A&A Family Landscaping

05/08/2023

04/17/2023

Why You Shouldn’t Plant Flowers Too Early in Spring.

Spring is a wonderful time to enjoy the beauty and fragrance of flowers in your garden. But before you rush to plant your favorite blooms, you should know that timing is everything. Planting flowers too early in spring can expose them to the risk of frost damage, which can ruin your hard work and waste your money.
What is Frost and How Does it Affect Flowers?
Frost is the formation of ice crystals on the surface of plants when the air temperature drops below freezing. Frost can damage flowers by causing cell rupture, dehydration, and tissue death. Some symptoms of frost damage are wilting, browning, blackening, or collapsing of leaves, stems, buds, or flowers.
Some flowers are more susceptible to frost damage than others. Generally, flowers that are native to warmer climates or have tender tissues are more vulnerable. These include annuals such as impatiens, marigolds, zinnias, begonias, geraniums, and petunias; and perennials such as dahlias, cannas, gladiolus, and hostas. On the other hand, flowers that are native to cooler climates or have hardy tissues are more tolerant. These include annuals such as pansies, snapdragons, violas, and calendulas; and perennials such as daffodils, tulips, crocuses, and hellebores.
When is the Best Time to Plant Flowers in Spring?
The best time to plant flowers in spring depends on your local climate and the type of flowers you want to grow. A good way to determine the optimal planting time is to use your area’s average last frost date as a guide. The last frost date is traditionally the date when the threat of a hard frost has passed. However, nature is unpredictable and frosts can happen after that date. You can find your last frost date and your hardiness zone by visiting the USDA website.
As a general rule of thumb, you can plant hardy flowers four to six weeks before your average last frost date. These are plants that can tolerate a heavy frost, lows around 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Some examples are peas, radishes, turnips, cabbages, kale, spinach, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, and beets to name a few.
You can plant semi-hardy flowers two to four weeks before your average last frost date. These are plants that can tolerate a light frost, lows around 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Some examples are lettuce, carrots, Swiss chard, leeks, parsley, celery, cilantro, and potatoes.
You can plant tender flowers on or after your average last frost date. These are plants that cannot tolerate any frost at all. Some examples are tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, squash, melons, basil, and most annual flowers.
You can plant very tender flowers one to two weeks after your average last frost date. These are plants that need warm soil and air temperatures to thrive. Some examples are okra, sweet potatoes, corn, beans, and some tropical plants.
How to Protect Your Flowers from Frost Damage?
If you have already planted some flowers too early in spring or if you expect a late frost in your area, there are some steps you can take to protect your plants from frost damage.
* Water your plants well before a frosty night. Moist soil retains more heat than dry soil and can help prevent rapid temperature fluctuations.
* Cover your plants with an old bedsheet, newspaper, cardboard box, plastic sheeting, or plant cone in the evening before the temperature drops. Make sure the cover reaches the ground and does not touch the foliage. Remove the cover in the morning when the sun comes up.
* Move your potted plants indoors or under a sheltered area such as a porch or garage. Make sure they get enough light and ventilation during the day.

* Apply a layer of mulch around the base of your plants to insulate the soil and keep the roots warm. You can use organic materials such as straw, leaves, pine needles, or bark chips. Avoid using materials that can compact or retain too much moisture, such as grass clippings or sawdust.
* Prune off any damaged parts of your plants as soon as possible to prevent further injury and disease. Cut back to healthy tissue and dispose of the pruned material. Do not fertilize or stimulate new growth until the danger of frost has passed.
Conclusion
Planting flowers too early in spring can be tempting, but it can also be risky. Frost can damage or kill your plants and ruin your gardening efforts. To avoid this, you should follow the recommended planting times for your area and the type of flowers you want to grow. You should also monitor the weather forecast and take precautions to protect your plants from frost damage if needed. By doing so, you can enjoy a beautiful and healthy flower garden throughout the spring and summer seasons.

♦️Contact: A&A Family Landscaping for more helpful information.
215.317.4474

04/16/2023

Do It Yourself Sod

•Measure the space and purchase sod: Calculate the square footage of your yard and choose the type and amount of sod you need. Order enough sod to cover the area and plan to lay it on the same day you receive it.

•Prep the soil: Remove any existing grass, weeds, rocks, or debris from the area. Loosen the top 6 to 8 inches of soil with a rototiller and add compost or sand if needed to improve drainage. Apply a starter fertilizer and lime if recommended by a soil test. Level the soil with a rake and water lightly to dampen it.

•Lay the first row: Start along a straight edge, such as a fence, driveway, patio, or garden. Unroll the first roll of sod and smooth out any wrinkles or air pockets. Avoid walking on the sod as you lay it and rake out any footprints you make.

•Lay the rest of the sod: Lay the next roll of sod end to end with the first one, making sure the edges are snug but not overlapping. Stagger the joints in each row like bricks. Use a sharp knife to cut any excess sod or to fit around curves or obstacles. Fill any gaps with topsoil.

•Water and roll: Water the newly laid sod thoroughly until it is moist about 6 inches deep. Use a lawn roller to press the sod firmly into contact with the soil underneath. This will help the roots establish faster and prevent drying out.

•Maintain the sod: Keep the sod moist but not soggy for the first two weeks by watering daily or as needed. Avoid mowing, fertilizing, or walking on the sod until it is well-rooted, which may take three to four weeks. You can check by gently lifting a corner of a sod piece and feeling for resistance. Once the sod is established, water less frequently but more deeply, mow at a high setting, and apply a balanced fertilizer every six to eight weeks.

♦️If you don’t have the time to do it yourself, give us a call:
A&A Family Landscaping 215-317-4474

04/14/2023

Growing Healthy Plants

•If you want to grow healthy and productive plants in your garden, you need to provide them with the right nutrients. Fertilizers are substances that supply plants with essential elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as other minor and trace elements. Different types of plants have different nutrient requirements, so choosing the best fertilizer for your vegetables can make a big difference in their growth and yield.

•One way to determine what kind of fertilizer your vegetables need is to perform a soil test. A soil test will tell you the pH level and nutrient content of your soil, as well as any deficiencies or imbalances that need to be corrected. You can buy a soil test kit from a garden center or online, or send a soil sample to a local extension service for analysis. Based on the results, you can select a fertilizer that matches your soil’s needs and your plants’ preferences.

•Another way to choose a fertilizer is to look at the NPK ratio on the label. NPK stands for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, the three major nutrients that plants need in large amounts. Nitrogen promotes healthy leaf and shoot growth, phosphorus helps root development, and potassium encourages flower and fruit production. A general fertilizer offers a balance of all three major nutrients, plus lots of minor ones and trace elements too – everything from magnesium and iron to manganese and molybdenum.

•A balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or 5-5-5 is suitable for most vegetables. You can use 1 pound of fertilizer per 100 square feet of row or double the amount if you go for an NPK ratio of 5-5-5. Applying too much nitrogen will result in lots of foliage and vines but no fruit, so be careful not to overdo it. You can apply the fertilizer before planting or during the growing season, following the instructions on the package.

•Some vegetables may benefit from more specific fertilizers that cater to their particular needs. For example, leafy greens like lettuce, spinach and kale prefer a high-nitrogen fertilizer such as Alaska Fish Emulsion with a 5-1-1 NPK ratio. Tomatoes, peppers and eggplants like a high-phosphorus fertilizer such as Dr. Earth Home Grown Organic Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer with a 4-6-3 NPK ratio. Potatoes, carrots and onions like a high-potassium fertilizer such as Down To Earth Acid Mix with a 4-3-6 NPK ratio.

•You can also opt for organic fertilizers that are derived from natural sources such as animal manure, compost, seaweed, bone meal or blood meal. Organic fertilizers are more environmentally friendly than synthetic ones, as they do not contain harmful chemicals or salts that can leach into the soil and water. They also improve the soil structure and fertility by adding organic matter and beneficial microbes. Some examples of organic fertilizers are The Andersons 7-1-2 Innova Organic Fertilizer, Espoma Organic Plant Tone and Arbico Organics Earthworm Castings.

03/25/2023

🛑One Dragonfly Can Eat 100s Of Mosquitoes A Day: Keep These Plants In Your Yard To Attract Dragonflies

It's the season for summer barbecues, outdoor family time and wild mosquitos - and not just the children. Learn how to use a natural insecticide to keep bugs out of your yard, as well as

03/16/2023

Growing grass quickly can be a challenge, but with the right techniques and care, you can have a lush lawn in no time. Here are some tips on how to grow grass fast:

1. Choose the Right Seed for Your Climate: Choosing the right seed for your climate (cool-season grass or warm-season grass) will help ensure your seed is successful.

2. Plant at the Correct Time of Year: Planting at the right time of year can make a big difference in how quickly your grass grows .

3. Don’t Neglect the Soil: Preparing your soil properly before planting is essential for fast growth.

4. Seed and Feed: One of the most effective ways to get your grass to grow fast is to fertilize right after you plant .

5. Water Until Established: Watering your lawn regularly until it’s established will help it grow faster.

By following these tips, you can have a beautiful lawn in no time!

♦️A & A Family Landscaping
215.317.4474

03/10/2023

https://thegardenbeds.com/2021/11/24/8-best-smelling-houseplants-as-natural-air-fresheners/

03/10/2023

♦️Yup! 😂😂😂

03/08/2023

https://thegardenbeds.com/2021/08/08/grow-lemongrass-in-pots-it-will-repel-mosquitoes-keep-you-relaxed-and-ease-your-headaches/

03/06/2023

Officer Heefner and Officer Tuthill took our test and are now Bensalem Township Police Officers. Are you our next police officer? You can be. All you need to do is fill out an application online and you are on your way to joining Officer Heefner, Officer Tuthill and the rest of the Bensalem Township Police Officers for an exciting and fulfilling career in law enforcement.

Click on this link to apply now: https://www.policeapp.com/Entry-Level-Bensalem-Township-PA-Police-Officer-Jobs/1630/

03/05/2023

https://www.facebook.com/1298584172/posts/10227544624063399/?mibextid=r5uJeJ