Two good garden related articles in the Washington Post this morning.  

The first one discusses the qualities of Helleborus (Lenten Rose), a wonderful early season bloomer. Read more here: 


http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/rediscovering-the-lenten-rose/2012/03/23/gIQArHQogS_story.html


The second article talks about the benefits of using fireplace ash in the garden:


http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home-garden/the-benefits-of-wood-ash-in-the-garden/2012/03/18/gIQAVBSEgS_story.html

Warning: Cold Weather Tonight

It looks like Mother Nature isn't quite ready to is not quite ready to give up on cold weather. Tonight's forecast is for temperatures in the high 20's to low 30's. This means that some tender plants could be affected.  

Here are some things to consider:

Cover the most tender plants like roses, peonies and xxx with a sheet or newspaper.If you have already planted spring annuals (petunias, begonias etc) or vegetable plants, cover them as well.    

Cover the plants around dinner time tonight and uncover them around 9am tomorrow morning.  

Most plants will come through the cold temperatures just fine. Some of the more tender growth may get burned but will most likely be re-generated.

As a rule, the last frost date in this area is usually around May 10th. This is the date that it is safe to plant summer annuals and vegetables. 

We just made our first posting on Houzz. Let us know what you think:

Be A Suburban Farmer

Nothing tastes better, or is better for you, than fresh grown vegetables. It is even more rewarding when you grow them yourselves. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of work to get a garden started. Removing turf, tilling in organic matter and fertilizer...who has the time? And then there is the bending over to pull weeds.

Want the "fruits of your labor" without the toil? We have the answer.

Allentuck Landscaping Co. has created "Garden In A Box"! These vegetable/herb gardens are 4' wide, 8' long, and stand 1' tall to minimize the bending over. Each garden is constructed using sturdy recycled composite lumber that will not rot or warp and is filled with a rich mixture of topsoil, leafmold and manure. We even give you a bag of fertilizer so you can continue to nourish your garden plot.

Each Garden In A Box can be installed for $550.00 (slightly more on sloped ground) or two for $1,045.00. Deer Protection can be added for $140.00.

Get started today to have veggies on your table this summer.

To find out more how Allentuck Landscaping Co. can make your landscape dreams a reality, please call Eric Shostal at 301-515-1900 or email at eric@allentucklandscaping.com, or simply click the link below:

                                                  

Signs of Spring

With the early warm weather here, our team has been actively visiting our client's properties to check on work in progress and to assess any site conditions. One of the benefits of doing this is that we get to see some of the beautiful plants that we care for in bloom. After all, we are plant people at heart. Here are a few of our sightings:

Daphne at a Chevy Chase, Maryland Residence

Camellia at a Chevy Chase, Maryland Residence

Saucer Magnolia at a Potomac, Maryland Residence

Got Mulch (It Does A Plant Good!)

Just as robins and daffodils are harbingers of spring, so are landscapers putting down mulch. A fresh application of mulch on one's gardens is a great way to sweep away the gray of winter. Besides appearance, what are the benefits of mulch?   

  

• Mulch keeps plant roots from drying out in dry periods. 

• Mulch suppresses weeds. 

• Mulch keeps roots cool in the summer and warm in the winter. 

• Mulch protects tree trunks and roots from damage caused by lawn mowers and string trimmers. 

• Mulch helps prevent erosion. 

• Mulch adds nutrients to the soil as it breaks down. 

So as you can see, not only does a fresh layer of mulch look great, it has a lot a benefits to offer your trees and gardens. Applying mulch can be done at any time of the year but it is certainly understandable that we all want to see a fresh look in the spring.