Author: Hively
Lawn Care Tips During a Drought
July 19, 2018The summer heat can take its toll on your lawn, especially when it’s accompanied by a lack of rain. If you want to avoid a brown, patchy lawn, there are a few steps you can take to help give your lawn the best chance to stay green and healthy.
Mowing
It all begins with your mowing habits. Summer droughts and long periods without rain can cause stress to your lawn. If you mow your lawn too short, or with a dull blade, additional stress is caused and will make it difficult for the grass to recover once cooler temperatures and rain return. Limit your mowing as much as possible and make a conscious effort to mow your grass on a higher setting.
Summertime Pest Control
July 17, 2018You aren’t the only one who is enjoying the warm summer weather. This is prime season for a variety of common pests we encounter in south-central Pennsylvania. Whether you’re in the midst of a battle with mosquitoes, wasps, ticks, fleas, or another pest, the good news is there is something you can do to fight back.
Rather than dealing with these threats to the health and safety of yourself or your loved ones, it’s time to reclaim your landscape! Keep these tips in mind when summer hits and you’ll be able to enjoy your yard year-round.
Lawn & Landscape Care While You’re Away
July 11, 2018Summer is here and it’s time to get away! When you’re working through your list of to-do’s before and during your vacation, be sure your lawn and landscape gets the attention it needs. A few simple tasks now can mean the difference between coming home to dead plants, brown grass, and unruly weeds, or your lawn and landscape appearing like you never even left.
Preparation is the key to success when it comes to your lawn and landscape. Whether your vacation lasts for a week or it stretches beyond two weeks, one of the best tips for keeping your lawn and landscape cared for while your away is some simple prep work.
Landscaping Around a Pool
June 18, 2018Pool season is in full swing! If you are a confident do-it-yourselfer who would like to do some refreshing of the area around your pool, we have some tips to help you do it right.
There are a few key things to keep in mind when landscaping around your pool, as it comes with very different requirements than elsewhere in your landscape. The main goals of landscaping around a pool typically include:
- Minimizing debris in the pool
- Providing privacy
- Eliminating thorns, spines, spikes and bees
- No invasive roots
- Planning for low maintenance
Team Spotlight: Pam Grove
May 25, 2018
We wanted to help you get to know the team behind the great reputation at Hively Landscapes with our team spotlight series. Pam Grove, Office Manager, was kind enough to join us on the hot seat and answer a few questions. Pam has been running the show at Hively for 18 years, and she is truly the piece of the puzzle that helps keep our clients happy and the business side of our operation running smoothly.
Learn more about what Pam had to say below!
Q: Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
A: When I graduated from high school I tried to join the Air Force so I could become an astronaut; but, I didn’t pass the physical.
Preparing your Landscape for Summer
May 17, 2018Summer will be here before you know it- will your landscape be ready? Hot summer days and dry weather can really stress your lawn and landscape. Without proper preparation for summer, all the money, time and effort you invested in your landscape this spring could be in jeopardy.
To keep your lawn and landscape looking great as the summer heats up, follow these tips from the landscape professionals at Hively.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Drip Irrigation
May 10, 2018
Deep, penetrating watering is the best way to ensure your landscape survives the stresses of the warm season. Proper watering technique calls for watering less frequently, but more at one time, to give your garden a quality soaking that gives roots a sufficient supply of water. This is better than the quick surface watering you see by less experienced gardeners.
For commercial landscapes, as well as larger residential landscapes, a drip irrigation system can be an effective alternative to hiring a landscaping crew or doing the task yourself.
Drip irrigation is a more controlled watering method than using a surface sprinkler or a hose. It uses plastic tubes that distribute water along the length of the system through small holes. These holes connect to emitters that are set near your plants and allow for watering at a slow and very thorough rate.
Team Spotlight: Tyler Smith
April 27, 2018
We wanted to help you get to know the team behind the great reputation at Hively Landscapes with our team spotlight series. Tyler Smith, Account Manager, was kind enough to join us on the hot seat and answer a few questions.
Learn more about what Tyler had to say below!
Q: Where would you like to travel to?
A: I would love to travel to Australia and go scuba diving in the great barrier reef!
Spring Soil Preparation Tips
April 24, 2018Some of us want to grow the best looking plants each year, ones that will flourish and become the envy of the neighborhood. Others don’t share that dream, but if you’re one of those who does, we have some tips from the landscape professionals here at Hively to help transform your garden into something special. Follow these guidelines and your landscape will be on its way to being the best-looking property for miles around.
First, Test the Soil
The most important thing you can do for your landscape is a simple soil test. A soil test will help ensure landscape success by revealing pH and nutrient levels in your soil. With this information you can correct soil abnormalities, improving the effectiveness of fertilizers, helping the grass grow, and improving long-term resistance to pests and diseases. Spring is a great time to get your soil tested and corrected.
8 Springtime Pests That Will Destroy Your Landscape
April 17, 2018
Do you know who else enjoys the warm-up that springtime brings each year? Pests! Putting all that time, effort and money into your landscape helps it look great. Left untreated, though, it also looks great to hungry critters who may be hiding in your landscape. Warm, moist landscapes are the perfect breeding ground for a variety of fungi and diseases.
Warning signs of a problem include dieback, defoliation, and discoloration. If you begin to notice any of these, immediate action must be taken to avoid eventual damage and possible death.