Wednesday, December 9, 2020

The Proven Health Benefits of Gardening

Gardening is a great hobby to have, especially now in Covid times. If gardening isn’t your thing perhaps this article might make you reconsider.  

Here are six proven health benefits of gardening originally posted on Philstar.com

1. It improves brain health

Since it requires the use of your cognitive functions, research shows that gardening is effective in keeping your mind sharp. Not only does it help improve your memory, but also tending to your plants for even a few hours a day will lower your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

2. It keeps you active, and in shape

In the book, “Fitness the Dynamic Gardening Way,” author Jeff Restuccio explained to WebMD that you can turn your gardening into a structured exercise routine. So, if you miss hitting the gym due to the pandemic, growing vegetables in your backyard is a perfect alternative to your workouts since three hours of gardening equates to an hour of a gym session. Plus, you don’t need to pay for a membership fee. It’s a win-win for your body and your wallet!

3. It provides a healthier diet

By growing your own food, you will find yourself more in control of what you put in your body. Freshly picked fruits, vegetables, and herbs have more nutrients than what you would normally buy from the store. On top of that, sustainably cultivating your plants will make for richer and more delicious produce, thus making it easy to incorporate more greens into your diet.

4. It relieves stress

The relaxing nature of gardening activities is in itself a stress reliever. Studies further proved that taking care of plants daily can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Not only that—exposure to sunlight makes your body produce Vitamin D, and in turn, Vitamin D produces serotonin, which is a brain chemical that makes you happy!

5. It aids sleep

Doing physical activities such as gardening will not only tire you out at the end of the day. Owing to the light therapy given off by the sun, you will also have adequate melatonin to help you sleep well at night, realigning your sleep patterns for an energy-filled morning the next day.

Your indoor plants are also a huge factor for a good night’s sleep. Plants with air-cleaning properties can clear out air particles and remove harmful chemicals, leaving you with excellent air quality while asleep.

6. It strengthens immunity

Being exposed to a sufficient amount of “the sunshine vitamin” also keeps your bones, teeth, and muscles healthy, not to mention it boosts your immune system. The dirt in your garden is home to good bacteria called, Mycobacterium vaccae, a “friendly” soil bacteria that also helps in strengthening your immunity.

Taking part in gardening activities does benefit our overall health – from physical to mental. And what better way to begin your journey in horticulture than to use recyclable materials to help with the efforts on environmental sustainability.

Happy gardening from your friends at Shamrock Landscape Co.

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Monday, November 2, 2020

9 Plants You Don’t Want in Your Garden

Do you have some plants in your garden you wished you hadn’t planted? You are not alone. Most  gardeners I know of are plagued by a plant that took over and are now wondering how to get rid of them PERMANENTLY. In my case, it is Periwinkle and Crocosmia as we speak.

If you are like many weekend gardeners you are always on the lookout for free plants that you happily plant in your garden regardless of what the consequences might be. Read on what plants not to put into your garden even if you are looking to fill a space and even if they are free. 

These are plants that I or my friends have had first-hand experience with. Some are very aggressive spreaders, some are invasive and some just take up a lot of space without adding beauty to the garden.

However, a little disclaimer is in order. What is considered aggressive, invasive, or a vigorous spreader in zone 4b for instance may not necessarily be so in your gardening zone. 

The terms aggressive and invasive are somewhat intertwined. The Department of Natural Resources – ( DNR) websites for your State may have their own definition of what invasive plants and aggressive plants mean. Per the Oxford Dictionary invasive means: “tending to spread prolifically and undesirably or harmfully” and aggressive means: “a plant that spreads faster than preferred, or into an area of your garden where it’s not wanted” (as paraphrased from the Chicago Botanic Garden website). 

Plants grow differently in different soils and different climates at different rates. This post is written based on my own observations and experiences.

9 Plants Not to Have In Your Garden

Let me start with my 3 most “hated”…

Periwinkle aka Vinca minor (common names lesser periwinkle or dwarf periwinkle) 

is a species of flowering plant in the dogbane family. This is a groundcover that spreads rapidly and is VERY invasive and hard to get rid of.  This plant has literally choked a couple of my bushes to death. In addition, during the hot summer month, you will end up looking at burned leaves, making this plant quite unattractive.




Crocosmia  (montbretia)

This one seemed like a good idea because this plant is quite pretty. Crocosmia blooms are produced on slender stems of 2 feet (0.5 m.) or more in length. The flowers appear in May or June and the plant will keep producing all summer.  Crocosmia plants grow from corms, which are closely related to bulbs. In addition to seed pods (which are quite nice in flower arrangements), they will also produce runners underground which form new corms, and before you know it, they have taken over a large space in your yard. Do not plant unless you can let it roam freely.

Morning Glory Vine –  ( Ipomoea purpurea) 

I saw this description at the Hudson Valley Seed Company and since it mirrors my sentiments exactly, I am repeating it here: The morning glory is like a good marriage. Its vines are strong and grow steadily but require a framework of support to reach their maximum potential. Its profuse blooms require frequent, immediate appreciation, as they last but a single morning before fading. And at its core is a seed that can adapt to any circumstance, self-sowing readily and thriving even in difficult soils. In fact, like the best marriages, morning glories flower most when faced with distress: drought and low-nutrient soils lead to blooms in profusion.”  My vine has made its way up high into the adjacent Birch and Pine trees and invaded the entire upslope and even the neighbor’s yard. So, unless you are a big fan of seeing blue or purple blossoms everywhere, I suggest you pass on this one.

Other Plants to Think Twice Before Planting



Snow-on-the-Mountain (aegopodium podagraria) – a/k/a Bishop’s Weed or Gout Weed 

I never thought that I would say this, but I ended up regretting planting this one. When someone gifted me this one I was excited about getting this pretty ground cover with its variegated leaves. Ground cover indeed! In no time did it cover everything in its path.  Snow-on-the-Mountain is so invasive and it spreads by underground runners. It took me years to completely eradicating it from my shade garden. Do not let this beauty fool you.





Royal Standard Hosta 

You probably did not expect this one on my list. In my opinion, royal standard hostas (the very common plain green hostas) just aren’t all that pretty and they are huge slug attractors.  And, they are definitely the most prolific hosta out there. 


Lambs Ear (stachys byzantina) 

The foliage on Lamb’s Ear is pretty and it adds a cool texture element to a flower bed. But once it starts flowering, it gets ratty looking. In addition, the flowers are not attractive, and it just takes up too much real estate in the flower garden. On the positive side, Lambs Ear is a known bee magnet, but there are tons of other prettier flowers that are bee magnets too.






Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis) 

Don’t fall for this beauty, despite their lovely flowers and sweet smell. Great choice if you love to pick bouquets for your home but, they bloom for such a short time and are naughty spreaders. No matter what, they don’t stay where you put them.  Don’t be swayed by this picture or their fragrance – stay strong!




Obedient Plant 

I was quite smitten when I first saw this plant.  It’s so pretty. But it did not take long for me to fall out of love because like the Crocosmia it spreads via underground rhizomes making it anything but obedient.  It’s called “obedient” because you can actually bend the stems to face the direction you want them to face. I know of no other plant you can do this with.  But in spite of this, pass on this one.

Common Orange Ditch Lilies (hemerocallis vulva) 

I think these are my least favorite of the lilies because they are prolific spreaders. Plus, ditch lilies take up a lot of space and there are so many other beautiful, cultivar and hybrid daylilies that you could use instead. Plus, you constantly have to remove the dead leaves and flower pods just to keep them decent looking. I would rate them as invasive because they crowed out other plants. 

There are many other perennials that some would call invasive or aggressive, including: bee balm, lamium, ajuga, cherry bell campanula (and a few other varieties) and agastache. I did not include them in my list because they are not a problem to weed them out and I like them well enough, so for me,  they are worth the effort. 

So how on earth is a novice gardener, or even a seasoned gardener like me, supposed to avoid ending up with perennials that will take over your garden. My best advice is just to read up and ask questions. Now, if I see a plant that I don’t have and I’m curious about, I will ask the seller or giver these questions:

  • Is this plant a vigorous spreader or aggressive? If so, is it easy to weed out?
  • Does this plant spread by underground runners?
  • Is this plant invasive?
If there isn’t anyone available to answer my questions, I will do a Google search on the plant name and quickly read up on it.
I hope this blog post was useful and informative. 

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Friday, October 2, 2020

What You Should Know About the California Wildfires

September to December are typically considered “peak” months of California’s annual fire season. This year we started early and for the past few years, we have seen a trend of increasingly destructive fires due to the effects of climate change. Naturally-occurring wildfires tend to spark during periods of extreme drought and dry weather. These dry conditions, coupled with strong winds, natural kindling form of dried-up vegetation, and a spark from a campfire, a cigarette, or a fallen power line can be a deadly combination. 

Wildfire season is not a unique event to California residents, its effects can also be felt in other States. as well. Oregon, Washington, and Nevada residents are no strangers to the dangers that quickly spreading wildfires can pose to a community. In recent years, UCSB has been directly affected by fast-spreading, intensely destructive fires. 

Once a wildfire has been ignited, 3 conditions must be present to allow the fire to continue burning and spread. Firefighters call this the “fire triangle”.  The three conditions are ”fuel, a heat source, and air.” California, which is known for its dry Santa Ana winds, and the lack of substantial rains have caused vegetation and soil to dry up in record numbers. This is the result of the rapidly changing global climate. 

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According to Yale Climate Connections, California experienced an extreme case of “weather whiplash,” going from a record-breaking drought in 2012-2016 to a wet, rainy season in 2017-2018. The combination of drought followed by rain contributed to the growth of new plant life that has subsequently dried up by record-breaking heat levels, contributing to California’s intensely destructive 2018 fire season. And this year is shaping up to be even worse and breaking all records of fire destruction.

The undeniable danger that wildfires pose in California and other drought-prone areas has led scientists at UCSB to take a more hands-on approach towards explaining unpredictable weather phenomena. 

For example, researchers at UCSB’s Bren School of Environmental Science and the National Center for Atmospheric Research are exploring the possible effects of climate change on the major weather pattern and how those effects could possibly impact the frequency and severity of future wildfires in California. Their findings, published in a study called “ENSO’s Changing Influence on Temperature, Precipitation, and Wildfire in a Warming Climate,” could have “implications on land use and on wildfire fighting and prevention strategies at urban/wildland interfaces.

According to study co-author and Bren School faculty member Samantha Stevenson, the paper proves that “in fire-prone places like California and Australia, we can expect future El Niño and La Niña events to have a bigger impact on fire risk in a given year.” Stevenson also added that the sensitivity of land temperature and precipitation is “due to climate change.”

The research being conducted by academics at UCSB is just one of the ways that communities are doing their part to combat and raise awareness of fire dangers in the area. 

For example, controlled burns are being initiated by Fire Departments all over. Controlled burns include permissive burns and prescribed burns. Permissive burns are conducted by the fire departments to destroy areas of dense brush that might serve as kindling for future fires. 

Although these measures might seem overly cautious, wildland fire specialists see them as a necessary form of fire prevention.

If you live in a rural area it is extremely important to clear the brush around your home according to the recommended guidelines from your local Fire Chief. Generally, The recommended clearance is 30ft from your structure and more if you are dealing with elevations.

Prevent the next wildfire in California and give us a call (707) 647-2000 if you live in the San Francisco Bay area and your mowing equipment can’t handle dense brush, we can certainly help you with that.  

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Friday, September 18, 2020

What to Do in Your Garden in September

Can you believe it? September is here again. The summer season is such an active time making the arrival of September appear so much quicker, but here we are. September is probably the loveliest month of the year, at least for me. Lots of sunny days and warm temperatures without the heat that keeps us indoors. For many of us that are lucky enough to have apple or pear trees, grapes or corn it is also harvesting time. But did you know, September is also a good month for sowing seeds, planting bulbs, and growing brand-new plants–some to enjoy quickly, and some to blossom the next year.

So, with that, let’s take a look at what you can plant in September.

FLOWERS

HARDY ANNUALS FOR NEXT YEAR

You can make a start on several of next year’s plants this month. Sturdy annuals such as larkspur,  poppies, and also cornflowers can be started from seed from late summer onwards.

WILDFLOWERS

Wildflowers are a great addition for your garden and for the wildlife. Wildflowers offer food for pollinating insects, wild birds, and bats, and providing shelter for other small animals. I love wildflowers because they are fast-growing, low-maintenance, help to regulate weeds, as well as look great. So, I ask you, what’s not to like ?!

How to plant: Sow them in a patch of soil or in a container. Just follow the direction on the packet the seeds come in.

SPRING BLOOMING BULBS

Toward the end of September is the perfect time to plant some of the spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils, crocus, and hyacinths. But hold on a bit longer to plant tulips for they like cooler temperatures. Planting bulbs now will burst your garden into bloom early spring. You can layer bulbs that will flower at various times for a prolonged display.

WINTER VEGETABLES AND FRUIT 

WINTER-HARDY SPRING ONIONS

Winter-hardy ranges of springtime onion such as entertainer and also white Lisbon can be planted this month for harvesting next springtime. Plant them thinly in rows about 4″ apart and 0.3″ deep. Once the plants appear, thin them out to permit 8 – 10″ in between the plants.

SALAD

This month focus your salad sowing on “late” varieties such as radicchio, rocket, mizuna, as well as winter months lettuce. You should sow plenty of seeds now, as later sowings won’t germinate if temperatures begin to cool off. Another great crop to do with your children.

SPINACH

Spinach is a wonderful alternative for a veggie plot. Spinach is quite hardy, harvest the young leaves for a salad, or let them grow into larger leaves for other food preparation. If you’re going to sow it outdoors, do it soon as later in the month when the temps are cooler the seeds might need protection in order to sprout. Spinach will do well in a warm area and regular watering. Be sure to harvest avoid going to seed.

RADISHES

What is a green salad without radishes? It can truly add some crunchiness and flavor to a salad at this time of year. Choose a quick-maturing seed like French Breakfast which can be ready to be harvested in under 4 weeks. The speed of growth makes them a fantastic option to grow with children. Conversely, you can sow winter-time variety which will take 2-3 months to develop. 

SPRING CABBAGE

After consuming root vegetables all winter, being able to harvest fresh leafy vegetables such as cabbage is a real treat. If you intend to plant spring cabbage seeds straight into the ground, pick a sunny spot, and compact the dirt firmly as cabbage likes a firm anchor for their roots. You can also plant seeds into trays for transplanting out later on. This makes it much easier to safeguard them from slugs and snails. Great cabbage varieties are Durham early, Duncan, and Greensleeves.

STRAWBERRY RUNNERS

If you already have strawberries in your yard, you may have noticed that your plants have sent runners out by now. These are long shoots, with a few leaves on them. You can make new strawberry plants by securing these runners down into dirt or a pot of garden compost, where they will settle. As soon as they have rooted, you can cut them away from the parent plant.

We hope this article was useful in your gardening endeavors. Give us a call if we can be of help, or visit our website for more articles on gardening.

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Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Fall Garden Chores You Should Do

 

Chore #1: Gather Up the Fallen Leaves, Twigs, and Other Debris.

Why? If you leave all those fallen leaves on your lawn they’re going to bear down on your lawn and at some point disintegrate right into a thick layer of thatch you will need to remove later. Not only that, the accumulation of fallen leaves can act as hiding spots for pests and foster fungal diseases. To avoid future problems it is best to rake up any fallen leaves on a regular basis. You could consider turning them into mulch and leaving some of them on your grass to provide nutrients to your lawn.

Chore #2: Clean Out Your Gutters

Speaking of fallen leaves, many of them will end up in your gutters causing serious water overflow when it rains. But be careful, cleaning out gutters can pose a danger to you if you are not careful. For those readers that live in areas where it snows, take note, thawing ice and snow will pose additional problems for leave clogged gutters. So, to prevent water intrusion from overflowing gutters be sure to keep them clean. Consider the investment of gutter guards to avoid problems in the future.

Chore #3: Prune & Trim.

Now is the best time to remove any dead or diseased branches to encourage healthy growth next spring. However, the reason for trimming back trees and bushes isn’t just for aesthetics — dead tree branches in the fall can run the risk of dropping during high winds (or freezes) in the winter month causing damages to people and property. Another good reason to prune back trees and shrubs is to prevent them from overshadowing lawn areas causing the grass to die. In many cases it is best to prune when the plant has entered a dormant stage, so be sure that you know what you are doing.

Chore #4: De-Thatch and Re-Seed Your Lawn

The harsh heat of the summer month may have caused burn spots and thatch build-up in your lawn. Pets may have caused some damage too. Now is the perfect time to get rid of thatch and reseed with a seed mixture that is complementary to the type of grass you have. Of course, if you really want to do your lawn a big favor you should aerate it too.

Chore #5: “Winterize” Your Sprinkler System.

This may not apply for our friends in the warm climate States such as California but most certainly important in areas where it can freeze. The main reason to “winterize” a sprinkler system is when water freezes and expands damages to the pipes can and will occur. To prevent this from happening, drain all water from the system and close all drainpipe shut-offs. You can watch a video on how to do this right here.

Chore #6: “Winterize” Your Garden Tools

Once you know that you are done with your gardening chores it’s time to put away your tools. Give them a good clean, sharpen those blades and drain the gas from your mower so you can store it away safely. In the spring you will be happy to know that your tools are ready for you.

No doubt, there is always something to be done in a garden. Breaking up chores into smaller pieces will make them seem less insurmountable and overwhelming.

Regular lawn care is an important aspect of a “happy garden” and can easily be outsourced to a local service provider such as Shamrock Landscape in Benicia, Ca. Of course, you could spend your precious time doing it yourself but why would you.  Their weekly or bi-weekly services are very affordable and your lawn will be in good hands. You can visit their website for more information.

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Monday, August 24, 2020

It is every homeowner’s dream to have a lush green lawn. But who hasn’t, at some time or another, had a lawn that looks less than that? Not all lawns are the same and it is likely to have different requirements depending on soil condition, drainage, moisture, and such. 

Read on to learn some practical tips on how to avoid common lawn dilemmas:
Even for grass, the winter months are a time of hibernation. But once spring arrives and the temperatures get warmer the lawn will start to grow again. Spring also marks the time for you to take pro-active steps toward a lush and healthy lawn. 

De-thatching will benefit the grass

The benefit of de-thatching the lawn is that it will remove dead turf and leaves, and miscellaneous other particles preventing new growth. However, it isn’t necessary to eliminate all the dead grass. Leaving a bit behind will provide all-natural plant food in the form of vitamins and minerals. Leaving behind about 10mm is plenty. It’s best to do this in the springtime before the lawn has started to grow.

Aerate the soil

Over time the dirt below a lawn comes will be become compacted and hard. This makes it hard for air, water, to penetrate. It also makes it harder for worms to travel through the soil to distribute necessary nutrients and dampness. A solidly compacted lawn has a more difficult time to grow, although weeds, being hardier than grass have no problems growing.
By aerating your lawn in the spring — using a garden roller or yard fork — you’ll be separating the compacted dirt and also allow air to penetrate and keep the grass healthy. 

Re-seed and cross-seed as necessary

No matter how great you are with your overall lawn care regimen, not all areas of a lawn are going to be growing rich and lush. Even the best of lawns sometimes have grassless areas or areas that are taken over by weeds. In some cases, you will find brown spots caused by the urine of family pets or wildlife. Spring is the very best time to start re-seeding these areas with seed or re-sod. Just rake out any kind of dead turf, or remove weeds and re-seed or re-turf. You might also consider cross sprinkling grass seed all over to yield a thicker growth. Just be sure to keep the new seed moist for better germination. 

Level out uneven areas

An uneven lawn surface will create a multitude of problems.  If there are ups and downs in your yard, a normal lawnmower is going to shave this area much too thinly compared to the rest of your lawn, and water can pool in these in locations, creating drainage problems. Depending upon your particular situation, you ought to fill dips as well as squash bumps. This will quickly improve the look of your lawn, and make it simpler to care for.

Cut the grass at the ideal height

A great deal of the nutrients in the grass are stored closer to the tip. By cutting away way too much can influence the health of the turf. Furthermore, the shorter you cut the grass, the more you expose the soil to the hot sunshine providing weeds a chance to grow. Longer grass blades will choke out weeds.

Leave the yard cuttings on your lawn

We all like a “manicured” lawn but consider leaving some grass cuttings behind as they serve as a natural fertilizer for the rest of your lawn. So, allow it remain where it might to aid your lawn to stay healthy.

Fertilize

Just as your body needs vitamins and minerals, so does your lawn. At least, give your lawn a good fertilizer application in the spring to foster growth and one in the fall to encourage deeper root development.  You can also consider applying an additional dressing during the summer, depending on your situation.  Always follow the fertilizer manufacturers’ instructions.
These are just the most practical, common-sense lawn care maintenance tasks to follow if a healthy-looking lawn is important to you. Of course, you could do this yourself or if you rather outsource it.
Shamrock Landscape in Benicia, Vallejo, and American Canyon has been providing lawn care services for 30+ years and can assist you with all of your lawn care needs. 

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When Can You Start Mowing Your Lawn?

Spring has sprung in many parts of the country and if you’ve already tuned up your lawnmower or bought a new one, you’re probably anxious to...