Archives for March 2022

Grow Herbs

How to Grow Herbs in Florida

In days gone by, almost every home had a small herb garden just outside the back door. The herbs were used to flavor dishes and in preserving garden produce for the winter. The practice declined for many years, but is making a spectacular comeback as people seek natural spices and healthy alternatives.

Herbs typically don’t do well in intense heat and are best planted in the spring or autumn months in South Florida. However, herbs that include oregano, rosemary and thyme can be planted almost any time of the year and thrive. Some stay where they’re planted, while others like to spread and sprawl.

Plants or seeds can be planted directly in the ground, in raised beds, and in containers on decks and patios. It’s easy to tuck herbs in amongst flower beds. They’ll require at least 6 hours of sun and will do well being shaded from intense, afternoon sun – especially mint.

Plucking the newest leaves and pinching back plants when needed aids in extending the harvest, while helping to keep them from flowering. Herb production slows down when the plants bloom and they’ll try to produce seeds.

Basil is extremely popular and while some varieties are annuals, there are also perennial types. Peppermint and spearmint easily spread to other areas via underground roots. It’s best grown in pots where it can be contained. Oregano can be grown year-round as a perennial. Rosemary is a perennial that can get very large if not pinched back.

Chives can be cut to the ground if they become overgrown and they’ll begin to regrow in about a week. Dill adds flavor to a variety of dishes and can become a host for black swallowtail butterflies. Fennel is another herb that can be cut to the ground and regrow. It’s often a perennial in South Florida and also provides a home for the black swallowtail – along with parsley.

Sage is an herb that can also be grown as an ornamental. Shiso is a Japanese herb that does well in South Florida for those that enjoy Asian cuisine. Typically used as a sushi garnish, it’s also known as beefsteak plant.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

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types of grass

How Many Types of Grass are There?

There are 10 commonly used types of grass for lawns, but only 4 are predominantly used in South Florida landscapes. The warm and humid climate is great for warmth-loving grasses. For the cooler and transitional months, many residents sow a mix of grasses to ensure a green lawn throughout the year.

St. Augustine Grass

St. Augustine grass is considered the easiest to grow in South Florida and is widely favored. It grows quickly and intensely dislikes cold, making it an ideal choice for the warm Florida climate. It can tolerate shade and does best when kept cut to a height of 2 to 4 inches in height. It does go dormant during winter months, which is why other types are usually planted with St. Augustine grass. It doesn’t tolerate heavy foot traffic well.

Zoysia Grass

The grass is equally happy in sun and shade, and it’s a relatively slow growing variety. It can be kept at a height of 1 to 1½ inches without impeding growth. It’s resistant to disease and weed growth, doesn’t require much fertilizer or water, and is low maintenance.

Buffalo Grass

For a carpet of blue-green colored lawn, buffalo grass is the solution. It actually flourishes in high temperatures and tends to remain green year-round. It thrives when kept at a height of 1½ to 3 inches, doesn’t like overwatering, and does best with light to medium foot traffic.

Bermuda Grass

Popular for golf courses and athletic fields, Bermuda grass doesn’t mind being manicured to a height of 1 to 1 ½ inches. The grass is able to handle heavy foot traffic and withstands heat and direct sun. It’s well-suited to a variety of different soil types. A creeping grower, it will enter flower beds and gardens if restraint measures aren’t taken.

Other Options

Bahiagrass is resilient, thrives in sandy soils, has deep roots enabling it to survive drought conditions, and can survive without an irrigation system. It prefers full sun and has a coarse texture. Keep it at 2 to 4 inches. The grass is low maintenance and won’t fail under foot traffic. It’s becoming increasingly popular for lawns, even though it was originally used for pasture land.

Centipede grass is also an option since it likes acidic and sandy soils. Keep it at 1½ to 3 inches high. It usually doesn’t require fertilizer, is low maintenance, and grows relatively slowly. It may go dormant during drought conditions and doesn’t care for a lot of foot traffic.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

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commercial landscape

Commercial Landscaping on a Budget

Most people envision landscaping as expensive, sweeping changes to the landscape that involves heavy equipment and uprooting mature trees. It’s entirely possible to beautifully landscape commercial properties without spending a fortune. It doesn’t always involve large scale removal or installation of plants. It can encompass smaller changes or hardscaping features to enhance spaces.

Perennials For Annuals

Most people plant annuals for their splashes of bright colors. They provide vibrant interest in the landscape, but they have to be purchased anew each year and replanted. They can take a considerable amount of time and effort to maintain and may have significant moisture requirements leading to expensive water bills.

Commercial landscaping can replace annuals with perennials that only need to be purchased and planted once. They’re often more heat-resistant and drought-tolerant than annuals, which means savings on water bills. They require little maintenance and many perennials sport bright blooms that work to create an ever-changing landscape throughout the year.

Native Plants

Installing native plants produces a lower impact on the environment and typically require less care and maintenance. They’ve evolved to grow in the South Florida climate. They provide a food source of seeds, berries and nuts for birds and wildlife. Some have blossoms that attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Pavers

Permeable pavers are known as a hard feature, as opposed to plants. They can be used to create pathways, patios, coping around swimming pools, and to surround retention ponds. They have a low impact on the environment and even help filter pollutants. Permeable pavers are beneficial for reducing and managing runoff.

Wildflower Gardens

Not every inch of a commercial property requires manicured lawns. Commercial enterprises can reduce costs, beautify their property, and provide a refuge for birds, bees, and butterflies by establishing a wildflower garden. It just needs to be planted once, requires little in the way of maintenance, and it’s particularly beneficial for reducing erosion on slopes and hills.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

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Drought Resistant Plants in Florida

Homeowners and businesses have a myriad of plants from which to choose that provide blooms and beauty throughout the season. Florida is known as a warm and humid state, but what people may not know is that weather records going back to 1900 indicate that at least one severe drought has occurred in Florida during every decade.

Residents of South Florida have flowers, bushes, ferns and trees that are able to tolerate dry conditions and even a drought without withering and dying. The following are some drought resistant plants from which to choose.

African Iris

Exotic looking white flowers emerge in the spring with distinct purple and yellow markings. It’s a low maintenance plant, the blooms last for only a day but it’s a profuse bloomer.

Beach Sunflower

Known as beach sunflower and dune sunflower, it can be found growing wild in coastal regions and can easily be adapted for inland plantings. A summer bloomer, the daisy-like yellow flowers may appear year-round in South Florida. It attracts pollinators that includes bees, butterflies and moths, while birds eat the seeds.

Beautyberry

The shrub produces lavender blossoms followed by clusters of purple berries in the autumn and winter. The seeds and berries are a food source for a variety of bird species, provides cover for birds, and the foliage is a favorite of deer.

Blanket Flower

A native to the state, it features red and gold flowers that attracts butterflies. It’s an annual that also readily reseeds itself.

Fern Leaf Lavender

Silvery foliage produces purple flowers that attract butterflies. The blooms and foliage are fragrant.

Firebush

The bright red tube-shaped flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. The plant provides cover for birds and the seeds are a source of food for multiple types of songbirds.

Locust Berry

The Florida native features flowers of white, pink and red all on the same plant and it attracts butterflies. It can be grown as a small shrub or tree, birds eat the seeds, and it provides cover for multiple avian species. It’s a threatened species in the wild.

Reed-Stemmed Orchid

Also known as crucifix orchid and rainbow orchid, it’s easy to grow and the blossoms attract hummingbirds. The most common color is red-orange, but is also available in white and hues of pink, purple and yellow.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

Read more
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