As the New Year approaches a custom that is hanai into our local tradition is placing a kadomatsu at the entry door of the home or business. Originated more than 400 years ago the kadomatsu is no longer a common practice in Japan yet it is devotedly perpetuated here in Hawaii as part of the culture brought to the islands during the “peopling of Hawaii.” Japanese visitors to the islands delight in seeing that we in Hawaii carry on a tradition that many no longer practice in Japan.
Kadomatsu (門松, meaning gate pine), is a symbolic decoration made from bamboo shoots and pine (matsu) tied together with a handmade straw rope. Traditionally the kadomatsu is set on both sides of the entry but many folks in Hawaii display a single one on a front porch or at the front desk in a business to usher in good luck for the New Year!
The natural elements used in making of the kadomatsu all have significance. Bamboo symbolizes strength and growth and is tied together with pine cuttings that symbolize long life. Traditionally the kadomatsu is made from 3 bamboo strains, diagonally cut; around 1 meter (3ft) tall but the size can reflect the entryway. In Hawaii smaller ones are usually seen inside of business.
Similar to the art of ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement), the bamboo shoots are set at three different heights and represent heaven, humanity, and earth with heaven being the highest and earth being the lowest. Depending on tradition some kadomatsu makers tie the humanity and earth shoots at the same height. After binding all the elements of the kadomatsu, it is bound with a newly woven straw rope and mat.
Traditionally kadomatsu are placed in pairs on either side of the entry, representing yin (female) and yang (male) – opposite and equal qualities. Plum (ume) blossoms can also be used in the arrangement, representing new beginnings, purity and sweetness.
Place your kadomatsu at the front door after Christmas and keep until January 7th, to welcome the New Year. It is believed that this brings prosperity and good luck in the next year to the families (or the businesses) protected by kadomatsu.
There are many stories about when the “Christmas Tree” and the celebration tradition of the seasonal holiday came to Hawaii. Reading “The Peopling of Hawaii” by Eleanor C. Nordyke” we know plantations brought German immigrants to the islands to support th sugar mills in the late 19the century. They brought with them their culture and traditions which include celebrating with Yule trees.
The German people are credited with introduction of the “Christmas Tree” tradition that has been adopted by cultures around the world and eulogized in the seasonal mele “O Tannenbaum (Christmas Tree) O Tannenbaum” … Your branches green delight us!” School children learn about the nature of the “Christmas Tree” through the lyrics “In beauty green will always grow. Through summer sun and winter snow.” The Black Forest and Alps Region of Europe of are native to all kinds of fir and pine trees and naturally would be a source of decoration for the villages in Deutschland (Germany). Many of the fine holiday tree ornaments sold in department stores like Neiman Marcus are still handmade in Germany.
According to Gary A. Warner, Travel Writer, “on December 25, 1786 the British ship Queen Charlotte was anchored off present-day Waimea, on the west side Kauai. This was eight years after Capt. James Cook had come into Waimea Bay and "discovered" what he would call the Sandwich Islands, after the Earl of Sandwich, the Lord of the Admiralty.” Warner says the sailors sent trinkets ashore to the native women and children on Kauai and were in return gifted with fruits and pig from native Hawaiians…celebrating the first Kauai Christmas.
In 1846, the popular British royals, Queen Victoria and her German Prince, Albert, were sketched in the Illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree. Undoubtedly Prince Albert, a Dutchman, brought his Yule traditions to the British Court. This image was circulated around the world. Victoria was very popular with her subjects, and what was done at court immediately became fashionable not only in Britain but in the new America. The Christmas tree had arrived as a holiday tradition.
Kauai has a close connection with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. A view of the famous English monarch, in profile, was fashioned by nature along the distinctive green Ha'upu Mountain Range that graces Kauai’s south side. It is a delight for visitors and locals to find this unique natural sculpture and ponder its very creation! Hawaii’s own royal Prince Albert Edward Kamehameha, the only child of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma Kaleleonalani Naʻea, was the Godson of the Queen and given the royal family name in honor of the dear relationship between Queen Victoria and Queen Emma.
In 1856, King Kamehameha IV moved the official national day of Thanksgiving to Dec. 25, more than coincidentally coinciding with Christmas. A large Christmas party was held on the Royal Residence grounds in 1858, including what is believed to be the first Christmas tree. A few years earlier we know that the Australia's Norfolk Island fir, the Norfolk pine was introduced to Hawaii. In a 2006 Honolulu Advertiser Duane Choy wrote “ The first Norfolk pine seedlings were brought to Hawai'i from the Sydney Botanic Garden in 1852 in a cargo addressed to the "King of the Sandwich Islands." This large pine grows to 130 feet tall and is native to Norfolk Island, which is near the east coast of Australia. It is known botanically as Araucaria columnaris, and is sometimes called the Cook Island pine.
Once cut down, Norfolks will stay green, healthy and gorgeous for more than a month making them a perfect choice for a Island “Christmas Tree.” Norfolk pines do not need much water so they are sustainable. Before mainland fir tree importers and as late as the 1970 Norfolks were the only live trees available for Hawaii famlies for the season. With its near perfect branches it makes a graceful traditional Yule tree. Today in Hawaii a few nurseries specialize in growing the Norfolks for folks who want a live tree and for those who care about keeping foreign invasive species from being unleashed into our island environment, which is a risk with mainland trees. Come to NKO nursery and see Flora in the garden for a perfect Yule gift of a live plant for someone special on you list!
POINSETTIA – The Seasons Dazzling Garden Gem It’s the most wonderful time of the year especially if you’re a lover of the traditional Christmas plant the Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)! Native to Mexico the Aztecs called the vibrant red plant "Cuetlaxochitl." Modern Mexicans know the plant as Flor de Nochebuena (Christmas Eve Flower) whose blooms herald the beginning of the Season.
In the early 19th Century Joel R. Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico brought back Poinsettias cuttings to his South Carolina home. A physician by trade Poinsett was an avid armature botanist who cultivated the cuttings in his greenhouse and sent plants to his friends thereby introducing the plant to America. When the commercial market began to take off Poinsett was given the honor of having the plant named after him. Even though Poinsett had an outstanding career as a United States Congressman and as an ambassador he will always be remembered for introducing the poinsettia into the United States.
Poinsettias became popular in the United States and around the world and today is a significant agriculture product. Popular it is! During the holiday season 85% of plants sold are the beautiful Poinsettia with a market of over 60 million plants grown for sale in all 50 states! The U.S. growers market supplies 90% of the worlds Poinsettia plants. That’s amazing…
Most folks know the Poinsettia as a dazzling red plant but today they are cultivated in many colors including a deep purple. Red, White and Pink are the most common colors you will find at your local nursery or garden shop and often they will have variegated color leaves. Poinsettia plants require a specific kind of care for growers to develop the striking colors. Did you know that Poinsettias does not really have a flower rather “modified leaves” similar to the Bougainville?
Selecting Poinsettias • Choose a plant with dark green foliage down to the soil line. • The poinsettia should look full, balanced and attractive from all sides. • The plant should be 2 1/2 times taller than the diameter of the container. • Check the plant’s soil. If it’s wet and the plant limp this could be an indication of root rot.
Will my Poinsettia last during the holiday season? How long your Poinsettia will stay beautiful after you bring it home depends on how old the plant is at time of purchase and how you treat the plant. Poinsettias can retain their beauty for weeks and some varieties will stay attractive for months. • If the Poinsettia comes in a plastic sleeve remove it immediately. • Keep your plant in indirect light. Six hours of light daily is ideal. • On the mainland keep Poinsettias away from warm or cold drafts from radiators, air registers or open doors and windows. • Check the soil daily. Be sure to punch holes in foil so water can drain into a saucer. Water when soil is dry. Allow water to drain into the saucer and discard excess water. • Fertilize the poinsettia if you keep it past the holiday season. Apply a houseplant fertilizer once a month. Do not fertilize when it is in bloom. • Water only when the soil is dry. • Placing your poinsettia in a cool room 55 to 60°F at night will extend blooming time.
December 12th is National Poinsettia Day. Learn more here: www.poinsettiaday.com/
Beautiful Bougainvillea – In our home town of Hanapepe Kauai we are surrounded by cascading Bougainvillea. As you come into the artist enclave of Hanapepe you see the colorful plants in of shades of red, orange, purple, pink and white hanging from above, in planters by the shops and in paintings and photographs of the local artists.
An 18th century French botanist Philibert Commerson discovered the colorful plant along the coast of Brazil when sailing with his friend Louis A. de Bougainville a French Canada explorer. In the time of exploration it was common for a trade vessel to have scientist on board to document findings and bring back to the homeland new species of flora and fauna.
Bougainvillea is popular for its colorful flower and its hearty temperament. Bougainvillea will thrive in almost any soil as long as it is well-drained and fertile as evident by the lush plants that hang in route to the entrance of Hanapepe from rock cliffs.
Resorts landscape designers’ plants hedges of Bougainvillea to establish color and function along buildings, walkways and parking lots. Luxury home developers incorporate Bougainvillea into landscape design to bring color and texture to gardens and create a tropical sense of place. Backyard gardeners create trellis to bring bursts of color to patios and decks.
Bougainvillea can be planted in the ground, in decorative pots or in baskets. Soils that work for other plants you grow will be fine for your bougainvillea as long as the medium drains well. Soil should be moist but no standing water. In Hawaii the conditions are perfect for growing beautiful bougainvillea as they love full sun. You can plant them anywhere that gets at least 5 hours a day of full sunlight, with bougainvillea more hours of direct sun is better. Less than 5 hours and the plant may not bloom very well. Your plants will thrive in shade or partial shade, but only have nice green growth with little or no blooms.
ABBY’s TIPS:Bougainvillea can be heavy feeders. Here are some tips to keep your plants looking like the Sheraton Poipu Beach Bougainvillea. Use fertilizer with high phosphorus, micronutrients, as well as additional iron and magnesium Slow or timed release fertilizers are acceptable. Make sure you follow the fertilizer label Plants grow best with small amounts of nutrients constantly available. Do not apply fertilizers to dry soil. Do not over fertilize – less is better than more
Producing more of our own food in Hawaii is a trend that is really taking hold.
Since the economic tsunami of 2008 folks all over are growing more fruits and veggies to sell at farmers markets or at a home fruit stand or just for their own table.
NKO supports this movement and the positive long tern benefits that individuals and communities can harvest from local growing efforts. Local agriculture projects in backyard gardens, boutique farms and commercial enterprises all have a part in increasing our local food sustainability.
Growing food on island keeps money in the local economy, protects important green space, support thriving ag communities, helps reduce the risk of invasive species, and make us more secure against disruptions to our food supply lines from human or natural disasters.
At NKO we often get asked “What kind of fruit trees are the best to plant in my back yard?” Here are Abby’s suggestions:
Want to be part of a larger network, connecting with people who share this interest check out The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation ( FTPF) a nonprofit charity dedicated to planting edible, fruitful trees and plants to benefit the environment and all its inhabitants. FTPF primary mission is to plant and help others plant a collective total of 18 billion fruit trees across the world (approximately 3 for every person alive) and encourage their growth under organic standards. http://www.ftpf.org/mission.htm
Fruit Tree Planting Tips: http://www.plantithawaii.com/
Xeriscaping is an innovative and creative means of conserving water through the landscape. Xeriscaping is a part of a sustainable approach to landscaping beginning with “Right Plant Right Place.”
Did you know an estimated 50% of water consumption in the average home is used outdoors! With water a most precious and limited natural resource, sustainable landscape service providers and conscious homeowners want to minimize water waste and enjoy a lush beautiful landscape.
Using a Xeriscape concept can save anywhere from 30 to 80 percent in water consumption. Good for the Planet Earth! This concept translates to real dollars savings on water and sewer charges, as well. Good for the property owner! Think sustainability – How will I plan, plant, and maintain a garden taking advantage of the native growing climate and make efficient use of water.
Here are some simple guidelines to consider when Xeriscaping you property or residence. 1. A Xeriscape garden starts with good planning and design. 2. Use a LEED rate turf. NKO recommends El Toro. 3. A well-planned irrigation system saves water. 4. Amend soil to be efficient in H2O absorption and water-holding capacity. 5. Mulch planting beds for low maintenance. 6. "Less-thirsty" plants improve your garden in more ways than one. 7. Regular maintenance preserves the beauty of your landscape & saves water.
When planning your garden many landscape designers and homeowners forget to ask “HOW WILL THIS BE MAINTAINED?” Regular ongoing maintenance includes mowing, pruning, weeding, proper fertilization and pest control. This can all be accomplished in a sustainable approach.
Pay attention to the irrigation system and be sure to adjust water delivery depending on the time of the year and real climate condition.
There are many native Hawaiian plants that are less thirsty and provide beautiful design. Visit Flora at the NKO Nursery in Hanapepe and she can help with your Xeriscape sustainable plant selection.
Looking for a new plant to brighten up your home’s entryway, lanai, deck or a special gift for that gardener in your life… NKO has a great suggestion!
It’s hot - It’s sexy - It’s Fantastic!
Yes Fantastic is a beautiful plant that won two (2) top 2010 awards at the 2010 Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition (TPIE) • Favorite New Foliage Plant • Retailer's Choice Award
Fantastic is a succulent perennial. It has compact shape and beautiful variegation. Fantastic has a dramatic red edging that intensifies with the sun. The vibrant red color radiates into golden sunset hues from the leaf tip and blushes over the silvery-green, rounded leaves
Fantastic is easy to grow. It is naturally robust and a sustainable choice as it is a drought tolerant plant. Left on its own Fantastic will grow much to 24" tall and 24" wide. Because it’s a clumping fast grower it can be the source for many keki plants. This a good value to bring into a garden
Hawaii gardeners love this plant because it’s salt tolerant so no matter where you live in the islands you can plant Fantastic. Landscapers use Fantastic in rock gardens, perennial container gardens and patios because of its fabulous color, attractive leaves and low maintenance. Planted in a bed it makes a 'Fantastic' display.
Care Instructions: Enjoys Full Sun and slightly dry conditions
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe Thyrsiflora
Attributes Interesting Foliage Salt Tolerant Unique, Rare or Special Xeriscape/Drought Tolerant
A fundamental value of No Ka Oi Landscape Services is giving back to the community.One of our relationships is especially heartfelt – Eleele Elementary School - NKO’s adopted school. Many NKO employees, including Frank Santos NKO Owner, attended Eleele School. Others have children and grandchildren attending today.
Eleele Elementary School students were planning for May Day 2008 and asked NKO to help the school with restoring their Hula Mound that was left unusable after construction. NKO was happy to support the school and adopted the Hula Mound as our annual NKO Earth Day Project.
Last month NKO was asked to talk with the Eleele 2nd Grade students about their “Spearmint Planting Project.”The students planted the herb in boxes and were making tea but wanted more info. NKO does not sell herbs but we do enjoy using them! We thought we would share the lesson plan info NKO presented with you.
SPEARMINT:
1.Spearmint is probably the best loved of all of the herbal mints grown in the home garden due to its delightful scent and beautiful lavender colored flowers.
2.Spearmintoriginated from the Mediterranean area of the world and has been used and appreciated for thousands of years.
3.It was first discovered by the Romans who spread it across Europe and into Britain.
4.Most people have drank mint tea but Spearmint leaves add a wonderful, tasty touch to fruits and are also put in salads, peas and potatoes, omelets as well as in mint jelly and mint sauce.
5.Spearmint oil is used for making flavorings for many things including candy, ice cream chewing gum and toothpaste and mouth wash.
6.It is also used as a fragrance for room fresheners, soaps and cleaning products.
7.Spearmint has long been used as remedy for sore stomach, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, and other sicknesses.
PLANTING SPEARMINT:
1.The plant consists of a smooth, leafy stem withbeautifulspikes of purple flowers on the top. These flagrant, little flowers normally appear from July to September.
2.Spearmint is a perennial herb plant, meaning it will return to your garden, year after year.
3.Plant them in full sun, to partial shade, where the sun will be gotten during the morning hours. They like rich, moist soil.
4.It can reach two to three feet high.Left unattended it can take over the entire garden.
5.You will need to keep it under control by weeding out the stems that appear where they are unwanted. Plant spearmint in pots to avoid this problem.
1.Unfortunately, mint is susceptible to an incurable disease called Rust fungus.
2.All that can be done is to prevent the spread of the disease by digging up all plants that show any sign of rust.
3.The same ground should not be used again for mint for several years.
4.Healthy stock should be obtained and planted in uninfected soil, some distance away.
5.On account of this liability of mint to rust, it is advisable not to have it all in one bed, but to have several beds of it, placed at some distance from each other.
Harvesting Fresh Mint:
The best time to harvest mints for drying is just before they flower.
Mint leaves retain the highest oil content prior to flowering. The oil content in herbs is what gives the herb its aroma and flavor.
If possible always cut mint mid-morning after the leaves have dried but before the heat of the day. Harvesting in the early evening is also a good time.
Harvest spearmint by cutting it with a pair of sharp gardening shears to avoid damaging the plant.
When you harvest mint cut stems of equal length and at least 4" -5" long. You will need the length in the stems if you intend to hang your mint upside down to dry.
After the flowers of the plant are pau, cut the entire plant back to almost ground level to encourage a second growth period.
Drying Methods:
Spearmint can be dried by hanging in a dark, warm area.
Spearmint must be dried thoroughly before storing.
Drying Spearmint:
Gather a bunch of spearmint together by the stems and tie tightly with twine. Cover the bunch of mint with a brown lunch bag and secure.
Cover the spearmint with a brown bag will help them to retain their color and oil content during the drying process.
Hang the bunch of herbs upside down in a dark , warm (70 degrees - 80 degrees) well-ventilated, dust free area.
It typically takes 1-2 weeks for the spearmint to dry completely.
Remove the leaves from the stem after the drying process has finished to store.
Storage Techniques:
When your mint leaves are completely dry, either carefully remove them from the brown bag.
I recommend not crushing your herbs, but rather storing them whole and then crushing them if needed right before using.
Store the dried herbs in airtight containers such as canning jars.
Never store dry spearmint in plastic containers or plastic wrap as the oil will leech out of the herbs into the plastic.
Check your stored spearmint frequently after you have stored them for the first few weeks to look for any signs of moisture.
Spearmint will mold quickly in closed jars if not completely dry.
Once you are sure the herbs are completely dry, place them in the airtight containers, and store them in a cool, dry place away from light.
Using SPEARMINT:
Used fresh or dried, spearmint makes a delicious tea.
Spearmint can also be used as a seasoning for rice, salads and desserts. It goes well with lamb, peas and with new potatoes.
Seeping the fresh leaves in milk or cream makes a flavor for chocolate or deserts.
Simple SPEARMINT Recipes:
SPEARMINT Punch:
Pick a quart of fresh mint leaves, then wash and dry them by shaking them in a clean kitchen towel. Put them into a large jug and mash them with a wooden spoon till soft, when cover with freshly boiled water and infuse for ten minutes. Strain, cool, then set on ice till required. Add two cups of chilled grape juice and strained lemon juice to taste. Sweeten with Hawaiian cane sugar or honey and then add a quart of ginger ale. Fill each tumbler to one-third with cracked ice and fill up with the punch.
SPEARMINT Vinegar:
Fill a jar or bottle with young mint leaves picked from the stalks. Cover with cold white or sherry vinegar and cork or cover the bottle. Infuse for 14 days, and then strain off the vinegar. Use with meats like lamb or new potatoes.
Peas & SPEARMINT:
Cook frozen peas according to package. Add a nice bunch of fresh spearmint sprigs to the water to give your peas a fresh flavor.
Pineapple &SPEARMINT Salad:
Combine cut up pineapple, red onion, fresh spearmint leaves and pinch of salt in a small bowl. That’s it!
Frank and I are International Space Station (ISS) followers.We get tweets from ISS with time and dates (http://twitter.com/space_station) the Station is visible in the Hanapepe sky and like children are taken in by the wonder of our sighting. It’s amazing to think that so many miles above Planet Earth Astronauts are living and working just like us…but different because they are in Space and we are on Earth!
In 1971 Astronaut Stewart A. Roosa (http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/text/roosa_pr.txt) was the command module piloton the Apollo 14 Lunar Mission. Before joining NASA Roosa was a smoke jumper for the United States Forest Service (USFS). This connection led to the USFS chief to ask Roosa to bring USFS tree seeds into space. The folks at USFS had an idea to see if seeds that made the journey into Space would grow back on Earth. NASA was not yet conducting scientific experiments in Space that were unrelated to the Apollo Missions so Roosa used his personal travel kit to bring some 500 USFS tree seeds along for the trip to the Moon.Until Apollo 14 astronaut’s travel kits were filled with coins and trinket items like golf balls so this little experiment not only brought us Moon Trees but opened the hatch for NASA to explore nontraditional scientific experiments in the theater of space.
Roosa, paying tribute to his USFS Ohana, packed his personal kit with a cylinder of Redwood, Pine, Fir and Sycamore tree seeds. The seeds made the 21 day journey to the Moon and back. The biggest challenge was back on Earth when during NASA decontamination the seed capsule burst!The seeds scattered all over the de-com chamber, got all mixed up and were thought to be rendered useless for germination. Dis-heartened NASA workers swept up the seeds and sent to them off to USFS with low expectations for germination.It was to everyone’s surprise and delight that the little experiment that almost went very wrong produced healthy seedlings that would be known as Moon Trees!
This little event created a wonderful legacy that speaks to the amazing pioneering spirit and natural curiosity of us as Americans represented by Astronaut Roosa, the USFS and NASA. Interested to own a Moon Tree? Link here: (http://www.historictrees.org/produ_ht/moonsycm_cc.htm)
The study was born out of data collected by the World Health Organization that estimated approximately 30 percent of all new or remodeled buildings have varying degrees of indoor air pollution. This phenomenon is named "sick building syndrome."
NASA interest in this research was born some sixteen years earlier when scientist identified indoor air pollution problems associated with sealed space habitats. Knowing that humans would someday be living in Space, NASA had a vested interest in identifying how to create an environment that would be less toxic and support life beyond Planet Earth.
For Earthlings the study produced research data that can be applied to how we can live and work and suggests that “If human move into closed environments, on Earth or in Space, we must take along nature's life support system.” The study is based on a simple thesis we allremember learning in Science Class that Plants “breathe” by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
Around the planet Elementary School Children of the 21st Century understand why rain forests are so important in maintaining the delicate balance of the earth’s atmosphere. So how can humans whether in Space or closed environments like offices or apartment building? Well NASA used tropical plants in the experiment and the research showed that these types of plants are particularly effective at processing gases and chemicals. Tropical plants have geneses in dense rain-forests with very little light and as such the evolved to be very efficient at photosynthesis, which includes the absorption of gases from the air. NASA found that the plants with a soil with an activated carbon component created a secondary effect that as plants transpire (emit water from the leaves), air is drawn down around the roots, where root microbes quickly adapt and begin “eating” the harmful chemicals that are absorbed. The plants used in the experiment have been generally accepted as reducing toxic chemicals in indoor environments. Result - clean air naturally!
Three (3) common houseplants Areca Palm, Pathos Plant and the Snake Plant (seen in the photo above L-R) can be found at No Ka Oi Nursery in Hanapepe and can be used use indoors to promote a cleaner environment at work or at home.
A home or office building is not the same as a research lab but having plenty of healthy interior plants leads to a healthier environment and is much nicer than artificial air fresheners!
Searching for a landscape service for your property? Here are few things that you should keep in mind - the first being not all landscape services companies are created equal.
We have an inside joke at NKO…”When you have been disappointed by the rest …call the BEST! NKO routinely get calls from homeowners and property managers who are dissatisfied with the results of their current landscape and often they are paying a fair amount for service.
Care for your property should be something to take seriously. After all, it provides enjoyment, beauty, effects property value and can save (or cost) you money on energy and water.
If you decide to hire a landscape service, make sure you get the right one for you. Different properties have different needs for their landscapes. Some simply want someone who will mow the lawn and fertilize it on occasion. Others want perfect yards with lush lawns and weed-free flowerbeds.
If all you are looking for is basic lawn mowing and maybe some leaf raking and debris clean up, then the neighborhood kid who mows lawns is probably landscape service enough for you. And that is just fine. It helps a young kid learn the value of working for her or his money, and you have an easier time of caring for your lawn.
If you like to have a nice yard, but do not want to do anything with it yourself, then a more full-service operation is probably what you need in the way of landscape maintenance.
When choosing who will take care of your landscape maintenance needs, the first thing you should do is seek out a reputable company. A reputable company is one that has reliable references, and one that has a satisfied customer base.
Another thing to look for in a landscape maintenance service is the equipment. Does it look to be in good shape? You want a company that takes good care of its equipment; that shows that they are more likely to take good care of your yard.
Do not necessarily go with the cheapest service. The cheapest may not always be the best deal. If you are habitually dissatisfied with the cheaper work that may affect you in ways that make it worth it to pay more for landscape maintenance that is of higher quality.
Find a company that cares about customer service. Companies that do not care about customer service will probably not do a good job on your yard.
You should look for a service that takes pride in its work. If the company says it specializes in lawn care ask if they guarantee their results.
Look for a company that has a “sustainable” approach to maintenance. The “right plant in the right place” is a way of looking at landscaping in a modern view. This approach will reduce the use of precious water, plant native to your climate and reduce the amount of additives to save money and the environment.
You want to enhance your property with a gorgeous landscape, but the area is surrounded by shade. Some might suggest covering the land with mulch or turning it into a grand patio, but if you really prefer greenery, what can you do?
Shade tolerant grasses do exist. However, there are several things to remember when trying to grow grass in a shaded area. Even shade tolerant grasses need at least four hours of sunlight per day. You can improve the amount of sunlight to an area by trimming out tree limbs, especially lower limbs. As much as 35-40% of a tree’s limbs can be removed to improve the sun’s penetration without changing the aesthetics of a tree. It also helps to remove any fallen leaves and grass clippings, since they can further add to shade problems.
Once you’ve taken steps to improve sun exposure, you can facilitate the grass to thrive even further. Be sure to keep it one to two inches longer than grass that receives abundant sunlight. Limit fertilization and water deeply, yet only occasionally. Because shade prevents quick evaporation of dew and rain, it can lead to dampness, which encourages disease and inhibits growth.
It’s essential to understand that not all grasses labeled shade tolerant work well in the same environment; some are meant for warm weather climates, while others thrive in cooler climates.
Zoysiagrass is slow-growing, dense grass that is drought tolerant and best in warm weather climates much like Hawaii. El Toro, is a favorite varietal of zoysiagrass to us at No Ka Oi. Appropriately named after the bull, El Toro is pest, drought and disease resistant. El Toro is easy to establish and low maintenance and therefore, considered one of the most sustainable grasses available.
The low maintenance El Toro zoysiagrass; “the bull” is bullet proof and a perfect choice for your shaded landscape.
