Sweeneys Custom Landscaping Articles
The Bitter Bane of Buckthorn: Removing a Monster
Halloween may be over, but a monster lurks and lingers in our midst. Our beloved prairies and woodlands are under attack. Highly invasive, non-native trees have decimated native perennials, grasses, groundcover and even trees. Sadly, the issue isn’t simply relegated to our national or state parks, but can be…
True Colors: The Science Behind Fall Foliage
The mellow, ripened sun struck the match that would soon set the landscape ablaze in brilliant umber, vermilion, scarlet and smoky plum. The verdant greens of Summer would soon smolder in the deep, rich tones of Autumn’s palette, and the show is about to start. As trees prepare for Winter,…
Second Spring, Second Chances
The landscape lay reeling and depleted, drunk on the sun’s rays and summer heat. She was beginning to show her age in the harsh light of the August sun, and there was a palpable shift in the air. The winds of change are upon us as our attention begins to…
A Simple Guide to Supplemental Watering
Nascent Summer seems to have settled in nicely, replete and contented. Yet her once dewy, fresh face begins to grow sallow and somber under the impossible weight of hot, humid temperatures and lack of meaningful moisture. Her youth, vigor and novelty are starting to wear thin. As season’s change and…
The Damaging Effects of Salt
The Evergreen boughs arched and flexed as the Oaks stooped and ached, arthritic under the grievous weight of the heavy, wet snow. Conditions were treacherous. Nature steeled itself while we were left helpless and seemingly ill prepared. As we begin digging ourselves out and clearing our walkways and drives, we…
Preparing Trees & Shrubs for Winter
November extinguished the landscape ablaze, leaving only a few smoldering embers amongst the ashes. The trees stood unadorned and humbled as their Autumnal attire laid at their feet. The great sentinels now stood vulnerable and exposed. With Winter nipping at our heels, and the threat of consistent hard frosts, our…
Tree Care: The Over & Under on Water
The wind heaved a long and persistent sigh that rattled the leaves into an eerie whirr. The limbs slumped and shirked in the suppressive heat and humidity as a few leaves became untethered and drifted towards the ground. August had been unkind, and her battle lines drawn. Had we done enough? Had…
Second Spring, Second Chances
The winds of change are in the air, almost palpable, as our attention begins to shift from Summer and its carefree nature to the more frenetic, frenzied schedule of Fall. Some may say, we use this time to prepare for the long winter months ahead, much like our squirrel friends…
Supplemental Watering: Why, When & How?
Wilted and withered, Summer began to rot on the vine. Her once dewy, fresh face grew sallow and somber under the impossible weight of hot, humid temperatures and lack of moisture. Her youth and vigor were fading fast. As season’s change and weather cycles, rain can seemingly turn off…
Tree Hugging Optional
This is Bruce. He is a tree – a mighty Oak, nonetheless. He is magnificent and statuesque. He is wise and witty. I’m sure there are times Bruce is simply not in the mood to listen to me prattle on. I’m sure there are times he would like to throttle me…
An Easy Guide to Supplemental Watering
The air was polluted with tiny tufts of cotton, which neither fell nor glided to the ground, but instead bounced around on the breeze like atoms pinging off each other before eventually descending and snagging onto any and every surface in the landscape. Some lawns seemed to take the brunt of…
Pollen Nation
Fresh and fetching as a young bride, the dreamy white flowers floated above the branches like a thousand resting butterflies. They fluttered effortlessly in the breeze, releasing their sweet perfume into the air. Fragrance isn’t the only thing wafting through the atmosphere as many allergy sufferers can attest to. Pollen has hit…