If you’re reworking your spring containers of pansies, primroses and the like – think about some summertime drought tolerant alternatives: succulents and sedums (see article below), petunias, dahlias, lantana, herbs such as thyme or rue, and geraniums (including scented ones) come to mind. These plants will need watering probably only every other day. Summer Container…
We will be carefully observing your landscapes and evaluating the timing of our pruning work that usually happens during summer. If a large amount of wilting is seen, we may choose to not prune this year if you lack in-ground irrigation. The spike waterer will be in use as we work, helping plants adjust to…
Your crops will appreciate a layer of straw or leaf mulch at their bases. Again, this helps retain water. And bare soil only means a spot for weed seeds to germinate and grow quickly! Vegetable crops are among the heaviest of water lovers in the plant kingdom. To get a good harvest, you will have…
We like the current trend of layering plants together to make an interesting, interconnected layer of vegetation. This avoids the need for so much mulch in beds, too! I notice when weeding in these beds that more moisture is retained because of the continuous groundcover. Here are some examples of layered plantings: For…
For any tree planted since spring 2019, a TreeGator of water at set at the root zone slowly drips needed moisture in the right place. Refill the TreeGator with your garden hose. Deep watering with your wand, filling the well around the tree, is also recommended at least twice weekly. 15-Gallon TreeGator TreeGator
Has your town already banned outdoor water use, or limited it severely? We at PBOG can help. Our spray trucks, outfitted with 200 gallon sprayers, can bring the water directly to your thirsty garden. We often add a kelp-seaweed-micronutrient powder to the water called Stress X, proven to help revive drought-stressed plants. This is same…
We recommend the use of drip irrigation for all planting beds. It can even be installed in containers, if there is a way to hide the line next to a building, for example. Drip irrigation directs the water efficiently to the root zones of the plants without wasting it. Systems should now be re-set from…
Nothing beats a walk through your garden, noticing new buds and by-chance color combinations, and providing a chance for general oohing and ahhing over the beautiful scene. You can now also use this time to notice tell-tale signs of drought: drooping or twisting leaves on trees, shrubs or perennials, wilting annuals, and off-color foliage. Some…
Pinus mugo I had the chance to work with three overgrown mugo pines of varying size recently. Late in the month of May is the perfect moment for their renovation, as new growth is just beginning and can be easily edited by “candling” or pinching off the new growth. I also had to saw some…
This trend from recent years is actually nothing new – just another way to add more color, style and variety to your garden by choosing plants that are actually useful to insects, birds and butterflies! The goal is to keep these beings thriving and doing their jobs of enriching our environment by offering them “food”…