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Is Your Property In Code?

Early Springtime walk arounds are a great time to scout for problems regarding your property’s clearances for pedestrians and vehicles.

Check tree branch heights. Are there branches that are low and cause pedestrians to walk around them or to duck to avoid hitting them? How about on the street side. Can vehicles or delivery trucks pass without hitting the top of their vehicles? For trees in lawns not in beds, can a lawnmower crew get by without having to duck?

What about bushes… Do you have branches that are crowding sidewalks so pedestrians have to duck or walk around them? Are there bushes  or tree branches that block the view or make you walk around them as you use your driveway or walk to the front door, or have grown so tall they block your windows?

If you live on a corner lot, are there bushes in island beds that are taller than 24 inches that block the vision of oncoming traffic?

These are just some of the things Jacrist looks at when we complete your Spring Cleanup review of your property. If you haven’t yet, please contact us today as I only have a few slots left.

“Call Us and Consider It Done!”

 

 

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How To Prune Hedges

Early spring is a great time to review your hedge shape as leaves are off. Here’s a visual to help guide you to properly shape it now.

The most common mistake is to cut the bottom tighter than the top. I think this is because when you bend down, you naturally cut in. Instead, stand on the side of the hedge, looking down the hedgerow and guide your clippers from the widest spot on the bottom you want to be and then tilt inward as you go upward slowly. Let the clippers work at their speed, don’t rush it.

To form nicely rounded evergreens, cut the middle of the bush first, going around it completely. Keep the clippers as vertical as you can. I let my clippers hang straight down from the handle as I cut. If you’re using hand hedge shears, turn the clippers ‘upside down’ to get a nice even cut. Next, top the bush as flat as you can, then tilt the edge to blend the side into the top. Do the same for the bottom.

If you use a kid’s plastic pool cut into a semicircle with a little notch cut out in the middle, you can use it to catch the clippings so they don’t fall on the mulch. Then lift it up and dump the clippings into a wheelbarrow or onto a tarp.

 

If you haven’t yet contact Jacrist for your Spring Cleanup, please do so now. We only have a few slots left~

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When Should I Water My Large Potted Plant?

If you have a large potted plant and want an easy way to know when it’s time to water it, try my “Jacrist Dip Stick”. Make a hole to push a small plastic pipe into the pot, reaching to the bottom. Cut a stick that fits into the pipe and reaches to the bottom with enough left over to pull it out.

Use this ‘dipstick’ to measure if there is standing water at the bottom of the pot. When it’s dry, it’s time to rewater!

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Do You Have Ornamental Onions in Your Garden?

If you have the beautiful purple ornamental onion or Allium giganteum in your garden, you’ve probably noticed that the head has now gone to seed.

 

 

Either clip off the stem at the base and discard it or leave it alone and it will freely seed in other areas of your garden.

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Pruning as an Art form

While spring pruning, it brings to mind all the incredible minds who have taken raw materials to create wonderful and worthy art pieces.
Here at Jacrist, know each cut is thought of before it is done.

Is this the proper time to prune? Are there dead branches that need to be removed? Are there branches that are growing into each other? Will the canopy be opened and become stronger? What would be the best method to foster more fruit or flowers? Is the shrub or hedge properly formed?
If you need proper pruning of your trees and shrubs, give us a call~
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February Garden Ideas

Virtual Gardening

February is the best month to fantasize about what not yet is but soon could be true. I coin it my ‘virtual reality’ month. Why not look outside your window and take a picture; or, shoot a shot as you drive onto your property? Then, print it and with a sheet of tracing paper or an online program, sketch what it could be like. You know, we can even help out!

Prep Work Begins

Here at Jacrist, I’ve been busy ordering our numerous perennials and ornamental grasses. This year I will have over 50 varieties to use with my plant palette to use on your property or development. All personally selected and properly zoned to do well in Buffalo and as always, guaranteed to grow and prosper where we plant them. Have you contacted us yet for your project?

Scheduling Jobs is Starting

Presently we are booking jobs for late May-early June. I know~ crazy, huh? Please add us to your ITB list if you are planning a commercial property. Please know this year we will be limiting our waiting list to maintain our distinctive quality and attention to detail our clients depend on. Don’t be disappointed – Contact me so we can get you on our job board now.

What Services Are Available This Season?
  • SPRING CLEANUPS with proper pruning and bed preparation (limited slots available)
  • RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL COMPLETE LANDSCAPE DESIGN & INSTALLATION includes preinstallation consultations, bid prep and after care
  • STREAM & WATERFALL GARDEN FEATURE INSTALLATIONS
  • ROOFTOP GARDENS
  • INDOOR LANDSCAPING (limited number of clients design and maintenance programs available)
  • MID SEASON BED MAINTENANCE (limited slots available)
  • FALL CLEANUPS (limited slots available)

All of our Trees, Shrubs and Perennials are guaranteed to be alive and growing!