Beds and Borders Landscape Design

2012 USDA Hardiness Zone – A True Zone 5?

Andy — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:17:06 +0000

I was on Paul Douglas’ weather blog last night and saw that he pointed out the new zone maps for the US. It indicates that a part of the metro area is officially zone 5. This means that this area will not see a temp below -20. Do you believe it? I don’t. Even though this winter has been unique we are in Minnesota and it is bound to get brutally cold again. Plant those Japanese Maples with caution. A warm nook is still the way I would plan!

Andy

Water Me – Part II

Andy — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:32:26 +0000

Not only are we going to get some much needed rain mid-week, but we will have a rare opportunity to get out and pour a couple of pails of water on the roots of our favorite evergreen trees. Even with the forecast calling for 1/2 inch of rain the ground is very dry and . . . → Read More: Water Me – Part II

…..Not like last year’s animal damage. I hope not!

Andy — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:59:36 +0000

Last year, once the snow had melted, was one of the worst years I have seen for animal damage to plant stalks,trunks and bark. I was thinking that as the snow piled up that the depth was perfect for the plants as it was going to act as a blanket from the cold as well as a shield from rabbits and other teeth-wielding critters. I was wrong. As the warm air moved this way in late April and the sun’s warm rays melted the snow my jaw dropped. My 85′ long hedge, which I thought was safe, had been totally massacred. After investiaging a little I realized that under the 3′ snow all the critters around my yard were so hungry for food that they created tunnels from plant to plant and totally devoured the soft bark of many of my favorite plants and trees.

This fall my approach was different (and this can still be done). I used chicken wire, rodent spray, and burlap to make sure that, high or low snow, the hungry will not be able to get their nappy little teeth into my plants. I wrapped burlap around shrubs, chicken wire around some of my favorite trees, and sprayed down everything with a deer/rabbit repellent in hope that if we do get heavy snow again they will not be able to penetrate my mini-fortresses I have built.

My wife Sara tends to think I went to the full extent (perhaps more) of what needed to be done. I will let you know come spring.

Andy Freeland

Water Me!

Andy — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:19:00 +0000

Boxwood need protection!

As a landscaper that works late into the season it is easy to see that many homeowners stop watering their plants once the leaves have fallen. Most years is it okay to hang the hose up early especially if your plants are mature. On the other hand, take this mini-drought we are having, cross that with dry soil and an impending brutal winter and presto a recipe for many crispy looking plants in the spring - especially newly planted landscapes. My advise to anybody right now: 1) use Wilfpruf on Rhododendrons, evergreens and Boxwood 2) wrap smaller evergreens and the trunks of new trees with burlap 3) give your trees and garden plants a long drink now and again right before the first big snow 4) protect plants from road salt and dog urine as they both will dry out plants 5) shovel snow on new plants in a not-so-heavy-snow winter – it acts as a blanket 5) add leaves around plants if you are lazy and don’t want to bag leaves 6) pour a pail of warm water on the root area near your favorite newly planted evergreen once the winter is fading – this will help alleviate any windburn that might occur in March or April.

These tips will help you and your plants get through this stretch of dry weather as well as a long winter ahead!

Andy Freeland

A Thanksgiving Landscape

Andy — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:01:04 +0000

I was walking around my yard yesterday after raking and realized that after this chore was done the yard really looked good and I will be able to enjoy this all fall and winter as long as we don’t have another 96 inches of snow. Why? Because a well designed landscape will allow you to keep all of your perennials and shrubs in place (not cutting back) to enjoy now and beyond. The silhouette of a ornamental grass, the glossy black berries of Aronia or the simple red twigs of our favorite winter shrub the dogwood make a normal drab yard into one that carries us through the monotony of winter. These unique plants lend us a sense of relaxation as one moves from the super-charged growth during the summer season ramping down into a time when grass can still be green, oaks are shedding the last of the fall color, and most importantly a time when the weeds have stopped germinating. Summer color can be a great thing, but keep in mind that we practically live in the tundra and why not enjoy the vista’s from our home year round rather than shutting the blinds and watching reality TV during negative degree weather. Invest in some new plants and your winter landscape will emerge with the wind, white, and whistles of the Chickadee.

Get your new estimate Hot off the Press!

Andy — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:05:55 +0000

Since we are almost booked the rest of the year I would like to invite anybody seeking an estimate to call and receive a bid that will carry over into 2012 while keeping the 2011 price. In the landscape industry prices always seem to creep higher during the offseason. With this in mind know that you are likely to save hundred of dollars by getting an estimate, locking in a small depsoti in Jan, and then getting going frist thing after the snow starts to fly. Call me for details now or over the winter. I always like to talk about patio and plants — even during blizzards!

Andy

Mid-Summer Report

Andy — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 16:49:25 +0000

What a year so far. We all know about the weather. Conversations start with “it’s too wet” or “what about this heat.” Enough said of the subject. Let me turn to landscaping as an industry. Last year was horrible. This year is phenomenal. What gives? Is it a rise in the economy…perhaps. Is it more people staying home and using some of their savings on their yards….perhaps? OR is it an excellent landscape company giving out very good prices on projects that exceed the quality and pricing of the old. YES. I am the designer, estimator and owner of Beds & Borders and this is the model I chose to create and execute this year. Is has worked and it explains why we are booking out weeks not days! Please keep this in mind when I give you an estimate. You are getting a solid price and the best crew around. I can back it with dozens of references and hundreds of addresses to drive by!

Andy Freeland

Amazing Week of Color, Another One Ahead.

Andy — Mon, 30 May 2011 09:11:12 +0000

As I typically do each spring, I admire what Mother Nature throws at us on a daily basis. The past week was very unusual in the fact I was able to witness a plethora of plants blooming at the same time; plants that would, in a semi-normal year, not even close close to overlapping in flowering. This conglomeration of color included: Magnolia, Lilac, Crabapple, Tulips, Phlox, and Allium. Get out and look around today. The warm weather will certainly add to this list as Peony, Iris, and Lily are sure to follow soon!

Happy Memorial Day

Encroachment (had to use a football term with the new stadium announcement)!

Andy — Wed, 11 May 2011 19:19:45 +0000

Encroachment. What I mean by this is that the fruit/ornamental trees are just starting to head into their peak. This late-push nudges into flowering shrub, bulb, and perennial time tables that are holding on due to all the cold of the last months. In sum: We are in for a fabulous late spring display of color. Throw in the newly emerging leaves, green grass, and migrating birds and we are in for a real treat (if we can coax the sun to come out again).

I saw Bergenia, Phlox, Plums, Cherries, Pear, Elderberry, and Serviceberry flowering today!

Back to designing!

Thunderstorms, Bleeding Hearts, and Morels oh My……

Andy — Tue, 10 May 2011 01:39:16 +0000

I got my first bag of Morels today. Conditions are ripe for a massive explosion in the next week. Typically the Lilac need to be blooming for a full-on outbreak, but I think soil temps have moderated enough. Remember to leave the base in the ground so they will grow again next year!

Our stunted flora will begin to develop fast over the next couple of days. Enjoy the soft tones of chartreuse, salmon, copper and lime as new shoots emerge in the trees and shrubs! I like the innocent color harmony this time of year much better than fall. Unfortunately it is overlooked….so look on your way to work!!!!