Here is a link to our latest editorial column in Kansas City Home Improvement Resource - March and April 2008. I wrote on the types of maintenance that clients could do themselves at their homes, or work that should done by a professional lawn and landscape firm. Of course, most of our clients have us provide them comprehensive services, but for those that want to do some themselves, this could be a good resource.

It’s funny, I’ve already gotten great responses from the story - including a few friends I haven’t seen in quite a while….

Happy Spring! It’s 70 degrees outside today!

What is IPM and how does it affect my home?

Integrated pest management is a process that we use here at Highland Outdoor that is the most environmentally friendly way of taking care of your, turf, trees, and landscape.  This process allows us to take care of every aspect of your outdoors with the least impact on the environment.    Here at Highland Outdoor we want to be the best steward of our environment without compromising its beauty.

A good IPM definition comes from Dr. Vic Gibeault and others from the University of California, Riverside. They defined IPM as “multiple tactics used in a compatible manner in order to maintain pest populations below levels that cause economic or unacceptable aesthetic injury without posing a hazard to humans, domestic animals, or other non-target life forms.”

IPM combines all available pest management methods to produce the healthiest lawn possible. It does not aim to totally eliminate pests, but to maintain pest populations at tolerable levels. Pesticides are often part of an IPM program, but are selected and applied responsibly to avoid health risks to other living organisms than those targeted.
Pest management control practices in an Integrated Pest Management program include:

• •    soil management
• •    turfgrass selection
• •    appropriate cultural practices
• •    biological and genetic controls
• •    physical or mechanical removal
• •    exclusion through prevention and sanitation
• •    pesticides.

Here at Highland Outdoor we have the knowledge it takes to understand the turf, the tree and the shrubs and the pests that affect them.  We monitor your property to make sure you understand what is going on in your landscape.  Then we diagnosis what is going on in the landscape and treat the problem at the correct time with the least amount of environmental impact as possible.

Highland Outdoor CEO Jason Cupp, CLP, was interviewed for an article for the January/February 2008 Kansas City Homes and Gardens on creating curb appeal. Read the entire article here.

There are also several photos of Highland Outdoor projects in the article.

Stop by our office and pick up an actual FREE copy of the magazine - available every month at our office in Olathe near 119th and Blackbob.

In November of 2007, I agreed to write a column for every issue of the magazine, Kansas City Home Improvement Resource. I was impressed with the publication, as the publisher, RJ Scott, had been dropping off complimentary copies at our office every time it came out. It ended up on my desk, and I would read it… When RJ offered me a column, it was an easy decision.

Here is a link to my January/February 2008 Column, on the misconceptions of exterior Design/Build companies, how they operate, and the type of turn-key product they provide.

I’m humbled to be considered for such a publication - it’s a joy to bring to Kansas City what we have been delivering to our clients all these years. I hope you enjoy my column every two months.

Visit KCHIR online here.

The Kansas City Star recently launched its new blog called “KC Gardens” - Highland Outdoor was pleased to provide their first “Landscape Project of the Month” - a project we did (and featured on our website) last fall. Read the editorial article and see photos here. Brent Menghini, Landscape Designer, was the Project Manager, and the client was pleased with the final result. See the entire portfolio here.

Earlier this year, we were interviewed by Kansas City Homes and Gardens freelance writer Gloria Gale on some of the high-end swimming pools we’ve constructed and consulted on - here is the article that came out in last months issue.

Making Waves
 
Today’s swimming pools offer functional and creative extensions to your outdoor lifestyle. Dive in and see what’s new.

By Gloria Gale

Once merely a blue box surrounded by blazing concrete, the swimming pool of yesterday is fast becoming as big a relic as bathing caps and Bermuda shorts.

“Finally, technology and design for today’s backyard pool has merged in very creative ways,” says Jason Cupp, CLP, owner of      Highland Outdoor. “What people want is more than a pool; they want to create a resort feeling in their own backyard…a slice of ‘the good life,’ reflecting original design and their own personality.”

It must be contagious. According to the National Spa and Pool Institute, more than 8 million people worldwide are eager to shell out a considerable amount of money to sculpt a backyard into an outdoor living space with the swimming pool as the focal point.

To read the rest of the article, go to the KCHG website, direct link here.

With the weather getting warmer everyday, it is very apparent that summer is here. Many of you will be spending time outdoors enjoying the great weather with your family and loved ones. Beautiful flowers and greenery are sure to catch your eye. However, there are some tiny little visitors that are not so easy to see that are out roaming around. Ticks.

Here are some helpful tips when dealing with the pesky little bugs courtesy of NC State University, A&T State University Cooperative Extension and written by Al Cooke, Agricultural Extension Agent.

What can you do to reduce your risk?

• In woods and parks, stay on wide paths and roads when possible. Avoid brushing against vegetation.
• When practical, layer your clothing; tuck pants into socks, shirttail into pants.
• Wear light colored clothing to make ticks easier to see.
• Use commercial insect repellents on exposed areas (see cautions below).
• Before stretching out for lunch on the ground, drag a piece of white fabric over the grass and shrubs to inspect for ticks
• When in tick infested areas, examine your clothes and body at least twice a day. Frequent examination reduces the opportunity for a tick to attach itself. And a tick must be attached for at least six hours to transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Once a tick has attached itself to you, there’s no need for alarm. It happens eventually to most folks who work out of doors. There are some steps you need to take to minimize risk. First step is to not listen to all the home remedies (gasoline, petroleum jelly, hot matches, etc.) Use tweezers or a folded tissue paper to reduce the possible spread of disease organisms that can penetrate even microscopic pores in the skin. Grasp the body of the tick and pull firmly without twisting or jerking. Pull straight away until the tick is pulled free.

• If the tick’s mouthparts break off, remove them with a sterilized needle as you would a splinter.
• Preserve the tick in alcohol for later identification if necessary.
• Wash the area with soap and water followed with an antiseptic such as alcohol.
• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Note the date of the tick bite on your calendar. If symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever or Lyme disease develop, your doctor may want to know the date of the bite.

Spring is a wonderful time of year that brings us new blooms and vibrant colors. Unfortunately our spring has surprised and damaged many of our spring flowering favorites with a late freeze. It has been a struggle to bring everything back to health, but it has been worth it. Many of our customers have remarked how well their plant varieties have come back, and are now flourishing. As a company, we like to pride ourselves by responding as quickly as possible to any problem that may affect the appearance of your property.
On a personal note I am new to the development of annual flower beds. I have been coached by our knowledgeable staff to help guide me into making smart, functional, and appearance driven decisions to make any property look as best as possible. As a result I now have the ability to make any property flourish in full sun, full shade, and anything in-between. I am confident that we can answer any question and solve any problem that may arise on any property to keep it looking its best.

Photo: Hydrangea in full bloom that was damaged by the freeze, yet is not flourishing at an estate home in Mission Hills, KS.

We received this fax today from K-State’s Horticulture Department. Given the number of phone calls, emails and client inquiries about the potential damage to plants with the unseasonably cold weather (yes, that was snow we got on Friday night…), we wanted to pass it on. If you have any questions, please email Mitch, Brent, Jon or myself at the office for clarification.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: April 10, 2007

Contact: Dennis L. Patton, County Extension Agent, Horticulture (913) 715-7000

Dealing with the aftermath of the hard freeze on landscape plants

Olathe, Kan. – The early April freeze has taken a toll on local landscapes. Plants that were awash in spring color have no lost their pastel hue and, in many cases, turned a dull brown, white, or translucent green. Care should be taken before attempting to correct the freeze injury.

The best advice for the short term is to do nothing. Give the plants at least two weeks to recover. Pruning or removing leaves or branches may result in more long-term injury than just living with the current effects. This time period, depending on the temperatures, should give the plant time to develop secondary buds that will grow and result in a re-leafing of the plant. For each of the following groupings of plants, follow these guidelines in addition to the waiting period.

PERENNIALS

Perennial garden flowers such as iris, hosta, daylilies and other are in poor condition. Many of the leaves have turned white or dull tan as a result of the freeze damage. Perennial leaves that have completely discolored can be individually removed to help tidy up the plant. One word of caution; pars of damaged foliage that still have some healthy green tissue should not be removed. Some functioning plant tissue is better than none at all for long term health. Even though the plant may not look the best, this foliage will help generate energy for the plant. Hostas may be the best example of this. A few years ago a hail storm riddled the leaves. Some gardeners cute the plants back while others left the damaged foliage. A year later the plants that were not cut back were bigger and stronger.

For peonies, the early season varieties may have been damaged. Again, just wait before doing anything. If, after the weather warms, the buds are dark, sunken, or shriveled, carefully remove the bud down to the first leaf, being careful no to remove and energy-producing foliage.

TREES and SHRUBS

Trees and shrubs were also damaged. Succulent growth has blackened or turned brown. Do not prune or remove any branches or twigs until the new growth is visible. Woody plants will develop secondary buds that will go on and put out new growth. The development of this tissue may take a couple weeks or more, depending on the plant and weather conditions. Hastily pruning now may remove those secondary buds before they have a chance to fully develop. Once new growth has developed and is growing strongly, pruning can be done to remove any dead twigs. Even without pruning, the fine limbs that froze will eventually fall from the plant over time.

Plants that produce blooms on new wood should not be affects by the cold temperatures. The lilac bloom this spring may be sporadic. The first flush of shrub roses that usually occurs in late May could be delayed or less spectacular than usual.

Trees and shrubs may have incurred more damage than just twig dieback. There is the potential that the hard freeze may have also damaged bark tissue. This type of damage is much more severe, as it would affect the vascular system of the plants. If damage to the cambium bark layer did occur, then the main trunk or branches may develop dark sunken lesions later this growing season. This damage would restrict the movement of water up into the plant and the translocation of nutrients into the root system. As a result the plant will be weakened, possible resulting in a decline in growth or limb dieback which will make the pant more susceptible to borer injury.

FRUIT TREES

Unfortunately, the fruit trees were hit particularly hard. Most fruit trees bloom early and the freeze could have killed the vast majority of the flower buds. The more open or colorful the bud, the greater the chances it was lost. The tighter the bud, the more natural defense the tree had against the frost. Again, the greater concern is the potential damage to the cambium bark.

What can be done now? A light fertilization of perennial gardens now may help regenerate new foliage, depending on the plant. Established treed and shrubs will not benefit greatly from fertilization. Younger trees may benefit from an application of fertilizer. Watering throughout the summer of 2007 to stave off drought conditions may be the best remedy for the freeze injury. Adding additional stress the plants will only compound the injury.

For information about individual plant damage or the general care of your landscape plants contact Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Horticulture Hotline at (913) 715-7050 or e-mail garden.help@jocogov.org.