Author: Brendan Wetzel

He is President of Phi Sigma Tau

When to Prune Different Varieties of Hydrangea

On By Brendan WetzelIn AgricultureLeave a comment

Brendan Wetzel is a Bucks County, Pennsylvania entrepreneur who provides customer-focused service as the owner of Yardley Landscaping and Paving Company. Meeting homeowners’ hedge and shrub needs, Brendan Wetzel has experience pruning specific varieties of plants such as hydrangeas.

One of the confusing aspects of hydrangeas is that some bloom on old wood growth, while others bloom on new wood growth. The familiar Hydrangea macrophylla, which has large pink and blue flowers, as well as oakleaf hydrangeas and Hydrangea quercifolia, bloom on old wood. These varieties typically start blooming in early summer and end the blooming cycle in midsummer. Because flower buds for the next year start to form by late summer as temperatures cool, it is important to prune them just as the flowers fade. The earlier they are pruned after blooming, the larger next year’s blooms are likely to be.

Varieties that bloom on new wood include Hydrangea arborescens and Hydrangea paniculata, which feature white, conical flowers. These varieties grow and set buds during the same year in which they bloom. Because this process requires time, they only start blooming in midsummer and continue until the first frost. So long as pruning is not undertaken as the flower buds are wakening in spring or going dormant in the late fall, these shrubs will accept pruning at any time of year.

The Basics of Applying Fertilizer to a Lawn

On By Brendan WetzelIn EnvironmentLeave a comment

Fertilizer products include one or more of a basic required nutrient such as phosphorous, nitrogen, iron, or potassium. While air, water, and soil provide these nutrients naturally, it may not be enough to ensure robust growth.

When choosing a fertilizer, it’s important to ensure that the N-P-K rating (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) is appropriate to the lawn being fertilized. Keep in mind that fast-release fertilizers need to be carefully measured to avoid burning and should be applied several times a year. By contrast, natural fertilizers do not usually present burning issues, but they are more difficult to apply and contain lower levels of nutrients. For long-term lawn maintenance, consider a slow-release formula that will encourage consistent growth over time.

Apply the fertilizer toward the start of the growing season, during May and June. Early autumn is also an ideal time for supplementary fertilizer applications. However, avoid fertilizing during times of extreme cold, such as when frosts are likely, or in midsummer, when environmental stresses on a lawn are high.

Tips for Proper Flower Bed Maintenance

On By Brendan WetzelIn Brendan WetzelLeave a comment

Tulips bouquet on pink background with copyspace Free PhotoA flower bed requires regular maintenance to keep it looking healthy. First, you must ensure that the flower bed receives an appropriate amount of water. To assess the moisture content of the soil, take a trowel and dig about 3 inches down, or a few inches deeper if the soil is dry. You should water until the soil feels moist, but not overly wet, to a depth of about 6 inches. You should water in the morning rather than in the evening in order to prevent disease.

A healthy flower bed also requires regular weeding. Inspect your flower beds on at least a weekly basis and remove weeds as soon as you see them. While you’re inspecting your beds, pick off any damaged leaves. Leaves that have spots, holes, or ragged edges might have an insect problem. If you are unsure about the best way to treat the plant, bring a sample of it to your local garden center or call your landscaper to ask for help.

How to Pick the Right Fertilizer for Your Lawn

On By Brendan WetzelIn AgricultureLeave a comment

Fertilizers are products with concentrated nutrients that are essential for plant growth. Common lawn fertilizers include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. While these nutrients naturally occur in the soil, air, and water, sometimes they are in low supply or otherwise out of balance. Soil testing can help you to determine the fertilizer that will work best with your lawn. All fertilizers have an N-P-K rating, which represents the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that they contain.

In addition to getting the N-P-K balance correct, you also need to determine how fast that you want the nutrients to be released. While fast-release fertilizers will cause your lawn to become green quickly, you also need to apply them more frequently and exercise caution to avoid burning your lawn. In contrast, slow-release formulas often yield the best long-term results because nutrients are released consistently over time.