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Plant some sunshine

There’s still time to plant some sunflowers in your landscape. The National Garden Bureau named 2021 the Year of the Sunflower, and with good reason. This cheerful plant is always a popular cut flower, and it’s rather easy to grow.

Some facts about sunflowers:

They are native to North America, so they are well-suited to grow here.
They provide both nectar and seeds, making them a great plant for pollinators.
The flowers move to face the sun, a process called heliotropism.

According to CSU’s PlantTalk, sunflower care is simple. They do best in full sun for 6+ hours each day and should be planted approximately 6-12” apart. Since many sunflower varieties are natives, they are often drought tolerant. Water deeply but infrequently for best results.

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Source: customer-service@bestyard.com in collaboration with Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado

Prep for hail

Late spring is hail season in Colorado. It’s good to know what precautions you can take ahead of time and what you can do for plants after hail has dealt its blows.

Minimize damage if you can

Be prepared by placing buckets or old planting pots close to the garden so you can grab them quickly to cover plants when a storm rolls in, or set them in place before you go to bed if you expect a storm overnight.
Put heavy container plants that are beyond the patio or porch roof on wheeled bases so they can easily be moved under cover.
Have copper soap or a similar copper fungicide on hand to spray on plants right after the damage. It keeps fungus from getting into the open wounds. Just like you put antiseptic on a cut finger, you need to apply it ASAP—within minutes or a few hours after the storm for the best effect.

Hail-damaged veggies and annuals

When plants are shredded by hail, do remedial work. You should prune off shredded leaves and broken stems on most plants. Here are some specifics:

Flowering annuals with no remaining foliage will probably not recover and should be replanted. If there is some foliage left on petunias, they may survive. When they are damaged early in the season, there is time for them to recover so it’s worth trying to nurse them back to health.
Early vegetable root crops such as carrots left without foliage won’t recover. They need green leaves to produce energy to grow.
Leafy vegetables may recover, but if you see no signs of new growth after a week or so, replant.

How to trim back damaged plants

Keep as many of the remaining leaves as possible. If half or more of the leaf is intact, keep it at least a little while so it can create energy for the plant.
Remove branches, leaves and stems that are broken or badly shredded.
If the top of a plant is shredded—for example, a tomato plant—clip the plant down to where there are healthy leaves.
Spray the cuts or broken places as soon as possible with a copper product. Copper, commonly found in fungicides, will help keep diseases from entering the plants. Caution: read the label before applying any product on veggies.
Wait to fertilize for a week or so when the plant shows signs of new growth. Use a liquid or granular fertilizer.
Minimize stress on the plants by watering consistently and evenly without over- or under-watering.

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Source: customer-service@bestyard.com in collaboration with Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado

Keep weeds in check

What is a weed? It’s any plant that grows where we don’t want it. Often they are non-native, potentially invasive plants that can outgrow and crowd out the plants we put in our landscape on purpose.

To avoid a big problem in the height of the growing season, take some time to stop weeds as soon as they appear. The key is to get rid of them before they flower or go to seed.
There are two basic methods of weed control: hand pulling and spraying them.
Hand pulling weeds
If the ground is still moist from rain, pulling weeds becomes much easier and you should be able to remove the root easily. If you only remove the top part of the weed but leave the root in the ground, it will soon grow back.
At the end of a weed-pulling project, there’s great satisfaction in seeing the nicely cleaned bed areas and the big stack of weeds that are no longer in your yard. But hand-pulling weeds is not a one-time effort—you’ll need to keep an eye out for those left-behind roots sprouting and for weeds that come in on the wind and try to make a new home in your landscape.
Spraying weeds
Applying a weed-killer product is another option and is most effective when sprayed on small, newly emerging weeds. Trying to pull out short weeds often ends up with them breaking and leaving the root in the ground to regrow. Taller weeds that are sprayed will eventually turn brown and will still need to be pulled out and removed.
Use the proper treatment on the right weed. Before applying any weed killer, read the label, pay attention to safety precautions and pollinator information and know the difference between the two basic types of products. Better still, rely on a landscape professional to with proper training and licensing to use weed killers safely and most effectively.
Don’t expect to become weed-free
For many weeds, total eradication is unlikely. For example, if your neighbor lets dandelions bloom, you won’t be able to keep them from popping up in your landscape. You’ll need to determine how many unwanted plants you can tolerate seeing when choosing your weed control method.

Remember that a healthy landscape is your best defense against weeds. Encourage the plants you want by keeping them healthy so that they can establish themselves and push out weeds by claiming their real estate.

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Source: customer-service@bestyard.com in collaboration with Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado

Give a gift that lives on

Cut flowers fade and die soon after gifting them. Why not give Mom—or any special person in your life—a gift that will give them joy for more than a week?

Container gardens
Plants in containers and hanging baskets are great for small spaces and larger landscapes alike. They can create a pop of color on a porch or patio, and they can be moved easily. They can even be brought indoors if the temperatures dip toward frost or a spring hailstorm hits.
Local garden centers offer ready-made container combinations with bright annuals that are sure to bring a smile to your loved one’s face. Or you can design a container that is customized to their tastes—whether it’s with favorite colors or edible plants. Annual flowers, veggie containers and herb gardens can all be grown easily in containers on porches and backyard patios or balconies in garden-level apartments or high-rise condos.
Hanging baskets
For even more space-saving ability, consider a hanging basket. If your loved one doesn’t have a green thumb, there are plenty of low-maintenance houseplants or succulent options in containers. Even small cactus and succulent gardens can still provide color. Not only do many have colorful blooms, but the plants themselves can be found in shades of red, pink, blue, and violet.

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Source: customer-service@bestyard.com in collaboration with Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado

Train your turf

A little tough love now will benefit your lawn throughout the growing season. Springtime is when grass grows its feeder roots that will capture water all season long. Later it will grow more blades, then store nutrients for winter.
If you give your lawn too much water now, the roots will remain shallow in the top inch or so of the soil. Shallow roots dry out sooner, so the grass will stress and its brown spots will beg for water. Don’t water if there’s precipitation, and test soil moisture before you do water. Probe the lawn with a screwdriver. If it’s hard to push the screwdriver into the soil, it’s time to water.
When the top inch of soil is allowed to dry out while the roots are in growth mode, the roots will grow deeper in search of moisture. By encouraging those water-seeking roots to grow deep, you can help develop a healthier, water-wise lawn.
In the heat of July, you’ll be glad you trained the roots when the deep-rooted lawn is less stressed and requires less water.

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Source: customer-service@bestyard.com in collaboration with Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado

Order bugs to control weeds

Bindweed might look like a miniature version of morning glory, but it is a nuisance that seems like it can take over a garden almost overnight. It is very difficult to control once established in your landscape.

Colorado Department of Agriculture has categorized bindweed as a noxious weed. Luckily, the department offers a tool to help you fight it.

Request a bug

Through the “Request-A-Bug” program, homeowners may purchase a biological pest control to deal with bindweed in their veggie gardens and yards. The Insectary imports, rears, establishes and colonizes beneficial organisms to control specific plant and insect problems such as bindweed. There are other biocontrols available for Canada thistle, Russian knapweed, and other noxious weeds.
For bindweed, the control is a microscopic mite that preys on bindweed without disturbing other plants. Supplies are limited and vary year to year. Consequently, the Insectary may not be able to provide mites for every request per season. If you had bindweed last season, it’s best to get on their waitlist now.

How it works

When the mites are ready, you’ll be contacted for payment and confirm that you can receive the overnight shipment. The package includes pieces of bindweed with mites on them and instructions for how to release them.
The advantages of biological controls include lessening or eliminating the use of pesticides and the establishment of useful populations of predatory insects. As with other treatments, more than one control might be required.

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Source: customer-service@bestyard.com in collaboration with Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado

Why Lawn Care?

Environmental Impact

Healthy lawns and green spaces are a great benefit to our environment. A thick healthy turf helps trap pollutants and dust from the air, healthy turf helps lower temperatures in urban areas, and it even reduces erosion of soil into our waterways. These are just a few of the environmental benefits that green spaces provide.

Cooling : Climate is controlled at ground level by turf grasses as they COOL temperatures appreciably, thus working as exterior “air conditioners”. Eight average front lawns have the cooling effect of 70 tons of air conditioning while the average home size air conditioning unit produces only 3 to 4 tons of cooling capacity. A well-maintained lawn and landscape keeps your home cooler on hot days by reducing ground level temperatures by 30 to 40 degrees over bare soil and 50 to 70 degrees over paved surfaces like streets and driveways.
Cleaning : Properly maintained shrubs, plants and lawns are environmental heroes. Dust and smoke particles from the atmosphere are trapped by turf, which helps keep the air cleaner. Because of their filtering capability, plants prevent soil erosion, filter contaminants from rainwater, and absorb dust and soot. Groundwater is enhanced in two ways by a dense turf. Turf grasses increase infiltration of water and also clean the water as it passes so that underground water supplies are recharged for use by us all.
Reducing Noise : Landscaping can reduce noise by up to 50 percent. Quiet, grassed areas affect people’s moods, thus creating feelings of serenity, privacy, thoughtfulness, happiness or sadness depending on our association with their use…home lawn, roadside rest area, city park, golf course or memorial park.
Increasing Air Quality : Oxygen generation by turf grasses has a major impact in making our environment habitable and healthy. A 50′ x 50′ lawn produces enough oxygen for a family of four.
Preventing Erosion : Erosion of soil by water is highly controlled by grasses as they intercept raindrops before they disturb the soil (and slow flowing water so that it drops larger soil particles collected). A healthy 10,000-sq. ft. lawn (about the size of an average suburban lot) can absorb more than 6,000 gallons of rainwater without noticeable runoff. As overwatering is a much bigger problem than under watering, automatic irrigation systems, where possible, should be considered for the most efficient watering rates.

Lifestyle Benefits of Green Spaces

Healing : Horticulture is therapeutic and improves quality of life. Millions of Americans spend countless hours enjoying their yards and tending to their flowers and gardens. Studies illustrate that hospital patients whose rooms overlook landscapes recover faster and require less pain medication than those lying in a sterile urban environment. Yearly cycles of nature produce changes in the color of lawns, which are among the first areas to green up in the spring. This brings a lift to human spirits and links urban inhabitants with a symbol of the countryside and its heritage.
Preventing Injury : Sports playing surfaces are made safer when grassed with sure footing and cushioning sod that adds to the quality of play. Volleyball, badminton, croquet, bocce and other games are enjoyed by young and old on grassed areas. No other surface material feels as good on bare feet or is as good for playing games and even turning somersaults.

Economic Benefits of Green Spaces

Not only can a well-maintained add up to 15 percent to a property’s value, but landscaping can accelerate the sale by as much as six weeks when selling a home. We understand that your biggest asset needs to be protected and that is why we treat your home as if it were our own.

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Source: customer-service@bestyard.com in collaboration with Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado

Avoid these 5 lawn care mistakes

A healthy lawn not only looks great, but it can prevent erosion, cool the local environment and filter pollutants from air and water. To enjoy all of those benefits, avoid these five mistakes.

Planting grass where it won’t grow. Turf needs full sun. Looking to fill in a shady spot? Consider another ground cover suited to shade, like vinca minor (periwinkle) or sweet woodruff. Ask your landscape professional or local garden center for recommendations.
Planting only one type of grass and/or the wrong kind. Variety is the spice of life and a necessary ingredient for a healthy landscape as well. Know your zone, and plant grasses that can thrive in Colorado’s sunny, dry conditions.
Improper watering. Take the time to train the root by watering less frequently but more deeply. Cycle and soak—but not midday when water is lost to evaporation. Follow local watering guidelines, and don’t water until your lawn needs it.
Mowing too short. It’s a simple error to fix: raise your mower blade. The best height for lawn health and water conservation is 2 ½ to 3 inches. You should mow often enough that you are never removing more than 1/3 of the lawn height. Leave the clippings on the lawn to return nutrients to the soil and keep moisture in.
Improper use of fertilizer. So many things can go wrong with fertilizer: too much, too little, applied at the wrong time of year. It’s a good idea to consult a landscape professional to make sure it is being used properly. The right fertilizer applications can give you a lush lawn that looks great provides all possible benefits, including cooling your yard, providing oxygen, and reducing runoff.

Healthy lawns require routine maintenance, and it’s okay to ask for help. Your landscape professional can help you set your landscape up for success with the right plants in the right place and the right maintenance practices that save money, time, and resources.

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Source: customer-service@bestyard.com in collaboration with Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado

Need spring color right now

After recent snows gave them a dose of moisture, and with temperatures heating up along the Front Range, early spring bulbs are popping up in landscapes and giving us a hint of the color to come. Crocuses, hyacinths, even some daffodils, and tulips can be spotted in gardens and flower beds.

The warm days might inspire you to add some color to your landscape. However, keep in mind that April in Colorado could still bring us heavy snowfall or even a freeze. Wait at least six weeks to plant most annuals.

If you must plant flowers soon, consider cool-hardy pansies.

When purchasing, check with garden center staff that the flowers are ready to plant. Pansies should be hardened off before putting them in the ground. If they have been kept outdoors at the garden center, they are probably hardened off and ready to plant.
Pansies that have not yet been hardened off need some protected outside time to get used to the outdoors. They need to adjust to night-time temps more than they need sunshine. Keep them outside on the patio in a protected area for about five nights before planting. If there is a frost or hard freeze, bring them indoors.

Once planted, pansies are frost hardy but will be seriously damaged by a hard freeze. If temps fall below 28 degrees, protect the plants from freeze damage like you would annuals in the early fall. Cover them with household items like sheets, blankets or towels – not plastic.

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Source: customer-service@bestyard.com in collaboration with Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado

Get ready for the growing season

Itching to get out and work in the yard? Planting time really is just around the corner. While you wait until the threat of freeze is over, there are plenty of ways to prepare for the growing season.

To be effective and efficient in the yard, you need the right tools and tools in good condition. Take stock of the shovels, rakes, weeding tools and pruners that are stashed in the garage or shed.

Do DIY repairs and schedule services for the tasks you won’t do yourself:

On metal surfaces of shovels and other tools, remove rust with steel wool and apply WD-40.
Replace broken handles on shovels and rakes.
Sharpen blades on pruners and also the lawnmower.
Schedule the spring tune-up for the lawnmower. You’ll want it to be ready to roll and not waiting in line when it’s time for the first mow of the season.
Schedule spring lawn aeration and sprinkler system activation now, as schedules fill up quickly.

Finally, resist the urge to plant too early. Colorado could still see a freeze in the next six weeks, so be patient in order to give your new plants the best chance at thriving in your landscape.

Click “DO IT FOR ME” to request a FREE quote.

Source: customer-service@bestyard.com in collaboration with Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado

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Dec 12, 2022

You all are the best

- Susan

Nov 11, 2022

They are doing a good job getting everything under control.

- Janet

Nov 8, 2022

Great service with great staff.

- Ken

Nov 14, 2022

All good

BestYard have done our fall leaf clean up for a few years now and we really appreciate this service!! We have a dozen trees in our small backyard so over the years we have more and more leaves as we get older. BestYard are good at communication and getting the job done!

- Margeret

Nov 2, 2022

It was quick and our lawn looks great!

- Paul

Wonderful job, team. The fall yard cleanup was perfect and the house looks great again!

- Trent

Oct 27, 2022

Excellent service!

- Tonyetta

Oct 26, 2022

Thanks Weed Man for aerating our lawn! The guys were fast, friendly, respectful of directions and most of all, did a great job of taking care of readying our lawn for winter and into the spring. Thanks so much for texting the day before to remind us of appointment!

- Ryan and Roxanne

Oct 25, 2022

Excellent customer service!!

- Lisa

Our Blog

Plant some sunshine

Prep for hail

Keep weeds in check

Give a gift that lives on

Train your turf

Order bugs to control weeds

Why Lawn Care?

Avoid these 5 lawn care mistakes

Need spring color right now

Get ready for the growing season

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