If you consider yourself a DIY type around the yard, you may have decided to go it alone when it comes to handling your lawn. If so, you’ll need to arm yourself with the knowledge on how to treat weeds of all kinds and at various stages in their growth. Let Twelve Oaks Landscape provide you with a few nuggets of information when it comes to the use of pre-emergent vs. post-emergent products for your turf. Our experienced team can help you determine the differences between the most important herbicides you can apply to keep those pesky weeds at bay.

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Pre-Emergent Herbicides

Best used in the early spring, pre-emergent herbicides should be applied before weeds begin to grow and the weather turns warm, says Do it Yourself. This type of product provides a protective barrier around seeds, which prevents them from germinating and growing. Use this type of herbicide only when the temperature is below 60 degrees F, either by spraying it with a liquid or spreading it with a granulated version. Soil tends to take to both forms equally, so it’s really a personal preference which one you choose. Because water spreads those granules, wait just before a rain storm to do this, or use your sprinkler system to disperse it.

Pre-emergent herbicides are best for weeds such as crabgrass that sprout each year from new seeds. These herbicides are not very good, on the other hand, for perennial plants like quack grass due to their deep root systems that take hold and come back year after year.

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Post-Emergent Herbicides

Post-emergent herbicides should be used once the spring season has gotten underway and you start to see weeds and plants growing. It’s too late at this point to use pre-emergents because the germination process has already begun. When you apply a post-emergent, it gets into the root system via the plant stalk. Spray the liquid right onto the weeds, but do it after tearing or pulling away the weed so as to open up the structure and better allow the herbicide to enter. If you choose to spread granular post-emergent, apply it with a spreader and then turn on the sprinklers for even distribution.

You’ll need to apply post-emergent herbicide regularly throughout the spring. Do it one last time in late fall to prevent weeds from sprouting the following year. Keep in mind, there are two kinds of herbicides: specific and non-specific. Specific herbicides are what most homeowners use to target a particular weed or area. Non-specific herbicides kill all plants they touch, and are best used by contractors or landscapers looking to clear a large area.

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Get in Touch

Choosing which herbicide to use can be daunting, but Twelve Oaks Landscaping can help. If you ultimately decide not to tackle the never-ending job of keeping your lawn in tip-top shape by yourself, we can lend a hand. Call us today at (256) 208-5634 to request a quote or ask us questions about your lawn care.

If you love to spend time outdoors in your backyard even in the cooler months, there’s no better way to relax than in front of a roaring fireplace. Fireplaces aren’t just for indoors; there are many outdoor options to choose from that can turn a ho-hum evening into a fun and entertaining one. Twelve Oaks Landscape can provide you with just the right outdoor fireplace or fire pit for your family to enjoy in your outdoor living space. From custom built to pre-fab to kits, you have several options at your disposal when considering an outdoor fireplace or firepit.

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Fireplace Kits

Outdoor fireplace kits are available in a range of design styles and types, from traditional wood-burning to gas and propane fired. At a fraction of the cost of a custom built fireplace, you still get the warmth and coziness of an outdoor fireplace, plus you can enjoy it sooner because it doesn’t need a complicated installation. You’ll save yourself some money with full kits, which range in price from $500 to $2,500, with add-on amenities available such as pizza ovens, lighting and higher-quality stone, says HGTV.

With kits, however, you don’t get authentic stone; rather, you get a stone “finish” over the base which ensures their portability if needed. Light fireplaces can pose a safety hazard, as they can tip over easily. Also, the size of the pit itself is limited and you may have a hard time loading wood into it. At the very least, you’ll have to load wood much more frequently than if you had a large, custom sized pit. You’ll also have to factor in assembly of the kit, which can take up precious time if you don’t know what you’re doing.

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Pre-Fab Fireplaces

From wood burning to gas, pre-fab fireplaces are just that: pre-fabricated in the factory. They come virtually ready to install, so you can have access quickly to your new outdoor fireplace. They’re easy to control for temperature and they’re easier and cheaper to install than, say, a custom fireplace. Pre-fabs are a mid-range option in terms of price.

Pre-fab fireplaces can be more prone to leakage, thanks to damaged chimney chase covers or deteriorated sealants around the lining pipes. They’re not as sturdy as masonry fireplaces, so even small fires can result in damage.

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Custom Built Fireplaces

Custom masonry fireplaces are great because you can incorporate virtually any design you want to fit into your backyard landscape. Round, rectangular, sunken, raised…the possibilities are endless. Usually featuring natural stone or concrete block, custom fireplaces can be finished with stucco, stone or brick veneer, decorative concrete, or even tile. The end result is a completely custom, one-of-a-kind masterpiece that no one else has, offering you a timeless addition to your backyard that serves as a conversation piece as well as a functional element.

That being said, you will likely have to hire a stone mason to perform this work, which leads to a higher price tag in terms of labor and materials. Custom fireplaces take the longest to create, so timelines can become a frustrating factor. Also, the price tag is large, with many custom fireplaces costing $10,000 and up depending on the size of the fireplace itself as well as how big the hearth is, along with the quality of materials used.

Safety is the main concern, no matter which kind of outdoor fireplace you choose. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), outside fireplaces or fire pits caused nearly 3,700 grass and brush fires each year and fire pit injuries nearly tripled between 2006 and 2012.

Call Twelve Oaks Landscape Co. at (256) 208-5634 to learn about our different fireplace options, from lower cost fire place kits to mid-range pre-fab fireplaces to higher cost and quality custom-built fireplaces. We are proud to sell and install Belgard’s Brighton Fireplace Series, a quality line of products that represents long-lasting value for your money.

When it comes to landscape lighting and design, you need a well-thought-out master plan that incorporates lighting in different phases. Which phases should be done first, second, third? Where do you need the most light? What are you hoping to achieve? Landscape lighting addresses three main factors: safety for guests and home owners at night, theft deterrent and ambience. Having a master plan in place will help this process go much more smoothly.

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LED to Save $$$

First off, LED lighting is the way to go if you want to save energy and money. If you currently have incandescent outdoor lighting, you should consider making the switch to LED (Light Emitting Diode). While LED lights cost more upfront, you will save money in the long run because they take up much less electricity, translating to lower energy bills for you. In fact, LED landscape lighting uses only 15 to 20 percent of the electricity used in halogen or incandescent bulbs. So, for example, if your electric bill is $100 a month now with traditional lighting, you could slash that bill to $20 a month with LED.

LED lighting has advanced over the years to allow for the ultimate in directional lighting, from spotlights to task lighting. They also last about 50,000 hours so you pretty much never have to change them, unlike traditional bulbs which you probably have to change at least once a year. LED lights also happen to be much cooler than incandescent bulbs, which give off 90 percent of their energy in the form of heat.

When considering an exterior landscape lighting system for beauty, curb appeal and safety, you will first have to explore what you want to light. Walk through your yard after sunset to get a better idea of your plan, bringing with you a pad and paper to sketch it out. From there, you can more readily decide on lighting techniques, power supplies, bulbs, fixtures and accessories.

There are many smart solutions out there on the market today, including apps and controllers you can use in conjunction with your smart phone to control your wireless outdoor landscape lighting. Using your smart phone or tablet, you can program your lights to go on and off according to your schedule to save money and energy all year long.

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Lighting Your Focal Points

Every yard is different. Some have lots of trees, while others have more bushes around the house. Some have pathways and some don’t. A creative plan will account for all the features in your yard, not just the house itself.

For trees, you will want to use well, bullet, or flood lights, aiming the ground lights straight up into the foliage, while also bathing the trunk in light, suggests This Old House. If you want to illuminate foliage from above, place two 20-watt downlights high up, but be careful not to cross the beams.

To illuminate garden beds, place fixtures about 20 feet apart for pools of light rather than continuous illumination. Bullet and wash lights are best to illuminate the facade of the home, positioning them at the corners of the house or to highlight architectural details. Fill in the spaces with softer wash lights. If you have a focal point that you want to draw attention to, use flood, bullet or wash lights to highlight fountains, tree swings, arbors and trellises. Ideally, you’ll want to put two or more lights on these features to cut down on stark shadows.

We understand this process can be daunting for a first-timer. That’s why you should call in the professionals. We can come out to your home for a landscape lighting consultation and get you ready for the holidays!

If you have pavers in your backyard for a patio, walkway or garden area, you know how beautiful and functional they can be. However, if you fail to keep up with maintenance, they will fall victim to staining, pitting, and cracking from debris and the effects of weather. It’s a fact of life: people will spill wine, soda, and food on your pavers. Nature will drop acorns, falling limbs, leaves and pine needles on your pavers. You can’t really avoid all that, but you can take some preventive measures to ensure these decorative exterior surfaces withstand abuse from the environment, people, pets and weather.

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Regular TLC

We recommend sealing your pavers to keep those small pits and stains from ruining them. Although you may have had your pavers sealed when you originally installed them, that sealant doesn’t last forever. You should thus reseal pavers every three to five years. If you don’t, moisture such as rainwater and beverages will cause dulling and staining. First you’ll need to give your pavers a deep clean, then you’ll need to reseal them. The experts here at Twelve Oaks Landscape can help you with this important task, but here’s a little DIY tutorial on how to do this on your own.

Step 1: Remove Stains
Removing stains from the surface of your pavers is key. Because every type of stain has a different chemical property, from red wine to rust to grease, you’ll have to choose the right cleaning product for that stain. Look for high-quality concrete paver stain removal products at the local hardware store. You can apply this cleaner via a garden hose or low-pressure power washer.

Step 2: Clean The Surface
Now that all the deep-set stains have been removed, it’s time to prep the surface for sealing. Use a special paver cleaner to get the ground-in dirt out of the paver grooves. Simply spray this cleaner onto the surface, scrub with a broom, and then rinse it all away with a harden hose. Let dry for at least a day.

Step 3: Seal the Pavers
You have many options when it comes to sealants: matte finish, semi-gloss and wet-look. Don’t attempt this step until you know it won’t rain for at least 24 hours and the temperature won’t plunge below 50°F. It’s also a good idea to shut off your automatic sprinklers. Apply the sealant in small sections, moving outward and expanding the treatment area when you are satisfied with the results. It’s easiest to spray the sealer on, then roll it out evenly with a paint roller. Once dry, apply a second coat.

Once the last coat has been applied, check the manufacturer instructions for drying times. Do not replace patio furniture or walk on the pavers until they are completely dry.

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Of course, we always recommend a professional perform paver sealing for the best results. Schedule an appointment with Twelve Oaks Landscape Co. today at (256) 208-5634 or use our contact form before the weather gets too cold. We can help you protect your pavers for long-lasting enjoyment!

Whether you decided to DIY your own landscaping project at home or you hired a fly-by-night “professional” who really botched up the job, landscape design mishaps are, unfortunately, quite common. Here’s what you can do to ensure this doesn’t happen to you again.

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Mismatched Design

The big picture is important to look at when designing your yard’s overall landscape. It’s easy to get caught up in the minutiae of each element, but the problem is, it may not end up being well-balanced at the end. Especially if you’re on a tight budget, you want to get it right the first time. Installing a landscape in phases can be tricky, but keep the big picture in mind when matching up all design elements, from fire pits and patios to steps and walkways. Sketch out the whole site beforehand, taking into account measurements and details, of course, but also harmonized colors and shapes. Think about the four seasons as a whole and what works in each. An even distribution of seasonal plants and perennials is important, because what may look great in fall may not come spring.

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Failing to Predict the Future

Become a seer for a moment: how will those plants you put close to your walkway overtake the space next year, in five years, or even 10? Or what about those cute little shrubs you planted underneath the front picture window? In a few years, they could be obscuring your view and blocking sunlight. One of the biggest mistakes is not anticipating how your landscape will look in the future and how it will affect other elements. Another mistake involves failing to check the hardiness of the plants you choose for the climate in which you live. No sense in spending good money on plants that won’t last in extreme heat or cold.

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Flow Pattern Fail

Flow is a huge part of a successful landscape. You don’t want steps that are too close together or too high, walkways that are too narrow or that go nowhere, or slope changes that are too steep. Experts recommend incorporating a minimum of four to six feet for walking between each element of your landscape, such as grassy areas, garden beds and hardscaping. For steps, it’s best to keep to six and a half inches when constructing them, or else this can lead to awkward travel at the least and trips and falls at the worst.

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Not Using Available Resources

It’s more affordable and much easier if you use readily available materials and resources that are already at your disposal. Got rocks and stones tossed in the woods behind your house? Use them to construct the garden wall that will house your new water feature. Importing flowers and expensive patio materials will only increase your cost unnecessarily.

Established in 2007, Twelve Oaks Landscape is your trusted landscape design and build firm in North Alabama. Consult with our professionals on the best course of action for your landscape. Give us a call at (256) 208-5634 or use our contact form. We would be happy to come out to your home and create a landscape that flows naturally!

It’s a no-brainer that you need to keep your weeds and crab grass under control. But how can you best go about it? The best method is through the use of a pre-emergent herbicide, but let’s clear up all the myths out there first.

Myth #1: No need for a pre-emergent if you haven’t had weed issues for a few years

You may have heard that if you currently have decent weed control, you don’t need to take further action due to the claim that the weed supply in the soil is depleted. However, there’s no accounting for crabgrass seeds that spread from far away, such as by the wind or animals. That’s why you should always treat anyway.

Myth #2: Thick lawns don’t need treatment

Yes, thick lawns are generally healthy lawns because they shield the surface of the soil, but it’s best to treat with an herbicide to guarantee that your lawn will stay lush and green for the remainder of the summer. Say there’s a drought that thins out your lawn; then, you’re vulnerable to weeds and crabgrass even if you previously had a healthy lawn.

Myth #3: Soil aeration disrupts the barrier created by pre-emergent

There is no real proof that weed control reduction occurs with aeration in the spring. That said, your landscaper shouldn’t deliberately aerate your lawn after the application of pre-emergents, but it’s not the end of the world if they do.

Myth #4: It’s better to spot-treat

You may think you’re saving money by having your landscaper treat the “hot spots” of crab grass and weeds, such as along the driveway, walkway or sidewalk. This isn’t very effective, however. You’re best off treating the entire yard to prevent weed breakthrough later on. If you want to apply a higher concentration of those hot spots, go right ahead, but use a pre-emergent on the whole yard.

Myth #5: Post-emergent herbicides work better

Not so. The most effective way to properly treat weeds is to lay down a pre-emergent. With a post-emergent, you’re risking greater injury to a healthy lawn plus you’re looking at possible multiple applications in order to get the job done. It’s also best to control weeds before they pop up. Bonus: if you apply early, you’ll enjoy a fuller canopy for your lawn.

Myth #6: You must apply pre-emergents at a certain time

While this may be somewhat true depending on region, a good rule of thumb is to apply early rather than late. Keep in mind that crabgrass begins its germination process when the soil temperature is above 50 degrees for many days in a row

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Contact Twelve Oaks Landscape Co.

If you need help with pre-emergent application and advice, don’t hesitate to call in the pros. Contact us at (256) 208-5634 or fill out our convenient online form. We have the experience and know-how necessary to properly apply the right kind of pre-emergent herbicide for the very best results.

Hydrangeas are a common plant in the South and are thus included in many home and business landscapes. Many home owners and landscapers mistakenly think the best time to prune these bushes is in February; however, this isn’t entirely true when you take a look at how these flowers develop. According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, some hydrangeas bloom on “old wood” while others on “new wood.” If they are on old wood, this means the blooms are produced by buds stemming from the previous summer; buds forming on this year’s growth show up on new wood. As an example, big leaf and oak leaf bloom on old wood; smooth and Panicle hydrangeas bloom on new wood.

Pruning shrubs that bloom on old wood right after flowering will prevent the removal of the developing buds for next year. August is when the next year’s buds start to form. Shrubs on new wood would be best pruned in late winter or early spring so new blooms are encouraged. Check out these maintenance tips:

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Maintenance Tips

Of course, you also need to keep up with general maintenance, whether you have a big leaf or oak leaf hydrangea.

• Cut the dead wood from your big leaf or oak leaf — 1/4 to 1/3 of the older stems to the ground to encourage a robust plant, with good shape and volume.
• For smooth hydrangea, cut between six and 12 inches from the ground in late winter or early spring.
• For Panicle hydrangea, which does best as a tree, take away lower branches and up to 1/2 of older stems for increased flowering.
• Keep July 4th on your calendar as a good reminder for the latest you should wait for pruning any hydrangeas. Don’t do it beyond then.
• In general, cut above the first set of big leaves or down to the last buds.
• For hydrangeas that have become overgrown, cut stems to the ground. Although this may delay blooming, it will invigorate the buds once they do start popping out.

As one of the most sensitive to cold that you can get, hydrangea needs careful monitoring. It can fall victim to early or late freezes due to the poor dormancy of the flower buds. That means, if early warm weather awakens them and they bloom, only to be hit hard with frost later, they may die or become damaged. For this reason, experts recommend planting big leaf hydrangea on north slopes or east slopes underneath towering pines to keep temperature extremes from affecting them as much.

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Contact Twelve Oaks Landscape Co.

If you need help with your hydrangeas, don’t hesitate to call in the pros. Contact us at (256) 208-5634 or fill out our convenient online form. We have the experience and know-how necessary to properly plant and care for all types of hydrangeas to complement your landscape. Our team would be happy to come out and give an assessment.

Do you look longingly at your neighbor’s lush green lawn and wonder why his is so perfect? Do you go by the books and try to get your lawn to look the same to no avail? Well, you may be taking the wrong approach. You’re not alone, though. Many homeowners make mistakes on a daily basis in regards to weed control, grass growth and maintenance. Here are some common lawn care mistakes you may be making, and tips on how to fix them. Soon, YOUR yard will be the envy of the neighborhood.

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1) Eradicate weeds BEFORE they pop up

If you wait until you see weeds, it’s often too late. The time to act is well before they rear their ugly heads. Taking preventative measures will save you time, work and money. Just remember: dealing with weeds is not a one-time thing. It takes continual care and effort to keep them at bay as part of your ongoing lawn maintenance. Use pre-emergent on areas that are prone to weeds and do it at the same time every spring. These herbicides don’t kill the weed and its seeds. They only serve to keep them from growing, so if you skip this step one year, you will notice them start to sprout.

Also, don’t mow your lawn too short; keep it at about 2½ to 3 inches high. Many homeowners take a bit more than usual off the top to avoid having to mow the following week. However, it’s important to abide by the one-third rule: take off no more than one-third of the grass blade to maintain the critical balance of your grass’ above and below ground growth. This is because the root systems of your plants and grass are equal to the mass of the blades.

2) Don’t water every day

You may think more is better in the case of watering your lawn, but this isn’t necessarily true. Unless there are times of extreme heat with no rain relief for days and weeks on end, you really only need to give your lawn a good soaking every other day. Sprinkling your lawn several times a day for a few minutes is never as good as a deep soak that gets into the roots. You’ll not only save your lawn, you’ll save water and time too.

3) Don’t take a cookie-cutter approach to fertilizing

Yes, regular fertilization is important when maintaining a lush lawn, but don’t assume your lawn will need the same strategy as your neighbor’s. The approach you take in terms of type of fertilizer used as well as frequency will depend on the type of grass you have, the season and your soil consistency. In early summer, be sure to apply a fertilizer with slow-release nitrogen so your grass is fed gradually throughout the season and not all at once.

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Everyone needs a little help now and then. Call the experts at Twelve Oaks Landscape today at (256) 208-5634 and set up a customized schedule of lawn care.

Known both as crepe myrtles and crape myrtles, this beautiful flowering southern tree thrives year round, offering spectators a visual treat no matter the season. Boasting eye-catching blooms and attractive bark, this flowering tree blooms on new wood. That means pruning is essential to the success of this tree. Winter and early spring are ideal times to get out the pruners because they are leafless, which makes it easier to spot the branches. But don’t just hack away. There is a method to the madness! Here are some tips:

• Have a plan before you start cutting. You can always go back to cut more, but you can’t add what you’ve already cut! Less is more in this case, at least until you can take a step back and assess the job you did.
• Gather your tools: Hand pruners for small twigs, loppers for thicker branches and pole pruners or saws for very thick branches.
• On large shrubs and trees, remove basal suckers, twiggy growth, crossing branches, and branches that grow to the center of the plant, advises Southern Living.
• Gradually remove side branches growing up to four or five feet, which will expose the trunk’s bark.
• When in growing season, trim dead flowers so a second, lighter bloom is encouraged to grow.
• Prune dwarf forms regularly throughout the growing season, clipping dead spent blossoms and thinning out small twigs.
• Always cut back to a larger branch of the trunk without leaving stubs.
• Remove seedheads on the ends of the branches if you want, but it won’t affect the blooming.
• Remove lower branches as the tree grows taller.

How To Trim A Crepe Myrtle

Don’t Get Carried Away

You’ve probably done this with your hedges before… kept trimming and trimming until only branches and a stump remain. It’s almost addictive once you get going. Refrain from doing this — especially with your crepe myrtles. You’ll end up committing “crepe murder,” resulting in the death of your precious trees. The practice of chopping off the tops of the trees is called “topping,” which is bad for these reasons:

• It can turn beautiful trees into unattractive stumps.
• It can prevent the appearance of beautiful mottled bark on trunks that are still growing.
• It will encourage the growth of skinny, whip-like shoots that sprout out from each stump’s end. They’re too weak to support the blooms and will just bend down toward the ground.

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Killing your crepe myrtle is a shame, especially since this plant is so easy to grow and maintain in this area. Crepe myrtles love the heat and humidity, and tolerate drought extremely well. There’s not much you can do to kill off your myrtle, except prune it way too much. Good pruning practices now when your crepe myrtle is young will translate to less maintenance when the tree gets more mature. Do it the right way now and you’ll enjoy vibrant summer colors later.

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Need more tips? Want professional guidance? Call Twelve Oaks Landscape Co. today at (256) 208-5634 or request a quote online from us.

In Atlanta, landscape maintenance can be a near year-round affair. That’s why Twelve Oaks Landscape Co. is here to help relieve you of the burden. In this article, we’ll highlight just a few of our diverse and useful services in landscape design, landscape construction, and yard and garden management.

For more information on how we can help your Southern home sparkle with renewed springtime charm, please contact Twelve Oaks Landscape Co. today and request a free quote.

Landscape Design Services

Our landscape design services are as diverse as the landscape of Georgia itself. At Twelve Oaks, we offer specialized solutions for yard drainage, landscape lighting, sodding, planting, and so much more.

A yard that doesn’t drain properly can cause swampy conditions or damage the foundational structure of your home. Odds are, if you’re a homeowner or even a renter, you take pride in your home, so you probably don’t want that to happen!

In addition to drainage solutions, we offer state-of-the-art landscaping lighting designs. Whether it’s to illuminate your flowerbeds or to highlight the perimeter of your expansive backyard in the spring evenings, we have the systems, products, and service skills to get your lawn looking as “lit” as ever.

Planting is yet another one of our landscape designs services that we love to emphasize. We can design a one-of-a-kind planting scheme for your property, whether it’s a sprawling section of shrubbery or a plethora of potted plants.

Lastly, let’s talk about grass. When it comes to sodding, the backbreaking labor and tedious tasks can be a burden for even the most fervent gardeners. That’s why we take care of the dirty work — literally! — proudly donning our work gloves as we go to town giving you a new, vibrant, verdant lawn.

Landscape Construction Services

Once the initial design of your landscape is laid out, it’s time to move on to construction and building. At Twelve Oaks Landscape Co., we can execute virtually any project your mind can muster, from modern outdoor refuges to commercial environment en plein air.

Thanks to our diverse arsenal of heavy and specialized equipment, such as concrete pavers and stone-cutters, we can sculpt and structure your landscape into the build of your dreams. Your vision doesn’t have to remain in blueprint form; let us breathe life into your architectural and agricultural aspirations.

From fire pits and fireplaces to outdoor kitchens and elaborate water features, we have everything you need to create a paradise on your very own property.

Yard & Garden Management

If there’s one thing people complain about when the Atlanta temperatures start to rise, it’s the exhausting chores related to yard and garden management. Don’t sweat it, though; our landscape management professionals have you covered.

With spring just around the corner, what better way to welcome the start of a new time of year than with a leaf removal followed by a seasonal flower planting session? Our team of gardeners and landscape experts will visit your property, take care of last season’s wilted leaves, and leave behind a fresh base of flowers that will thrive from the early days of spring until the final dog days of summer.

Conclusion

We know that Atlanta, Georgia, homeowners and businesses love the great outdoors but don’t always love the work and upkeep that comes with it. Now that you know the wide variety of top-notch services that Twelve Oaks Landscape Co. has to offer, why not give us a call? After all, there’s not much to lose from a quick dial and a free consultation. Get in touch with us today. We can’t wait to grow something great together!