by Simpson Landscape | Sep 8, 2015 | Articles |
It’s no wonder that many plants in North Texas are struggling with the aftermath of the spring and summer weather that gave us more precipitation in four months than we had throughout all of 2014. High water tables and saturated soils during May and June contributed to an oxygen deficiency that caused stress and reduced growth to many plants and trees in the area, and now the same plants are distressed by the rapid jump in temperature over the last 8-9 weeks. At the beginning of the season, we enjoyed 74-degree highs; then it jumped to 98- then 104-degree days, and it happened within a relatively short time period. Many plants that usually thrive during Texas summers, such as Nellie R. Stevens hollies and magnolia and vitex trees, struggled this year. If you have plants whose leaves are turning brown at their leaf tips or edges, it’s an indication that they may be suffering from “moisture stress.” Just like a human body that can have circulatory problems pumping blood to the extremities, plant tissues that are the furthest away from plants’ roots, where water enters plants, are most vulnerable to not getting enough water. The problem also causes premature leaf drop. Inner and bottom leaves turn yellow, and then brown, and then they fall. It’s like autumn has arrived two months early. According to Neil Sperry, publisher of GARDENS Magazine, “moisture stress” has many possible causes. (a) the plant got too dry one or more times; (b) the plant has suffered some type of root loss and can’t take water up normally; (c) too much fertilizer was applied around... 
by Simpson Landscape | Aug 17, 2015 | Articles |
Choosing the right landscaping company is a significant decision that many homeowners and commercial property owners face when looking for professional lawn care services. A well-designed and properly-maintained landscape that is aesthetically pleasing, environmentally sustainable and incorporates safety features can significantly increase the value of your property. So how can you be sure that the landscaper you hire is reputable and will provide the right combination of value and quality? Here are 6 things that a well-informed property owner should know before hiring a landscape company. 1. Get an on-site assessment. It can be difficult to determine what kind of services a lawn needs or provide an estimate over the phone. All properties are different and landscaping solutions are not one size fits all. A qualified lawn care service should come out and inspect your lawn before offering a service package or providing a quote. 2. Avoid quick fixes. Just like any industry, there are self-proclaimed magicians who claim to be able to work miracles on your lawn overnight. Be wary of them. There is no fast fix for repairing a damaged lawn. If a lawn is in distress, a reputable landscaping service knows that taking the right steps to nurse it back into healthy stages takes time and is the only way to ensure true, long-lasting results. 3. Chemical check. If you’re considering any type of chemical treatment for your lawn, make sure the landscaping company you hire is certified to apply such chemicals. In Texas, businesses that are hired to apply any pesticides to plants, trees, shrubs, grass or other horticultural plants must be licensed by the... by Simpson Landscape | Jun 25, 2015 | Ask A Question |
River rock is primarily used for stepping stones, water features, edging, gardens and erosion prevention. They come in a variety of hues and sizes ranging from 3/8″ to 5″. Excellent for areas where drainage is a concern, due to its generally larger size, though varieties 1/2″ or smaller are not suitable for this. River rock is extremely easy to work with and offers a versatile and affordable landscaping and irrigation... 
by Simpson Landscape | May 19, 2015 | Articles |
Raised beds and drainage systems protect landscapes from excessive rains While this spring’s substantial rainfall in North Texas has added much-needed water to the area’s reservoirs, it has also created surplus topsoil moisture and saturated the ground. Heavy rains, especially when they last over an extended period of time, place stress on plants in our landscapes. All plants need water, but there is harm in excessive amounts of rain that fill all the spaces in between the particles of the soil with water and displace the air. Roots of plants need both air and water; when the air spaces in the soil are kept filled with water, the roots are deprived of the oxygen that they need. If these oversaturated conditions persist, plant roots stop functioning properly and may begin to die. Although soil is filled with water, the roots are unable to absorb it, causing plants to wilt and making them more vulnerable to attack by fungal organisms in the soil that cause root rot. Root rot infections are highly damaging to the roots and are often fatal to the plants. Your Landscape with Raised Beds The best way to safeguard your landscape against the damaging effects of excessive rainfall and fungus in the soil that can cause root rot is to ensure adequate drainage. At Simpson Landscape, the primary way we achieve well-drained landscapes is planting in raised beds. Raised beds drain more quickly and dry out faster than ground-level beds. Whether we are planting shrubs, bedding plants, perennials or ground covers, the beds we prepare for them have added organic matter and are about 6-12” higher... by Simpson Landscape | Feb 23, 2015 | Ask A Question |
The Thompson Yucca grows 6–12 feet in height. They are treelike with a trunk 5-8 inches in diameter and is usually non-branching. The leaves are narrow and stiff and grow in a build that radiates near the top of the yucca. The flowering stalk holds a dense branching cluster of white flowers like oats slightly above the...