We have all listened and followed gardening advised from others, never questioning if their advice was based on sound information or tried and true facts.  Over the years we have received many questions about gardening, many of them myths that have been passed down generation to generation.

Here are a few of our top myths demystified for you:

1) Pruning trees in summer months will weaken them – Myth! – pruning trees in the summer is called suppression pruning and is used to control the size and leaf expansion of the tree.  Trees are dormant in winter months and should definitely not be pruned then as they can develop stem disease.

2) Deadheading perennials will create more bloom and promote cleanliness – know your plant before you proceed with deadheading and cutting them back.  Many perennials if deadheaded will not get regrowth from the plants crown and will not self seed.

3) Summer is the season to cut your lawn shorter thus promoting a lusher lawn – Short cutting predisposes the lawn to brownouts, turf thinning and weed growth. In fact, during the heat of summer in June, July and August, all lawns should be grown longer by raising the height of the wheels on the mower to attain a mowing height of two and a half to three inches in height. Longer grass means deeper root systems, less watering, fewer weeds and no browned-out dead patches.

Those are our top 3 gardening myths.  If you have a gardening myth that you would like demystified be sure to send it to us at Rainbow Landscaping.

If you are looking for a spring staple for your backyard there is nothing like the  heady scent and lavish blossoms of Lilac.   Aside from the Rose there is really no other flower as beautiful and aromatic as the Lilac.  Unfortunately the Lilac only blooms for a few weeks in the spring.  If you would like to  prolong their presence in your yard, grow a variety of Lilacs, including, early, mid and late varieties.   Lilac bushes can live for hundreds of years without much tending to.

There are over 1,000 varieties of Lilacs.  Lilacs  come in several colors, with the most popular being the color lilac and purple. White and pink are also popular. They also vary widely in size from the small 4 to 8 foot varieties to types that can grow up to 30 feet. So there is a variety perfect for your needs.

The best time to plant Lilacs is the spring.  They require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight and good circulation.  When digging the hole for your Lilac make sure that it is 50 percent wider than the root ball of the plant.  Add some compost and a few handfuls of bone meal to your soil.  Once the plant is in place pat on the soil so that it is firmly in place and make sure to water it well.

For the absolutely perfectly shaped lilac bush you need to prune them each year. Pruning is a very important part of growing and caring for Lilacs.  Pruning the Lilac should be done in early summer once the Lilac flowers have faded but before the seeds begin to form.  While some varieties only grow 4 to 8 feet, others can reach up to 30 feet tall. Many will grow in excess of 10 feet. Pruning will not only help with shape and appearance, but also impact health and vigor and the profusion of flowers.

You do not need to provide frequent fertilizer or organic feeding for your lilacs. Use a general-purpose fertilizer in early spring or one high in phosphorus to promote blooming. Too much nitrogen in the soil will result in poor blooming. Repeat the use of a general-purpose fertilizer after the flowers have died off.

There you have it.  Lovely, luscious Lilacs!!!  Low maintentance and simply gorgeous!

Hostas are a notoriously hardy plant that can add a very attractive element to your garden.  Hostas are available in a wide variety of color and sizes and are unparalleled in their aesthetic appeal.  Hostas a the perfect choice for most landscaping projects and thrive in a large variety of locations.

If you treat your Hosta correctly it can very well become the most attractive part of your garden.  Here are what we consider the top 3 tips for caring for your hosta.

1)  Sunlight – Although the Hosta is shade tolerant it will thrive and flourish in sunlight.  The ideal location for a Hosta is a place that has the morning sun and shade in the hot summer afternoons.  If you have a location in mind that has the hot afternoon sun the Hosta may burn thus limiting their attractiveness and growth potential.

2)  Planting – When planting your Hostas remember to take into consideration their size at maturity.  Plant the Hosta a hole a foot deep and the width should be two times the anticipated size of maturity.  When planting your Hosta keep in mind that they do best in nutrient rich soils with a slightly elevated pH level.  Regular watering and a balanced fertilizer is recommended on a regular basis.  Because different Hostas have different needs it is best to research your particular variety of Hosta and its needs.

3)  Pests – Even though Hostas are sturdy and hardy they can still fall prey to pests.  Snails and slugs seem to love Hostas of all varieties.  It is a good idea to use organic products and deterrents that are available.  The organic variety are slightly less effective than pesticides but do work well if used correctly.

Hostas make a perfect addition to many landscapes. Their beauty and resilience make them an attractive part of many plans. Following these tips for hosta growth will help you get the most out of these wonderful plants.

Spring is here and gardening season is upon us.  You are really excited to get out there and start gardening or are planning to hire a landscaper to set up your garden for you.  Before you decide on landscaping there are a few questions you need to ask yourself so that your landscaping will be exactly as you pictured it.

Here are our top 10 questions to ask yourself:

1) What part of your landscaping do you love and what part do you hate?  Are there other members of your family that will be using the area in question and if so, what will it be used for?

2)  Do you have pets?  If you do how will that affect the look you are trying to achieve? Do you need a dog run or just a place for your pet to lounge and enjoy the outside?

3)  Now take a step back and look at your home.  In what style was it built?  Do you want that style to be reflected in the landscaping or do you prefer a style that will compliment it rather than duplicate it?

4)  What is your landscaping style of choice? Do you love the formal or English garden look?  Are you a fan of Japanese or Natural?  Look through magazines and clip pictures of the look you would like to incorporate in your landscaping.

5)  Now thinking of color scheme.  Do you prefer landscaping that is full of bright, vibrant colors or a more uniformed landscaped design of one or two colors.  Would you like more greenery with touches of colored flowering plants or more flowering plants and a touch of greenery?

6)  Allergies!  This is not generally thought of when landscaping but if you or a family member has, for instance, severe allergies to bees you will want to try to choose plants that are less attractive to bees.

7)  Hardscaping or paving surfaces, would you like to incorporate a patio, deck or walkway in your landscape design?  What is your surface of preference?  Wood?  Concrete?  Stone?  Brick?

8)  When thinking of plants, do you want to try and attract birds, butterflies or any other type of “wildlife”?

9)  What about your neighbors?  Do you need privacy or a division between properties?  Don’t forget to take any neighborly issues into consideration when planning your landscaping.

10)  The very last thing that should not be overlooked when planning your landscaping is zoning regulations.  For instance if you are planning on building a deck you may need a permit.  If you are planning on putting in a parking pad, a permit is usually required. Take your time to research this.  If contracting a professional landscaper have them look into any permits required.

Picture yourself spending an evening under a clear starry sky around a crackling fire; a summer favourite, especially as the nights become cooler.  You don’t have to be miles away at a campsite to enjoy this simple pleasure; bring the fire pit into your own backyard. Continue Reading →

With about one-tenth of the salinity of ocean water salt water pools feel softer and more soothing to a bathers eyes,  nose and skin. Even though salt water pools require less maintenance than pools with traditional chemicals some maintenance and preparation is stilled required.  If you have a saltwater pool there is no time the springtime to get your pool ready for the season.

Balanced water put simply means pool water chemicals and minerals are within the target ranges for optimum performance.  The target ranges for balance are :

• 7.2 to 7.8 pH
• 80 to 120 parts per million total alkalinity
• 200 to 450 parts per million calcium hardness
• 50 to 80 parts per million cynauric acid
• 1 to 4 parts per million chlorine
• 3,000 to 4, 000 parts per million salinity ( Follow manufacturer recommendations)

pH balance affects water quality, swimmer comfort, pool finishers and equipment…even the efficacy of chlorine itself.  In saltwater pools a pool with high pH can encounter several problems such as cloudy water, scale formation and staining.  High pH lowers the efficacy of chlorine as a sanitizer.  You can see why pH must be in balance to avoid these problematic issues.

Balancing total alkalinity is the first thing to balance in a saltwater pool.  The correct levels of calcium depend on average water temperature.  The colder the water the higher the recommended calcium level.  If the water is warmer than the calcium level can be lower.

To raise total alkalinity , add sodium bicarbonate, to decrease levels add muriatic acid.  By keeping levels within the accepted range it acts like a shock absorber.  Adjusting pH will also be required less often and becomes easier to manage.

A fun way to add a sensational impact to your backyard space is to install a tranquil water feature.  Aside from the obvious eye catching focal point, a strategically positioned water feature can offer the calming sound of running water to quell unwanted outside noises such as traffic and/or neighbours.  Continue Reading →

Creating a flowering garden with Peonies is easily done. Peonies live long and can flourish in less than ideal conditions. Continue Reading →