Soil and Planting-Bed Preparation

By Bill Mann

You may be one of the few fortunate homeowners that already has a loamy, well-drained soil, but for the rest of us it is necessary to add soil amendments to assure your new plants have the right growing conditions. A “soil amendment” is an organic material such as Leafgro or compost that, when incorporated into existing soil, improves the soil structure as it decays.

Why go through the extra time, expense, and labor it takes to properly prepare the soil?

Plant roots must have air and water to properly grow. Amending any existing soil with organic matter is the best way to help achieve this. In heavy clay soils the organic matter will separate the clay particles to allow for improved drainage while with sandy conditions, organics help retain water, reducing the chance of roots drying out.

Other factors such as: soil pH (acidity/alkalinity); proper starter fertilizer; the percent root-to-top ratio of the transplant; and uniform watering during the critical “three day after planting” period are also important factors but your soil condition is the first factor that must be corrected.

Properly preparing a planting bed or planting hole can be a tough task easily skipped by another less-experienced landscape service. Fortunately for our clients, Behnke’s experienced Landscape crews are well-prepared to meet the challenge.

Dirt is what’s on the bottom of your shoes. Soil is for planting.

Call Behnke Landscape and Design today and enjoy a beautiful Landscape this summer.You can trust Behnke Landscape to properly prepare your new planting beds.

Get a Grip Behnke Landscape tip for April 16, 2009

Hardscape elements (it may seem simple but is best left up to the pros).

Watch any of the many Landscape shows on TV and you’ll see a patio, walk, or other hardscape element used in almost every landscape redo. Adding a new walk, patio, sitting wall, trellis, arbor, or fence is a great way to give any yard area a immediate facelift, expand your living space, and provide almost instant visual impact while you are waiting for your newly planted landscape trees, shrubs and perennials to develop.

What the TV shows don’t often show is the planning, time, effort, and materials it takes for most hardscape projects. I probably should mention the time twice!

Careful planning, and placement is critical. Inspect and measure existing and final grade to assure proper drainage. Proper calculation of depth and amount of base materials. Purchasing the best quality stone, pavers, and materials, Follow ICPI specifications for paver projects. Paying attention to these important details will assure a quality, long lasting, final project. Of course here at Behnke Landscape and Design we will take care of it all for you.

From initial concept to install trust Behnke Landscape Service with your next hardscape and landscape project.

So stop just thinking about that landscape and do something about it!

Get a Grip! – call Behnke Design and Landscape now!

Phone: 240-473-6733 – Fax: 301-937-5362 – e-mail:  landscaping@behnkes.net

Thinking of a new walk or patio?

Call Behnke Design & Landscape first. Many clients are surprise to find out we can installed their new hardscape elements along with their new landscape.

At Behnke’s, we understand your landscape project is an investment now to be enjoyed for many years to come.

Trust Behnke Design and Landscape from “Design to Finish”. We’ll do the job right now and be here for you in the future.

Phone: 240-473-6733 – Fax: 301-937-5362 – e-mail: landscaping@behnkes.net

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February is one of the best times to take care of your foundation and landscape plantings.

Correct pruning will regenerate many older plants and maintain newer plant’s proper form and ideal health and vigor.

Wrong pruning will damage healthy plants, cause additional dieback, and potentially permanently misshape or kill the shrub.

Don’t wait! Call Behnke Design and Landscape at 240-473-6733 today. Our Spring Cleanup programs start with proper landscape pruning, winter debris removal, appropriate fertilizer, mulch and bed edging.

Phone: 240-473-6733 – Fax: 301-937-5362 – e-mail: landscaping@behnkes.net

Here is a related article from last year – Eight Steps To A Better Pruning Experience

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Behnke Nurseries doesn’t just offer plants and landscaping; we also offer holiday lighting – from installation of your selections to custom design consultation. Our professional design consultants will meet with you to determine what will best suit your design needs, residential or commercial, holiday or special event.

With Behnke’s Holiday Lighting, you can choose from a wide variety of beautiful and creative designs for holiday or any occasion. Behnke’s can custom design and build a display for any special event or function.

Behnke’s Decorating Offers:

• Design Consultation
  Our professional design consultants will meet with you to determine your lighting needs, whether it be holiday, event, home, or business. We can assist in designing a display, discuss and expand on your ideas, and offer advice as to the best type of lighting for what you want to accomplish.
• Custom Built Displays
  Do you have a custom lighted display idea? Or a special event, trade show, grand opening, party? Our experienced lighting technicians can build displays based on your design ideas.
• Installation
  If, you’ve ever decorated, especially outdoors, you know that it can be time consuming and you still need to consider ladders, weather conditions, and the like. Wouldn’t it be nice to have it all installed for you?
• Service and Maintenance
  How many times have you unpacked last year’s lights only to find bulbs broken, missing, or unlit? Our lighting technicians are trained to offer you the highest quality service and maintenance on your lighted decorations. They will replace bulbs and repair damage to ensure a safe and lasting display.
• Take down and packaging
  After the holidays are over you are left with the task of taking down the lights and displays, wouldn’t it be nice to have it done for you? All of your holiday decorations wrapped and safely packaged for storage. Behnke’s will work with you to schedule time to take down and pack your holiday displays for you, one less thing you need remember.
  

  For more information on our installation and maintenance services, please contact us at landscaping@behnkes.net or call 240-473-6733 (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm) for a free Home or Business Consultation.