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Boulder Landscape and Design News
May 2010 |
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Greetings!
A neighbor child was lying on her belly, eyes glued to the lawn. When I asked her what she was watching she replied, "My dad said the grass was growing so fast you could see it!" That sounds about right. We've had a wonderfully wet spring so far, and with temperatures finally beginning to climb Mother Nature will be taking full advantage. And so can you! Right now is an ideal time to get annuals and perennials into the ground, regrade your yard for new and interesting features, plant new trees, and construct that patio you've been wanting.
With late snows and cool temperatures, many of our customers are a bit behind on spring tasks. Check below for a list of spring "to do" chores. Let us know if we can help!
Enjoy!
The Staff and Crew at Boulder Landscape and Design
www.BoulderLanDesign.com
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Urgent Warning to Pet Owners...
Cocoa Hull Mulch Can Be Toxic to Animals
 There is a mulch currently out on the market made from shredded hulls of the cocoa pod that contains high levels of both theobromine and caffeine, the same substances in chocolate that is toxic to dogs. Veterinarians are suggesting it not be used in areas where dogs and cats have access to garden bed mulch.
It is a nice, fine mulch with a dark brown color and really smells like chocolate, making it a tempting choice for the garden. However, at least one death has been confirmed from a young, healthy dog consuming the mulch. We'd rather our customers not take the chance. Cocoa hull mulch is sold at many home improvement stores and departments.
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Ever Been Stone Shopping?
Pick the right rock for your new wall or patio
 If you are going to build a patio, stone path or retaining wall, you want to take some time deciding exactly what kind of rock you want to use. Just like laying carpet or tile in your home, you will spend hours relaxing with your choice. You want to like it!
First, decide the following:
...Do I want a crisp, modern and formal look, or an informal, more natural feel?
...What is the design of the rest of my landscape?
...What would compliment and tie the stonework into the landscape?
...What color scheme of stone would I like?
...Do I need to match or coordinate with pre-existing stone?
In general, lighter stone appears more formal, as does granite or uniformly cut blocks. Mortared walls are more formal than dry-stack walls (and more likely to crack with winter freezes). Red flagstone is l ess formal and more natural especially to the Colorado area. Moss rock helps create a woodsy feel and the tumbled roundness of river rocks help bring a sense of flow and movement to the landscape, especially when used in a dry creek design.
Rock comes in a wide, ever changing array of texture and colors. It also comes in various cuts and slices. Because Mother Nature is creative and capricious, you will not get a factory duplicate of the same stone you used previously, or that your neighbor used. Rock is unique not only to each quarry, but to different areas in the same quarry. For this reason it is important to to follow these guidelines:
- Shop around at the various stone suppliers in your area. At first it will feel a lot like looking at big piles of rock. Soon your eye will begin to pick out the differences in color, texture and grain.
- When you find the rock you like, ask the yard man about it. Will it easily crack or flake? How big a supply do they have? Where did it come from?
- Make a note of the name and section of the quarry the stone you select came from. Chances are good the supplier has plenty, but just in case, you want to know where you might get more.
Whatever you are creating, you will want to create a base out of matching crusher fines so your stone is set into a medium that can be flexible with winter heaving of the ground. Your stone can then ride on the fines, and be easily reset if needed in the spring.
Boulder Landscape and Design has laid many of the beautiful patios, walls and walkways around Boulder. Call us for a professional design and installation of your project. 303-443-3460
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Spring Chore Checklist
A Wet, Cool Spring Has Put Many of Us Behind...  With late snows, rain and cooler temperatures, it has been a challenge to get to many spring chores this year. Though you are probably all caught up, we thought we'd offer the following checklist to help you make sure you haven't forgotten anything!
- Sprinklers turned back on and checked for coverage and leaks
- Leaves and dead plants and plant debris cleared out of the yard and flower beds
- Pruning trees and shrubs
- Fallen tree branches picked up and bundled
- Vegetable garden cleared and planted
- Gutters cleaned for spring rains
- Stonework that heaved in winter freezes reset
- Fences repaired
- Mulch replaced or refreshed to cover weed guard and protect plants
- Lawn aerated and fertilized
- Design or plan for new plantings and hardscapes (trees, shrubs, perennials and stonework or water/fire features)
- Landscaper called for new design or installation work
- Maintenance company contracted for mowing and trimming
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We look forward to serving you this year. Be sure to take advantage of our coupon below and pass our newsletter along to your friends.
Sincerely,
The Staff and Crew 
Boulder Landscape and Design
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$50
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Offer Expires: June 30th, 2010
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