Have You Done Your Spring Inspections Yet? Don't Worry; It's Not Too Late

The spring is often the best time to inspect trees and shrubs for issues that may be detrimental in the near future. The main reason visual inspections are so effective this time of year, is the absence of foliage. Plant structure is plainly seen and problems can be addressed.

Some of the most commonly seen abnormalities are codominant leaders on young trees. A small corrective cut now may prevent a catastrophic failure when the tree matures. Inspecting plant depth, trunk flare, and mulch levels at this time is also helpful. One of the most commonly seen mistakes is planting too deep and over-mulching. A young tree's trunk flare should be visible and allowed to dry breath and dry.

Now is a great time to remove dead wood, and rectify branching defects and conflicts. Last but not least, overwintering insects and egg masses may be discovered, and a treatment plan developed. All these instances may not be apparent to the untrained eye, contact a Certified Arborist to give you a detailed inspection and analysis.

This Bur Oak would benefit from corrective pruning, to prevent future branch failure

Boxwoods have mite (speckles) and psyllid (cupping)

Magnolia scale (insect) visible on Magnolia

Trunk flare visible on Kousa Dogwood

Potential girdling root issue on Beech

Tips and Tricks: Winter Tree Care

The winter is the toughest season of the year for trees. With the cold weather, brutal storms, and burrowing hibernating animals, your trees stand at a great risk to be permanently damaged. However, a little winter tree care goes a long way to protecting your valuable trees from the harms of the winter weather. Here are some of the small steps you can take to make a big difference in your trees’ health.

Mulch

During the winter, many of the problems your trees will face are connected to a lack of moisture in the tree. Because the ground is frozen, trees are unable to absorb as much water from the ground. When conditions are sunny but the ground is still frozen, a tree can begin to dry out. This phenomenon is only worsened by strong winds that are extremely common in winter. This lack of moisture puts any tree under a significant amount of stress, as without water, a tree is not able to transport nutrients it needs to survive through its tissue.  Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to fight this once the winter has begun. However, before the winter begins, make sure to lay a thick level of mulch. This will help to slow moisture loss and serve as a way to insulate the roots. If there is a thaw, water any trees, especially newly planted ones.

Cabling and Pruning

The strong winds of a winter storm can prove to be a significant threat to the structural soundness of any tree. The wind can expose the weaknesses of your trees, from deadwood to a weak deep v tree crotch. Many times, even if branches are healthy they will break, weakened from the cold temperatures. The way to prevent your trees from being damaged by cold and wind is engaging in a full tree care service from Ted Collins. With the help of our tree care professionals, you can identify deadwood that needs to be cut from your trees and identify any weak areas that can be mended by cabling, bracing, or supports. If your trees are properly maintained, they will have no problem standing up to the strongest New York storms! To request an estimate, give us a call today at (585) 381-9000 or request an estimate online.

Rodent Prevention

Although they’re small, many rodents and other woodland animals can severely damage your trees. If the winter is especially bad, many times mice and squirrels will eat tree bark to survive. Having bark stripped from it trunk, especially around the circumference of a trunk, can kill or severely damage it. To protect against these rodents, make sure to leave a significant space between the mulch and trunk. In addition, off the shelf bait and trunk treatments are available.

Tips and Tricks: Winter Indoor Gardening

For many passionate gardeners, the dark and cold Rochester winters are a nuisance. Because we do not live in a warmer climate, many think that it is impossible to nurture and enjoy plants year round. However, that is simply not the case! Growing succulents and other plants indoors is a fantastic way to keep the joy of summer going all the way through the cold and dark winter. Here are a few tips for getting your own indoor garden started!

Pick Plants

First, pick your plants! There are thousands of plants to pick from, but typically succulent desert plants or tropical plants do the best in indoor gardens. You can find succulents or tropical plants in a massive range of sizes, colors, flowering times, and degrees of difficulty to maintain. It is best to pick the plants that fit your style. To see some of our plant recommendations, click here. Many local greenhouses will carry common indoor plants, but to find more niche plants there are plenty of websites that will ship succulents and tropical plants.  Once you have purchased your plants, it is best to find an appropriate sized container or pot to hold them in.

Pick Location

Once you’ve picked your plants, it’s time to find the right locations for them around your house. Depending on the kinds of plants you’ve picked, certain locations in your house are better than others. For example, many plants naturally grow on the forest floor, meaning that they do not need as much direct sunlight as other plants. However, other plants require much more direct sunlight. Placement depends on the plant and the season, but generally it is best to place plants next to windows facing north or east. To find the best spot for your plants, it is best to thoroughly research your plants to find the best kind of lighting for them.  

Care

Once you’ve picked your plants and their location, it’s time to care for your plants. Be sure not to overwater your plants, as most indoor plants do not require as much water. When you do water, try misting your plants or simply placing ice cubes on the top of the soil. Because indoor air is generally drier than outside air, it is best to group plants tightly together and run a humidifier to increase the humidity of your home. In late winter, make sure to cut back old growth and refresh the soil.

Enjoy!

With all of these tips in mind, your plants are sure to succeed! Enjoy your slice of summer!

Tips and Tricks: Winter Lawn Care

It is October in Rochester, and even though we may not like it, the weather will soon turn cold and we won’t see our lawns until next spring. Even though winter is almost here, there is plenty of work you can do to help your lawn look extra beautiful for the spring! Here are a few tips for how you can help your lawn during the winter.

Keep your yard clean

A good, thorough fall cleanup is critical to making your lawn look great for the spring. Leaving anything in your yard before snow falls will cause dead spots to form in your yard. Make sure to clear all yard waste from your lawn as well as move any lawn furniture or other objects left out in the lawn over the summer.

Aerate and Fertilize

One great way to get a jump on getting your lawn beautiful is to aerate and fertilize your lawn before the winter. First, you should aerate your lawn. By aerating your lawn, you will give your lawn a chance to breathe before it is covered with snow and will release any compaction built up over the summer. After you aerate your lawn, it’s time to fertilize! Fertilizing your lawn will help replenish the nutrients that your grass has lost over the long and hot summer months. Once the ground freezes, the fertilizer will be frozen with it and feed your grass all winter long! While you can aerate and fertilize your lawn by yourself, we reccomend that you get help from a professional. To request an estimate from Ted Collins, give us a call at (585) 381-9000 or visit us at tedcollinst-l.com.

Mowing

It is best to keep your lawn as short as possible during the winter months. If your lawn is left tall, it will attract mice and other rodents trying to find food and a comfortable place to eat. These animals can destroy your yard, creating nests of dead grass and making brown dead spots in your lawn. Over the last few weeks of the summer going into fall, start to cut your lawn increasingly lower and lower to avoid shocking your grass. Before the winter, make sure to give your lawn once last short cut.    

Tips and Tricks: Fall Maintenance

Think your yard doesn’t need any attention during the fall? Think again! The fall is one of the most critical times of the year for maintenance. The work you put in in the fall will pay dividends to the appearance of your garden in the spring. Here are some small tasks to take care of in the fall that will make a world of difference in the following spring.

Mulching

When it comes to clearing leaves from your lawn, many people think raking is the way to go. However, it has been proven in recent years that mulching is actually better for your lawn. Mulching refers to shredding the leaves that cover your lawn with a lawnmower attachment, dispersing the refuse all over your lawn. While it may seem unorthodox, it has many benefits. Mulching replicates the natural processes that happen on a forest floor while not killing your grass by blocking sunlight. As a result, your lawn will have replenished nutrients and will look amazing in the spring!

Mowing

Although it may not seem like it, it is best to continue mowing your lawn well through the fall. Keeping shorter grass in the fall has multiple benefits for your lawn. If your lawn is too long before snow accumulates, it can become a safehaven for mice, voles, and other rodents. These rodents will build nests throughout the winter that will leave large brown spots of dead grass in the spring. By consistently keeping your lawn low throughout the fall, you will be able to keep your garden green and pristine for the spring and summer!

Watering and Irrigation

There are several tasks related to watering that need to be taken care of in the fall. Before the first snowfall, it is best to do a long, deep watering of your entire yard. This will give your lawn the water needed to survive the winter. Make sure to cut shut off any water lines to the outside. If you have an automatic irrigation system installed, make sure blow out the water with compressed air before the first freeze to avoid damage to the pipes.

While you can do all of these chores by yourself, sometime it’s better to get a little help from a pro! Here at Ted Collins, we offer custom fall cleanup plans to help you get your yard prepared for the winter. To request an estimate, give us a call at (585) 381-9000 or visit tedcollinst-l.com.

Tips and Tricks: Fall Tree Care

The leaves are turning and the air is starting to get crisp. It is the perfect time to spend some time taking care of your trees! Trees face a great deal of stress during the summer because of the hot temperatures and violent thunderstorms. The fall is the perfect time to address your trees’ weaknesses and get them ready for the harsh winter that is right around the corner. Here are a few things you can do in the fall to get your trees ready for the winter!

Pruning, Cabling, Trussing

Winter storms can cause a significant amount of damage to both your trees and property. If there are any dead or unstable branches, they can come down in a strong storm. These can serve as a threat to your property and loved ones. Therefore, before the winter, take some time to prune dead branches off of your tree. In addition, unstable sections of your tree that are still alive can be saved by cabling and trussing techniques.

Food & Mulch

During the hot summer months, your trees can experience a lack of water and nutrients due to the hot weather. Therefore, it is best to replenish its water and nutrients before it undergoes the stressors of the winter months. There are a few ways that you can help bring your trees back up to speed. We recommend that you mulch the area at the base of your trees. Mulching is a fantastic way to reduce temperature extremes in the winter, acting as a sort of blanket. In addition, make sure to keep your tree as well watered as possible throughout the fall and winter. Subsurface watering is one method that can help get water as close to the roots as possible.

In addition to taking care of the established trees in your yard, the fall is a great time to plant new trees! To read more tips and tricks on planting trees, click here.

How to Protect Your Lawn From Heatwaves

One of the biggest challenges to keeping a lush, healthy lawn is the dreaded summer heat wave. A prolonged heat wave is not only a concern to the health of your family but also your lawn. While it may seem daunting, with the right techniques your lawn will remain lush and green no matter the weather. Here are a few tips to keep your lawn healthy through a heat wave!

Don’t Cut Your Grass Too Short

One of the best ways to combat a heat wave is keeping your grass cut high. This technique benefits your garden in several ways. First, by keeping your grass cut high, your grass will develop stronger roots. This will keep your plants stronger and will help them deal with harsh conditions easier. In addition, keeping your lawn longer will help it retain moisture and keep cooler during hot summer months.

Water With Care

When the weather turns hot, many people further damage their lawns by watering them incorrectly. Many people will water their lawns lightly and frequently throughout the entire day and even during the night. However, it is best to water your lawn in the mornings between 6 AM and 10 AM each day. This will allow your lawn to soak up as much water as possible and prevent water waste. Make sure that your lawn is completely dry before you water

Consult a Professional

If these tips do not work, call one of our professionals for an estimate today at (585) 381-9000 or request a free estimate at tedcollinst-l.com.

Composting: The Secret to a Beautiful Garden

Are plants in your garden having a difficult time, and aren’t thriving like you hope they would? The cause of many problems for plants is in the soil. Depending on the composition of your soil, it may be making it more difficult for your plants to grow well. Not all hope is lost though! There is a way for you to alter the composition of your soil and make it easier for your plants to grow and thrive. Adding compost, or organic material, to your soil can have a dramatic effect on your plant’s health, and better yet, you can do it all yourself! Here are a few tips and tricks that will help both veterans and novices get the best results.

Choosing a Compost Bin

While you can pile your compost, it is much more effective and safe to compost in a bin. There are many shapes, sizes, and variations of bins that you can purchase on the market, all with their strengths and weaknesses. We recommend a closed bin that can rotate on an axis. By rotating your compost, you will ensure that all materials intermix and decompose evenly. However, you don’t need anything fancy to start composting! To see how to make your own DIY compost bin for under $10, click here.

You Can Compost More than You Think

Most composters know that you can compost most food, you can compost a lot more than scraps of food. Composting green matter, such as lawn clippings, leaves, and other plant materials is extremely beneficial. It is best to maintain a 1 to 1 ratio of brown to green matter, alternating layers of the two to ensure best results. Just make sure that none of the plant matter has been sprayed with chemicals!

Maintain the Right Moisture

One of the ways to ensure your compost’s success is by maintaining the right amount of moisture. To make sure your materials decompose at a good rate, you must strike a balance of how moist the compost pile is. If your compost is too dry, it will not be able to support the worms and bacteria that break down material. If it is too wet, some of the most industrious bacteria will not be able to do their jobs. Make sure to water your compost moderately to ensure the best results.

With these tips, you are sure to produce fantastic compost to better your garden! For more information on composting, check out the Cornell Cooperative Extension website.

The 3 Best Exotic Plants for Your Garden

Looking for something to help your yard stand out from your neighbors? Exotic plants can give a unique, explosive pop to your garden or landscape installation. While it may not seem like it, many tropical plants are hardy enough to be grown right here in Rochester! Here a few of our favorite tropical plants that will give your garden the pop it needs:

Hardy Hibiscus

The Hardy Hibuscus is a showy perennial found throughout many tropical climates. Hardy Hibiscuses come in a range of different cultivars and colors, most of which are suitable to our climate. The Hardy Hibiscus is surprisingly easy to grow, but do best in well drained, acidic soil. To increase the acidity of your soil, try adding peat moss or potting soil to your garden. In climates with harsh winters like Rochester, it is best to cover the plant in the winter.

Elephant Ear

Colocasia, more commonly known as elephant ear plant, are best known for their huge tropical leaves. Much like the Hardy Hibiscus, there are a range of cultivars of  Elephant Ear, each with varying different shapes and color. Also like Hibiscus, the Elephant Ear is incredibly easy growing. The Elephant Ear has many uses: background plants, edging, or ground covers. No matter what you use it for, is sure to bring a tropical flair to your garden!

Angel's Trumpet

Angel's Trumpet refers to a number of tropical plants native to South America in the genus Brugmansia. These large shrubs are best known for their large, fragrant, downward hanging flowers. The plant is incredibly dangerous if eaten, so make sure your kids and pets stay away! Otherwise, the plant is a wonderful centerpiece shrub that will make your garden smell and look lovely!

If you want any of these plants included in your landscape installation today, give us a call today at (585) 381-9000 or request an estimate at tedcollinst-l.com!

Top Plants for Your Indoor Garden

Want to start a garden but don’t have the money or space to plant outside? Houseplants are the perfect alternative! Buying and taking care of houseplants is the perfect way to bring a bit of outside indoors and give your living space a splash of green. While being cheaper and easier to take care of than an outdoor garden, you will also be able to enjoy plants throughout Rochester’s cold winters.

Here are a few of our favorite houseplants to get your indoor garden started!

Aloe

You might know Aloe from curing your sunburns, Aloe is a wonderful addition to any home garden. The succulent grows up to 3 feet high and wide, making it a great mid-sized plant to brighten up your home.

Christmas Cactus

The Christmas Cactus is a beautiful, arching cactus usually planted best in a pot. Don’t worry about poking yourself with needles, the Christmas Cactus’s leaves won’t hurt if you touch them. The Cactus is filled with beautiful red blooms around Christmastime, giving your garden a needed pop during the winter. The Cactus is also well known for its ability to propagate by cutting, meaning you can fill your house with Christmas Cacti!

Spider Plant

The Spider Plant is a sprawling green and white leafed plant, most striking in a big pot or in a hanging basket. While it looks great, the Spider Plant is very sensitive to contaminated water, low humidity, dry soil conditions, and over fertilization. If your water is fluoridated, be sure to water your Spider Plant with distilled water or rainwater.