It is important to keep in mind that drainage and storm water removal and storage are very important factors in the landscape. Unconstrained storm water can contaminate our lakes, oceans, and of course our drinking water. Everyone homeowner should do there part to prevent this from happening not only for environmental reasons, but to prevent damage to your yard and home as well.
Storing this water should not be looked at a a hassle but a bonus. This water can be stored in cisterns and used in your landscape or even to wash your car. Charlotte irrigation and drainage professionals can assist in pointing you in the right direction.
NDS offers some of the following products:
Components of our residential stormwater systems include channels for hardscapes, catch basins and grates for downspouts and low spots in the landscape, Flo-Wells and EZflow for subsurface drainage, and pop-up emitters to discharge excess water as mandated by local regulations.
These can be install by a Charlotte drainage or irrigation contractor.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Keep Your Water
Charlotte area Irrigation professionals can install cisterns that can contain the runoff from your roof, driveway, patio, etc. This water can be used in so many applications: Drip irrigation, water features, water to wash your car, etc.
Keep in mind that water is becoming more and more expensive and less and less available. Be sure to protect your interest and contain the water that falls on your property and utilize it wisely. To begin, harvesting rain water in the Charlotte area, be sure to contact a local Charlotte irrigation contractor.
Keep in mind that water is becoming more and more expensive and less and less available. Be sure to protect your interest and contain the water that falls on your property and utilize it wisely. To begin, harvesting rain water in the Charlotte area, be sure to contact a local Charlotte irrigation contractor.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Plants that Hold Leaves Year Round
Believe it or not you can have color in your landscape during the colder months. As a Charlotte landscaping professional can tell you, there are several shrubs that will bloom or hold leaves even when it is cold.
One of our favorite shrubs with red berries is the Nandina. These shrubs can get up to 7 feet tall, but also come in a lovely dwarf variety. Their greenish, yellow-red leaves provide beautiful color year round and they also produce red little berries throughout the year.
Another favorite blooming shrub is the Camellia. This beautiful plant resembles a rose but comes with more leaves and no thorns. Blooming twice a year in the summer and winter the Camellia comes in several colors white, pink, rose-pink, light red, deep red, and red. This shrub requires pruning as it can get up to 10 ft tall.
Finally a great plant well known around the NC coast is the Oleander. This shrub can get 6 to 20 feet tall and holds it's leaves all year long. The blooming period for it's flowers that range from white to hot pink is summer through fall. One caution with this plant is that it is highly toxic if ingested. Be sure to take the proper precautions if you choose to plant this shrub.
There are many other options for plants that stay green year round. If you are unsure what to plant and how to care for your plants contact a Charlotte landscaping professional today.
One of our favorite shrubs with red berries is the Nandina. These shrubs can get up to 7 feet tall, but also come in a lovely dwarf variety. Their greenish, yellow-red leaves provide beautiful color year round and they also produce red little berries throughout the year.
Another favorite blooming shrub is the Camellia. This beautiful plant resembles a rose but comes with more leaves and no thorns. Blooming twice a year in the summer and winter the Camellia comes in several colors white, pink, rose-pink, light red, deep red, and red. This shrub requires pruning as it can get up to 10 ft tall.
Finally a great plant well known around the NC coast is the Oleander. This shrub can get 6 to 20 feet tall and holds it's leaves all year long. The blooming period for it's flowers that range from white to hot pink is summer through fall. One caution with this plant is that it is highly toxic if ingested. Be sure to take the proper precautions if you choose to plant this shrub.
There are many other options for plants that stay green year round. If you are unsure what to plant and how to care for your plants contact a Charlotte landscaping professional today.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
What is Fertigation?
Fertigation is the application of fertilizers through an irrigation system. For years it has been used in agricultural settings and is now being applied to residential properties. Fertigation can be used to feed nutrients to your landscape or to correct issues such as a fungal outbreak. Fertigation is a service that must be performed by a professional landscape maintenance company or a licensed irrigation specialist. By feeding fertilizers through a water source, the water source must be segregated so that contamination into domestic supply is not an issue. Also the right chemical balance must be well thought out so that the right plants get the right nutrients and chemicals are not over used. The advantage to this technique is that large areas receive the nutrients they need and absorption of water is increased due to healthy root systems. As this technique is implemented plants stay healthier, you need to water less, and overall use of chemicals is reduced. It is a technique that is worth looking into if you have a large yard you are trying to maintain. As stated above make sure you hire a Charlotte landscape professional to help with a fertigation project.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Preparing your Garden for Spring
During the winter months we tend to stay indoors and neglect our gardens. Yet, it is very important to winterize your garden to prepare it for spring. Not only does it lead to a beautiful healthy garden as temperatures warm up, it allows you to get outdoors and enjoy your landscape even when it's cold.
In Charlotte, NC we have a lot of indigenous species that require pruning in the winter. One of the most beautiful and popular varieties of shrubs is the Crepe Myrtle. Late winter is the time for pruning this tree like shrub. Not only does it help you manage the size of the plant, it promotes new growth and actually increases the amount of blooms. We found a great step by step pruning guide for Crepe Myrtles from the Grumpy Gardner.
Another shrub in our area that provides greenery all year long is the American Holly. This plant has deep green leaves and provides red berries as food for birds and squirrels. At full maturity the American Holly can get up to 20-30 ft tall. It is recommended to prune these shrubs in late fall or early winter to manage it's shape and size.
Finally one of our favorite species of vine is the Carolina Jasmine. This beautiful plant blooms little yellow blossoms mid spring and provides green leaves throughout the year. This plant should be pruned after it blooms in the spring and winter.
Another very useful practice in the Charlotte region is to winterize your sprinkler system. Many homeowners in the area do not consider it as our temperatures are fairly mild during the winter months. However, water can freeze within your pipes, leading to cracks and costly repairs. Unlike in your home, you may not notice the leak for weeks or months causing great damage to your lawn and plants via saturation (attracting fungi and bugs). There are a lot of companies that advertise winterization for your sprinkler system. We recommend shopping around for a licensed contractor that will clear your pipes and is willing to give you a price upfront. Most winterizations go for about $100.
In Charlotte, NC we have a lot of indigenous species that require pruning in the winter. One of the most beautiful and popular varieties of shrubs is the Crepe Myrtle. Late winter is the time for pruning this tree like shrub. Not only does it help you manage the size of the plant, it promotes new growth and actually increases the amount of blooms. We found a great step by step pruning guide for Crepe Myrtles from the Grumpy Gardner.
Another shrub in our area that provides greenery all year long is the American Holly. This plant has deep green leaves and provides red berries as food for birds and squirrels. At full maturity the American Holly can get up to 20-30 ft tall. It is recommended to prune these shrubs in late fall or early winter to manage it's shape and size.
Finally one of our favorite species of vine is the Carolina Jasmine. This beautiful plant blooms little yellow blossoms mid spring and provides green leaves throughout the year. This plant should be pruned after it blooms in the spring and winter.
Another very useful practice in the Charlotte region is to winterize your sprinkler system. Many homeowners in the area do not consider it as our temperatures are fairly mild during the winter months. However, water can freeze within your pipes, leading to cracks and costly repairs. Unlike in your home, you may not notice the leak for weeks or months causing great damage to your lawn and plants via saturation (attracting fungi and bugs). There are a lot of companies that advertise winterization for your sprinkler system. We recommend shopping around for a licensed contractor that will clear your pipes and is willing to give you a price upfront. Most winterizations go for about $100.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Is Your Landscaping Ready for Fall?
When it comes to the cooler Fall weather, it may be easy to forget about your landscaping. Most people choose to concentrate on their Charlotte landscaping and Charlotte irrigation during the warmer Summer months, but what they don't realize is that things like their Weddington retaining walls need to be maintained all year round. The colder weather brings with it unique challenges for your landscaping, and as a result, consulting with an irrigation Charlotte specialist is important.
It is important to make sure anything that can freeze is properly insulated and/or drained. Things like pipes or ponds should be drained of all water in the Fall to reduce the risk of freezing, as freezing can cause problems with other landscaping structures. As temperatures change, brick and concrete and shift, leading to possible breakage. For this reason, removing any water that can freeze is important to avoid damage. As well, insulating pipes that can not be drained is crucial to avoid cracked or broken pipes.
You may also want to check the pH of your lawn to ensure that it is not too acidic. If you find a high level of acidity, you should contact a Charlotte fertigation expert to check your soil before doing anything else. They may be able to rescue your lawn by spreading things like lime. If you find that your lawn is too alkaline, then you may want to have sulpher spread to reverse this trend.
Also, as dead leaves begin to fill up your yard, consider running them over with a lawn mower. The resulting mulch can help to protect and fertilize your lawn. You could also rake up the leaves, which helps to dethatch your yard at the same time. If you find that you have little time for these activities, you could contact a Charlotte landscaping company to help.
It is important to make sure anything that can freeze is properly insulated and/or drained. Things like pipes or ponds should be drained of all water in the Fall to reduce the risk of freezing, as freezing can cause problems with other landscaping structures. As temperatures change, brick and concrete and shift, leading to possible breakage. For this reason, removing any water that can freeze is important to avoid damage. As well, insulating pipes that can not be drained is crucial to avoid cracked or broken pipes.
You may also want to check the pH of your lawn to ensure that it is not too acidic. If you find a high level of acidity, you should contact a Charlotte fertigation expert to check your soil before doing anything else. They may be able to rescue your lawn by spreading things like lime. If you find that your lawn is too alkaline, then you may want to have sulpher spread to reverse this trend.
Also, as dead leaves begin to fill up your yard, consider running them over with a lawn mower. The resulting mulch can help to protect and fertilize your lawn. You could also rake up the leaves, which helps to dethatch your yard at the same time. If you find that you have little time for these activities, you could contact a Charlotte landscaping company to help.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Landscape Lighting is the Perfect Accessory for the Winter
If you're looking for the perfect accessory for your Charlotte landscaping this Winter, consider having landscape lighting installed. Landscape lighting is the perfect way to accentuate your home's features, as well as to provide safety and security. And while Charlotte landscape lighting is wonderful year round, in the winter, it can help to give your home a more warm and inviting look, even when it's cold outside.
Landscape lighting can be used to change the entire tone of your home's color scheme, as colored gels can be used to transform the colors of the light. Landscape lighting is also used to highlight certain features of your home, such as unique architecture or Charlotte irrigation features. Landscaping lighting can also be used to redirect attention from features of your home that you may not want everyone looking at. Perhaps you are planning on redoing some foliage in your front yard, but have not gotten around to it yet. You wouldn't want visitors and people driving by to be mindful of dying foliage, so you may choose to have a landscape lighting expert redirect attention by highlighting other areas of your yard.
As well, landscape lighting can offer security benefits in addition to its aesthetic benefits. Unfortunately, crime is everywhere, and many criminals spend years studying the perfect way to attack homes. They may even spend time casing your home, taking note of where they could hide in the dark. By using landscape lighting Charlotte, you can help to decrease places to hide while sending a clear message to criminals that they are not welcome near your home. This can be especially helpful if you or your family are gone for extended periods of time.
If you have considered landscape lighting, now would be the perfect time to consult with a Charlotte landscaping professional to get a free quote, as well as discuss options for landscape lighting Charlotte.
Landscape lighting can be used to change the entire tone of your home's color scheme, as colored gels can be used to transform the colors of the light. Landscape lighting is also used to highlight certain features of your home, such as unique architecture or Charlotte irrigation features. Landscaping lighting can also be used to redirect attention from features of your home that you may not want everyone looking at. Perhaps you are planning on redoing some foliage in your front yard, but have not gotten around to it yet. You wouldn't want visitors and people driving by to be mindful of dying foliage, so you may choose to have a landscape lighting expert redirect attention by highlighting other areas of your yard.
As well, landscape lighting can offer security benefits in addition to its aesthetic benefits. Unfortunately, crime is everywhere, and many criminals spend years studying the perfect way to attack homes. They may even spend time casing your home, taking note of where they could hide in the dark. By using landscape lighting Charlotte, you can help to decrease places to hide while sending a clear message to criminals that they are not welcome near your home. This can be especially helpful if you or your family are gone for extended periods of time.
If you have considered landscape lighting, now would be the perfect time to consult with a Charlotte landscaping professional to get a free quote, as well as discuss options for landscape lighting Charlotte.
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