Volcanoes 

Mulch volcanoes are deep piles of mulch heaped around the base of trees and shrubs. Piling mulch against a tree trunk harms the tree in the following ways:

  • holds moisture against the trunk and roots of the tree, leading to fungal diseases and rot.
  • harbors insects, increasing pest disease; and can also 
  • harbor small rodents who chew on tree bark

Another issue is that mulch volcanoes encourage roots to grow laterally into the mulch. This causes roots to girdle the trunk, which weakens the tree’s support system. 

Correct Way to Mulch 

  • Apply mulch to a depth of 2-3 inches around a tree, leaving a space of 12-16” away from the base of the trunk clear of mulch. 
  • Ensure the mulch is spread level with the root flare (the point at the base of a tree trunk where the trunk expands and transitions into the root system)
  • Extend mulch area to the edge of the tree canopy, or at least several feet from trunk.
  • If mulch is piled against the tree trunk, rake away from the center.
  • Rake up compacted mulch to keep air and water flowing and reaching the roots.
  • In landscape beds containing multiple trees surrounded by sod, join the trees in one mulched bed rather than multiple “circles” of beds to create a more efficient design.

We have a team of certified arborists who can help ensure your trees are properly cared for and last for years. We’d love to help you preserve your valuable investment. Contact us today for a consultation.

How a Rain Garden can Save Your Lawn

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A rain garden provides a healthy solution to drainage problems that can save you time and money in the long run. With winter slowly rolling in, you’re probably already hoping for spring to come sooner. But all the wet weather ahead may be disastrous for your lawn. Heavy snowfall and rain can lead to problems with drainage that impacts your lawn. Here’s how a rain garden can save your lawn!

What is a Rain Garden?

A rain garden is normally decorated with flowers, plants and other vegetation. Essentially, a rain garden is a depressed area in your lawn that mimics the look of a small pond. It is designed to absorb water and filter out pollutants, cleaning the water and soil. Rain gardens offer ecological and economic benefits while adding a touch of elegance.

Conserves water and reduces pollutants

The stormwater that runs off may leach pollutants into your lawn. A rain garden can help reduce the amount of runoff a lawn accumulates. According to a fact sheet from the United States Department of Agriculture, rain gardens can absorb thirty to forty percent more runoff than a regular lawn. This amazing benefit also helps water conservation and blocks the flow of pollutants from runoff into natural waters. The natural look and feel of a rain garden gives a warm welcome to wildlife.

How American Landscape can make your lawn more sustainable

Inhabits wildlife and drives out the pests

Your lawn should be open to all wild inhabitants. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, rain gardens provide a habitable place for butterflies and birds. Of course, you don’t want all the animals flocking to your lawn. Fear not; according to research from Penn State, the rain gardens drainage abilities prevent standing water, which often attracts mosquitoes. Creating a space for wildlife is only part of a rain garden’s ability to add biodiversity.

Biodiversity adds a touch of beauty

The vast amount of vegetation and plants that can be hosted in your rain garden adds beauty to your lawn. The most important part of choosing plants for your rain garden is making sure they can withstand wet and dry conditions. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, choosing prairie flowers that are native to Wisconsin may be your best choice; they can withstand long periods of dryness, which works well with our iffy climate.

Rain gardens require little to no maintenance

Taking good care of your rain garden is easy and adds longevity to your lawn. According to a fact sheet from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, simply weeding, watering and trimming your plants is the best practice for maintaining a rain garden. Rain gardens do a great job circulating water, allowing your plants to maintain good health over long periods of varying weather.

A Final Word on Rain Gardens

Rain gardens are fascinating, beautiful and ecologically beneficial. If a plain, green lawn isn’t cutting it for you, a rain garden may spruce up the liveliness of your home. Not sure where to start? American Landscape specializes in sustainable lawn care, and many other services. Give us a call for more information!

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Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

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