Month: May 2020

Do’s and Don’ts of Pruning

On By Brendan WetzelIn AgricultureLeave a comment

Pruning shrubs and hedges is essential to keeping your plants healthy. However, it is not as simple as cutting off branches randomly with anything you can find. Below are several do’s and don’ts of pruning correctly:

1. Do make your cuts selectively

While good pruning cuts can stimulate growth, improper pruning can leave your plants in shock and ultimately kill them. For this reason, you must be careful about the cuts you make. Remove injured wood from your plant, and prune just above a healthy bud at a 45-degree angle.

2. Don’t prune in late fall

Winter will push your plant into hibernation and halt the growth process. Pruning too late in the season will not give new growth enough time to harden, leaving it weak, particularly in colder weather.

3. Do get rid of diseased branches immediately

As branches die or become diseased, you should remove them right away. By removing the branch, you are not only protecting the health of the plant, but you are letting it conserve energy for new growth.

4. Don’t use the wrong tools

When it comes to pruning, use specific tools that are designed to get the job done without damaging your plant. Don’t use scissors or attempt to cut low branches with a shovel. Furthermore, you should maintain those tools so they stay sharp and free of rust. Dull blades will damage the branches on your plants.

Mulching As Part of a Spring Cleanup

On By Brendan WetzelIn Brendan WetzelLeave a comment

Brendan Wetzel is an established presence in the Bucks County, Pennsylvania, community who leads Yardley Landscaping Company. Committed to client satisfaction, Brendan Wetzel has extensive knowledge of everything from weed control to yard maintenance.

A key part of an efficient spring cleanup involves mulching. One way to keep your lawn strong and healthy is by mulching, which involves double-cutting your grass, then re-cutting it within the deck of a mulching mower. The latter has a deck that is spacious, rounded, and sealed, which provides the grass with room to move around. Strategically placed deflectors keep the grass circulating, with a specially shaped blade forcing grass clippings down to the turf after they have been re-cut.

The mulch breaks down quickly and provides the grass with nutrient-rich phosphates and nitrogen that stimulate new growth. At the same time, it provides a protective covering that helps to prevent weed growth and conserves water. On balance, mulch offers an economical, environmentally friendly way of reusing lawn trimmings that will also cut down on waste.

Preparing a Site and Bed for Rose Plants

On By Brendan WetzelIn AgricultureLeave a comment

Led by Brendan Wetzel, Yardley Landscaping Company provides a comprehensive range of services to customers across Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Among the areas in which Brendan Wetzel has extensive knowledge is yard maintenance, and he is experienced in caring for a wide range of flowering shrubs.

When it comes to roses, the key is to select a planting site that will receive at least five hours of full sunlight each day. Particularly important is morning sun, which dries leaves and helps to prevent disease. Keep in mind that the sun’s angle changes with the seasons, and the site should receive full sunlight year-round. In areas with extended winter seasons, planting the bushes near the house’s foundation is one strategy that provides a degree of protection during the colder months.

When choosing a soil, select a loamy, slightly sandy one that allows moisture to drain but retains it long enough for root absorption. With too much clay, the roses’ roots run the risk of becoming waterlogged. At the same time, give each plant space in the bed. Crowding is associated with issues such as downy and powdery mildew.