Tag: Brendan Wetzel

Three Things to Do During Fall Cleanup

On By Brendan WetzelIn Brendan Wetzel, LifestyleLeave a comment

Brendan Wetzel, the president and owner of Yardley Landscaping and Paving Company in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, offers different landscaping services to clients. Brendan Wetzel and his team provide water drainage services, such as installing lawn drainage systems as well as seasonal clean-up services to keep landscapes looking nice throughout the year.

To maintain the appearance and overall health of the lawn, you must conduct seasonal cleanup and proper maintenance. While many people worry about summer and spring, fall is actually one of the best seasons to prepare the lawn for winter. Below are several things that must be done as part of a fall cleanup:

1. Remove debris – During the year, trees and some other plants shed their foliage. This debris not only smothers grass and plant growth, it also provides pests a safe place to hide. Because of this, debris should regularly be removed from a landscape using a tarp or rake. It’s also possible to run the lawn mower over fallen leaves to shred them and make them suitable for fertilizer.

2. Trim away the dead – Once winter hits, dead branches and plants are much more susceptible to damage from the cold winds. This increases the risk of the branches cracking or breaking, thus posing a damage to you or your home when the plant is large enough. Rather than risk this, trim away any dead branches, or pull out plants that have died completely.

3. Protect plants – Not every plant is capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, so it’s important that these sensitive plants are protected for the cold winter temperatures. This is accomplished by either moving the plants indoors or installing a frost guard. At the same time, you can’t forget about the plants that can withstand the temperature drop by mulching them with leaves and organic waste.

Tips for Cleaning Your Newly Paved Driveway

On By Brendan WetzelIn Brendan Wetzel, Lifestyle1 Comment

A cum laude graduate of Rider University, Brendan Wetzel has spent 10 years as the owner and president of Yardley Landscaping and Paving Company in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. As such, Brendan Wetzel manages not only a multitude of landscaping services, but also driveway work that includes seal coating, paving, power washing, and black top work.

A newly paved and sealed driveway can provide homeowners with peace of mind for years to come. There are a few tips individuals can take to maintain a clean driveway in between sealant applications, which should occur, on average, every three to five years.

When it comes to dirt or mud that has been brought in on car tires or by weather, homeowners can make use of a standard power washer. Those without a power washer can remove dirt and mud from their driveway with a hard-bristled broom and garden hose. To remove dirt and mud from the asphalt completely, individuals should be liberal with water throughout the cleaning process.

As for leaves, mulch, and other organic matter that may spill onto a driveway, homeowners are advised to act quickly and clear the debris before brown tannin stains set in. If stains do form, they will dissolve on their own, though individuals can expedite the process with an application of liquid dish detergent and hot water.

Lastly, if latex paint spills on a driveway, a combination of water and common scouring powder, along with a stiff-bristled nylon brush, often does the trick. Oil and acrylic paints, meanwhile, pose more of a challenge. In the case of an asphalt driveway, it is sometimes easiest to reseal the area, as any solvent capable of dissolving these paints would damage the underlying driveway.

A Few Benefits of Mulching Your Lawn

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When it comes to lawn maintenance, mulching is a step no homeowner should skip. One of the main benefits of routine mulching is weed control. Mulch forms a barrier between weeds and the surface, minimizing the amount of sunlight weeds can divert from plants and vegetables, which makes mulching particularly important in and around gardens.

Mulching is also highly beneficial to the surrounding soil. Organic mulch absorbs water, which helps minimize evaporation during watering. This is especially helpful in regions that experience hot, dry seasons, as it optimizes irrigation systems and helps homeowners maintain manageable water bills. Similarly, mulch also limits the amount of rain water that infiltrates and erodes soil.

Lastly, mulch can be a key weapon against insects and other pests. Mulch consisting of cedar bark, for example, has natural oils that repel a number of bugs. That said, homeowners must conduct their own research or consult with a landscaping professional prior to mulching, as certain mulch in various parts of the world can actually attract insects.

How Deep Should Trees Be Planted?

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Pennsylvania entrepreneur Brendan Wetzel is the owner and president of Yardley Landscaping and Paving Company in Bucks County. Under the leadership of Brendan Wetzel, the landscaping company provides numerous services, including tree planting.

When you plant a tree, deeper is not always better. Planting a tree too deeply increases the risk of the tree’s death.

Normally, the roots grow out from the tree in search of water, minerals, and oxygen. However, in soil that is too deep, the roots grow upward and may grow back toward the trunk instead of away from it. As the tree grows and the trunk expands, pressure on the root cuts off nutrients to the tree and slowly strangles it.

To prevent this, trees should be planted only as deep as the root flare. This is the section of the trunk that begins expanding. Once a tree is fully planted, the trunk flare should be only partially visible over the top layer of soil.

All trees have this flare, though spotting it is more difficult in younger plants. When the trunk flare is not obvious, search for the natural curve in the trunk from which the roots branch off of. This curve is the tree’s root flare.