Winter is around the corner; the holiday season is here! 2007 seemed to go by in a flash. Cooler weather has appeared teasingly, interspersed with days of record setting high temperatures. If the weather is making your daily wardrobe choice problematic, you can assume that your landscape plants are equally perplexed. We saw a peach tree starting to bloom this week - that surely is a sign of seasonal confusion. The few days of cooler weather may have slowed down the growth of warm season turf grasses, but we are finding that to be random rather than the rule. Similarly, we still have plenty of leaves clinging to our Red Oaks, which indicates that leaf season is far from over. The unanticipated tropics-like rainfall we experienced for much of the summer, translated into an abundance of leaf growth. For the present time, unless you have requested otherwise, we will continue to send a crew by to monitor your landscape, and to perform service on an ‘as needed' basis. If you have not had your gutters, downspouts, or other drainage elements cleaned, we recommend you schedule this promptly. Preventive maintenance on these water run-off controls is far less expensive than repairing damages caused by rising water later on.

While winter may signal the end of lawn growth for a while, there is still a large amount of landscape work not subject to seasonal limitations. For those unaware, the following is a short list of some of the other services that we provide: tree work, shrub pruning, rockwork (installation of walkways, walls, beds, etc. – ‘hardscaping'), mulching of beds, and irrigation system repairs and maintenance. Many of these services are preferably performed during the off-season months (pruning of evergreens, certain types of tree work, etc.) These jobs are certainly easier to schedule during the winter months. In that you have budgeted for lawn service the rest of the year, may we suggest that you allow us to continue periodic service during the winter, performing these extras you might like done, instead of the regular mowing. Keeping our crews busy in the winter helps to hold down costs the rest of the year. If you do not want any further services this year, please call the office and let us know.

It is with a cautionary note that we pass along NOAA weather's climate prediction for this winter. Their long range forecast for the past summer was so off that we are almost embarrassed to again include it, lest we be caught with egg on our faces again. Still, we never claimed to be meteorologists; we just research the information and pass it along. The prediction for the next three months is that the weather will be much warmer and much dryer than normal. That said, this probably ensures that when you receive this letter it will be cold and raining.

At this time of year we always send out the same advice and suggestions for maintaining a healthy landscape over the winter months. Remember that besides representing a large investment and increasing the value of your property, your landscape enhances the enjoyment of your home. Although it is winter, and many people put maintenance out of their minds, please remember that your lawn is not dead, merely dormant. Be sure that your lawn is receiving adequate water during the cooler months. Do not forget beds, and be particularly certain to deep-water trees. Also remember: In the event of a hard freeze, a good watering beforehand is the best protection for your plants. As with most things, the cost of landscape plants has risen dramatically. Protecting your landscape becomes more vital as the cost of replacement plants increases.

It has been our experience that, if as predicted, there is less than normal precipitation, southern turf grasses such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia may be even more vulnerable to heavy weed infestations in the spring. This alone should be incentive to ensure that your landscape receives enough water during the dormant season. It may also be a good idea to think about a pre-emptive strike on spring weeds. Please call for more information regarding this service.

For many of our clients, particularly those who live in more established neighborhoods, your landscape may have been installed many years ago. Often the original landscape is no longer suitable for various reasons. You may have noticed that your landscape plants have matured and are no longer proportionate to the size of your home or lot. Perhaps you may be ready to do a little landscape renovation. There are an abundance of plants that may not have been available when your landscape was installed. Similarly, the uses of your landscape evolve over time. It may be time to consider removing that playscape and installing an outdoor space for your own enjoyment: a breakfast patio, an outdoor area to read and relax, or an entertainment area, are just a few examples. There are other reasons that may contribute to rethinking one's landscape. Areas that were once ideal for lawn grass may now be too shady as trees mature. Similarly, it has been our own experience, that it is not only our plants, but those of our neighbors, that impacts our landscape. Our neighbors' landscapes have also matured over time. An area that was once full sun has become full shade due to the growth of trees in the yards across the street. Sadly, our beautiful stand of pyracantha were casualties of the decreased sunlight.

Austin's milder weather allows for almost year-round landscape enjoyment. Perhaps, as your kids grow up and away, you now entertain more. If that is the case, you might want to exchange some deciduous plants for evergreens. Aside from enhancing the enjoyment of your home, a well-designed landscape can significantly increase the value of your property. There is also the added advantage that landscapes can save up to 25% in heating and cooling costs. The winter months provide an excellent opportunity to rethink one's landscape. We mention this for several reasons – if you plan to make some landscape changes; winter is an excellent time to assess what you have and what you would like to change. Distinguish between dying trees and those that just need some loving care and attention. Take an objective look at what is overgrown, what is obscuring windows, what needs to be pruned or should just be taken out. That provides a starting point. Another reason that makes winter an opportune time is the increased demand for plants. Waiting to decide on some plants until mid-season can result in those specific plants being unavailable when the time comes. We know this first hand – our own landscape reconstruction awaits the availability of some plants we had hoped to install. In addition, while the cooler months may not be the optimal time to plant some items, it is an excellent time to install hardscaping such as decks, walls, raised beds, etc. These architectural elements provide structural backbones and help to make your landscape attractive year round.

If you have elected to discontinue further service this year, don't forget that we will still be available should you need special service during December or January - leaf cleanups, sprinkler work, a special sprucing up for the holidays or parties, etc., but please call early. We will be cutting back Liriope and other perennials in January or February, depending on the weather. Regular service schedules usually resume in late February or early March. If you do not wish to continue our service in the spring, please let us know.

In closing, we would like to express our most heartfelt appreciation to all of our clients. Your business is what supports and sustains us. We are very blessed and cannot thank you enough. We extend to you our most profound gratitude and our warmest wishes for a happy holiday season and for a wonderful New Year!

Most sincerely,

Chris and Sherri Pomeroy