It’s winter here in the Washington, D.C., Metro area. You’re bundled up from the cold, and you can see the white puffs of your breath when you venture outside. The last thing on your mind is designing and improving your home landscape. We urge you to think again! There are several advantages to starting this… Read More
Plants for Wet Areas
Wet areas pose special problems in the landscape. However, there are many plants which may tolerate these poor drainage conditions. In wet areas, the addition of Meadows Farms Planting Mix will improve the soil composition and increase drainage. The following are plants recommended for wet areas. Trees Arborvitae Amlanchier Birch Cryptomeria Maples- Red, Autumn Blaze… Read More
Bringing Butterflies to the Backyard
In spring, female butterflies will be mostly concerned with finding their species’ specific host plants on which to lay fertilized eggs. Instinctively, they know they must find plants to ensure that their caterpillars will have appropriate food for survival after hatching. Both male and female butterflies will be looking for flowers with nectar for their… Read More
Native Plants
Native plants are nature’s ideal source of food and protection for wildlife. The plants listed below are species and cultivars that have occurred naturally in the wild in our region. Because they are native to our area and have evolved in this climate and our soil they will generally require minimal fertilizer, no pest control… Read More
Organic Lawn Care Tips
Growing a healthy lawn organically can be a rewarding experience. Your lawn will be the envy of the neighborhood while you are protecting the environment. The following tips will help you succeed: Overseed A thick stand of grass helps to choke out un-wanted weeds in your lawn. Weeds rob moisture, nutrients and light from your… Read More
Care Tips For Your Lawn
My lawn died/browned out over the summer. What should I do? Thatch or rake hard with a fan rake to remove debris and dead grass. Lime: 50 pounds per 1,000 square feet Sow seed Cover with a light (1/4 to 1/2″) covering of good soil and rake lightly. Fertilize with a lawn starter. After second… Read More
Groundcovers
Americans plant more turf grass than any other groundcover; however, grass does not do well everywhere. Other groundcovers can be used for areas where growing grass is not practical. This includes steep slopes, narrow or hard to reach locations, areas around shallow-rooted trees, and very shady spots. Good site preparation is essential for giving your… Read More
Landscaping Benefits to Property Values
“As an investment, landscaping can increase the value of your property by as much as 20 percent–if it is done well.” — This Old House magazine “Spending 5 percent of the total value of your home on landscaping, and doing it wisely, can add 15 percent or more to the value of your home.” — Smart Money… Read More
Top 5 Reasons to Mulch Your Garden This Season
March is the month of mulching here at Meadows Farms, and for a good reason. Most gardens are empty and clean of weeds, established plants are just beginning to start growing, And the soil is just beginning to warm up after the long winter. I would contend that mulching is probably one of the first… Read More
Top 5 Garden Tasks for August
August is the gateway to fall, but it certainly doesn’t feel like it with its typical hot, humid, and dry weather. July of 2018 was a surprisingly mild and wet month this year, and what lies ahead for us in August remains a mystery. Will the trend of rainy, warm weather continue, or will we… Read More