Month: February 2020

The Benefits of Mulch

On By Brendan WetzelIn AgricultureLeave a comment

 

 

 

 

Entrepreneur Brendan Wetzel works in the landscaping business as the owner and president of Yardley Landscaping and Paving Company. In this capacity, Brendan Wetzel provides yard clean-up services to residential and commercial clients through his Bucks County, Pennsylvania-based business.

A common part of any yard clean-up routine is adding mulch around plants. Mulch can be made from a wide range of materials, including bark, newspaper, shredded leaves, manure, rubber, and straw. When these items are spread over the soil, they suppress weed growth and act as a barrier that helps prevent heat from reaching the soil. Mulching also helps to retain soil moisture and makes flower beds more attractive.

Two general categories of mulch are organic and inorganic. Organic mulch includes bark, compost, and other materials that gradually decompose. Eventually, organic mulch will need to be replaced, but in the meantime it adds beneficial nutrients to the soil as it breaks down.

Conversely, inorganic mulch offers much longer-lasting protection. Comprised of materials such as stones and landscape fabric, inorganic mulch does not infuse the soil with any nutrients when it eventually breaks down.

Heading and Thinning Pruning Cuts

On By Brendan WetzelIn AgricultureLeave a comment

Based in Pennsylvania, Brendan Wetzel is the owner and president of the Yardley Landscaping and Paving Company. Brendan Wetzel and his team handle residential and corporate landscaping work, such as shrub and tree pruning, in and around Bucks County.

Prniung trees, shrubs, and other plants is often overlooked in yard care. Mastering different pruning techniques seems difficult for many home gardeners.

Generally, there are two types of pruning cuts: heading and thinning. These cuts are used in different situations.

Heading cuts that stimulate growth are made on shoots or limbs that are too weak or small to grow offshoots. Too many weak limbs create a sparse appearance since offshoots add thickness to the plant.

To make heading cuts, look for healthy buds on the plant and cut at a 45-degree angle just past the healthy buds. New growth will sprout in the direction that the healthy buds are pointing, so heading cuts must be pointed away from the buds.

Thinning cuts that quell overgrowth are usually made where one limb meets another or where a limb meets the main stem. These cuts are made as close to the junction as possible to ensure that the plant maintains its natural shape and size. Generally, thinning cuts are used for aesthetic purposes.

The Basics of Pruning Rose Bushes

On By Brendan WetzelIn AgricultureLeave a comment

Pennsylvania resident Brendan Wetzel is the owner and president of Yardley Landscaping and Paving Company. Through his business, Brendan Wetzel and his team provide clients throughout Bucks County with a range of landscaping services, including spring and fall cleanup.

For many people, a common part of their spring and fall cleanup process is pruning rose bushes. Usually, the bulk of rose pruning should occur in the early spring. By this time of the year, most colder climates have already experienced their last frost of the year. In addition to this, it’s important to cut back dead roses every summer to encourage more blooms, a process referred to as deadheading. Longer stems should be removed in the fall so they do not fall victim to winter storms.

Regardless of the type of pruning being done, the owners of rose bushes must be aware of how their plants grow and bloom to ensure that they cut them back correctly. Typically, pruning cuts are made just above the rose’s bud eye. This is the area of the stem that branches into another stem, new flower, or new leaves. Regardless of whether the bud eye is dormant or not, it usually rests just above a leaf scar, a crescent-shaped mark on the stem.

Dead and broken wood must also be removed from the rose bush. Often, these stems rest at the bottom of the plant and hamper both light and air circulation around living stems. When removing old wood, cuts must be made at a 45-degree angle until the interior flesh of the stem is white.

Signs of Poor Yard Drainage

On By Brendan WetzelIn Brendan WetzelLeave a comment

A Pennsylvania-based business owner, Brendan Wetzel leads Yardley Landscaping and Paving Company as president. Under the guidance of Brendan Wetzel, the company provides a range of services to clients around Bucks County, including lawn beautification and yard drainage.

Regardless of how meticulously you maintain your yard, you may still experience drainage issues at some point. Below are several signs of poor yard drainage to look out for:

Soil erosion
When there is excess water in your yard, it can cause the soil to drop away, thus creating pitted areas or, in extreme cases, sinkholes. Soil erosion in your yard threatens the stability of your raised garden beds and decorative features.

Pooled water under your gutters
As you walk around your home after it rains, look for small ponds underneath the downspouts and gutters. These suggest that water is leaking under your home and threatening the foundation. Ignoring this issue will result in steady damage to the foundation and the concrete in your basement.

Movement of the topsoil
Water that cannot properly drain from your yard will move over the mulch and topsoil as best as it can. This will push the material into your drain covers, onto walkways, or into any dips in your yard. As a result, you’ll have to deal with issues caused by clogged drains.

Wet crawlspace
Even if your yard looks fine after it rains, you may find that your crawlspace is always wet or soggy. Such issues increase the risk of mildew and mold, along with a poor-quality foundation. Moisture in this area also draws in rodents and other pests.