Colorado Landscaping Blog

My name is Justin Sandefur, owner and general manager of All Purpose Landscaping, LLC – located in Southern Colorado. I am very excited for 2014 and the transition, as we move from winter to spring.
As springtime approaches, many customers who landscape in Pueblo and Canon City, along with family and friends want to know what they can do to ensure a clean and green yard. Being outside as the warmer cozy weather looms, here are a few late winter activities you can do to maintain a healthy and beautiful landscape.

It’s Time To Pick-Up the Rake:
1. Rake away the debris, leaves and sticks, left over the winter months;
2. This will regenerate the ground;
3. Mowing, watering, planting seed is important, so make sure that your property is clear of wintertime cover;
4. Support your soil by allowing it to take in as much air as possible, and by loosening the surface. Here comes that Rake again.


Over Seed:
1. With fresh grass seed in hand, over seed areas that appear dead, or where you can see patches of dirt and undergrowth;
2. Use a strong rake (a strong arm helps) to open the soil;
3. Mix the grass seed with new, healthy soil;
4. Spread this soil and grass seed mixture over the areas that need a bit more help;
5. Regular water is the finial touch to transform your lawn to a speedy recovery.


Keep Your Soil Warm and Increase Moisture:
1. Apply mulch with a depth of 2 to 4 inches around the bases of trees, shrubs and in flowerbeds;
2. You can bet that your plants will appreciate a well-watered and warm environment to grow and thrive;
3. Your payoff comes day-by-day with a host of vibrant colors, relaxing smells, and the perfect place to enjoy your gorgeous surroundings.


It’s Best to Water When Your Lawn is Thirsty:
1. When you water deep and sparingly, you will train the grass roots to dig deeper into the soil;
2. When you water lightly and often, you will train the roots to stay near the surface, according to the Environmental Protection Agency;
3. Water deep and sparingly is the best option.


Oxygen is Essential:
1. Do you live is a cold and snowy climate? If your lawn doesn’t receive enough oxygen because it’s been covered in snow—snow mold reveals itself when the snow melts;
2. Rake your lawn before snows arrival. This can reduce your risk of snow-mold;
3. Some people, with a history of snow mold, try mowing their lawn well into the autumn;
4. When using ice-melt in the winter months, guard against shoveling the snow, ice melt combination on top of your lawn, or plant beds. As the warmth of spring melts this toxic combination, you maybe dealing with dead soil areas throughout spring and summer;
5. Plow snow away from your lawn and plant areas, so your soil doesn’t have to deal with ice melt, or lack or oxygen.


Keep Your Lawn Taller:
1. Mow often and keep the length of your lawn taller;
2. Cutting grass taller helps grow a thicker and healthier lawn, and establish a strong root system;
3. Your lawn doesn’t thrive with infrequent mowing;
4. Sharp blades are critical to a fantastic looking yard;
5. Make sure you sharpen your blades 2 to 3 times per season;
6. Better roots help your grass survive insects or drought;
7. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, many turf grass species should be cut between 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches.

I came across these tips that help make your outdoor living space as comfortable as possible by Stefan Hammerschmidt. I thought you’d enjoy it. My favorite tip is design your own outdoor space that reflects who you are. We can also help with landscape design if you get stuck!

PHOTO BY: Garden Design
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MAKE A PLAN: Remember you’re out to create a cohesive look, like making house and garden join seamlessly with continuous concrete floors and separated only by glass doors.

STRETCH THE SEASONS: Design the outdoors as a place to live in year-round. Don’t think of it as a place to visit on special occasions. Think comfort and flexibility as well as outdoor fireplace, shower, spa, and bed.

HARMONIZE COLORS: An exterior room needs a harmonious color palette. Plant hues of bronze, lush green and gray-blue can be set off by soft gray flooring and fencing.  Cushions can pick up the colors of orange-blooming variegated cannas, yellow buffalo grass, or bronze New Zealand flax.

CREATE A JOURNEY: Even in a small space it is important to create a journey. From the front gate, for instance, you may have the thrill of walking on water (stepping stones in a shallow lily pond) to get to the front door.

KEEP IT EASY: Stefan Hammerschmidt loves concrete. “It’s inexpensive, easy to use, and I love it contrasted against lush green,” he says.

REFLECT YOURSELF: Whether you’re designing your own outdoor space or asking a designer to handle the job, be sure that it reflects who you are.

BE THEATRICAL: One dramatic idea can make a small space really special. In one garden, Hammerschmidt used an airplane wing to form a front yard fence.

For more landscaping tips, contact Justine Sandefur at 719.240.3167

Here is a picture of one of APL projects: