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Welcome to the Maffei Landscape "Tip" page
Maffei Landscape’s mission:
“To constantly exceed each customer’s expectations while setting the industry standard for quality craftsmanship and professionalism.”
Maffei Landscape delivers unparalleled quality in landscape design, construction, and care. Our highly trained craftsmen will ensure that your landscape provides you with a lifetime of beauty and value.
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 Getting the Best from your Summer Annuals Almost everyone enjoys the wonderful colors of a well planted bed of summer annuals. Much like any other home and landscape project, success or failure is generally determined before the plants are set in the ground.
Keep these suggestions in mind before you start:
First, amend the soil well before planting. Apply a layer of peat moss, cow manure or compost and a small amount of slow release fertilizer. Turn over the area thoroughly to mix in the amendments and provide a loose planting bed.
Now choose the correct plants for the area. Keep in mind the amount of sun/ shade and exposure to wind. If you’re short on time be sure to select plants that don’t require lots of deadheading (removal of the spent flowers) to keep them blooming. Once installed, feed your plants every two weeks with a liquid fertilizer.
Do not apply bark mulch to your annual beds as the mulch will compete with the plants for resources and cause the plants to be smaller.
Lastly, be sure to plant at the correct time. Planting to early will expose plants to cold soils and other stresses that may inhibit their long term growth.
Summer annuals are great way to add color and interest to your yard. Each year the display can be repeated or changed to provide a fresh new look.
Tending to the details before you plant will go a long way toward a successful summer planting.
 Seasonal Flowering Planters
Planters containing spring, summer or fall oriented plantings are a great way to add moveable color to any area of the yard.
- Choose a container that fits the style of the area you have in mind. Avoid containers with narrow openings as they are hard to plant properly.
- Be sure your chosen container has adequate drainage holes and a saucer to prevent staining of porches and patios.
- Use soilless potting mix to make the planter lighter and easier to move.
- When you add your soil to your container, leave a 2 inch space between the top of the soil and the top of the container to prevent spill over.
- Plan on fertilizing your flowering plants every two weeks with liquid fertilizer to get the best blooms.
- Consider potted bulbs and pansies for spring.
- Summer flowering selections range from impatiens and angel wing begonias for shade to salvias, sweet potato vines and osteospermum for sunny areas.
- Mums and ornamental kale will provide fall color. In winter, non porous planters can be filled with live evergreens or evergreen branches for holiday interest.
- Once you have your planter it can be used over and over again in any area of the yard.
Watering Window Boxes and Pots
 Many of us love the look of a well done colorful window box or pot. Watering that pot can be another matter.
Potted plants respond best to being watered before the soil dries and the plants wilt. If your yard has an irrigation system it is possible to install irrigation to water the pots and boxes for you. A series of small tubes and drip emitters are connected to your existing irrigation system. This can be added to the pots before or after they are planted. The system is controlled by your irrigation timer and waters automatically at the preprogrammed time. The lines are easily hidden and do not detract from the look of your containers or the planting. Once installed the lines provide years of service. Your irrigation professional can plan your system to be sure it best suits your needs.
Your plants will look better and you don’t have to drag around a watering can. |
