Robert Schrack Designs
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Maintain

Your landscape plantings will require regular maintenance to promote health and remain aesthetically pleasing.  A seasonal program of watering, pruning, weed control, edging and mulching of beds, winterizing, recognition of pest and disease problems and fertilization as determined by a soil test will be required to protect the investment you have made in your landscape.  

Pruning

We prune with clean, sharp hand tools, because your plants are worth it! Pruning is more than making your plants smaller. With each cut there is a decision. How will this affect the plant and it's desired usefulness in the garden.

Schedule Pruning


Pruning tips:
  • Pruning should be done with sharp clean  tools, hand tools  whenever possible (not  electric shears). Chain saws should only be used when the diameter  of the branch makes it impractical for the use of hand tools.

  • Pruning is essential in preserving the form and scale of the landscape design. Regular and correct pruning helps keep shrubs and trees healthy and aesthetically pleasing.     

  • Pruning can also be used for the rejuvenation of neglected plant material.  It generally entails cutting a plant back more severely to get it to  a point where it can be again maintained with more frequent, but less drastic, shaping. Heavy pruning for rejuvenation is best done during winter dormancy.

General Pruning Time Frame:
  • Spring Flowering Shrubs - Prune immediately after they finish flowering.
  • Late Summer Flowering Shrubs - Prune either during winter dormancy or in early spring.
  • Broadleaf Evergreens - Prune soon after flowering (Rhododendron and Azaleas); to avoid loss of flower buds do not prune in the fall.
  • Evergreens - Juniper and Yew varieties - the only time you don't want to prune evergreens is late in the fall as to not promote new growth before a hard freeze. Most evergreen tree varieties will not require annual pruning. Also any deadwood should be removed whenever it is noticed.

Winterizing

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Winterizing is very important the first year the plants are back in the ground. Plants should be prepared for winter in the following ways:

  • Water plants well in the late fall before the ground freezes. 
  • Thicken the mulch at the base of plants (but do not mulch up onto the trunk) to help protect the roots from alternate freezing and thawing.
  • Spray all broadleaf plants with an anti-desiccant; such as wilt-proof. One application in mid to late November when the temperature is above 40 F, will keep the plants' leaves from losing too much moisture and help prevent winter burn.

​spring & fall garden care

Pre-schedule your spring & fall garden care!

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Weeding/Edging/Mulching

Reasons for edging and mulching:
  •  Helps prevent weed growth
  •  Conserves moisture
  • Helps prevent erosion
  • Acts as insulation in moderate to extreme temperature fluctuations
  • Consistent landscape appearance

We recommend the use of high quality aged mulch. The use of freshly ground wood chips as mulch for ornamental plantings is not recommended because nitrogen is robbed from the soil as the chips decay.
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NEW!​
​Noah’s Lawn Care is backed by 25 years of experience in the horticulture industry.

Specializing in small to medium lawns, starting at $25.00.  Services include mowing, trimming, removal of limbs and debris from lawn areas, clean up of grass clippings from curbs, walks and driveways.

Cuts can be customized to meet your needs and schedule. Mulch cuts, bagging service, traditional cuts, etc.

Give us a call for a free estimate!
610/742.5013


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610-742-5013
  robschrack@gmail.com   
www.robertschrackdesigns.com
Schedule an appointment!