winter Archives - Our Blog

Caring For Your Landscape In Winter

Posted on December 10, 2018November 30, 2021 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

Winter landscaping can seem a tad challenging. In fact, you probably haven’t given much thought to your landscaping in the winter months. Taking care of your yard now can set you up for success in the future. Here are some of our top tips for caring for your yard and garden this winter:

Break out the Fertilizer

Fertilizing your lawn before the weather gets too cold is a great way to set it up for success during the springtime. Summer can deplete a lot of the nutrients from your grass, so fertilizing can reverse this damage and help replenish the roots of your plants. Your lawn will be in full bloom when the weather gets warm again if you decide to fertilize.

Aerate Your Yard

Aerating your lawn is the process of breaking up soil and dirt to allow oxygen and water to get into it. Aerating your lawn will keep it healthy and thriving. It helps the roots of your plants to grow deep into the lawn, which leads to healthier grass and foliage. The soil in your yard will naturally get compact over time, making it hard for air and water to seep down into the roots of your plants. Aeration will help break this up and reverse it. This will make sure that your plants are well nourished, even during winter.

Clear it Out

Although this tip may seem like common sense, it is important to keep your yard free in the winter time. If you leave things like furniture and toys on your grass during the cold season, it can lead to dead patches when the weather gets warm again. Make sure that your yard is cleaned up and cleared out, especially before the snowy weather begins.

Do Some Last Minute Raking

If you still have leaves in your yard from the fall, break out the rake and get them cleaned up before the first snowfall. Not only will this help you clear out your yard, as mentioned above, but it will also help open up your root system. This is a good way to prepare your yard for seeding and to help with the aeration efforts of your soil.

Don’t Step on the Grass!

Although you are probably used to strolling through your yard at your leisure, stepping on the grass during the winter can be incredibly damaging. When people tread through the snow, they tend to take the same path each time. As you walk through your yard, the snow will become continuously compacted. While one walk through the yard won’t do too much damage, continuing to tread the same paths can make it hard for grass in that area to grow.

Make Sure Your Lawn is Mowed

Speaking of grass, it is incredibly important to keep up with your mowing schedule all the way up until the first snowfall of the winter. Leaving tall grass for winter weather can have devastating effects on your yard. Longer grass will trap in moisture and will stay wet throughout the season.

Evaluate Your Hardscape

While your yard will not be as visually pleasing in the winter time because of the lack of foliage, you can still up your curb appeal by adding and updating hardscaping features to your space. Benches, gazebos, walkways, and other features will still be visible in the winter months and can give your landscape a welcoming vibe. Winter is the perfect time to take on these projects because you will be putting less maintenance into your grass and garden.

Taking good care of your lawn in winter is half the battle to keeping a successful landscape all year long. Practice these maintenance tips, and contact the experts at Hidden Creek Landscaping for all of your winter landscaping needs. Together, we will make sure that your yard is beautiful and healthy for the new year.

Winterizing Your Sprinkler System

Posted on November 9, 2018November 30, 2021 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

With the harsh winter weather coming up fast, it is important to take some time to prepare your home for the elements. One preparation that is often overlooked by homeowners is preparing your sprinkler system for the cold weather. Doing so can help avoid damaged valves, seals, and pipes when warmer weather returns. Without proper winterizing, you may be faced with steep costs to repair any damages.

Where to Begin

The most important thing to remember when winterizing your sprinkler system is that any water remaining in it must be blown out. Harsh winter temperatures can cause any water left behind to freeze and expand, resulting in damage to the metal and plastic components of the sprinkler system.

You will need an air compressor to prepare your system. You can rent an air compressor from an equipment rental company, hire a plumber who is qualified to perform this service or contact the company that initially installed the system and have them do it.

What You’ll Need

If you have an air compressor, you should have the following items to winterize your sprinkler system:

Safety glasses for eye protection
Your sprinkler system user manual in case you have any questions
Metal fitting for the airline on the compressor
Insulated blanket (if applicable)
Stop and waste valve key (if applicable)

The Process

The first step in preparing your sprinkler system for winter is turning off the water supply to the system. Your shut-off valve will be in a valve box, which is typically found in your basement, garage, or another space that will protect it from freezing. Your shut-off valve could also be located up to five feet underground, and you will need a key to turn it off. It should not require much effort to turn your shut-off valve off; however, you do not want to force it and risk damage to the valve. Sprinkler systems that utilize a pump for the operation must be drained and disconnected. If possible, store your sprinkler system pump inside for the winter months. For pumps that are permanently in place, this is where you will need the insulated blanket to protect it from the elements.

The next step in the winterizing process is clearing out any water in the backflow device. If your sprinkler system operates on privately owned water, you will want to check the installation plan. Most sprinkler systems typically utilize public water sources and either have a pressure vacuum breaker (PVB) or an atmospheric vacuum breaker (AVB). You will find the AVB located below the valve, and it can be cleared out with the system. In contrast, you cannot use an air compressor to clear out a system with a PVB. For ones with PVBs, you will need to clear out the system first then rotate the test cocks and ball valves a few times. You will then want to position them half-open in order to avoid moisture from building up.

The third step in winterizing your sprinkler system is to actually clear the water out of the system. You will want to clear out all the water in the valves and downstream part of the system. While using the air compressor, it is recommended that you reach a range of 40-80 pounds/square inch. The following are recommendations based on the type of material of your sprinkler system:

50 pounds/square inch maximum for polyethylene pipe
80 pounds/square inch maximum for rigid PVC tubing

In order to find the best volume for your sprinkler system, simply take the gallons per minute and divide by 7.5, which will give you the cubic feet per minute of compressed air needed.

Things to Remember

It is important to note that the size of your air compressor must be considered during this step. Large air compressors should be operated with a regulator to avoid clearing out the water too quickly and causing damage to the sprinkler system. Smaller air compressors can certainly be used for this step; it will just take longer to complete the process.

You will then need to hook up the air compressor to the blowout valve. Turn the compressor to the appropriate psi and begin running it. We recommend that you run the compressor two times for each zone of the sprinkler system.

The final step in the winterization process is to set all the valves on the backflow device to half-open. You will also want to keep the compressor controller plugged in since it is a source of heat to prevent condensation.

You have now successfully prepared your sprinkler system for the winter. Once the spring arrives, you will need to prepare your system for use again. You will need to ensure all valves are closed before re-pressurizing the system. Once the water flow is operational, you can then reopen the valves.

If you have any questions about this, or anything else related to landscaping, give us a call today!

Spring Landscaping Tips After Winter

Posted on March 9, 2018March 7, 2018 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

After the long months of winter, a number of homeowners recognize the need to perform spring landscaping tasks in their yards. This freshens up the lawn and other parts of the landscape that are in need of extra attention at this particular time of the year. Doing so gets the yard prepared for the growing season. A yard clean up checklist for spring can be separated into 6 categories of related tasks:

Major Clean Up
Flowerbed Preparation
Begin Planting
Control Weeds
Control Pests
Plant Care

Major Clean Up

This aspect of preparing the yard for spring landscaping will require a rake, gloves, and perhaps a few other small tools. Picking up after the snow melts can be quite a messy, yet necessary task. Therefore, you should roll up your sleeves, put on your gloves, and get to work. You can also ask a landscape maintenance specialist for help.

Leaves that have blown around, trees, and perennials can remain in place and mulched over. If they are in modest quantities, there is no need to remove them. However, there are often matted leaves all over the yard after the winter has passed, so we recommend you do remove most of those.

The cleaning process requires you to remove debris. This includes clearing away dead leaves, grass, pinecones, and whatever other unwanted rubble that may be on the lawn.

Flowerbed Preparation

For flowerbeds that performed optimally the prior year, the best thing to do is put additional compost around the plants for fertilization. Also, you should remove any weeds that have sprouted in the beds. This will prevent them from spreading and growing more as the season goes on.

You have a few options when it comes to opening up new planting beds. They include breaking new ground using a tiller and transforming lawn space into planting beds. There is also the option of building raised beds. You could consider soil solarization in areas that are particularly rough.

If you have broken ground to open up a new planting bed, there is no doubt weeds will find it fast. Therefore, in many situations, it’s a good idea to lay a landscape fabric on top of the ground. This should be followed by adding a layer of mulch.

Begin Planting

Early spring is ideal for the installation of trees and shrubs and the planting of perennial flower borders. However, this is only true if the perennials are hardy. For tender perennials, annuals, and seed, you should await the passing of the last frost date for your region.

Control Weeds

Sometimes it is much easier to battle weeds prior to their emergence, instead of waiting for them to rear their heads. While landscape fabric can be used to eradicate weeds in flower beds, pre-emergent herbicides may be helpful for your lawn, especially to control crabgrass.

Control Pests

Precautionary measures can be taken to deal with garden pests. Many gardens require the protection of deer fencing or rabbit-proof fences. In regions where deer could pose a problem and fencing is not an option, installing deer-resistant plants is a wise idea. You could also look into growing rabbit-proof flowers if this is relevant to your situation.

Plant Care

Pruning

Trees and shrubs can frequently benefit from spring cleaning as well. The period between the end of winter and early spring is ideal for pruning shrubs that will flower in late June and last through much of the fall. For example, during this time you can prune shrubs like butterfly bush, abelia, beautyberry, clethra, caryopteris, smooth hydrangea, rose-of-Sharon and panicle hydrangea. It is also prime time to prune crape myrtle, St. Johnswort, vitex and summer-blooming spirea. Spring-blooming shrubs like rhododendron, azalea, lilac, weigela, viburnum, and forsythia should be pruned right after they start to flower.

There is no doubt that dead branches should always be removed. However, the need to prune off live branches is typically determined by personal taste or one’s need to give the tree or shrub a more visually appealing shape. The ideal time to prune shrubs to give them a desirable shape differs from shrub to shrub.

Mulching

Any deep coating of mulch that may have been covering your perennials throughout the winter should be monitored to determine when they should be pulled away. This is necessary for the perennials to emerge unhindered. There is no exact date for when the mulch protection should be removed from your perennials; this has to be played by ear.

spring flower care

The exact time to remove this mulch will differ based on where you live. However, if a deep layer of mulch has been applied, it will ultimately have to be scraped away from the ground immediately under the perennials to prevent smothering.

A comprehensive spring clean up readies your lawn and other parts of the landscaping for the spring and summer seasons. However, so much more can be achieved through spring cleaning. In many cases, this will save you from frustrations as the season progresses.

Contact us for more tips and to discuss how we can help you clean up after winter and create a beautiful landscape for spring.

Patio Design Ideas For The Cooler Season

Posted on January 5, 2017January 10, 2017 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

The weather has turned colder so it’s time to cocoon inside the house around the fire. That’s not necessarily true for many Ohio homeowners who are increasingly using the their backyard entertainment areas during three out of four seasons. As long as there isn’t a foot of snow on the ground, there’s no reason that you can’t have a cookout and enjoy your gorgeous outdoor space in the colder months. All it takes are some creative patio design tips to keep you and you guests warm and toasty.

Create a Windbreak. One of the most useful backyard tips for creating a usable patio design in colder months is to make sure that you have a windbreak to prevent cold winds from chasing everyone indoors. Work with your landscaping architect to determine from which direction prevalent winds blow during colder months and set up a berm or a decorative wall in that area to block breezes. Another option is to place your patio in a naturally sheltered area of your yard.

Add an Outdoor Fireplace or Fire pit. A source of heat is essential for outdoor entertaining during colder weather. From small portable firepits for informal spaces to gorgeous masonry fireplaces, the addition of heat to your outdoor entertaining area is a must. These features not only add atmosphere to your parties, but will also add value to your property.

Patio Heaters. Even with an outdoor fireplace or firepit, it’s a good idea to add patio heaters, particularly if your entertainment area is large. The further away you go from the heat source, the colder it will get. Patio heaters are available in electric or propane types and come in stand-alone, tabletop or wall-mounted models. If possible, make sure you place heaters under overhangs or awning to trap as much heat as possible as warm air rises.

Outdoor Kitchen. This is a feature that you will use all year, but make sure you have plenty of storage space as well as a food preparation area. After all, who wants to go walking back and forth to the house in cold weather.

Outdoor Seating. Use furniture that retains warmth, but not moisture. Pick furniture with insulated padding and a water-proof protective surface that will retain body heat during cooler weather.

Top Patio Furniture Brands For Winter

Posted on December 1, 2016December 7, 2016 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

An increasing number of homeowners are extending the use of their patio well into the winter season. Contrary to what some people might believe, the right landscaping design and patio furniture can make the patio usable during the winter season. Below are some tips on top patio furniture brands that can be used when the temperature drops:

Braxton Culler. This brand of outdoor furniture has a large number of weatherproof pieces. Many of their outdoor furniture pieces are handcrafted from extruded resin and materials resin weaves; this makes them totally weatherproof and ideal for use throughout the year, including during the winter season. Each collection has Xylan-coated hardware, high-density materials and fade-resistant plastic that is 90% recycled. These materials and technologies safeguard your patio furniture against even the harshest of winters.

Ebel. Ebel Inc. is headquartered in Jacksonville and they are renowned manufacturers of incredible outdoor furniture and appliances. They are committed to manufacturing strong and durable products and ensure the pieces are low maintenance to heighten consumer satisfaction.

They endeavor to operate in an environmentally responsible manner. They do this by reducing the amount of waste generated during the manufacturing process and decreasing the quantity of harmful cleansers required for cleaning and maintaining their products.

Additionally, all of their weather wicker and aluminum pieces are 100 percent recyclable. Their teak wood is also harvested solely from sustainable plantations. Along with their remarkable collections of patio furniture, Ebel offers a wide range of fire pits. These are sure to keep your patio warm when entertaining family members and friends.

These are just two of the many notable brands of patio furniture that can be used during the winter season. With durable, weatherproof furniture, actual and visual warmth and a bit of creativity, you can safely and comfortably use your patio throughout the year.

Patio Design Ideas For The Cooler Months

Posted on November 18, 2016November 23, 2016 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

The winter season is not an automatic indication that you should abandon your patio and hibernate indoors. There are patio designs that can make the space comfortable and visually appealing while the elements rage on the outside. If you want to extend your outdoor living into the winter season, these patio design landscaping tips could help:

Go for an enclosure. Screens can be used to control the temperature on the patio. By providing shade from excess breeze, screens are great for generating warmth. Best of all, there is a screen available for pretty much any budget. The choices range from plastic to glass walls, which allow clear views of your surroundings. They also help the patio to stay dry.

Bring the heat. Having an outdoor fireplace is a great method for extending patio time during the winter. Cranking up the fireplace is a remarkable way to keep loved ones warm while entertaining during the winter. There is the option of having a permanent fireplace or using portable fireplaces.

A propane-powered outdoor heater can also be used to bring heat to your patio during the winter. It will keep you warm as you strengthen bonds with the people you love. Winter is the perfect time for roasting marshmallow and laughing with your loved ones. An outdoor heater can help to make it happen.

Add warmth and comfort. Nothing is quite as soothing and comforting as having pillows and blankets to keep you and your loved ones warm while spending quality time on your patio during the winter. There are few things cozier that draping yourself with a warm blanket, while snuggling up to a fluffy throw pillow or two. With the pillows and blankets, the overall décor will get a boost as well. Adding seasonal colors is great for a visual feast.

Winter Is Perfect For Landscape Redesign

Posted on December 18, 2015December 29, 2015 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

Winter is the perfect time for landscape redesign. Plants are in a dormant state, watering concerns are low or absent, and cooler temperatures are an optimum for building and re-shaping home or commercial landscaping features.

The absence of summer time foliage also makes seeing the possibilities for a new design easier. Winter is also the best time for planting most perennials like trees, shrubs, and bulbs. Here are some tips for homeowners who are considering making changes in their landscape this winter.

Start Early: Planning a landscape takes time. Envisioning, measuring, estimating, scheduling, and actually starting work are separate phases of landscape redesign.

Landscaping includes both fixed ‘hardscape’ features like patios, retaining walls, planter boxes, and stone walkways, as well as the ‘softscape’ features of the soil and plants themselves. Irrigation lines and electrical hook-ups are other considerations needing careful attention in the design phase.

Taking your time and not rushing in the planning stage is the only way of addressing all of these aspects of a new landscape and creating the best design to match your vision and your budget.

Look Around: There are almost unlimited possibilities when redesigning a landscape, and looking at other designs online or in the neighborhood is a great way of getting ideas. Even if you have a firm image in your mind already, checking out what others have done may bring you some surprising inspirations.

Make a Drawing: Making a drawing can be helpful in assuring that the details of your vision are realistic. Big planter boxes or a wide patio may sound right, but measuring the area and making a scale drawing is the only way of ensuring that everything will really fit in a given space. Making your own drawing also makes it easier when communicating your vision to your landscaping contractor.

There are a number of apps for making drawing for a landscape redesign, like Google Sketchup, if you do not like the pencil and paper approach. Whatever drawing medium you use, make your drawing to scale, like one-half inch equals one foot, and begin by drawing ‘hardscaping’ features, like buildings, driveways, and existing plantings that will remain.

If you first make multiple copies of your drawing of hardscape features, you can then sketch out multiple designs and layers on separate pages of the copies. Using different colored pencils for each new type of feature — tree, shrub, gravel walkway, stone path — is one way of making your design ideas stand out on the page.

Patio Designs For The Cooler Season

Posted on November 5, 2015November 18, 2015 by Hidden Creek Landscaping

The weather has turned colder so it’s time to cocoon inside the house around the fire. That’s not necessarily true for many Ohio homeowners who are increasingly using their backyard entertainment areas during three out of four seasons. As long as there isn’t a foot of snow on the ground, there’s no reason that you can’t have a cookout and enjoy your gorgeous outdoor space in the colder months. All it takes are some creative patio design tips to keep you and your guests warm and toasty.

Add an Outdoor Fireplace or Firepit. A source of heat is essential for outdoor entertaining during colder weather. From small portable firepits for informal spaces to gorgeous masonry fireplaces, the addition of heat to your outdoor entertaining area is a must. These features not only add atmosphere to your parties, but will also add value to your property.

Patio Heaters. Even with an outdoor fireplace or firepit, it’s a good idea to add patio heaters, particularly if your entertainment area is large. The further away you go from the heat source, the colder it will get. Patio heaters are available in electric or propane types and come in stand-alone, tabletop or wall-mounted models. If possible, make sure you place heaters under overhangs or awnings to trap as much heat as possible as warm air rises.