http://www.sartinservices.net Southland Nursery - Ask the Expert YWP 13.00.05 http://www.sartinservices.net/view/say-happy-holidays-with-a-poinsettia1 Poinsettias like lots of bright, indirect sunlight and prefer humid conditions (you may want to mist your plant if you home is very dry due to heating or climate). As for proper watering, be sure to let the soil dry out between times. Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:42:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/red-maples-the-trademark-of-fall The Red Maple tree is famous throughout the country for brilliant red foliage that seems almost the trademark of fall. But what makes it such an ever popular tree, and why is it the right choice for you? To begin with, Red Maple trees are incredibly versatile. Any Red Maple boasts a wide range of growing zones, and works as a practical shade tree as well as a beautiful showpiece in the fall. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:30:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/perfect-pansy-planting-weather You may not readily recognize a _cryptomeria_ or a _euonymous_, but most everyone can identify the colorful little pansies in the fall. Pansies are one of the most popular and widely used Fall and Winter annuals for adding bright splashes of color. Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:00:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/bring-on-the-fall- Summary goes here Fri, 02 Sep 2011 21:42:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/a-is-for-august "A is for August"...one of the hottest months of the year, and a time for looking ahead to Autumn. It is also a time for continuing to supply plenty of much needed water to your plants and lawn. We are also entering a peak season for summer annual weeds and insects. Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:00:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/a-little-water-only-wets-a-little-soil A lush green lawn depends on efficient deep watering. "How often should I water my lawn?" The answer to that depends on several factors; your soil type, the type of grass you have and how deep its root system is, your climate, and of course, how you apply the water. The best rule of thumb for lawn watering is; water deeply and less frequently. Sat, 02 Jul 2011 14:30:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/summer-is-here "What happened? Summer already"? One of the most frustrating things for a meticulous gardener and homeowner is for their lawn to have problems with fungal diseases. It seems that this time each year, I get dozens of questions related to brown spots in lawns and turf. Wed, 01 Jun 2011 21:42:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/check-out-the-knock-out If you haven't tried it, you may want to put it high on your list. Kock Out is a shrub rose that is compact and bushy. The plants reach from 3-5 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide. This rose is being touted as very disease resistant. Sun, 01 May 2011 21:42:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/shaping-up-for-spring Okay, admittedly I am no expert on weight loss or physical toning in general, but just like many of us, our plants could use a good "shaping up" to get ready for spring. When the weather begins to invite us outdoors, many homeowners begin to look at their trees and shrubs and find it hard to resist the urge to start pruning, randomly clipping away at the shaggy shapes and straggly stems. Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:00:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/weed-this Along with the spring greening of the grass comes the emergence of a fresh crop of weeds. The application of a good pre-emergent herbicide will make lawn care much easier in the coming months. Now is the time to apply your pre-emergent on lawns and shrub beds. Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:00:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/my-february-to-do-list Tools sharpened..."check"; Crepe myrtles pruned..."check"; Wait, is that a weed? Not any more..."check". February can easily be one of the most challenging gardening months. Thank goodness it is a short one. Many avid gardeners are chomping at the bits to get started with their spring clean up chores. Gardeners in our area rarely know what kind of weather to expect from day to day; or day to night for that matter. Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:00:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/happy-new-year-equals-happy-gardening Regardless what weather conditions January brings, spring is right around the corner, and there is much that can and should be done now. With the new year comes another chance to get your lawn and garden started out right in preparation for spring. Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:00:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/say-happy-holidays-with-a-poinsettia Poinsettias like lots of bright, indirect sunlight and prefer humid conditions (you may want to mist your plant if you home is very dry due to heating or climate). As for proper watering, be sure to let the soil dry out between times. Fri, 03 Dec 2010 22:42:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/got-water-avoiding-winter-injury My last year's November article started off with the borrowing of a friend's Facebook quote..."Noah, you there? Float by and pick us up!" Obviously, not the case this year! Most gardeners count on rainfall and cooler temperatures returning in the fall to replenish soil moisture, for reviving stressed lawns, and filling landscape plants with water for winter. Tue, 02 Nov 2010 01:00:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/looking-for-color Pansies are one of the most popular and widely used Fall and Winter annuals for adding bright splashes of color. Today's pansies come in virtually every color imaginable. Originally known as the "Heart's Ease" flower by Lady Monck in 1812, they quickly gained a place of prominence in the English landscape. Sat, 02 Oct 2010 02:00:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/bring-on-the-fall "Bring on the Fall!" Peak planting time is coming up now, as well as added opportunities to include some focus on fall and winter plantings. The relief from the heat is not only welcome by us gardeners, but by the plants as well. The next few weeks will offer an ideal time to get your landscaping back in great shape before winter arrives. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/summertime-watering-and-lawncare Well the hot, hot, hot weather of summer is here and not going away anytime soon. Along with the hot humid weather comes the potential of lots of problems with your lawn. Dry spots, weeds, bugs and fungus...you name it. Having a great lawn is not rocket science, but it does require some simple steps and commitment to see it through the next few weeks. Sat, 31 Jul 2010 17:00:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/sod-equals-instant-gratifiction For many homeowners, the gratification felt in having an instant lawn is not to be competed with. When one seeds a lawn it can take quite a while to grow, whereas laying sod is an excellent way to get an instant green and lush lawn. Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:42:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/the-gardeners-best-friendthe-perennial Perennials reach maturity in as little as two seasons. A well-chosen selection rapidly forms a fine display of textures and colors, with both foliage and flowers providing visual interest for months with little effort on the gardener's part. Tue, 01 Jun 2010 21:42:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/easy-lawn-care-basics Not only do lawns provide a soft green mat to walk on, play on, lie on, or just admire, they also provide an excellent breeding ground for unsightly weeds, insects, and grass-destroying diseases that when left untreated can become an ongoing battle. Sat, 01 May 2010 17:00:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/whats-wrong-with-my-hollies I have received many questions lately regarding winter damage on evergreen shrubs. The hardest hit in our area seems to have been the smaller hollies such as Dwarf Yaupons, Soft Touch and Helleri. The larger Ilex compacta hollies seem to have tolerated the winter a little better. Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:42:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/a-little-work-now-saves-a-lot-of-work-later After surviving record temps and snowfall accumulations this winter, we are finally moving towards spring "green-up". And none too soon, according to most people in our area. Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:00:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/feed-meplease Did you know? A typical backyard bird barely weighs as much as two nickels! Birds spend most of their waking hours in search of food...without the help of "hands and fingers". They need to consume as much as 15% of their body weight during the day just to stay warm enough to survive the winter weather for one night. Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:30:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/its-that-time-of-year-again1 Poinsettias continue to be a widespread Christmas tradition for both gift-giving and holiday decorating. Being one of the most easily recognizable plants, the Poinsettia brings an unmistakable cheer to the holiday season. Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:46:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/another-year-another-chance-to-garden As cold or wet as January can be, spring is right on its coat-tail, and there is much that can be done in the garden now. So with the new year comes another chance to get your lawn and garden started out right. Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:42:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/its-that-time-of-year-again Poinsettias continue to be a widespread Christmas tradition for both gift-giving and holiday decorating. Being one of the most easily recognizable plants, the Poinsettia brings an unmistakable cheer to the holiday season. Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:00:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/there-is-still-time-to-plant1 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:00:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/there-is-still-time-to-plant Borrowing a recent quote from a friend's Facebook post..."Noah? You there? Float by and pick us up!"...well, it's not quite that bad yet, but we have all had more than enough rain the past few weeks. At 27 inches above average rainfall for the year, we are ready for some drier weather conditions. Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:00:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/207 I am often asked a variation of the same question; either by a customer at the Nursery or via an email from a reader at Ask The Expert. And sometimes, the question just goes unasked by those who don't want to appear un-informed. The Question Is: "How do I plant a tree?" Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:00:00 GMT http://www.sartinservices.net/view/206 Well, that's it then, right? Summer is as good as over. The annuals look leafy and leggy, the slug and insect damage is starting to show, and even the tireless daylillies are dwindling down to their last few buds for the season. Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:15:00 GMT