Garden Archives – Page 2 of 2 – Hidden Leaf Landscaping

June 28, 2020September 7, 2020

Multi Purpose plants

Summers coming to an end, falls around the corner and with it comes Vibrant sunsets, blooming flowers, Garden harvests, Leaves and….bugs.
There are simple ways you can keep bugs off of your property in order to protect your family, gardens & any upcoming harvests. One method is by adding plants that also repel insects. Learn how to rid your garden & home of pesky insects, while also adding color to your home with plants that repel insects.

Best plants to repel Insects & add color to your home (2020)

Chyrsanthemums

Take Chrysanthemums for example. A vibrant annual flower and one of the best plants to deter bugs. Deters:

Ants,
Japanese beetles,
Roaches, Bed bugs
Spider mites, Ticks,
Silverfish, Harlequin bugs, Lice

These annual flowers can help keep your backyard a fun, safe, and vibrant place this season:

Marigolds

One of the most well-known plants for repelling insects, growing African marigolds or French Marigolds around vegetable gardens to repel harmful insects, rabbits and deer is a gardening habit that goes back for centuries.

French marigolds repel whiteflies and kill bad nematodes. Mexican marigolds are known to offend a host of destructive insects and wild rabbits as well.
Fun fact: The Marigold was regarded as the flower of the dead in pre-Hispanic Mexico and is still widely used in the Day of the Dead celebrations.

Petunias

This perennial is sometimes known as “nature’s pesticide,”. It not only deters some common garden pests, this plant adds a burst of color with its puple hue and keep bugs at bay.
Note: Petunias requires very little maintenance, making them great for garden beds, hanging baskets, and containers.

Deters
- Tomato horn worms,
- Aphids
- Leafhoppers,
- Squash bugs
- Asparagus beetles

Herbs

Thyme

This herb will help repel harmful pests like whiteflies, cabbage maggots, corn earworms, tomato hornworms,, and small whites.

useful in the garden as shrubs or groundcover. The best-known species, garden thyme is usually cultivated for ornamental use or a culinary herb. Its a bushy wood based evergreen shrub can reach grow 6-12 inches tall, and spread 16 inches wide.

Mint

Some varieties of mint, such as peppermint and spearmint, also have insect repellent properties. Note that not every type of mint causes a reaction in the same insects. Spearmint and peppermint are reputed to work well against insects like mosquitoes, flies, and spiders, making them ideal for the backyard garden.

Lavender –
Bay leaves –
Citronella –
Lemongrass

Note- Article is still in progress. This list will be updated soon with more info

Sprays & Traps

Household items Methods

Fortunately there are ways to rid your plants (indoor&outdoor) of bugs without using chemicals. The following methods contain products readily available in your home.

Fortunately, there are ways to rid your plants (indoor and outdoor!) of bugs without using chemicals. The following methods contain products readily available in your home.

1. Spray soapy water

Soap dehydrates aphids and spider mites. Mix 5 TBLspoons of dish soap w/ 4 cups of water in a bottle and spray plants with the solution.

2. Neem oil spray

Made from the seeds of neem trees native to India, this age-old, natural insecticide and anti-fungicide repels aphids, mites, scale and other small, soft-bodied insects.

3. Pyrethrum spray

This natural insecticide is made from dried chrysanthemum flowers. Mix the powder with water and dish soap to create a spray. Pyrethrum spray paralyzes flying insects on contact, so many pest control companies use it to control mosquitoes.

4. Beer trap.

Beer is a favorite for Snails & slugs specifically. Place a few saucers of beer to trap and prevent these bugs from reaching your plants leaves / roots. An alternative to beer is Grape juice; grapefruit or orange rinds also make good traps.

5. Garlic

Garlic’s strong smell repels bugs & vampires. Consider putting a garlic clove into the soil of plants to keep bugs away.

6. Herbal water spray

Essential oils from sage, thyme, basil, rosemary, mint, rue and lavender repel some insects. To create a spray, take crushed leaves or trimmings, soak in a bucket of water overnight and strain. Or, dilute store-bought essential oil with water. You can also plant these herbs in your yard to detract insects.

7. Alcohol spray

Create a solution by mixing 1 or 2 cups of 70 percent isopropyl alcohol with a quart of water. The solution will repel insects from houseplants and tropical foliage.

8. Nicotine

To repel leaf-chewing insects, make a nicotine tea by soaking 1 cup of dried, crushed tobacco leaves in 1 gallon of warm water and one-fourth teaspoon of dish soap. Strain after 30 minutes, and spray the mixture directly on the leaves.

9. Water

Much like a heavy downpour, a strong spray of water from a house can remove bugs from plants

10. Tomato Leaves natural insecticide

Tomato plants are part of the nightshade family that contain alkaloids such as the aptly named “tomatine,” which can effectively control aphids and other insects.
To make tomato leaf spray for a natural insecticide,
chop 2 cups of fresh tomato leaves (which can be taken from the bottom part of the plant) into 1 quart of water, and let steep overnight. Strain out all plant material and spray the solution on plant foliage.

Other:

Spices Repel Insects

Draw a boundary line along door frames or windowsills with a mixture of turmeric powder and cinnamon or cayenne in equal quantities to keep ants from entering the house.

Baking Soda Kills Cockroaches
Red Wine Vinegar Kills Flies

2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in a bowl and set it in a place that is frequently visited by flies.

Note:

Killing off all of the insects in your garden is not the desired result here, as any healthy ecosystem requires an abundance of beneficial insects, microbes, and fungi, both in the soil and on the plants themselves, so introducing other predatory insects (ladybugs, praying mantis, etc.) or creating good habitat for them, as well as building soil fertility, can also be an effective pest management approach.

Contact Hidden Leaf Landscaping for your next home project

That’s it for Hidden Leaf Landscapings guide to repeling insects with colorful plants & household spray remedies ” for now. Thanks for reading & get to planting! Check back with Hidden Leaf Landscaping for more Gardening, lawn care, & landscaping help and don’t forget to contact us for your next home project or lawn care needs.

April 26, 2020May 7, 2021

DIY Flower Garden w/ Water Centerpiece

Note: This Article is unfinished & still in production phase.

Flower gardens add a burst of color to your home. A fountain adds a tranquil feel to your yard. Check out our guide for creating a beautiful flower garden for under $150!

What you’ll need

Item	Style	Cost
Outdoor Water Fountain	3 tiered resing barrel fountain (Ours was from Lowes)	$60.99
Edging	Wooden Edging For tiered click here, striaght click here	$9.98 /3FT
Tools Required
Edging Shovel	Metal Rake	Thatcher or Tiller

A walkthrough of of our flower garden. From grass – garden

A Hoe and a Wheelbarrow are not required but will speed things up.
The budget for this DIY flower garden is < $150 (depending on what plants you choose).

Border / edging.
We went with tiered Brown wood edging.
Measure the perimeter of your garden to figure out how much edging you’ll need. For a tiered look go with this style. For a straight look use these.

Adding edging border brings a garden together & stops your garden from growing into your lawn.

Complementary Style
Buy products with the same style like this Tiered Edging & Fountain

Where do I start?

Take a good look at your lawn. Note which areas get the most sunlight & take note of the natural slope of your lawn. Your garden should be on relatively level ground. Make sure the area you choose gets at least 6 -8 hours of sunlight a day. Sunlight & level are important to a gardens health, Proportion is key to making a garden look natural.
Don’t be afraid to make your garden extend into your lawn. Long, skinny beds that hug your home or fence-line are a common mistake when designing a garden

Sunlight & level are important to a gardens health, Proportion is key to making a garden look natural

Pick a spot in your lawn that gets adequate sunlight. Start by raking & removing grass. Remove Grass, Thatch soil, Edge, Add top soil, select border, Raise the center of your bed to make your water piece pop.

The border, centerpiece & layout should compliment eachother, matching the design oif your garden

Keep it simple.

Having a clear, simple vision when planning your flower garden is key. Every piece should flow with the next. Leave room in between features/plants for a natural look and to keep your garden from looking “cluttered”. Purchase multiples of the same plant to keep your gardens layout consistent.
The earthy tones of the Water Centerpiece compliment the wooden border. Tree canopies & green grass surround the garden creating a rich tapestry of color and texture. The flowers we used evoke the same earthy / zen style that’s reflected in the design.

This garden starts square in the middle of the chain link fence which divides the front and back yard. We’re going for a “zen” look here, so it’s important to keep the layout proportionate with your Fence / Property Line. The fencing made keeping our proportions right simple.

Where do I place my garden in my lawn?

You’ll want to make the garden bed in an area of your lawn that’s easy to access. Our garden has a rectangular shape with curved edges. Its roughly twelve – feet long and five-feet-wide.
The water piece is placed in the center (About 1′ foot out, leaving 2′ 1/2 feet in front for flowers). leaving enough space on either side for accents. This yards fencing made keeping things proportional easy. There are 3 sets of chain link fencing and the garden takes up one set of chain link

Note: Article draft ends here. Will be updated & finished soon. Thanks for Visiting HiddenLeafLandscaping!

Gallery

March 25, 2020March 22, 2021

Best Perennials for 2020

Creating a flower bed from scratch is cost efficient & gives both the customer and client a sense of pride after watching their garden grow and seeing the completed project.
There are 2 main categories of plants, Annual & Perennial. Perennial flowers will re-bloom year to year while annual flowers will only bloom once.
Some popular Perennial flowers include:

Red Columbine

Exposure:	Sun / light shade
Bloom Time:	Summer
Zones:	4 to 8
Height:	15″ to 20″
Width:	10″ to 15″

A long time Jersey favorite, Blooms in springtime, as late as early summer. limestone rich soil that drains well.
Reaches heights of about 3 feet, grows taller rather than spreading, Due to its tendency for tall growth, works in a bed with most other flowers(provided that they don’t overshadow the Red Columbine)

Cutleaf Cone Flowers

Exposure:	Sun / light shade
Bloom Time:	Summer – Fall
Zones:	4 to 8
Height:	1′ to 7″
Width:	10″ to 15″

An herbaceous perennial plant is 3-8′ tall; it branches occasionally in the upper half.The alternate leaves are up to 12″ long and 12″ across, becoming gradually smaller as they ascend the stems. With a Long bloom period- up to 2 months This plant is a sunshine spectacle in the garden when it reaches 7 feet. Produces a bounty of beautiful blooms. No serious pest issues.

Chrysanthemum

Exposure:	Full sun
Bloom Time:	September to frost
Zones:	4 to 8
Height:	1.50 to 2.00 feet
Spread:	1.00 to 1.50 feet

Popular perennial all over the world, Chrysanthemum thrives in New Jersey gardens. Outlasting even most annuals this flower blooms in colors ranging from white, yellow to orange.
Important planting tips: These particular perennials have a wide spread, leave room for them spread out asthey can clump together if planted too closely and stunt growth.

Achillea ‘Firefly Amethyst’ (Yarrow)

Exposure:	Full Sun
Bloom Time:	Summer
Zones:	3 to 8
Height:	18″ to 22″
Width:	32″ to 36″

This new Achillea variety is one tough plant! It is drought tolerant, doesn’t like rich soil, and resists deer and rabbits. As an added bonus, it isn’t invasive like some varieties of Yarrow can be. One standout variety is ‘Firefly Amethyst’. It’s flowers start out bright pink and fade to a lighter color, giving a multi-shade of pink effect. If pink isn’t for you Achillea is also available in yellow, white and peach

Allium ‘Serendipity’ (Ornamental Onion)

‘Serendipity’ is a low-growing Allium it’s long bloom time of 4 – 6 weeks will provide your garden with color all summer long.

Exposure:	Sun / Part Shade
Bloom Time:	Summer
Zones:	4 to 8
Height:	15″ to 20″
Width:	10″ to 15″

A low-growing Allium that forms a mound of round purple blooms in the summer. This Allium attracts butterflies and resists deer and rabbits.
If you leave the flowers on the plant, it may self-seed. However, if you prefer a more orderly garden, removing the spent blooms & will prevent self-seeding.

Dicentra ‘Pink Diamonds’ (Fern-leaved Bleeding Heart)

Exposure:	Sun / Part Sun
Bloom Time:	Spring, Fall
Zones:	3 to 9
Height:	12″ to 16″
Width:	16″ to 18″

Pink flowers and leafy blue-green leaves. Grows well in sun, blooms twice yearly in the spring and fall.

While Dicentra ‘Pink Diamonds’ does have the same pink flowers and leafy blue-green leaves that Dicentra are known for, that’s where the similarities stop. It grows well in the sun and does not disappear in the summer. And to top that, it re-blooms. So you can have those pretty pink blooms in your garden in the late spring and the early fall. Just be sure to plant them in well-drained soil. It doesn’t like to keep its feet wet

Salvia ‘White Profesion’ (Perennial Salvia)

A spiky forming Perennial that re-blooms.

Exposure:	Sun
Bloom Time:	Spring / Summer
Zones:	3 to 8
Height:	16″ to 20″
Width:	16″ to 20″

You may be thinking “What’s so new about Salvia? They’re everywhere!” While this may look like your average perennial salvia, it has one distinct advantage. It’s re-blooming! Which means you can have perennial salvia adding its spiky blooms to your garden for a longer period. It’s only available in white as of now.

Echinacea ‘Orange You Awesome’ (Coneflower)

Beautiful tangerine orange flowers with dark cones that are just stunning.

Exposure:	Sun
Bloom Time:	Summer – Fall
Zones:	4 to 8
Height:	18″ to 22″
Width:	16″ to 20″

Looking for a flower that is easy to grow and will add a ton of color to your garden? Check out these new Coneflower varieties. They love sunny and hot locations which is perfect for those tough spots in your yard. Not a fan of deep orange? There’s also a yellow variety called ‘Yellow My Darling’ that you may like better.

Blanket Flower

Low maintenance cut flowers with low water needs that grows in Sand, Chalk, Loam. Perfect for borders.

Exposure:	Full Sun
Bloom Time:	Summer – Fall
Zones:	3 to 8
Height:	1′ to 2′
Width:	2′ to 3′

Also called Gaillardia, this perennial is a drought and heat tolerant member of the wildflower family. Blanket Flowers are an excellent choice for creating flower bed borders in poor quality soil, and they typically form 3-inch daisy-like blooms in red, gold, or brown. Despite its short lifespan, Blanket Flower is a simple seed-to-flower in a year perennial that thrives in a temperate climate.

That’s it for “2020 Best Perennials” for now. Thanks for reading & get to planting! Check back with Hidden Leaf Landscaping for more Gardening, lawn care, & landscaping help and don’t forget to contact us for your next home project or lawn care needs.