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Find out the 7 Sins of
Landscaping
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| Spring;
-It waits
upon the Lawn,
It shows the furthest Tree
Upon the furthest Slope you know
It almost speaks to you-
(A Light
Exists in Spring by Emily Dickinson)
That is the
feeling we get when spring comes to us. Southern California is in full
bloom this month. Gardens are as beautiful as ever with all the colors
in show. April is the month to enjoy with friends and family.
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| Wisteria - (Wisteria Amethyst Falls) |
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If you are
looking for a showy, spring and summer flowering plant, then go for
the American Wisteria. This native flowers heavily in April and May
continuing to bloom on new growth throughout the summer. Intense blue
racemes that are 4 to 6 inches long.
Use this
plant in containers for patios or to run across the top of wall or
fence. It is fast growing up to 10 feet wide.
During the
first growing season water regularly to establish a well extensive root
system. Only water again once the top 3 inches of soil are dry. Full
to partial sun. During growing season feed with a general purpose
fertilizer and prune annually during the late winter. This vine is
deciduous meaning it loses it's leaves during the winter.
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Sodding or
Seeding?
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When installing a new lawn the question is, Do I seed or sod? 
To
answer your question, your homework is to research the turf selection,
site preparation, care, and cost. We have made a list of disadvantage
and advantages to help...
Seeding
Advantages:
If
you have a small budget then seeding is your best option. Seeding is
less expensive. Seeding also offers more options in turf types and
varieties. This might be critical when selecting the area where the
lawn will be installed, for example shaded areas. Another advantage is
that the grass will develop in the environment where it must ultimately
survive.
Sodding
Advantages:
When
sodding, turf will establish rapidly and it's weed-free in the
beginning. It can be laid any time during the seasons and it is great
for slopes or areas prone to erosion. Of course, it is always better
to go from empty dirt to a nice green turf area with no dust or mud
problems.
Seeding
Disadvantages:
One
on the biggest drawbacks to this method is time. The time for turf to
establish is much longer and the planting time is much more limited.
Keep in mind that you will have to maintain the proper moisture level.
Sodding
Disadvantages:
Less
selection of varieties of turf. Another disadvantages is that the sod
will shrink after installation which may allow weeds to invade in
between pieces.
Grass - remember this - In 2010 you may not be able to install sod in
some cases. We always recommend native plantings instead of turf. If
it's needed for recreation then be sure it is in the right spot with
the right irrigation and the right contractor maintaining it. New sod
or seed requires a lot of water and that is something we do not have in
excess. Always ask for an alternative plan. You may be suprised with
what you can do.
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| Looking Back
Into Irrigation |
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With the
water problems that many states have, irrigation is one of the main
concerns. With that said, over the past 30 years, irrigation has been
able to improve efficiency to better serve the landscape and community.
Spray heads
and nozzles are the most popular in the landscaping, the number one
choice for the contractor. However, these sprayheads were not as
efficient 30 years ago when they were first introduced.
It started in
1983, when the first Matched Precipitation Rate (MPR) spray nozzle were
introduced. The new nozzles helped save water by allowing users to mix
and match different nozzle patterns and radius to maintain a consistent
 watering rate.
In 1986 built in check valves became available. The valves eliminated
run-off and reduced water waste. Two years later pressure regulation
in spray heads was introduced. The regulation of pressure helped
reduce misting, fogging, and wind drift.
With time
nozzles got better and more efficient. Variable Arc nozzles were
introduced, which were much easier and faster to install. Rotating
nozzles were also introduced.
Picking the
right irrigation parts, schedule, and contractor all help with saving
water and watering effectively.
In the picture above you see MP Rotators which are the hottest item on
the market today. Ask your contractor about these and what they can do
for you and your community. Installing these in place of traditional
spray heads could save you up to 30% in water usage.
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Westturf would like
to thank...