With the weather starting to turn towards fall and colder weather, being able to still enjoy the outdoors can be a little less… enjoyable. However having some sort of fire feature, such as a fire pit or outdoor fireplace can warm things up in your outdoor space pretty quickly as well as bring people together. In our last blog we discussed the nuances and benefits of having a patio installed at your home, and briefly touched on the idea of having a stone fire pit put in along with that. What we didn’t mention, was that outdoor fireplaces can be an enticing option as well for a fire feature, and they look beautiful. So which option should you go for? We broke it down for you so that you can make the right choice.

Fire Pit

The main upside of the fire pit is the option to be able to surround it, place seating all around, and have an interactive experience with many guests being able to gather and feel the warmth of the fire. Although being able to have the communal gathering around the fire is a huge upside, there are downsides, such as smoke being allowed to flow freely and potentially lead to a bad time for some depending on wind and other factors.

Outdoor Fireplace

The outdoor fireplace makes for a gorgeous statement for your property and can be designed in a number of different ways using a variety different types of stone. The fireplace is used to sit in front of and does not offer that communal surrounding option that a fire pit does but simultaneously it will take up less space than a fire pit arrangement as it can be built on the edge of a patio. You do not have to worry about the smoke issue when it comes to a fireplace, as the chimney directs the smoke up and away. The fireplace is great if combined with a pavilion as well and can be used while it is raining in that case.  

So Which One?

Given this analysis of each option, we say just put on a jacket! Just kidding, fires are great and everyone should have a great way to enjoy them, but the experience you will get from both the fire pit and fireplace are different and depending on what type of person you or your family are will dictate which is better. For example if you’d like to roast marshmallows and sit around with your family telling stories the fire pit is probably for you. If you are looking more for added ambiance and a great looking piece to complete your yard while also providing heat than the fireplace is the choice for you.

Whichever you decide is the right option for you, we are here to help and can assist with your design ideas as well as install and even fill your new feature with wood to burn! Give us a call to learn more.

Have you been thinking of ways to improve the outdoor experience at your home? A patio may be the right move for you, and there are several attractive reasons to choose one over other outdoor enhancements. Some of the reasons include; space for entertaining, added value to your home, more budget friendly than decks, low-maintenance and durable with long lifespans. We have broken down some of these attractions of having a patio installation to help you decide if it’s right for you.

Entertain Guests

Get more use out of your backyard with a patio that is perfect for hosting barbecues, birthday parties, and almost any other event while saving you from indoor messes. Add some outdoor furniture, a grill, fire pit or even a hot tub to really give your patio a draw. If you are feeling fancy with your patio design you can even have stone grill & fire pit permanent fixtures built in.

Tougher Than a Deck

When it comes to enhancing your outdoor spaces, maintenance is something that must be considered.  As you might already assume, stone or pavers are far more durable than wood and require very minimal maintenance once every two to three years at most, while wood needs to be sealed or stained almost yearly and occasionally needs boards replaced. Aside from maintenance the durability of a patio can make it last over 20+ years withstanding heavy rains and extreme temperature changes.

Affordable with High Return on Investment

Patios are typically cheaper to install than decks. A deck, according to this article from HouseLogic, runs an average of around $33 per square foot to install, while a patio will run you an average of around $15 per square foot. Aside from installation costs due to the maintenance and durability factors, a patio is more likely to improve your homes value with the average home value increase of around 12% while a deck being closer to 10% on average. The low cost combined with the high return and usefulness, make installing a patio a no brainer when it comes to yard improvement.

If you or someone you know are interested in having a patio installed, we can help! Check out our page about our paving and stone landscape offerings here to learn more.

Do you ever look out into your yard and think that it is just missing something? Or maybe you look out and look right into your neighbor’s window. You might just be in need of some new trees to liven up your outdoor areas. When it comes to choosing what kinds of trees you want to plant, there are several factors to consider, as different trees can serve different purposes. This decision is one that can either haunt or bless you for years to come, even a lifetime. Okay, okay, you could always cut down and replace a tree but trust us, that is a pain and it is much easier to make the correct decision on the first try.  

Why Do You Want to Plant a Tree?

When deciding on what kinds of tree or trees to plant in your yard you should ask yourself: why is it that I want a tree? The main reasons usually revolve around the following: shade, privacy, scenery (something pretty), or to block the view of an eye sore. Once you can answer that, then you can move onto the different types of trees starting with coniferous (evergreen) or deciduous (loses its leaves).  Evergreens are typically ideal for privacy and windbreak, but not very good for shade and remain a consistent green color all year round. While leaved deciduous trees are quite the opposite as they can provide overhead shade, less blockage for privacy and often vary in color and vibrancy depending on time of year, as well as lose their leaves in colder months. With that being said, all different types of species of trees have their own unique differences and are not strictly limited to these characteristics.

Growth Rate and Flowering

Moving further down the tree line, there are other key factors that should go into your tree decision, such as the growth rate of the tree and flowering tendencies. If you are looking for a tree that will grow and flower quickly you will want to stay away from the hardwoods, and go for the typically smaller ‘soft-wooded’ trees they usually have a shorter lifespan but can bring life to your yard quickly.  Hardwood trees on the other hand, grow much slower, live longer and grow to be larger than their counterparts making them great for shade.

For Shade:

There are many options, but of the tree species that we have in stock at the Southpark Nursery our best options are the Autumn Blaze Maple, Cottonwood, or Willow. All of these are hardwood options that grow to be rather tall with decently wide branch reach and plenty of room for hanging out underneath.

For Privacy:

We recommend the Colorado Blue Spruce or the Juniper as they provide nice thick needles that make them tough to see through as well as tough for wind to break through.  

For Aesthetics:

A rocky mountain classic beloved by all who have ever been to the area, the Aspen tree is our choice for a tree that will look nice in your yard with it’s smooth near white bark and shimmering leaves. There are a few different types of Aspen but you can’t go wrong with any of them.

For Fruit:

Our choice is the Honeycrisp apple tree, these trees look good, tend to not grow very tall and of course they produce some of the most delicious fruit known to man.

All of these trees mentioned and more can be found at the South Park Nursery, and our experienced staff will be able to help further assist you in making the right choice for your yard’s wants and needs.

With warm weather upon us, we are seeing plants, shrubs, and trees flourishing with green and flowering in the valley. Rain is falling in small spurts and snow melt is still a factor, but we all know that this does not last and by the end of the summer fire danger is always a concern and lawns and native grasses lose their green beauty for a less favorable yellow/brown hue. That is why watering your lawn is crucial during the summers here in Wyoming if you want to keep it lush. Doing so manually can be non cost efficient, ineffective, inconsistent, and time consuming. Having an expert installed irrigation system will save you money, water evenly and your lawn will never miss a watering leaving it near perfect.

Clear Cut Benefits

The healthy, green, flourishing lawn you have always wanted is what a professional irrigation system will give you. These systems are the most effective way to guarantee that your lawn gets the precise amount of hydration it requires and does not get drowned out by over watering.

• Time:  Save yourself time with an irrigation system that is programmed to to work on it’s own schedule that is ideal for your lawn. Spend your time doing what you love rather than manually watering your lawn.

• Money: Save money through the efficiency of your system. An irrigation system will pay for itself before you know it and the benefits will outweigh the installation cost quickly.

• Water: Save water through an ideal watering schedule and optimal dispersion of water.

Don’t Over Water! And Definitely Don’t Under water!

Under watering will become obvious as your grass wilts discolors and is crisp like straw, the grass does not quickly bounce back after being stepped on. On the flip side over watering will result in a soggy yard and grass blades to become limp and wilt, you may also notice the need to mow your lawn more frequently because of thick thatch growth.

Disease from Over Watering

Excessive amounts of water on your lawn can create a breeding ground for diseases such as rotting in areas that do not get enough water, root rotting, moss that will take over, powdery mildew and brown patch lawn disease.

Ways to Tell Your Lawn is Healthy

Ideal signs of a great lawn include having an even green or dark green color throughout, grass blades that bounce back instantly after stepping on them.  Other signs include even thatch at the soil level and blades having fairly even thickness throughout the lawn.

Get Your Dream Lawn Without the Hassle

South Park Landscaping’s expert irrigation technicians will set you up with a system that will keep your lawn lush all throughout the warm seasons. We don’t stop there either we provide ongoing maintenance to winterize in the fall, activate in the spring and provide repair and troubleshooting services.  Not to mention that if you are in need of a retrofitting or expansion of your current system, we have you covered! Give us a call today.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BRANCHES

-If you want your yard to thrive from top to bottom you will want to take some time to inspect all of your trees and shrubs for branches damaged by the winter weather. These branches should be pruned back to healthy stems. When it comes to trimming your hedges, opt for hand pruners rather than electric shears as this will keep you from causing a thick outer layer on the shrubs that prevents sunlight from getting to the center of the plant.  Shrubs that flower in the summer, should be pruned before they begin to bud, whereas spring bloomers can wait until post flowering to be groomed.

Our nursery is a great place to check out if you are in search of new Trees or Shrubs to liven up your yard.

PERENNIALS & GRASSES

-Trim back perennials to about 4-5 inches and ornamental/native grasses to about 2-3 inches, this allows new growth to shoot up.  Where soil has thawed you can dig up perennials that are in crowded areas, divide them while leaving at least three stems per clump and replant them in more sparse areas. 

FLOWER BEDS

– To prevent the smothering and potential disease that can be caused to your plants, be sure to rake out fallen leaves and other dead foliage from in and around your garden beds.  Removal of existing old mulch is recommended to make room for new and fresh mulch after planting is complete. Spreading of a pelletized fertilizer on the surface of the soil in your gardens is a good idea this time of year as the spring rains will carry the nutrients into the soil. 

COMPOST YOUR SCRAPS

-Remember all that raking and old mulch removal? Make use of it by creating a compost pile or adding to the one that you already have. Shredding of branches and leaves can help to accelerate decomposition.  Aerate your compost pile with a pitchfork every couple weeks.

LAWN

– Turf that has been damaged by snow plows, cars, or disease should be removed to prepare for seeding that should follow in the next few weeks.  It is ideal to work in about a ½ inch layer of compost to keep the new seed moist to help with germination.  Our spring cleanup service will help you get your lawn cleaned up nicely by de-thatching, aerating, fertilizing and seeding where necessary. Also if you are in need of on- going mowing and maintenance we offer that as well!

IRRIGATION SYSTEM

-Once summer is in full swing and warmer temperatures are more consistent, turn on your irrigation system and inspect it to see if it is in working condition.  It is recommended to have an expert handle this to ensure the prevention of backflow. Luckily South Park Landscaping has certified technicians that can properly inspect and perform necessary maintenance to your irrigation systems.

If you find yourself with not enough time, energy or tools to perform these yard care tasks South Park Landscaping is here to help! Do not hesitate to give us a call or swing by our nursery, as we offer a variety of different services that cover these checklist items and more!

The smell of autumn is in the air, and we’ve already had our first snowfall dusting of the year.  Many people are not quite ready for the change of season just yet, but it is unavoidable and preparations for the cold shall commence.  At South Park Nursery & Landscaping we are more than capable of assisting in some of these preparations as we offer tree/shrub fertilization, sprinkler winterization, firewood and snow removal services.  It is best to stock up on firewood before you are suddenly hit with a brisk night that makes you wish you had.

As for snow removal, although we are not quite there yet, we have a full-service department that is ready to tackle any size job, commercial or residential when the time comes.  Our snow removal team has over 20 years of experience and is prepared to save you from the back pain of shoveling your driveway/ walkway or keep your business’ parking lot clear for customers.  

In the meantime fertilizing your trees and shrubs before they become fully dormant for the season so that they come back even stronger next spring and preparing your irrigation system for the winter are two key preparations that can be taken care of now.

Fall Tree & Shrub Fertilization – Although it may seem unconventional, fall fertilization can be crucial as this is the time of year when trees and shrubs gather nutrients not for new foliage growth but for health-promoting functions, such as disease resistance and root development.

Sprinkler Winterization – Prevent the incoming cold weather from freezing and damaging your irrigation system. Our winterization process involves turning down the irrigation system and using compressed air to clear the tubing and sprinkler heads, leaving no water to freeze and burst pipes.

Firewood – Heating your home with wood is a great economical way to stay warm with the comforting sound of crackling firewood as an added bonus.  South Park Nursery offers cut and split dry pine firewood delivery and stacking so you don’t have to worry about hauling it yourself.

Snow Removal – It is never too early to start thinking about how you will handle the snow this winter! We have the ability to not only plow and clear walkways but we also offer roof shoveling, ice removal, snow hauling, and sanding/salting services.

Look out in your PO Box for our special offers in the fall
edition of the Hole Coupon Book!

As your flowering plants start to lose their blooms, this is the perfect time to practice your deadheading skills. No, we are not talking about dance skills related to the Grateful Dead. We are talking about removing the dead blooms off your plants so potential new ones can grow.

Deadheading Strategies

There are a couple different strategies for deadheading and depending on the kind of plant you have, you may want to use a different strategy. For most plants, including roses, columbine, and daisies, you will want to grab a pair of scissors or clippers and snip as close to the nearest junction, just above it.

Plants like lupine, lilies and coneflowers will require you to cut further down the stem to hide your cut mark. Cutting at the nearest junction for plants like this is not quite enough. Do not worry, you will not hurt them.

For plants with smaller stems such as annuals, cosmos, zinnias, and poppies, a much simpler technique exists. Using your nails, simply pinch at the junction where the stem of the dead head meets the stem of a live head. Your nails will easily be able to cut through the thin stem.

Timing for Deadheading

Timing depends on whether or not you want the plant to spread. With annuals, this is obviously not a problem. With perennials, you will need to decide if you want the plant to expand its territory. If you are unsure, there is a great application for your smartphone called “Landscaper’s Companion” that will give you some great insight on plants and you can also search online for more information.

Deadheading is necessary to allowing your plants to continue to flower throughout the summer. While some plants may be finished once they flower, others could continue. Deadheading is also a great way to keep your garden looking young and fresh so be sure to stay on top of it.

It’s springtime and you know what that means…. spring cleanup in Jackson! It’s time for planting season and yard work! At South Park Landscaping and Nursery, we are gearing up for the summer season and have already started the prep work.

We wanted to give you a little checklist of things to do at this time of year to ensure a great and gorgeous landscaped yard and garden this summer season.

Spring Cleanup in Jackson, Wyoming

1. To begin, be sure to rake up the last of the fallen leaves and branches that fell after your fall cleanup. While these leaves protected your lawn over the winter, they will actually hinder growth of new grasses during the springtime and potentially create mold within the roots of your grasses.
2. Furthermore, removing the branches and twigs from your yard will allow for a smooth transition to mowing and will make your yard look great.
3. If you did not already do so in the fall, consider pruning back some of your larger bushes and trees before growth has begun or if you would like to contain the growth. If you want your plants to grow larger, you will need to wait until fall to prune. At any time of the year, you can always remove dead branches and limbs as this will help your plants grow stronger.
4. Regarding lawn care and maintenance, we are in a bit of a holding pattern. We will be aerating lawns soon to stimulate root growth but we do have to wait until the lawns dry a bit to avoid damaging roots. We also are waiting to put down grass seed and fertilizer as you need certain temperatures during the daytime. We will get there soon enough.
5. This time of year, however, is fabulous for planting! The ground is wet and easy is dig through. If you would like some daffodils, it is not too late to plant them. Better do it soon though!

Did you check your PO Box yet? Well, keep an eye out for The Hole Coupon Book because we have a special sale going on right now on 5 gallon Aspens and edible trees and this would be a perfect time to plant them. If you would like a vegetable garden for the summer, we would suggest starting your seeds right now and preparing the garden for planting. We also have a wide assortment of plants and bushes to decorate your beds with.

Now is the time for spring cleanup in Jackson! If South Park Landscaping and Nursery can assist you in any way, please feel free to contact us at 307-734-7275. Otherwise, check out our great sale and buff up your garden for this summer!

Today is the first day of Fall, officially!
We understand what the change of seasons means to business owners and homeowners. There is somewhat of a shift in preparation for the long winter months in the mountains. Start preparing for the fall in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; lawn fertilization, planting new trees and shrubs and stocking up on firewood is important. Here at South Park Landscaping and Nursery we provide the services and the stock you need to be prepared.

Prepare for the Fall in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

• Fall lawn fertilization – helps strengthen your plants’ and lawn’s roots, giving them a strong base on which to thrive next spring.
• Fall planting new trees and shrubs – adding new trees and shrubs to your landscape, planting in the fall offers several benefits. The fall moisture (rains) helps trees and shrubs establish their root systems. When the air temperatures are cooler than the soil, new root growth is encouraged without new top growth.
• Firewood – as the nights get colder and leaves begin to think about heating your home with wood. South Park Nursery offers cut & split dry pine firewood delivery and stacking.
  

Call us at 307-734-7275 so we can discuss what it is that you need for your home or business.