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January Garden Tips
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Keep feeding the birds. Make sure your bird feeders and suet feeders are full.
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When snow piles up on evergreens, try to gently brush it off. Don't shake the branches as this may cause them to break.
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When shoveling, avoid piling salt-containing snow around plants to prevent damage. |
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Now Is the Time...
to Start Planning Your Spring Landscaping
Winter is an ideal time to begin planning your landscape design for next season. It is easier to see the structure of your landscape and property. Plus, you can see where you should add some additional winter interest!
Contact the specialists at RYCO at 800-955-7926. We'll be happy to provide you with a free quote. |
REFER A FRIEND
AND RECEIVE A
$50 CREDIT !
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Ice and Wind -- What Trees are at Risk?
Species that have brittle wood and are easily damaged by ice and wind storms include Chinese and Siberian elms, poplars, silver maples, birches and willows.
Keep an eye on these trees for damage and falling limbs. Corrective pruning and damage control may be needed in spring to keep the tree healthy. | |
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New Year's Resolution: Go "Green" with Your Landscaping
This year, resolve to join the "green" revolution by carefully planning your landscaping to save energy and conserve water. Not only are these practices eco-friendly, they're budget-friendly too. Here are some tips that will add beauty to your home while reducing your energy and water use.
Conserve Water
Create a rain garden: If you have a spot in your yard where water stands after a rainfall, consider a rain garden. They have been growing in popularity as a way to capture water and filter it before the run-off carries debris and contaminants to nearby wetlands, lakes, and rivers. Permeable pavers are another solution that is becoming increasingly popular.
Evaluate your irrigation system: Simple steps may help you to eliminate wasted or misdirected water. Repairs to the system and adjustments to the watering schedule can also help to minimize water consumption. Consider installing an irrigation system if you don't have one.
Plant perennials instead of annuals: Focus on native vegetation choices, including drought-tolerant plantings. Native species, once established, require less water, fertilizers and pesticides. They are also good food sources for native birds and butterflies.
Save Energy
Insulate your home with foundation plantings: Evergreen and deciduous shrubs and vines planted along a wall or corners of your house can help to insulate the home and reduce heat loss.
Block cold winds: Adding trees and shrubs to walls, fences and berms, especially on the north or northwest corner of your property, can help stop cold winds that rob your home of heat. For maximum protection, place windbreaks away from your home at a distance of two to five times the mature height of the trees.
Plant trees to save energy: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, properly placed trees can help save up to 25 percent of household energy used for cooling. Shade walls or windows with low-growing trees that will be at least 10 feet taller than the window, and ones that will fit when planted within 20 feet of the window without touching the home. Where to locate trees? The top priority is to shade west-facing windows. Plant your trees due west. If shading east-facing windows, plant trees due east.
Made in the shade: Don't forget to shade your air conditioner. This can lower air temperatures and help it run more efficiently, but be careful not to block air circulation.
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Save Time and Money
When spring finally arrives in Chicago (and for most of us it can't be too soon!) you'll no doubt want to spend time enjoying the outdoors. But who wants to spend their weekends doing lawn and landscaping maintenance?
Here's where the savings part comes in. First, save your busy weekends for family and let RYCO take care of the landscaping chores. Second, sign up now for your landscaping maintenance program and save yourself the hassle of remembering to do it later. (That's one more thing to check off your To-Do List!)
Most importantly, you can save money on your landscaping maintenance in several ways:
- Pre-Pay: Pay for your entire season of landscaping maintenance when you sign up and save 3% on a one-year maintenance contract.
- Lock-in Rates with a Two-Year Contract: Sign up for two years and save 5% on your landscaping maintenance service. Avoid cost increases and receive a discounted rate.
- Added Bonus: When you sign up for RYCO's Gold Maintenance Program, we will grub-proof your lawn for free (approx. a $300 value).
Of course, you can always choose to pay per service and be billed monthly or we'll split your contract into eight convenient monthly payments. Plus, you can choose to save paper and time by paying online. It's easy, convenient and secure. |
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