News and Notes
Hewson Landscape Inc.
May 2011 |
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| Message From The President |  Is it ever going to stop raining? We're having a tough time keeping up with the grass that's growing at lightening speed! Things are at their busiest right now. Spring always requires so much attention. So many services are required at the beginning of the season-mulch, weed control, spring clean up, fertilizer, annual flowers. We should catch up within the week, hopefully. Nice to be busy again. Looking forward to the sunshine and warmer days.
Shelly Hewson |
| Iris |
The Iris takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species. Irises are a perennial flower, growing from creeping bulbs.They have long, erect flowering stems, which may be simple or branched, solid or hollow, and flattened or have a circular cross-section. The rhizomatous species usually have 3-10 basal, sword-shaped leaves growing in dense clumps. The bulbous species have cylindrical, basal leaves. Irises like sun to part shade with rich, moist well drained soil. Best uses: in a border for their foliage effects; their seedpods add interest; they are basically trouble free; and provide a nice cut flower. Best time to divide these flowers are after blooming. The iris flower is an example of the relationship between flowering plants and pollinating insects. The shape of the flower and the position of the pollen-receiving and stigmatic surfaces on the outer petals form a landing-stage for a flying insect. When probing the perianth for nectar, it will first come in contact with the perianth, then with the stigmatic stamens . The shelf-like transverse projection on the inner underside of the stamens is beneath the over-arching style arm below the stigma, so that the insect comes in contact with its pollen-covered surface only after passing the stigma; in backing out of the flower it will come in contact only with the non-receptive lower face of the stigma. Thus, an insect bearing pollen from one flower will, in entering a second, deposit the pollen on the stigma; in backing out of a flower, the pollen which it bears will not be rubbed off on the stigma of the same flower. The iris fruit is a capsule which opens up in three parts to reveal the numerous seeds within. Irises are extensively grown as ornamental plants in home and botanical gardens. |
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| Creeping Sedum |  Creeping Sedum strut their stuff where many other plants dare not venture. They make themselves at home, in the cracks of a garden wall or walkway, on roofs or even under massive trees where enormous roots monopolize most of the soil's moisture. Although Sedum 'Autumn Joy' has become popular for its late russet blooms, its ground hugging relatives are also gaining favor. They are among the most versatile, drought-tolerant, and easy-to-grow perennials. Sedums actually decrease work for a gardener as they increase in square footage. Renowned for their ability to spread quickly, these low growers keep weeds from taking hold. Even the poorest soil can nourish sedum and poor or little soil is actually their preferred medium. Good drainage is the key to growing them. Too much moisture, especially standing water, will quickly kill a sedum. Once established, sedum require virtually no supplemental water to thrive, even in the driest circumstances. There's at least one Sedum species for virtually every USDA Hardiness Zone. Most creeping sedum prefer full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Sedum ternatum, is one sedum that prefers the shade and a bit more moisture than its relatives. Creeping sedums change from season to season. While reliability and lack of fussiness are perhaps the most compelling traits,their other virtues include succulent leaves, long blooming cycles, and, in some cases, year-round interest in the garden. Tending to whites, yellows, purples, and pinks, sedum blooms are generally small, star like clusters, usually no more than an inch in diameter and 4 inches or 5 inches in height. Planted in mass, the carpets of blooms they produce look stunning. Sedums are among the easiest plants to propagate, either from seed, cuttings, or divisions. Although sedums are rapid spreaders, they are not invasive. Because they are shallow rooted, they can be easily lifted and moved. And they will overwinter in most planters-provided there is ample drainage-and emerge from dormancy in early to mid-spring.
A few ways to use creeping sedums: Rock gardens ,Containers ,Cracks and crevices,Slopes. |
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Home Composting |  What is composting?Composting is a natural process where organic materials decompose and are recycled into a dark soil conditioner, which is crumbly and known as compost. It improves the soil structure, retains moisture,and contributes to healthy plant growth by providing nutrients. Why should you compost? - It saves you money
- Reduces fertilizer and water use
- Reduces the need for soil and plant amendments
- Helps the environment
- Benefits your soil and plants improving structure and texture
- Increases aeration and water holding
- Promotes soil fertility
- Stimulates healthy root development
- Aids in erosion control
- It's easy
- Saves time bagging grass and leaves
- Reduces the volume of garbage going into the landfills, transfer stations, and incinerators by 25% or more
Compost Ingredients Acceptable materials: Raw vegetable food scraps, grass clippings, leaves, flowers, weeds, sawdust and wood ash, shopped twigs and branches, coffee grounds with filters, tea bags. Unacceptable materials: Meat scraps, diseased or insect infested plants, weeds with seeds, dog and cat feces, food with grease or soap residues. Types of Compost Bins Homemade-Can be accomplished by using wooden pallets or snow fence. Store Bought-Tumbler or durable plastic bin Troubleshooting Symptom Problem Solution Pile has a rotten odor Not enough air Turn pile Pile has an ammonia odor Too many greens Add brown material like leaves/straw Pile is dry Not enough water, too Turn and moisten, add fresh greens much woody material Low pile temp (not composting) Pile is too small Add new materials Insufficient moisture Add water Poor aeration Turn pile Lack of Nitrogen Mix in greens-grass or raw food scraps Cold weather Insulate pile with layer of straw or cover with tarp Pests (rats, raccoons, insects) Presence of meat or fatty Remove from pile food scraps Keys to Good Compost Water-keep pile as moist as a wrung out sponge. Nutrients-Mix 2 parts nitrogen(green materials) to 1 part carbon (brown materials) Aeration-Turn the pile frequently using a pitch fork. Surface Area-The more surface area the microorganisms have to work on, the faster the pile will decompose. Pile should be at least 3 feet x 3 feet to hold the heat of the microbial activity, but not so large that air can't reach the center of the pile. Uses Mulch, soil conditioner, potting mix You'll be ready with a fast harvest in 5-15 weeks. A slow harvest will be ready in 12-18 months. Get ready to put to use your Black Gold! *Just a note that this information came from a Rutgers Cooperative Extension fact sheet. I attended a course at Somerset County Extension which was very informative and also provided each attendee with a new composter. |
| Dandelion |
 Weed of the month is the dreaded dandelion. They have a bright, round yellow blossom with long jagged leaf edges, followed by "puffball" seed carriers. It's stem contains a milky fluid.It is much easier to attack the deep-rooted weed in a lawn made wet by the rain and overnight dew. Dandelions are especially infuriating to lawn care experts because the plant is usually the first to season in the spring. Dandelions quickly horde water and nutrients, while absorbing spring sunshine with broad, porous leaves. As with all weeds, a dandelion simply means that the lawn itself needs attention. The big rooted plant makes its home on your lawn when grass roots are most likely skimpy and weak. The solution is to not only attend to your grass, but to also focus on the soil. For healthy soil, spread an inch of mature compost evenly over the lawn and let the rains wash it down to the roots. This is best achieved by dumping the compost out from a wheelbarrow into several piles and then raking it around evenly on the lawn (a job most children can do!). The word dandelion comes from a kind of linguistic accident. It's of the French "dent de lion," or "lion's tooth," perhaps inspired by the serrated leaf edge. Dandelions enjoy the best of both worlds. Above-ground, their seeds ride the wind currents, poised to drop into the slightest opening in your lawn to propagate the species. Meanwhile, below-ground, they strike down a taproot up to 10" long. Pulling the taproot as a means of dandelion removal is problematic. Thick but brittle, the taproot easily fractures -- and any fraction of the taproot that remains in the ground will regenerate. Examples of Herbicides for Dandelions ·Vinegar ·Weed-B-Gone with the active ingredient, 2, 4-D ·Roundup with the active ingredient, glyphosate It's the acetic acid in vinegar that gives it herbicidal potential. Vinegar used for culinary purposes is relatively low (5%) in acetic acid, but you can boil it down to increase its strength prior to the application. If you use either vinegar or Roundup, apply the herbicide directly onto the leaves of the weeds, since these herbicides are non-selective and will kill your grass. By contrast, Weed-B-Gone is selective and won't harm the grass, making it a popular choice for killing dandelions in the lawn. Early fall is the best time to kill dandelions with herbicides. Dandelions are broadleaf, herbaceous perennials. Since their leaves die back in winter, it is through their roots that the plants live on. In early fall, nutrients are transferred from the leaves down to the roots. This transfer continues until the first killing frost, presents you with an opportunity to hit them where it really hurts! Herbicides applied during this time are absorbed by the leaves and passed on to the roots, following the same path down as the nutrients. Don't mow the lawn, for at least 2-3 days prior to applying herbicides. The bigger the surface area of the dandelion leaves, the more effective your application can be to allow time for the herbicide to be transferred to the roots. |
| Memorial Day | |
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. First enacted to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War, it was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day often marks the start of the summer vacation season. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5,1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. local time. Another tradition is to fly the US flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. One of the longest-standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, an auto race which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. It runs on the Sunday preceding the Memorial Day holiday. The Coca-Cola 600 stock car race has been held later the same day since 1961. The Memorial Tournament golf event has been held on or close to the Memorial Day weekend since 1976. The National Memorial Day Concert takes place on the west lawn of the United States Capitol. Music is performed, and respect is paid to the men and women who died in war. Thank you to all our Veterans. I treasure my freedom. |
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Shelly Hewson
President, Hewson Landscape Inc. |
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