Jessup Landscaping

Are you tired of spending time and money on your lawn with no results? You've done the basics of watering, mowing, fertilizing and still it's not enough! For a greener, thicker, healthier lawn you need to do what the Pros do! You need to aerate!
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Did you Know,

Marine Plants
According to Ecology.com, "It is estimated that between 70% and 80% of the oxygen in the atmosphere is produced by marine plants." Because so many species of marine plant life are technically algae, that makes algae the plant singly responsible for producing most of the oxygen we breathe. The earth contains almost three times as much water surface as land surface, so it stands to reason that marine plant life produces much more oxygen than land plants. Ocean plants may be difficult to see because they often span great distances under water, but they are essential to our atmosphere.

Leafy Plants
Oxygen is released into the air through plant leaves. On average, leaves produce about 5 milliliters of oxygen per hour. So plants that have more leaves produce more oxygen than plants with few leaves. Therefore, large trees or leafy vines produce more oxygen than weak, sparse foliage. In addition, larger leaves produce more oxygen than smaller ones.

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Did You Know,

Nature takes dozens of years to add an inch of top soil to the ground. The repeated growth and death cycle of plants and animals, weather of the soil and the work of earthworms, sow bugs, ants and billions of micro-organisms create top soil. When all the conditions are right, the soil is richly fertile, dark brown or black and crumbly to the touch. Land that has been undisturbed for thousands of years may have top soil 36 or more inches deep. Most farms consider a top soil of 4 inches to be sufficient.

Top Soil Standards
Official government standards don't exist for top soil; it is a case of "buyer beware." The American Society of Landscape Architects created its own standard for the percentage of clay, sand, organic material, pH and debris bagged top soil may contain. You can request topsoil that meets the ASLA specifications if you've hired a professional contractor for your landscape project.

If your home is in a subdivision it is likely the original top soil was removed some time ago by the contractors and never replaced. Depending upon the region, the soil can be mostly clay, sand or with luck, loam. If the homeowner rakes cut grass and fallen leaves, it is unlikely there is the proper abundance of organic material in the soil. If the homeowner buys bagged soil labeled "garden soil" there is even less official definition as to what that means and they could be buying soil no better than what is already in the backyard.

Good topsoil for a garden or a Landscape Bed can be bought or created. For a spring garden, lay out the perimeter during the fall. Dig the existing soil out of the garden to a depth of 8 inches and lay to the side. Fill the hole with 1 inch of green organic material such as kitchen debris, grass clippings and coffee grounds. Add 1 inch of soil back into the hole with the grass side facing downward. Fill with 1 inch of brown material such as straw, hay, leaves or even shredded newspapers or cardboard. Add another 1-inch layer of soil. Continue layering until the soil has been added back to the garden spot. It will be considerably higher than when it was first dug out but will eventually settle back to the normal height. Cover with wet burlap and weigh it down with rocks along the edges. By spring planting the area will be 8 inches or so of good, black topsoil.

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Did You Know,

When you have plants of flowers, vegetables, shrubs and trees a lot of beginners to gardening do not realize how crucial the use of mulch is to the survival of the plants. No matter what type of garden you have whether it is container, vegetable, flower gardens or shrubs and trees it is a must to have mulch and it will help in several ways.

1. Lowering the use of water. To save water and keep the plant's roots with sufficient water - use mulch. Concerning water, just a thin layer of nature's blanket (mulch) will cut down on moisture leaving the soil surface. Denser mulches may cut water usage by as much as 50%.

2. Controlling the w**ds. By having mulch down this will prevent or at least slow down the growth of w**ds. Even if a few eventually pop through they will be easy to see and pull out of the ground.

3. Protecting against the cold. Placing mulch in your garden will protect against freezes that will usually kill many plants. People living even in zones 10 sometimes get a freeze and this would prevent a loss of their plants.

4. Keeping the soil from drying. A good layer of mulch will insure that the soil will retain moisture a lot longer time.

5. Improving soil. This means that you need to use organic mulches that decompose to contribute organic matter to the soil.

Many sorts of mulch add another layer of good looks and quality to your garden beds too. On the market now nurseries have safe colored mulch that will enhance the looks of your garden. For the benefit of the plants though try to use mulch that is made from local items shredded up like wood from trees and bushes growing in your area.

There are an ample assortment of materials which can be used for mulching your garden.

1. Some very good organic materials are wood chips, shavings or bark from trees growing in your area shredded, the smaller the better. Because wood is an organic material, it will slow decomposition and be blended into your garden soil, leaving more vitamins and nutrients for many years to come.

2. Grass clippings or dried leaves from your trees each autumn are also outstanding natural items to use for mulching your plants and flowers. Some believe straw and hay is the best to use especially alfalfa. As these are organic materials, they'll add to the general richness and producing abundantly and sustaining vigorous and luxuriant growth in your soil as they decompose.

3. A lot of people like to use mulch materials that can last for many years at a time like some popular ones that are plastic and rubber material made from recycled tires. These frequently come in the form of circular rings for placing under trees and bushes with ease. Some even use small chunks of rubber.

4. Rocks, stones and pebbles can work as a mulch also, since dressing the plain soil around your flowers and plants with pebbles or rocks functions the same purpose of holding moisture and forbidding w**d growth. Remember though these items can heat up faster and higher than other types.

5. Snow is one the best mulches of them all, as it can let you grow plants that would not last thru the winter in areas without snow farther south

Though traditionally, most mulches was made to both shield from danger the plants and flowers while feeding and improving the soil. Mulching permits you to rehash nature's products to better your garden, really nothing is wasted, and in the action your garden will appear greener and more healthy.

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Did you Know
Keystone Walls Prevent Erosion
Soil erosion is a serious environmental threat and a major contributor to the degradation of water quality. Wind, rain and runoff displace soil particles from bare covered earth, potentially reducing the stability of the original site and impairing the performance of downstream drainage systems.

In many instances, SRWs are a cost-effective solution to eroding soil. Keystone walls are often used as part of conservation efforts along channels and waterways, near steep earthen slopes, and in other critical applications. By combining retaining wall units with soil reinforcement, the reinforced soil mass can support greater earth pressure and surcharge loads.

The result is a long-term, economical solution that minimizes or eliminates soil erosion.

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