Category: Mulching

a large mulch bed at the corner of a home. a couple smaller stones, trees and various shrubs are scattered throughout.

Just Mulch It (but do it correctly!)

Mulch is Easy

Just as sure as daffodils and cherry blossoms, fresh mulch popping up on landscapes throughout your neighborhood are a certain sign that Spring is here!  Mulch is a simple and cost effective way to give any landscape a fresh appearance and it really is beneficial, too.  Check out this link for more info on these benefits https://www.hivelylandscapes.com/2015/05/choosing-the-right-mulch/Continue reading

garden prep

Spring Soil Preparation Tips

Some of us want to grow the best looking plants each year, ones that will flourish and become the envy of the neighborhood. Others don’t share that dream, but if you’re one of those who does, we have some tips from the landscape professionals here at Hively to help transform your garden into something special. Follow these guidelines and your landscape will be on its way to being the best-looking property for miles around.

First, Test the Soil

The most important thing you can do for your landscape is a simple soil test. A soil test will help ensure landscape success by revealing pH and nutrient levels in your soil. With this information you can correct soil abnormalities, improving the effectiveness of fertilizers, helping the grass grow, and improving long-term resistance to pests and diseases. Spring is a great time to get your soil tested and corrected. Continue reading

spring garden

Spring Garden and Landscape Preparation

In order to keep your landscape looking its best year-round, now is the time to put your springtime prep work in. The experts at Hively Landscapes came up with the following list to help you focus your efforts and save time during your spring garden and landscape preparation, so you can spend more of it enjoying the fruits of your labor.

Apply Fertilizers & Pre-Emergents

A warm winter like the one we’ve had in south central PA presents a myriad of threats to your lawn and landscape. In warm climates (or during abnormally warm winters), weeds can germinate as early as February, and can quickly invade a landscape. The best way to combat them is to apply a pre-emergent herbicide in January or February, and then follow up with a post-emergent treatment as spring arrives.

Also, applying a slow-release fertilizer will provide the right amount of nutrients to your soil, allowing your lawn to thrive and push out weeds, as well as promote top growth.

Cut Back Overgrown PlantsContinue reading

Japenese Maples

Choosing the Best Mulch

As the trusted, award winning landscape contractor for York County and surrounding areas, we often get asked the question, “which is the best mulch?” The honest answer is it depends on your unique situation, since you’ll need to consider everything from color and smell, to soil benefits, longevity, stability, and cost.

The benefits to mulching are undisputed and include:

  • Moisture retention
  • Insulation
  • Weed Control
  • Nutrient Supplementation
  • Controlling Soil Erosion
  • Improved Aesthetics

Depending on which is most important to you, your mulch decision will come down to which choice aligns with your goal. For example if your primary focus is to be aesthetically pleasing and preventing soil erosion, you may go with an option such as a stone mulch. If you want superior moisture retention and would like the added soil benefits, you may choose an organic option like shredded hardwood.

Some of the most common mulches are described below, with a few pros and cons to help you with your next mulch decision. Continue reading