Plants that repel Mosquitoes!

Outdoor Creations Landscape & Design, Inc.

July 13, 2017

Welcome to Outdoor Creations Landscape & Design, Inc. weekly newsletter. We specialize in landscaping solutions to enhance the quality, value, and natural beauty of your home. We work one on one with each homeowner to design a program that is specific to their individual needs or desires, placing attention to the small details every step of the way.

LANDSCAPING TIP

Use care when mowing on a slope - even a mild one. Never mow a slope when grass is wet. That creates slippery footing that can lead to serious injuries. To mow a slope safely, push the mower across the slope, not up and down. With short or small slopes, sometimes it's easier to use a string trimmer to cut grass. For steep slopes, consider replacing grass with a low-maintenance ground cover.

CAUSES OF MUSHROOMS IN LAWN

It's no shame to have mushrooms in the lawn. It just means that a lot of rotting and good composting is going on. Unfortunately, probably not where you want it to - in the front yard.

Mushrooms form an enormous group of organisms known as fungi. They have the ability to make their own food. Please don't eat any mushrooms unless you are an expert or have bought them from the store.

When Mushrooms Occur

When mushrooms appear on the lawn, break them off or mow over them.

Common Causes

Fungi living beneath lawns are usually long-lived organisms that produce mushrooms when conditions are right. The top reasons mushrooms occur are buried organic matter, high moisture and low light.

Buried organic matter:
A fungus grows by breaking down organic matter. In a lawn, that organic material could be buried timber, a stump, or tree or shrub roots that remain underground after plants have been removed.

High moisture:
Periods of prolonged rain and over watering a lawn. Heavily compacted soil and a thick thatch layer can create drainage problems, which provide ideal growing conditions for mushrooms.

Low light:

While not all lawn mushrooms thrive in shady conditions, many do. If a corner of your yard offers high soil moisture combined with low light, mushrooms may appear.

PLANTS THAT REPEL MOSQUITOES

Mosquitoes aren't just a nuisance you have to endure when you go outdoors, they're a legitimate cause for health concerns. But, dousing yourself, and your family, in chemical sprays come with another set of problems that can negatively impact health.

So, what's a gardener to do in order to repel these biting insects and keep everyone in the home free of disease? Use the power of smell.

Citronella plant, Peppermint or Lemon balm f or a quick mosquito repellent, all you need to do is crush a handful of the leaves in your hand and rub them onto your exposed skin.

Catnip is easy to grow - While it will repel mosquitoes that are in close proximity to it, some people apply the crushed catnip leaves for optimal protection.

Marigolds contain Pyrethrum, a compound used in many insect repellents.

As one of the most pungent of herbs, basil makes an outstanding natural mosquito repellent, giving off a scent without the leaves having to be crushed or touched.

Most of us love the smell of lavender, but few realize that it not only offers that fabulous scent, but it can keep those tiny invaders from ruining your outdoor dinner party.

LOQUATS FOR SALE

Contact us if you would like to purchase a Loquat tree. We currently have 15 gallon sizes that are 8'-10' for $175.00 each.

Loquats are ideal for small yards as they only grow to 25 feet tall. They have large dark green leaves and naturally form a spreading umbrella shape suitable for creating shady areas for benches or swings. Large clusters of small fuzzy yellow fruit are found on loquats from February through March. Their oval shaped fruit is sweet and juicy, and they usually have only a single pit. Fruit can be eaten fresh or made into preserves. Pinch off the blossom end, squeeze the seed out and pop the fruit in your mouth for a tasty treat.

In This Issue

CAUSES OF MUSHROOMS

PLANTS THAT REPEL MOSQUITOES

LOQUATS FOR SALE

DID YOU KNOW

CLICK HERE

DID YOU KNOW?

Having great soil should be the basis of all your gardening. Once you conquer the "whys" and "wherefores" of the earth beneath your feet you are on way to successful gardening.

All soil requires three important nutrients. They are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) These three elements directly help in the plant development. Nitrogen is for stem and foliage growth - dark green leaves and lush growth. Phosphorous helps the growth of roots and blooms - flower and seed production. Potassium will create strong stems and roots. If any of these three are missing the plants will not grow or function.

CHINESE PARASOL FOR SALE

We currently have 15 gallon sizes that are about 6' for $125.00 each.

Chinese Parasol tree has a very unusual appearance for a deciduous tree, having green stems and bark and extremely large, three to five-lobed bright green leaves. Each leaf is up to 12 inches across and casts as much shade as an actual parasol.This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. Flowers are fragrant.

We are looking for EXPERIENCED landscape laborers for hire. Must have a valid driver's license with clean driving record. Must be able to pass drug test. Hardworking and showing up as needed a must. Please send resume and tell us something about yourself and why you would be a good fit for this position.

Outdoor Creations | [email protected] | http://outdoorcreationslandscaping.com
37 Covil Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 343-0777