One Person’s Trash is Another Person’s Treasure!

One item we have in abundance here at Kane Landscapes is pallets. A lot of our materials are delivered on pallets (sod, pavers, ect.) and we often cannot return or recycle them to our vendors. Inevitably, we end up trying to find community groups or clients who want to re-use the pallets for their own needs.  

A fun way we have found that people re-use pallets is by turning them into a decorative planter box. You only need a few simple materials to do this; a pallet, landscape fabric, staple gun and staples, potting soil, and flowers/herbs. Here is a link to a great tutorial for completing this project! http://lifeonthebalcony.com/how-to-turn-a-pallet-into-a-garden/#

Please let us know if you are interested in picking up a pallet to make a container garden of your own!

Nellie R Stevens Holly - Plant of the Week

The Nellie R Stevens Holly is a cross between the English Holly and Chinese Holly. This Holly variety has a naturally dense pyramidal shape. The leaves on a Nellie R Stevens Holly are a glossy with a dark green color that remains intact year round and grows thickly from the ground to the top of the plant. The Nellie R Stevens Holly produces inconspicuous white flowers in the spring that will give way to an abundant amount of vivid red berries in the fall. The Nellie Stevens Holly typically grows to 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide, but in ideal conditions it can grow much larger.  Nothing will help outlast the winter like the dark green leaves of the Nellie Stevens, reminding you that spring is just around the corner.

Virginia Sweetspire - Plant of the Week

The Virginia Sweetspire typically blooms in late spring or early summer, producing small, white flowers.  The mildly fragrant flowers make a woodsy smell. However, these plants are valued more for their fall foliage than for either their blossoms’ appearance or aroma.  Undoubtedly, the outstanding feature of Virginia Sweetspires is the burgundy color of their autumn leaves.  Full exposure to sun light will ensure this shrub’s full, deep-red color in autumn, but the Sweetspire can tolerate partial shade. Virginia Sweetspire shrubs reach about 4 feet tall by 4 feet wide at maturity.

 

Fothergilla - Plant of the Week

 

Fothergilla is a deciduous shrub that needs full to partial sunlight.  It has interest throughout the year and is slow to grow, reaching its peak around 5-6 feet. The Fothergilla features fragrant spring flowers, summer foliage, and brilliant color in the fall showing shades of orange, red, and yellow. It is easily grown, and does not present any challenges to maintain. 

Nandina - Plant of the Week

Nandina, also commonly known as Heavenly Bamboo or Sacred Bamboo, is a suckering shrub, meaning that the plant pushes out new growth from the base of the plant.  Despite the common names, Nandina is not actually a type of bamboo.  Nandina is a hardy plant that will grow well in many different environments.  These compact plants can help liven up your landscape in the cold winter months, when most other colorful plants have died back. These easy to grow and easy to maintain plants give an almost oriental feel to any landscape. The Nandina will grow well in both sun and shade, so finding the perfect spot for planting will pose no problem. 

Pyracantha - Plant of the Week

Pyracantha is an evergreen shrub that is cherished for its spectacular fall and winter display of fruits. It has the ability to withstand dry conditions. In the spring, clusters of small flowers will bloom. The berries will begin to change in the fall, their color going from green to shades of red, orange, or yellow. These berries persist through winter and into early spring depending on climate and the appetite of the local bird population. If kept in shady areas the berries will be understated, but in full sun light the berries will be plentiful.  There are varieties available that differ in size, berry color, and uprightness in form, these plants can get up to eighteen feet tall, but more typically stay in the four to twelve foot range with equal spread. Beware, however, this is a thorny plant.

Oak Leaf Hydrangea - Plant of the Week

The Oakleaf Hydrangea is one of just a few hydrangeas native to the United States. It gets its name from the shape of the large, beautiful leaves which can turn brilliant shades of red, orange, yellow, and burgundy in the fall when planted in a sunny location that gets a good dose of afternoon shade.  However, the Oakleaf does tend to like shady areas better. Some varieties of this shrub can grow up to 26 feet tall with the flowers being almost 12 inches long, while other varieties will only reach two feet in height. The dramatic white-blooming shrub has four seasons of interest.  Even though it blooms best in areas where summer is hot, this hydrangea is also a hardy winter plant.  It can thrive in dryer areas and needs little attention. 

 

Kane Landscapes wins Safety Award

Every year Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) bestows a safety award to those companies that meet the stringent requirements.  This year, Kane Landscapes was feted with this honor.

The award, part of PLANET’s annual Safety Recognition Awards Program, and sponsored by CNA, honors those companies with thorough, high preforming safety programs that create and maintain safe work environments in the green industry.  It is designed to reward the green industry companies that consistently demonstrate their commitment to safety.

Kane Landscapes was evaluated on number of accidents, number of dates that employees were away from work, and number of employee injuries and illnesses.  In addition, a checklist was used to rate the company’s complete safety program.    

PLANET is the association of members who create and maintain the quality of life in communities across America.  With nearly 3,800 member companies and affiliates, these firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals. Some of these professionals have taken the extra step of becoming certified through PLANET and bear the distinction of being known as the Landscape Industry Certified.

Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly photo books offer a variety of layouts and cover options to choose from.

Hameln Fountain Grass: Plant of the Week

Hameln fountain grasses are this week's plant of the week due to their ability to withstand the summer heat. Not only are they sun-loving and drought tolerant, but are also virtually pest and disease free. This ornamental grass is often used for its radiating, fine-textured effect in landscapes.  In late summer buff-colored flower heads pop up in profusion then slowly change color from buff to soft pinks and light-colored maroons. Dwarf fountain grasses grow to be about 2 feet tall and work well in mass plantings in larger gardens or as an individual contrast plant in small gardens.

Black-Eyed Susans: Plant of the Week

Black-eyed Susans are a favorite summertime perennial that add a pool of sunshine to gardens with their bright yellow flowers and dark center. From midsummer to fall, these tough native plants bloom their golden heads off in sun or light shade and mix well with other perennials, annuals, and shrubs. They can grow to be about 3 feet in height depending on the variety, and look especially appropriate among shrubs or surrounding trees and mailboxes, which in turn provide support. Add black-eyed Susans to wildflower meadows or native plant gardens for a naturalized look. Because these flowers are native to our area, they are especially easy to grow and maintain. They are also resistant to another native to our area; the deer!

Update on Sarah's Garden

For PLANET's Day of Service on April 20, a team from Kane Landscapes restored a garden at Main Street Child Development Center in Fairfax, VA for a former student that had passed away. In addition, we taught the seventy-two 3-5 year olds all about plants and helped them each plant fruits and vegetables in their garden.

We were happy to revisit the garden and see that many of the fruits and vegetables had already been harvested and enjoyed by the children, including the tomatoes, lettuces, and green beans. The watermellon are also coming along nicely. This Day of Service project truly allowed the children to "enjoy the fruits of their labor."

Shasta Daisy: Plant of the Week

Shasta daisies are one of our favorite perennials to plant in sunny areas of gardens because they bloom over a long period (from May to September), are drought tolerant, and because the bright flowers contrast nicely with the glossy, dark green foliage. These daisies reach a height of 3'-4', with a spread of 2'-3', are easy to care for, attract butterflies, and are also suitable for cutting to display in a vase. What a great way to liven up the outdoors and indoors!

Congratulations to David Hensel & Joe Ryder



David Hensel
Landscape Certified Technician - Turf Maintenance

  Kane Landscapes is proud to announce that David Hensel, Maintenance Operations Manager, has officially passed the Landscape Industry Certified Technician-Exterior test for Turf Maintenance.  In addition, Joe Ryder, Landscape Operations Manager, has earned the designation Landscape Industry Certified Technician in Softscape Installation.  The Landscape Industry Certified Technician Test is a national, hands-on testing program administered by the Landscape Contractors Association (LCA). It recognizes proficiency in the landscape workforce, upgrades the status of the landscape professional, and provides the public with a means of identifying qualified landscape professionals.



Joe Ryder
Landscape Certified Technician - Softscape Installation

David and Joe are now among an elite group of landscape professionals, including Josh Kane, Head Designer, and Amanda Hamilton, Designer, who have earned the designation of Landscape Industry Certified Technician. Congratulations to David and Joe for proving their ability and dedication to the industry. We are so proud to have them on board at Kane Landscapes. They are both talented landscape professionals, and hardworking, team players.





Crape Myrtle - Plant of the Week

During the long, hot months of summer, long after the cherry blossoms, dogwoods, and magnolia trees have lost their bloom, one tree provides abundant color to our landscapes from late spring until early autumn; the Crape Myrtle.  The length of their bloom are not the only reason Crape Myrtles are such a staple in landscapes in the DC Metro area. These hardy, drought tolerant trees come in such a variety of sizes and colors that they compliment any landscape. When selecting a crape myrtle, think about the flower color and ultimate size first. With so many cultivars to select from, it isn’t difficult to find the flower color you want in the size and shape that will fit your planting site. Consider the impact of the autumn leaf color and the color of the beautiful exfoliating bark that is so prominent in the winter landscape.

Lo & Behold - The Plant of the Week

This year we have received many requests from homeowners for a new series of dwarf Butterfly Bush called "Lo and Behold" due to its vibrant purple color and long lasting bloom in the summer time.  Other positive attributes of Lo & Behold are that this only requires one pruining at end of season, is drought tolerant, deer resistant, and a great way to attract butterflies to your area. . It can be used as a ground cover, small hedge or planted in container for patio use since it stands only 24" - 30" tall.

Pumpkins & Sunflowers with Pre-Schoolers

The Kane Team helps plant the pumpkin patch on May 31st

On May 31st, the Kane Team spent the morning with 40 incredibly intelligent and energetic three-year-olds at Golden Pond Pre-school in Ashburn, VA. We spent our time teaching the students all about the plant life cycle. In addition to the arts and crafts we did inside the classroom, we also helped the students plant two separate garden plots with pumpkins and sunflowers so their education can continue throughout the year.

The pumpkin patch on July 31, pumpkins already taking shape!

We are happy to report that the students have done a tremendous job caring for their crops. Just two months later we find that the pumpkins are already taking shape and will be ready for harvest by October while the sunflowers have almost grown to their full height and should bloom by late August or early September.

Sunflower almost ready to bloom!

10th Semi-Annual Advisory Board Meeting



Josh Kane, Owner, leading the discussion at
our 10th semi-annual Advisory Board Meeting

 On July 20th, Kane Landscapes hosted its 10th semi-annual Advisory Board Meeting at Monami Gabi Restaurant in Reston Town Center. Our six Board Members along with our owners and managers sat down to discuss our 2012 progress towards our strategic plan as well as growth plans.

It was particularly interesting to see how far our company had come since our first Board meeting back in January of 2008. Since then, we have added 13 new employees to our team, 7 trucks to our fleet. With the constant advice and direction of these well established and highly professional Advisory Board Members, we are confident that our company will continue to succeed and meet our goals. They have continually provided solid feedback on important topics such as employee development, customer service, budgetary items, and growth plans over the past five years.

We would also like to thank our management team for attending and participating in the discussion. We are so fortunate to have such energetic, enthusiastic, and bright  individuals on our team.

Landscape Lighting Training

A company can only be great if its employees are trained and motivated to perform great. That's why Kane Landsapes has incorportated a comprehensive training program into its operations, similar to Toyota's, called Kane Production Systems.   Most recently we conducted our landscape lighting training to refresh and remind all of our employees on proper lighting installation techniques.

The training focused on proper lighting placement for various types of lights including spot lights, wall or step lights, well lights, and path lights. The proper placement of these lights makes a major difference in the overall effect and appearance of your landscape at night. Where and how to establish hubs and run cables was also a primary topic of the training. Hub and cable placement is extremely important so that repairs and adjustments can be made later, for ease of access, and for safety. Wiring and testing, proper labeling of transformers, and safety precautions were other important topics of the training.

What sets Kane Landscapes apart from the multitude of other landscape companies in the area is the investment it makes in hiring and training the best employees. All of our trainings are conducted each year to ensure that our employees know the most up to date landscape installation and maintenance techniques.You can rest assured that when you hire Kane Landscapes to design, install, or maintain your landscape, you are hiring the experts!

Preventing Common Lawn Diseases

Over our 21 plus years in business we have seen how warm wet weather in late spring and summer, combined with overwatering of lawn can cause lawn diseases or fungus. There are two main diseases we see here in Virginia that can all be prevented by good lawn care practices and proper watering.  Tall fescue is the most common turfgrass species in Virginia. The most common and troublesome diseases for tall fescue are brown patch and red thread.

Brown patch

Brown patch occurs most frequently during warm and wet weather, but the lawn typically recov­ers in the fall when managed properly. However, heavy brown patch infestation combined with drought or heat stress can cause the infected areas to die so it is important that it be treated. Brown patch appears as roughly circular patches that are brown, tan, or yellow in color and range from 6” to several feet in diameter.

Red thread

Red thread occurs most frequently in the spring and fall. The symptoms of red thread create an undesirable appearance, however, since the roots of the grass are not infected, the turf will likely recover with a proper lawn care program. Red thread appears as circular patches of tan or pink turf about 4-8 inches in diameter. The bright red to pink mycelial growth of this fungus is plainly visible early in the morning, particularly when the dew is still on the grass. The disease will remain an eyesore as long as cool, moist periods persist, but the fungus only attacks the foliage and rarely will the entire plant die.

There are several lawn care practices that can help prevent lawn diseases and fungus:

·         Fertility: Turfgrass plants are healthier when steady supplies of nutrients are available, as opposed to spikes in nutrient levels that may result in rapid growth. Therefore, having a lawn care program, like our 6-step program, will ensure your lawn receives the nutrients it needs throughout the year to fight off disease.

·         Irrigation: It is impossible to control rainfall, but homeowners do have control over the frequency and duration of lawn irri­gation. The ideal time to irrigate for minimizing disease, is around sunrise. This decreases the leaf wetness period, which is critical for disease development, and rinses the leaves of dew that attract fungi.

·         Mowing height: In most cases, turfgrass that is cut too short is more susceptible to disease. Tall fescue lawns should be between three and four inches, especially during periods of heat and drought stress.

·         Air Movement: Areas with poor air circulation have more turf diseases. Strategic pruning of trees and shrubs is a good way to improve air movement and allow additional sunlight into trouble areas.

·         Fungicide: There are a number of commercially available biological fungicides that may reduce the severity of turfgrass diseases. The majority of these products contain beneficial bacteria or fungi. No biological fungicides tested in Virginia provide complete control of turfgrass diseases. However, several fungicides suppressed dis­eases, such as brown patch and dollar spot, and aided in turfgrass recovery.

Josh Kane Featured in H&D's 100 Top Designers

Josh Kane, Head Designer and President of Kane Landscapes, Inc. was recently featured in Home & Design Magazine's special edition of the 100 Top Designers in DC, MD, and VA. The "100 Top Designers" edition features profiles of the top Architects, Interior Designers and Landscape Designers in the region. In the article Josh explains, “I love designing something that allows people to enjoy their properties so much more. I can take a home that may be boring on the outside and turn it into a home that makes people say ‘Wow!’ when they approach.”

To read the entire article online, go to http://www.handd.com/Portfolio/Directory/josh-kane-listing-573.aspx

Eco-Friendly Native Plants

Many homeowners have a wide variety of plants in their gardens these days including native black-eyed susans, columbine, and viburnum to the non-native wisteria.  However, if you want to make your landscape “green” you should consider having more native plants because of the crucial roll they play in water and energy conservation.  This is because native plants are used to the climate and are able to handle the extremes of the summer and winter.  In addition, they maintain and improve soil conditions, reduce erosion, and provide habitats for wildlife.  Non-native plants, on the other hand, may require more water, fertilizer, and pesticides in order to adapt to the foreign climate, which can increase the amount of harmful run-off that effects our streams, rivers, and estuaries.   In addition, non-native plants must be shipped longer distances, which wastes energy and pollutes the air.  For a list of plants native to Virginia, please visit www.dcr.state.va.us/dnh/native.htm

You Get What You Pay For

We recently had a prospective customer that was looking for landscape installation work tell us that another "company" had quoted him a price that was only 1/2 of what we would charge.  This is not the first time we have run into this scenario, only to have the prospective customer come back a few months later and tell us they need us to repair their landscape.

It really is true what they say..."you get what you pay for." At Kane Landscapes you are paying for a high level of quality, expertise, and customer service.

Quality- From the hgih quality products we use to the latest in equipment and technology, to our extensive training on the best techniques and practices. Not to mentioned we are fully licensed and insured.

Expertise-All of our managers have degrees in Horticulture, Landscape Design, or Landscape Contracting. Plants and landscapes are not our hobby, they are our life.

Customer Service-When you call us, we will answer. If you ask us for something we will respond. We will go above and beyond to make sure you are satisfied.

Here are just a few examples of what you might get if your choose to go with the bargain company:

So next time you need a contractor, ask yourself, do you want to pay a fair amount to have it done the right way the first time, or do you want the best deal that may end up costing you even more in the end?

Safety Topic: Protecting Our Customers' Properties

Luis, Mynor & Ruben after this week's Safety Training

Did you know that Kane Landscapes has won Safety Acheivment Awards from the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) for 8 years in a row? Safety is a top priority for Kane, which is why we conduct weekly saftey trainings. Not only are we concerned for our employees's safety, but also for the safety of our customers and their properties. That is why this week's safety topic is "Protecting Our Customers' Properties".

Our customers' “property” can include their house, deck, porch, sidewalk, fence, cars, plants, grass, etc.  When we begin work on a property, our employees are trained to think about the work we are going to be doing and the potential damage that could be done to a property.  Damage typically comes from four main causes:  flying materials, travel ways, material storage, and operator error.

Flying Materials: Our employees are trained on how material is going to fly away from each tool and piece of equipment that they use to make sure materials are thrown away from the home, property, and people.

Travel Ways:  When beginning a landscape project our employees look at where the work is going to be performed and look at how we are going to get the material/equipment there.  If it is a long distance and/or a lot of trips are required it is best to try to establish some sort of path to reduce the amount of damage and therefore repairs.  If it is a pretty short job site a plywood path may be the best option.  If it is larger project even the plywood will cause damage to the turf causing it to have to be replaced.  So, cutting out the pathway with a sod cutter is the way to go.  When repairing a path it is easier to grade and level soil and lay sod than it is to remove uneven sod then grade, level, and sod.

Material Storage: The most damage caused from material storage is from bulk materials such as mulch or stone.  When dumping a load of bulk materials our employees must always lay a tarp under the load.  The tarp helps protect the surface underneath while dumping, loading, and helps for a quicker cleanup.  A tarp should also always be used when unloading materials from the bed of a truck to help catch extra material. 

Operator Error:  This is the most common type of error.  It is the responsibility of all of our employees to work safely, not only for personal safety but to prevent property damage.  Our employees are trained to wear protective gear appropriate for each task they perform, to operate machinery safely, and to perform all of their work safely and efficiently. 

Sarah's Memorial Garden - Our Day of Service

On April 20th, 2012 Kane Landscapes participated in the Professional Landcare Network's (PLANET) annual Day of Service. This year Kane chose to work with Main Street Child Development Center in Fairfax, VA, a daycare and preschool for limited income working families. After meeting with the director of MSCDC, we thought that a memorial garden at the center, established for one of it young students who died unexpectedly, needed some restoration. In addition, we wanted to do something that would involve the kids, to help them learn about plants and how to care for them.

Sarah's Garden - BEFORE

Four of our team members arrived at 7:30 AM to prepare and repair the garden. First we installed a paver landing between the sidewalk and entrance to the garden and trimmed the rose bush to spruce up the curb appeal.

 

Next, we weeded the garden and tilled the soil to prepare it for planting. We also added cedar mulch for the walkways between the planting areas. And most importantly, we installed the plaque for Sarah's garden on a stone pedestal so all the visitors will remember who the garden is for.

At 10:00, 4 more  team members arrived to help with the 72 children between the ages of 2 and 5, and the real fun began! First the students learned how to plant fruits and vegetables in their garden. The children worked in pairs to dig the holes, plant the fruits or vegetables, water it, and then mark their plant with their names and the name of the plant.

Next, the children learn all about seeds and how it takes soil, sun, and water to grow a seed into a plant. Each child was given a clay pot, which they had decorated with paint, and then our volunteers showed them how to plant tomato seeds in their pots and how to care for them until they grow. The children will keep their tomato plants in their classrooms until they grow, after which they will take them home to their families.

Then the children learned all about the different parts of a plant by gluing together the parts of a sunflower. They learned that the roots absorb the water, the leaves make food for the plant, the stem carries the water and food, and the flower makes the seeds which make more flowers.

The most rewarding part of the day was seeing how excited the children were about learning. From digging up worms, to watering their plants, and even singing a song about their sunflowers, the children turned our service project into a memorable and truly rewarding experience.

April Showers?

What the heck happened to the saying "April showers bring May flowers?" Apparently this year the rain happened in February, the flowers in March, and now we are facing a summer drought in April! In fact, February 29 was the last time we had a good soaking rain that totaled 1.44 inches. Since then we have only had two moderate rains.

So are we really in a drought? Actually, while we have had significanlty less precipitation this year, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor much of Maryland, Northern Virginia and Southeast Virginia are “Abnormally Dry.” So while we are dry we are not YET in a drought.

What does this mean for your lawn? Well, hopefully you all have irrigation systems that you were able to turn on early. For those of you that don't have an irrigation system, here are some watering tips to make sure your lawn is receiving enough water:

• Lawn needs about one inch of water per week (including precipitation).  Use a can or rain gauge to determine the amount of water applied by sprinkler system and rainfall.
• Apply water only when needed.  Too much water can cause diseases.
• One simple test to determine if lawn needs water is  to walk on the lawn. If you leave footprints, it is time to water.
• A good soaking once  or  twice a week is better than watering every day.  Allowing the soil to dry between watering will allow the roots to grow to greater depths and help make turf more drought tolerant.
• Water in the early morning (4 a.m. to 8 a.m.). 
• Do not water during midday hours when it is hot and sunny to avoid scalding the turf.
• Do not water at night because the lawn stays wet for a long period which can promote diseases.
• If you have a sprinkler system, set the system to turn on for three 10 minute sessions with each session 1/2 hour apart to improve water infiltration and reduce runoff.

In addition, you will want to make sure your plants are receiving enough water. Ths dry weather comes at a time when your plants are using more energy than any other time of year. Flowering and opening new leaves takes a lot out of your plants, especially those plants that are under a year old.  Soil around the edge of root balls should be moist 3-4 inches deep.  You can check this with your finger.  If soil is moist, hold off on watering.  If soil is dry, water thoroughly. Infrequent deep watering is preferable to frequent shallow watering.  With larger trees and shrubs you should check every 2-3 days.  With smaller shrubs and perennials, which are grown in lighter soil mixtures with a lower water holding capacity, check the moisture content every 1-2 days.

Mild Winter + Early Spring = Early Tick Season

Deer Tick

I am not one to complain about May temperatures in March. I love the warm weather, the smell of flowers in the air, the return of kids playing outside, the green grass and colorful landscapes (and its not bad for business either). But this warm weather comes at a price. It also means the early appearance of pesky gnats, mosquitoes, and most alarmingly... TICKS! With a house bordering woods, two dogs, a toddler who loves to play outside, a baby on the way, and a husband who continues to deal with residual effects of Lyme Disease 6 years after treatments, to say I loathe ticks is an understatement. In fact, I self admittedly suffer from acaraphobia - the fear of ticks.

So what is an acaraphobe like myself to do in what is predicted to be the worst tick season to date? The first thing I did was have our lawn care crew apply Allectus to our lawn and landscape, especially along the areas bordering the woods. Allectus is an EPA approved insecticide that is used to treat pests below soil surfaces, such as grubs, and above ground, such as ticks and mites. For those of you that don't own a landscape company or have a VA Chemical Applicator's License, lucky for you Kane Landscapes can help.

Now I feel better about letting my dogs and toddler roam freely in our yard. But the acaraphobe in me still takes other precautions as recommended by the Virginia Department of Health:

Avoid tick infested areas such as tall grass and dense vegetation

Walk in the center of trails and avoid brushing against weeds and tall grass

Keep grass and underbrush cut and thinned

Wear light colored clothing so ticks can be found easily

Tuck pant legs into socks so ticks stay on the outside of pants

Conduct tick checks on children and pets every 4 hours

Keep pets outside from April to September to help keep ticks out of the house

Use tick repellents that contain at least 30% DEET

Ask your veterinarian to recommend tick controls for your pets

Treat your lawn with an approved pesticide for tick control

Treat clothes with permanone (be sure to follow all label precautions)

The majority of ticks in our area are American Dog Ticks or Lone Star Ticks, which do not carry Lyme Disease but may carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, so it is important to be able to identify types of ticks in case you, your family, or your pet is bitten.

PLANET Day of Service

April is National Lawn Care Month, and the month in which National Arbor Day and Earth Day occur. April is also the time of year when many people start thinking about getting outside again. It is important for all of us to take the time to think about the positive impact of the green environment - the aesthetic as well as the environmental and economic impact.

This month, Kane Landscapes, will take part in a nationwide volunteer event, the PLANET Day of Service, which will be held on April 20. This Day of Service was created by the lawn care and landscape industry to draw attention to the importance of green spaces and so that its members could organize volunteer projects in their hometowns and also be part of an event with nationwide impact.

Kane Landscapes will be volunteering at Main Street Child Development Center in Fairfax, VA. Main Street provides child care services for ages 2 to 5 to low income, working families in Fairfax County. Kane Landscapes will send volunteers to Main Street to restore a memorial garden planted in memory of a former student that passed away. The garden will include several edible plants including tomatoes, lettuce, peas, squash, watermellon, and sunflowers. In addition, Kane’s volunteers will teach the children how to plant and care for tomato seeds in a pot which they will bring home to their families.

It is our hope, that we will not only beautify an important part of the landscape, but also instill the love of nature in these young students. It is important that everyone  find ways to enhance the green spaces around us and to consider our personal responsibility to the communities we live in.

Crabgrass Already?

The unusually warm winter had its perks, but it will likely cause one problem in lawns across the area; namely, CRABGRASS. Usually, we do not see the first seeds of crabgrass germinate until late March or early April when soil temperatures reach 55-60 degrees. However, our managers have already spotted crabgrass in lawns of homeowners that have requested estimates from us.

So what is crabgrass? This weed gets its name because it grows from a central root low across the ground, resembling a crab. It is a warm season annual weed that reproduces quickly in hot, dry conditions. Unfortunately, even a cold winter cannot kill this weed. Before the actual weed dies in the fall it distributes thousands of seeds which germinate in the spring. That is why it is so important to maintain a healthy lawn and have a prevention plan.

Prevention and Maintenance

·         Set a higher mowing height. This allows the grasses to shade and prevent the germination of crabgrass seeds.

·         Water lawns deeply and less frequently to strengthen grass and discourage weeds. Water the soil to a depth of 4-6 inches. This usually requires the equivalent of 1/2-1 inch of rainfall.

·         Have a lawn care program that includes at least two applications of pre-emergent in the spring to kill crabgrass seedlings as they germinate (Note: If you choose spread seed in your lawn during the spring you cannot use pre-emergent as it will kill the seed. Instead use Tupersan which will not damage grass seed).

·         Fertilize your grass with slow releasing fertilizers and, better yet, compro. Remember, maintaining a healthy lawn is the best way to prevent all types of weeds.

Kane Landscapes’ 6-step lawn care program includes the pre-emergent applications, fertilizer, and spot treatments necessary to supress weeds and maintain a healthy lawn. Please contact us if you would like us to design a lawn care program to keep your lawn healthy all year long.

Habitat for Humanity Masquerade Ball

On March 3, 2012 Loudoun Habitat for Humanity previewed Mardi Gras locally with a gala fundraising event to support its ongoing efforts to continue to build more homes for those in need within the county. The event was a combination masquerade ball and silent auction held at the River Creek Country Club located in Leesburg.

Kane Landscapes has contributed to Loudoun Habitat for Humanity over the past five years and showed continued support at the masquerade ball with a $1,000 donation.  "There is an increasing need for affordable housing options within the county, and we want to do our part to address this important community issue" stated Josh Kane, President of Kane Landscapes.

The event was a huge success with an evening full of dinner, dancing, games, and fun. To see a list of other contributors to the event or to find out how you can help, visit Loudoun Habitat's website at http://www.loudounhabitat.org/