How Do You Want to Use Your Outdoor Rooms?

What better way to spend a winter's day than dreaming up a beautiful outdoor environment?  This is a great time of year to begin thinking about your outdoor spaces and how you'd like to enjoy them in 2010.  Color palettes, soil analysis, shrub selections, water usage, amendments, zones, upkeep ... it can seem overwhelming, but we're here to help! You can start the process by asking yourself one simple question:  How do I want to feel when I look at my outdoor rooms?  We'll take it from there!

Leaf Raking, Leaf Removal, Yard Cleaning

Raking leaves is time-consuming and can create health problems for folks with allergies.  Hiring help is a smart alternative.

A professional lawn care company will offer a free estimate and references.  Be sure to specify if you want shrub areas cleared, and ask about other debris removal. 

For more information about Lexington County lawn care services, visit Sunstar Lawn Care on the Web.

Knockout Roses Provide Hardy, Vibrant Color

Knockout roses are a winner for Lexington County, SC.  Hardy plants, they bloom spring through fall with profusion and bring easy color to any landscape.

Fall is a great time to plant knockout roses.  Be sure to dig holes twice as wide and twice as deep at the container, and amend the soil before recovering the root ball.  Mix a B1 or similar transplant food with water and soak the root ball after removing the plant from its container.  Gently loosen any bound roots and place the rose into the hole.  Don't bury the base.  Fill in with amended soil, water, and add soil as needed.  A layer of mulch and a small berm help retain moisture.

For a couple of weeks, water daily to help roots establish.  Thereafter, water weekly until winter, when most shrubs can be watered monthly if rainfall doesn't keep the plants looking healthy.

September Checklist for Your Yard

What a great time of year to freshen up the lawn! Warm autumn sunshine and evening rain showers can bring out the best in your turf, shrubs, and trees.

Your September lawn checklist should include:

• Removing debris
• Fertilizing for the last time in 2009
• Reseeding patchy turf areas
• Planting new shrubs and trees
• Cleaning out summer gardens
• Mulching beds

Don't forget to check foilage for spots or other signs of disease. Contact your county extension service for assistance and free publications.