While droughts don’t occur that often in Florida, they do happen. Weather records since 1900
shows that at least once in every decade, a severe drought develops somewhere within the
state. Even for those fortunate enough to have an irrigation system, it may not be enough to
keep lawns green as water use restrictions may go into effect.
It’s important to remember that a drought afflicted lawn isn’t necessarily a dead lawn. Grass
can survive a drought, recover, and return to its lush, green appearance. Individuals shouldn’t
be surprised if they notice an increase in weed growth.
Dead or Dormant
The first step is to look at the lawn and determine if grass is really dead or dormant. If the
entire grass blades are brown, including the tips, the grass is dead and you’ll need to start from
scratch to grow a new lawn.
Grass that easily pulls out of the ground is dead, not dormant. Grass blades that are whitish in
color where the roots and grass shoots meet or if green shoots are present, the lawn survived
the drought.
Water
Be careful not to over water following a drought. Plying the lawn with too much moisture
results in shallow roots and encourages disease, insect and weed infestations. Water may not
soak into soil easily, leading to erosion. It’s better to underwater after a drought than to
over water.
Mowing
It’s going to take some time for the grass to recover. When it’s eventually time to begin
mowing, set the mower to a higher setting. Once the lawn has fully recovered, individuals can
begin mowing at the usual height.
Aerate
Aeration allows the soil to breathe and absorb more nutrients Moisture will be absorbed
deeper into the soil, encouraging deeper root growth.
Fertilize

Be careful not to over fertilize to avoid “burning” the grass and use a slow release type that will
last for several months. Nutrients are released over time to keep grass nourished. Those
nutrients will also fuel weed growth – pull weeds out by the roots.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

The South Florida climate is great for growing a wide range of native and exotic plants in-ground and in pots. However, the state does experience occasional variations in weather that can result in a cold snap. The chill typically doesn’t last long, but can quickly kill potted plants of any kind. There are measures that individuals can take to minimize damage and protect their plants.

Bring Them Indoors

Bringing potted plants indoors is the easiest way to preserve greenery. Being able to do so is dependent on the space inside the home to do so and the size of the pot. Large pots aren’t easily relocated if they’re not positioned on a mobile plant cart. If bringing the plants in the home isn’t an option, the garage or a greenhouse are convenient alternatives.

Covers

There are numerous commercially available coverings that can be placed over plants. A cardboard box works equally well. Gardeners can also use newspaper to cover them. Secure the newspaper to the pot in some way to prevent it from blowing away due to breezes. Preventative measures should be applied before nightfall to trap warmth under the covering.

A sheet, blanket, tarp or similar item can be draped over plants to protect them from the cold. Just be sure the plant can handle the weight of the material. Coolers, baskets and similar containers with a solid bottom can be placed over plants for protection. Don’t use plastic sheeting – it causes condensation on leaves that can freeze.

Grouping

It’s beneficial to group smaller pots together before covering. Make sure the covering goes all the way to the ground. If the cold is an overnight occurrence, uncover plants as soon as the air temperature warms. If the chill is longer lasting, it’s important not to leave plants covered for more than a maximum of 3 days.

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

Green lawns, abundant blooms, shapely shade trees, and artfully draped vines are beautiful to behold, but plants ranging from flowers to trees can include some unpleasant and time-consuming clean-up and maintenance requirements. For those that prefer to spend their time enjoying their blossoms and foliage rather than performing endless maintenance tasks, there are some basic rules.

The Plants

Choose plantings that have naturally low maintenance characteristics. Avoid trees with messy blooms and fruits, along with bushes and vines that require frequent trimming and pruning. Select flowers that don’t require deadheading. Choose insect and disease resistant species to minimize control and prevention methods.

The best low maintenance plants won’t need frequent fertilizing. Always research desired plants to ensure they’re not an invasive species or have the potential to be invasive. Plants native to South Florida are best adapted to the climate.

Water Requirements

For individuals that don’t want to invest in an irrigation system, or spend endless hours hand-watering, select plants with low water requirements. Another consideration is the ability to survive flooding and inundation by salt water. Conversely, seek plants that are able to tolerate drought conditions. The best solution is an irrigation system to ensure each plant’s unique water requirements are met.

Perennials

Many plants that are annuals in other locations can survive year-round in South Florida. One of the prime attractions of perennials is that they don’t have to be replanted every year. They may lose their leaves or die back after blooming, only to re-emerge the next year bigger and better than ever.

Mowing

Avoid letting grass grow long, mowing it, then raking and disposing of grass clippings. The secret to less mowing is to maintain lawns at a consistent length during the growing season and at a length that’s appropriate to the specific type of lawn grass planted.

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

Real estate agents will be the first to tell you that a home must have curb appeal when trying to sell it. Curb appeal refers to how attractive your home looks when viewed by a potential buyer approaching the house.

Real estate agents often suggest a new coat of paint, cleaning windows or even upgrading a mailbox. Curb appeal should also extend to your landscape design, since buyers are purchasing the entire package, not just the house.

The good news is that you don’t have to spend a bundle to add aesthetic value to your yard. There are a variety of inexpensive ways to flatter your grounds without calling in the landscapers.

Mulch

If you already have mulch in flowerbeds and around trees or bushes, put down a new application to make everything look bright and new. If you haven’t mulched, consider doing so. It’s good for the plants, soil, and it’s a low-cost option.

Instant Color

Plant some colorful annuals around the front door or along a walkway. They provide a splash of color and add a welcoming touch to entryways. Alternatively, you might want to consider a couple of containers with those bright annuals or some hanging baskets.

Trees and Bushes

Trim any dead or unsightly limbs from trees and do the same with bushes to make them neat and tidy looking. Remove any dead branches, leaves or debris on the ground and don’t forget to remove the remnants of any trimming you’ve done.

Tidy Perennials

Perennial flowers tend to get out of hand without annual maintenance. Eliminate dead or dying plants. If you want to take a particular flower to your new home, now is a good time to dig it up.

Irrigation, Water Features

Make sure the irrigation system is working well and scrub down any water fountains. Clear algae from ponds and attend to any faucet leaks.

Power Washing

Use a power washer to clean steps, walkways and driveways. A power washer is also a good way to clean water fountains.

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

Planning a new landscape or updating an old one is fun and exciting. To ensure the job is done right, you’ll want to engage the services of a professional. You’ll have many questions for your landscape designer and the following four are essential.

Know Your Budget

Before you contact a landscape designer, know how much you have available to spend and make a list of what elements you want to include. A designer can work with you to help you stay within your budget. You may decide some elements aren’t as important as you first thought or you might want to approach your design in multiple stages.

Services Offered

You’ll want a landscape designer experienced in the features you want installed and if the company offers consultations. You might also want them to manage the landscape when it’s completed. Some landscape professionals only design, while others offer design and build services. A full-service landscape design service will create a design, build it, oversee every step of the process, and offer a maintenance program.

Time

Landscape design takes time. Talk with the designer to ascertain how long the installation will require. Much depends on the size and scope of the project, the type of plants selected, and the availability of materials.

The same is true for the time it will take for the landscaping to grow into itself. Don’t expect a project that looks like it’s been there for years. Flowers can grow into their space in as little as 1 season. Trees and shrubs can take several years to attain their full size and fill in their area.

Credentials

Don’t be shy. Ask the landscape designer to see his portfolio and ask for references. Make sure the company is licensed and fully insured. Accidents do happen and you’ll want to know that your landscape designer is prepared for any contingency.

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

Standing water is becoming a far greater problem than it has been in the past. Nature will typically find a way to rid itself of excess water. New home and business developments are changing the way that nature responds, leading to puddling and localized flooding. For those experiencing any of those problems, there are solutions.

Wise Watering

One of the most common sources of standing water is overwatering. Those with sprinkler systems that discover puddling should have an irrigation specialist check the system. Heads can become damaged and misaligned. The same is true for modern systems with moisture detection technology. The water flow to certain areas may need to be adjusted.

Thatch Buildup

Grass clippings and other organic materials can build up between the soil and the green zone of lawns. It occurs when organic material builds up faster than it can decompose. That buildup is known as thatch and can prevent water from penetrating the soil.

Rain Garden

One way to address excess water when a yard contains a slope and water collects is to create a rain garden. It catches rainwater, helps the soil absorb it, and can attract bees, birds and butterflies with the right plantings.

A rain garden filters water before it reaches streams, rivers and other waterways. It facilitates drainage and may even qualify individuals for a government rebate. A rain garden is a highly effective and inexpensive way to manage water and improve the environment.

Drainage System

Individuals may need to have professionals design and install a drainage system, depending on the topography of the property. It can involve installing underground pipes to channel water away and into storm drains. People can also choose what’s known as a French drain system, a gravel filled trench that directs water away from a home or business.

Dry Well

The technique is simple. It’s a deep hole filled with rocks. Water flows into the well, drains through the rocks and into the soil. It’s a good long-term solution and inexpensive. A dry well can be combined with a French drain system.

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

Climate change, drought and other factors are leading many people to turn to xeriscaping to conserve water. It’s a landscaping style requiring little water beyond what it receives from the natural climate, or at the very least, minimal irrigation. It provides people with up to 75 percent savings on their water bill and its climate-friendly.

There are 7 principles of xeriscaping: water-smart planning and design; low-water plants; limited grassy areas; water harvesting techniques; efficient irrigation systems; mulch; and proper maintenance. Many individuals that aren’t ready to completely transition to a strict xeriscaping model employ a hybrid option.

In residential areas, over 50 percent of water usage is for gardening, lawns and landscaping. Xeriscaping utilizes drought-tolerant trees and plants, along with mulch, rocks and elements such as statuary. That doesn’t mean that people need to go without bright blossoms or shade around their homes. There are plenty of plants that serve the same purpose and xeriscaping is presenting individuals with unique new possibilities.

Flowers that are drought resistant include daffodils, coneflowers, lavender and California poppy, along with lantana, Russian sage, moss roses, yarrow and cacti. There are also trees that can withstand low-water conditions and produce shade encompassing evergreens, burr oak, Northern catalpa, hackberry, London planetree, and Kentucky coffeetree.

Instead of water-dependent grass, the landscape will include grasses that survive on a fraction of the water needed for a traditional lawn. Xeriscaping encompasses mulching to save moisture, decorative rocks, and companion planting of species that have similar moisture needs. Xeriscaping requires far less maintenance, with weeding and pruning being the primary tasks.

The native plants used in xeriscaping are typically more resilient to pests and don’t necessarily require fertilizer. It eliminates the need for chemicals to control pests and weeds, saves water, provides natural habitats, and preserves native species. It also saves space in landfills and decreases air pollution and noise pollution, with no mowing needed.

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

Planning a new landscape or updating an existing one is a fun and exciting time. Unfortunately, many landscapes suffer from overcrowding as individuals try to get all their favorite flowers, bushes, trees and vines in the ground, only to discover their landscape isn’t at all what they envisioned. The following are the top five reasons to hire a landscape designer.

Expert Planning

Landscape designers do more than choose plants. They offer sustainable solutions. They know where to plant trees that will help reduce cooling costs and the type of plants to install that address areas where water collects. The professionals can utilize materials such as permeable pavers to add beauty and return water to the earth instead of puddling. A designer can incorporate irrigation systems and hard features such as swimming pools.

Works Within the Space

It doesn’t matter whether individuals have a small backyard landscape or acres of land to fill, a landscape designer works within the available space to generate ideas from which people can choose.

Site Exam

The type of plantings will depend largely on the soil and surrounding ecosystem. Landscape designers can determine if the soil needs to be amended or if there are any special features in the environment that need to be considered such as drainage issues. The expert will know if a particular bush, flower, tree or vine will thrive in any environment. He/she will also know which plants are best suited for the growing conditions in South Florida.

Budget-Friendly

A landscape designer is able to work with multiple size budgets to create design plans that are functional and aesthetically pleasing. Landscaping can be performed all at once or even spread over several years to accommodate specific budgets.

Management

Landscape designers will oversee every detail of the project. They’ll either have their own contractors or will have established relationships with reputable companies to perform the work. They’ll take care of all the details involved, from excavations to planting. If an unforeseen issue arises, they’ll be there to provide solutions.

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

Many trees have interesting foliage and make beautiful specimens in the landscape. They also create a significant mess either through dropped blossoms or fruit, peeling or shedding bark, or insect pests. It’s important to perform sufficient research before selecting a tree.

Bradford Pear

Stately and beautiful when it’s in bloom, spent flower petals will litter the ground and the blossoms are smelly. It’s a prolific self-sower that easily overwhelms wooded areas and chokes out native species. Many states have enacted bans due to its highly invasive nature. When it crosses with a regular pear, it develops thorns that can puncture tires. The trees have weak branches.

Weeping Willow

Many people like the graceful growth habit of weeping willows, but the trees bring a lot of drama to the landscape. The roots are aggressive growers that seek out water sources – including underground water and sewer lines. The roots can destroy the lines, crack foundations and break sidewalks. Branches become weaker as the tree ages and prone to breakage. They attract a variety of insect pests that leave their own messy mark on the environment.

Mimosa

Puffy pink flowers and frilly leaves make the mimosa a charming tree. However, it’s short lived, weak wooded, has invasive roots, and is prone to multiple diseases and insects. They’re also prolific self-seeders.

Ginkgo Biloba

One of the oldest living species in the world, they make beautiful shade trees with golden fall foliage – as long as it’s a male ginkgo. The female ginkgo tree develops seeds with a distinctly unpleasant odor. The cherry-sized fruit is messy and malodorous. It’s the only descendant of a species that lived before the dinosaurs and there are six known ginkgo trees known to have survived the bombing of Hiroshima.

Red Oak

A red oak tree can live up to 300 years. They have invasive roots, shed a large number of leaves, and produce acorns that litter the ground in autumn and are capable of denting car roofs when they fall. That have a large number of pollen-bearing catkins that fall to the ground and exacerbate allergies.

Sycamore

The trees shed strips of bark and twigs, drop an enormous number of very large leaves in the autumn, and have hard, spiky seed balls that fall to the ground. The seed pods are moderately allergenic and contain a toxic agent. It has an aggressive root system able to damage sidewalks and home foundations, and can develop large surface roots that impede mowing. It’s prone to heartwood rot and the anthracnose disease that can cause massive leaf drops.

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

Having a small yard doesn’t mean that people have to forgo landscaping. Even small spaces can be turned into an oasis of beauty and calm. People typically think of landscaping as a sprawling endeavor, but there are creative ways to landscape a small yard to bring a touch of color, peace and tranquility into anyone’s life.

Go Vertical

There are many plants that can grow vertically, such as vines, along with trees with a columnar growth pattern that includes columnar oaks, poplars, cypress and arborvitae. Just make sure it’s the columnar varieties and not standard sized species.

Seating

Plants are an essential design element, but creating a seating space where individuals can gather to lounge and relax is equally important. The surrounding plantings can include non-flowering varieties for a rainforest feel. Plants with multi-colored foliage adds depth and interest, or plant a few brightly colored flowers for a cheery burst of color.

Containers

There’s always room for container gardening, even in the smallest of yards. Containers come in a wide range of sizes, styles and materials. If height is desired, a large container can be turned upside down to act as a stand for a smaller pot. Containers act as a focal point and either annuals or perennials can be potted for a splash of color and texture.

Ponds

Pre-made ponds are available in all sizes and shapes, along with the pump and necessary equipment for circulation to ensure the water doesn’t become stagnant or turn into a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The sound of water is especially soothing.

Falls and Fountains

Small, premade fountains and waterfalls add a relaxing water feature to small spaces. They’re easy to install, provide the soothing sound of running water, and are available in multiple sizes to accommodate any space. Multi-tiered fountains offer the best of both features. Many models are equipped with colored LED lights that provide additional interest and are inexpensive to operate.

Flowerboxes for Fences

For those with a fenced in yard, small flowerboxes can be attached to almost any type of fencing. Hanging flower pouches can be hung from fence posts and hangers can be affixed to fence posts to support hanging flower baskets.

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