Tag Archives: gardening

How to Attract Butterflies to your Yard

With the return of warm weather we are starting to see a familiar and welcoming sight. Little splashes of color that flutter by and add vibrancy to our landscapes. Indeed, the butterflies have returned. Every time we see one of these beautiful specimens we can’t help but smile and feel content for the few moments we share with their presence. So how do we attract more and more butterflies to our yards? Let’s take a look at some key elements.

Naturally, if you were to sit and wait for them you would eventually see one or two. However, if you know what they are looking for and provide the proper trees, flowers, and shrubs for them, you will have your own butterfly sanctuary to enjoy!  For starters, it’s best to start with a variety of flowering/fruit trees and shrubs to attract butterflies to your garden. It is recommended that you choose a mixture of both rapid bloomers and varieties that have a longer bloom time. With the addition of these types of plants you will start to see American ladies, silvery blues, zebra swallowtails, Compton tortoiseshells, and northern pearly eyes . . .just to name a few.

The eastern red-bud tends to bloom in early spring and is one of the earliest bloomers. This leads to the attraction of such specimens as the silvery blue, zebra swallowtails and dreamy duskywings. This would be a great addition to any landscape to help kick off the welcoming of the butterflies. Plus you are helping the environment because its nectar and pollen attract butterflies necessary for healthy orchards and vegetable gardens.

It is very important to know what these beautiful creatures are looking for in order to create an inspiring butterfly sanctuary in your yard. The majestic flutter-bys instill a joy and peacefulness to our everyday. It is a very simple process and takes minimal work to give these beauties what they are looking for . . .and well worth the effort!

 

Gorgeous Hydrangeas

Curating the perfect garden is an art.  Selecting which flowers, shrubs and trees to integrate can be difficult.  Gorgeous hydrangeas always make for a wonderful addition; here’s why.

Hydrangea Westchester Tree Life

Beautiful Bushels of Flowers

Westchester Tree Life Hydrangea

Did you know Westchester Tree Life can help customize a plant health care plan just for you?

Hydrangeas bloom from spring to late fall.  Their tiny flowers grow in clusters and can be pink, purple, blue and cream.  The cool thing about hydrangeas is how easy it is to manipulate their color; all you have to do is control the pH of the soil.  If you would like your hydrangeas to yield pink blooms, you can raise the pH of the soil with limestone.  Lowering the pH with elemental sulfur will result in blue flowers.

Healthy Hydrangeas

Westchester Tree Life can assist with your soil! Call today: (914) 238-0069

Westchester Tree Life can assist with your soil! Call today: (914) 238-0069

Whether you prefer your hydrangeas potted or planted, well drained soil is key.  If you are planting hydrangeas, dig a hole slightly larger than the plant.  This will result in loose, pliable soil.  If you are potting hydrangeas, do not plant any deeper than one inch above the original pot height.  Select a place where your hydrangea can get a little bit of morning sun as well as afternoon shade.

The Best Trees for Fall Foliage: Part Two

Introduce vivid, eye-catching color to your autumn landscape with trees!  In our last blog, The Best Trees for Fall Foliage, we shared some of our favorite trees to brighten up your Westchester lawn and garden.  Today we are continuing the list with part two; which of these trees do you plan on planting this upcoming year?

The Red Maple

red-maple-tree-westchester-tree-life

red-maple-westchester-tree-life

The Red Maple produces a leaf so red it’s almost surreal!  There are many variations of the maple tree, all which are lovely in varying ways but the red maple will always be a standard New England fall classic.

The Sugar Maple

sugar-maple-tree-westchester-tree-lifechappaqua-tree-care-westchester-tree-life

Right behind the classic red maple is the ever-so-sweet sugar maple!  Known for producing a deliciously sweet sap, this tree’s burst of bright color will have you smiling as you rake your leaves.

The Sweetgum Tree

the-sweetgum-tree-westchester-tree-life

Star shaped leaves and unusual fruit and trees are the key identifiers of a sweetgum tree.  During fall time, the glossy once-green leaves of the sweetgum turn magnificent shades of red, orange and yellow!

 

Planting a Late-Summer Vegetable Garden

Put your green thumb to the test this autumn by planting a late-summer vegetable garden!  There is nothing more rewarding than creating your own garden, especially if it yields produce you can cook with!  Here are some great late-summer vegetable garden plants for you to add to your Westchester home.

Root Vegetables

Root Vegetable Garden Westchester Tree Life

Root vegetables are best planted during the late summer, and come to maturity during the cooler fall months.  This is the perfect time to plant radishes, turnips, beets and carrots.  Bunching onions such as scallions and garlic chives are also wonderful additions to your garden, and will be perfect for winter soups and stews!

Roasted Radishes

Roasted Radishes via kitchn

Get this Roasted Radishes recipe here.

Add Greens

Greens Westchester Tree Life

The health benefits of kale are very trendy right now!  Make sure you get your serving of greens by adding some to your garden!  Now is the perfect time to plant kale, broccoli, cabbage, collard greens and swiss chard!

Read how to freeze your extra greens here.

When to Plant What

Cool Season Vegetable Crop GuideThis is a great guide for mapping out your late-summer garden!  If you have missed any of the dates for your zone, simply bookmark this for next year!

Organic Gardening

Organic gardening is a great way to add to your healthy lifestyle.  Growing your own organic fruits, vegetables and herbs is easy with help from Westchester Tree Life!  We offer organic fertilization to keep your garden happy and healthy.

Organic Fertilizer Westchester Tree Life

About Organic Fertilization 

Non-organic fertilizers contain chemicals such as ammonia or is extracted from minerals.  Introducing manmade chemicals into your soil not only effects your plants, it effects your soil! Organic fertilizers contain only the most natural of ingredients so you can feel at ease about what you’re introducing to your garden.  For organic fertilization in Bedford, White Plains or other areas in Westchester County, New York, call Westchester Tree Life at (914) 238-0069!

Organic Vegetable Gardening

Organic Fertilization Westchester Tree Life

We offer organic fertilization in Westchester County!

Starting your own vegetable garden is a great way to monitor what goes into the veggies you’re eating!  Organic vegetable gardening takes patience, maintenance and care, but the end-result is very gratifying.  Before you start your organic vegetable garden, it’s important that you understand what kind of soil you have and how much sun your garden can provide.  Read Better Homes and Gardens’ Tips for Growing an Organic Vegetable Garden for more tips and tricks here.

Organic-Gardening-Westchest

Call Westchester Tree Life today for organic fertilization!

Creative Herb Gardens

Planting fresh herbs is a great way to stock up on your favorite flavors and fragrances right in your own yard.  Here are some of our favorite creative herb gardens to inspire you to try your hand at herb gardening.

DIY Herb Garden Westchester Tree Life

Upcycle your cans and create a fun “hanging” garden!

Research Before You Plant

Before you begin purchasing seeds, make a list of the herbs you would like to grow.  After, go through your list and make sure you have the proper space to plant your seedlings.  This is a great guide explaining when it’s best to plant herbs and vegetables!

Herb Garden Growing Guide

Plant Markers

Plant markers are a great way to stay reminded of which seeds are where.  There are so many creative ways to mark your herb garden; we love both of these ideas.

Herb Garden Markers Westchester Tree Life

Herb Markers

Traditional Garden

Herb Garden Westchester Tree Life

This well-manicured herb garden is aesthetically pleasing!; the grass-like hedge is actually rosemary!

Lavender Hedge Westchester Tree Life

A lavender hedge adds a pop of color and beautiful fragrant blooms.

Easy Pickin’

Patterned Herb Garden Westchester Tree Life

This tile-checkered herb garden makes picking herbs a snap!  If you have an awkward corner space in your yard, put it to good use and create a tiny herb area.

Container Gardening

Benched Herb Container Gardens Westchester Tree Life

Wooden crates and a bench are all that holds this rustic patio herb garden up!  This is a great idea for Westchester homes which have a large patio area, or a small backyard.

Container Herb Garden Westchester Tree Life

If you are starting your herb garden inside, stacked planters are a great way to keep all of your herbs neatly organized and easily mobile.  Chalkboard herb markers are a genius touch to keep all of your herbs labeled.

Kitchen Counter Container Herb Garden

Potted herbs, fruits and veggies are neatly organized and within arm’s reach on this kitchen countertop.  This is a fun way to mix up your kitchen space.

4 Fragrant Flowers to Add to Your Garden

Create the perfect garden oasis in your backyard!  Westchester County’s professional arborists, Westchester Tree Life are sharing 4 fragrant flowers to add to your garden this year.  Once the breeze carries the sweet scent from your garden, you’re going to want to share your favorite fragrant flowers with your friends!

Dianthus

Dianthus Westchester Tree Life

Westchester Tree Life Westchester County New York

If you’re a gardening aficionado, you have definitely seen (or smelled) a bouquet of Dianthus!  Dianthus grow pink, white or red and give off a spicy-sweet fragrance.  Taller types of Dianthus are perfect for cutting, and include both annual and perennial types.

Gardenias

Gardenia Westchester Tree Life

Gardenia Westchester County New York

Both beautiful and fragrant, Gardenias are a lovely addition to your Westchester County garden!  Gardenias are a beautiful shrub which Westchester Tree Life can assist you in caring for with a Plant Health Care Management Plan!

Oriental Lily

Westchester County Garden Care

Oriental Lily Westchester Tree Life

Oriental Lilies bloom mid-to-late summer and are eye-catching and beautiful.  These sweet smelling flowers bloom in shades of pink, yellow and white.  These will definitely be the talk of your garden!

Lily of the ValleyLily of the Valley Westchester County New York

Lawn Care Westchester County New York

Perfect for a beginner, Lily of the Valley requires little care and makes for a wonderfully fragrant groundcover!  Lily of the Valley works beautifully as a potted plant as well.

Tree Feature: Captivating Conifers

Conifers are a form of evergreen, meaning they retain their color and leaves all year long!  Which of these captivating conifers are perfect for your design?

Whimsical Beauty

NY Tree Care

How amazing is this texture?

The dense, silver-blue nettles of the “Blue Star” Juniper are a great way to introduce color into your landscape’s design.

Introduce Originality

Tree Care Chappaqua

We love the shape of this conifer!

Are you looking for an eye-catching conifer to add to your backyard oasis?  The Dwarf Japanese Black Pine are always known to have original identifying factors!

 Add Something Romantic

White Plains Tree Care

This Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar is a great way to break up a garden’s monotonous height distribution.  Give your yard a touch of romance!

Feathery Foliage

Westchester Tree Care

Mix up the textures in your garden with the feathery foliage of the Zebrina Himalayan Pine.

Gorgeous Groundcover

Tree Care Westchester

Add a pop of color with gorgeous silvery-blue groundcover!  Blue Chip Juniper is the perfect low-growing, low-spreading, eye-catching groundcover!