A Landscaper's View

I’m a techie, and I’m not ashamed of it.  That’s part of the reason I started this website.  I enjoy taking what I do and writing about it for others to see.  It’s great to blend one passion with another.

In regards to this combination, I am always eager to see what new technology is out there for the landscape and outdoor industry.  With the iPhone being so prevalent these days, there’s almost an app for everything – including landscape.  There are a number of iPhone apps for landscaping, though I will only draw your attention to eight of them with this article.

Of the eight main iPhone apps that I sifted through, all of them cost to download.  A couple were $9.99 with one at $0.99.  Though time is limited, I look forward to personally testing each app in the future.  But for now, my reviews will be based on 1) cost, 2) customer rating, 3) program size, 4) brief description, and 5) customer reviews.

Botany Buddy

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During the summer of 2009, we were privileged to participate in a local home and garden event.  A woman’s group from a nearby church hosted the weekend event and wanted the gym, where most of the events were to take place, to have a very fresh and homey feel.  Led by StonePetal Landscape, LLC, we helped transformed the gym into a miniature backyard setting complete with a center water feature, statues, and a number of trees.

Entrance to the home and garden

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As with any job, there may come a time where you will find yourself stuck with a problem. With landscape, getting stuck might just mean that – getting stuck in mud.

A lot of rain and snow has fallen lately, making the ground very saturated. Unfortunately, just the other day we found out just how saturated the ground is.

Here are some pictures which captured the moment.

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If you don’t know how to cut down a very large tree right next to a house, call the professionals.

I came across this excellent pruning guide while doing a Google search for the oldest tree in Tulsa.  Published by the Tulsa Master Gardeners, this guide gives a brief description on what and when to trim “some of the common plants found in the Tulsa County area.”

Plants grow, propagate, survive insects, disease, drought, damage, and decline until they ultimately die. To obtain the best results and assist the plant to prosper humans often feel it is necessary to interfere with the natural process. He will feed, spray, water, mulch and otherwise coddle his plants. However, sometimes it becomes necessary for him to deliberately do what appears to be bodily harm to his plants. If this is done correctly using the proper techniques and timing it can enhance the beauty, health, and extend the life span of the plant. This procedure is called Pruning. This article will briefly describe what to do and when for some of the common plants found in the Tulsa County area. — Ed Lee

Though published for plants and trees in the mid-west region of the country, the guide can be used for other regions where plants are not as indigenous.

Do you know or recommend a pruning guide for your region of the country?  Let us know and put a link for it in the comments below.

With the warmer weather, we are finally able to finish a couple construction jobs.  We worked on a job earlier today where the previous company did not properly install the travertine patio.  I will go into more depth with articles on that project describing the breakdowns of the patio and the fixes our crew made.

However, for today’s post I wanted to highlight some pictures of a wet saw cutting travertine pavers.

Wet saw in action

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