Over the last couple of months, we at Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping have been discussing how to maintain your equipment and landscape beds. You also need to maintain the lights that show off your landscape and outdoor living spaces. Here are the steps we recommend.
Total System Inspection
We recommend a total system inspection. This includes the wiring, lamps, transformer, fixtures, and timer/photocells. While this type of inspection takes some effort, once it is done you know the system is safe and will work without trouble for the next year. To do this, you need to turn on the system.
Check the Lamps & Connections
Check to see if the lamps inside the fixtures work. If they are not, or give signs they are failing, replace them. LED lights last thousands of hours, but they do eventually fail. Any easy way to test a failed lamp is to swap it with one in a fixture that you know is working. If it still doesn’t work it may be a connection that is the problem. You can trace back the wire to a connection within a few feet and resplice to make sure the wire is good or you could use a volt meter to check if you have power.
Clean the Fixtures
Over time, dust and dirt mar the light fixtures and cover the lens on the fixtures. Clean the fixtures with a damp cloth. Do not use a wet one or you can damage the fixture. Clean all the lenses with a glass cleaner so they can shine brightly. This step may need to be taken on a regular basis, probably 3-4 times a season, to keep everything looking nice all year around.
Adjust and Aim Fixtures
Storms, animals, and sometimes guests, may bump your fixtures so they are not aimed properly anymore. In addition, plants grow, and the light may not show them at their best anymore. This means they will not illuminate the feature you want to put a spotlight on. Adjust any fixture that isn’t just right so that it is aimed exactly where you want it. You may have to do this in the evening so you can see the lights the way your guests will.
Test the Transformer
The transformer takes the house current and reduces it so the LED light fixtures can use it without burning out. Testing the transformer makes sure it is properly reducing the current so your LED light fixtures will last a long time. Re-tighten any terminal blocks that have worked loose during the last year. Inspect all the internal components to make sure they are clean, do not show too much wear, and do not have any burned spots. Replace any problem components you find.
Check the Clocks/Photocells
Now that the time has changed, set the clocks for the season. If you use photocells, which turn on the lights at dusk and turn them off at dawn, make sure they are functioning properly. Clean the surface so dirt doesn’t block the lens and make the lights turn on prematurely. Use a damp cloth.
Repair and Re-bury Wire
Check the wire you can see for any cuts or nicks in the wire. Repair any you find. Re-bury any exposed wires that should be buried. Make sure the wires are deep enough to avoid damage during the year.
Trim Plants That Block Lights
As plants grow, they may begin to block the lights set around them. Trim any plant material that is causing a problem by blocking the light. Be careful not to trim more than a third of the plant, including any pruning you have done in the last two months, or you will damage the plant.
Make Changes as Needed
Lighting innovations are continually being developed. Update your lighting fixtures and lighting system as new and better components are available. As an example, you can find some new things for 2022 in this article.
In addition, your needs may change. Perhaps a plant has died, so there is no need for that light. Or, you have planted another tree and need new lights to show it off. New hardscape features need lights, too. Expand your lighting system to illuminate all your landscape and outdoor living areas.
We Can Help
Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can tune your lighting system for the year. We will run through this checklist and make sure all parts of your landscape lighting system are working correctly. Schedule a consultation or call (816) 825-2524 to get on our schedule today. Hurray, our schedule is filling up fast.
Spring starts March 23rd this year, and Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping gets really busy this time of year. What are we doing? Spring maintenance for the landscapes we manage.
Freshen Bed Edges
Defining the edges of the landscape beds is very important. We use a shovel to cut a four-to-six-inch edge along the landscape bed. This makes the landscape bed look crisp and shows off the sexy curves in it. The edge also helps keep the mulch in the landscape beds instead of letting it creep into the lawn.
Mulch
Now is the time to place 1” to 2” of new mulch on all your landscape beds. We do this because this much mulch will break down and compost itself each year, so it needs to be replaced. We use a dark-colored mulch that really sets off the landscape beds. The dark mulch contrasts nicely with the green plants, too.
Slow-Release Fertilizer
As the landscape plants wake up and start to grow, they need lots of nutrients. We apply a slow-release fertilizer to the landscape plants to give them this burst of nutrients. Because it is slow release, this fertilizer application will last all spring and summer.
Pre-Emergent on Top of Mulch
Mulch will usually keep weed seeds from growing in the landscape beds. However, some weed seeds will germinate on the top of the mulch. These are usually windborne seeds or are brought by animals or birds. We apply a pre-emergent on top of the mulch to keep those seeds from germinating. The pre-emergent will not hurt the plants that are already in the beds. It only prevents new seeds from sprouting.
Check Irrigation
Finally, we check the irrigation system and bring it to life after it has been drained all winter. Some of the sprinkler heads may have broken, pipes may leak, and the controller needs to be plugged in and set for the year. We check every valve, every sprinkler head, and emitter, and set the system controller up for the spring season.
We Can Help
Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping is enrolling people in our Garden Care Program. We will take care of all the maintenance items mentioned above. After all, it takes a lot of time to get everything ready for spring. If you don’t put in the time to put in now, you won’t have a nice landscape later. We can take care of that for you. Call us today at (816) 825-2524 to set up a free estimate for your planting beds garden care and get on our schedule. Our schedule is filling up fast.
It is time to spruce up your lawn equipment for spring. At Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping, we spend a lot of time in the winter and all year maintaining our equipment, so it is ready when we build your landscape or maintain it.
Home Maintenance Recommendations
Here is some of the lawn equipment you might have and how to maintain it.
Hedge trimmers
If you have gas-operated hedge trimmers, remove any fuel left over from the fall. Check your spark plug and replace it if the plug is fouled. Be sure to put the correct fuel in your hedge trimmers. They typically use a 50 to 1 ratio of gasoline to oil mix. You buy the mix for the size gas can you have and pour it in. Fill up the can with gasoline and mix the two substances well. Put this into your fuel tank. Using just gasoline will ruin the engine.
Fortunately, a lot of newer hedge trimmers are self-sharpening, so you don’t have to worry about dull blades. However, oil the blades before each use with a spray lubricant to keep the sap from the shrubs from gumming things up. Use your hedge trimmers to trim hedges, not for trimming anything else. Electric hedge trimmers are becoming more widely used and do not require much maintenance. Keep the batteries charged and you may want a spare if you use it often. Then spray down the hedge trimmer blades with lubricant, and you are ready to go.
Leaf Blowers
Gasoline-powered leaf blowers need much the same maintenance as hedge trimmers. They use the same fuel mix, too. Make sure you store your leaf blowers in dry conditions. The wiring around the starter and the choke can corrode in wet conditions. Check spark plugs and air filters before the season starts, and you should be good to go.
Mowers
We at Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping don’t do mowing. However, your push mowers need annual maintenance. If there is any gasoline or oil in the mower, drain it out and dispose of it responsibly at an oil change place or mechanics. Power wash off any grass or other plant material stuck to the mower. Once the mower is clean, replace the mower blade and spark plug. Many lawn and garden departments sell kits with a new blade and spark plug for each make of mower. Finally, refill the oil and gas tanks. Now your mower is ready to run this spring.
Our Equipment Maintenance Routine
Our equipment maintenance routine is a little more complicated. We take care of our equipment, so it doesn’t break down and delay your construction project or maintenance of your landscape.
We have trucks, bobcats, excavators, trenchers, and hydraulic dump trailers that we keep in top condition. Each month, we check the oil, grease, electrical systems, oil blades, and change the oil if needed. We keep machines greased at least every 8 hours of use.
Before the equipment leaves the shop, we make sure it works, is greased, and has all the oil and hydraulic fluid it requires. We also fill the fuel tank. We also check trucks and trailers for safety to make sure all lights, trailer breaks, wheels, and tires are safe for the road as well as double-checking that our load is secured.
Less Delay, Faster Projects
We at Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping keep our machines in tip-top condition to make them last longer. We also keep them well maintained so they do not break and delay our projects. While no amount of maintenance can prevent all breakdowns, we minimize them with our regular maintenance program. Better maintenance allows us to build hardscapes and landscapes faster with less waiting. If you want a superior product with less delay, schedule a consultation with us today. Our spring schedule is filling up, so don’t delay.
At Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping, we are getting our customer’s plants and landscape beds ready for spring. We want our plants to be ready to grow when the weather warms up and our landscape beds to look sharp. Here are the steps we take this time of year.
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses need to be trimmed each year in late winter or early spring. Cut your grass back to six to eight inches tall. If the center of the grass is dying out, you need to divide the grass clump. Dig the grass up and clean the dirt off the roots. Divide the grass into sections with some roots and grass attached to each section. Discard the dead center. Plant each section or give a few sections away to friends. Trading these sections with other plant lovers is a good way to get new plants for your garden!
Perennials
Perennials also need to be cut back to stimulate new growth. Our team will cut back spent herbaceous perennials to the ground to prepare them for the new spring growth to come. These types of plants have typically died back from the cold winter frost already, and we are simply removing the old growth to make room for the new growth to appear.
Removing Leaves
Leaves have a tendency to accumulate over the fall and winter. They do not look very good and can be overwintering sites for pests and diseases. To keep your landscape beds looking sharp, we remove all these leaves. Doing so while it is still cold allows you to destroy any pests hiding in them before the pests wake up and start eating your plants.
Removing Weeds
Weeds steal sunlight, water, and nutrients from your plants. Some weeds serve as reservoirs for pests and diseases that can negatively affect your plants. Remove any weeds now to prevent them from causing problems in the future. We also like to use a pre-emergent to help prevent new weeds from sprouting.
Edging Landscape Beds
After trimming ornamental grasses and perennials and removing leaves and weeds from a landscape bed, we like to redefine the edges of the bed with a natural spaded edge. Although this can be labor intensive, this natural spaded edge really makes the bed look sharp while keeping the mulch from spilling into the yard.
Mulching
Mulching is the final step of getting your beds ready for spring. With our garden care clients, we will typically begin with the clean-up and prep work the first visit and then return with a larger team to help get the mulch spread efficiently. We may apply another round of pre-emergent at this time to further help prevent weeds. We typically aim to get all of our spring mulching completed by Mother’s Day if possible.
We Can Help
Taking care of your landscape beds can be a lot of work. Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can help with that. We will come to trim your ornamental grasses and perennials, remove the weeds and leaves from your landscape beds, and redefine the edges of them, so they look sharp for the coming season. If you are interested in having us do the late winter maintenance for your landscape, schedule a consultation with us today. Our list fills up, so don’t delay.
If you are having pavers installed, you will need something to fill the spaces where the pavers meet. We will educate you on the options and expectations for filling and maintaining the joints of your patio pavers.
Flexible Pavement System
First of all, it is important to understand that concrete pavers, in general, are designed to be installed as a flexible pavement system that will move with the ground as it moves. Most movement of the ground will come through freeze and thaw cycles where the ground can expand and contract depending on many variables such as moisture content, temperature, wind, and sun exposure. Most concrete paver systems are designed to be installed in a flexible way to allow for this movement of the ground in areas of extremely high and low temperatures.
Types of Fills for Between Pavers
There are two major types of fillers used between pavers.
Definitely Not Grout
Grout is not one of the two choices. Our clients often refer to the joint filler as grout, and this is inaccurate. Grout is typically designed to be used indoors between tiles, and it is always part of a rigid pavement system. Gout is NOT designed to be flexible, and if it moves, it will crack because of its rigidity. In some cases, an exterior grout can be used if the base is constructed in a rigid technique with footings below the frost line to prevent movement. This is not the typical standard of residential paver installation today, mainly due to being cost-prohibitive in most cases.
Sand
Regular builder’s sand or brick sand was often used for filling pavers up until the turn of the century. The problem with regular builders’ sand is that it quickly blows or is washed out from between the pavers. While this is an esthetic problem, it can and does look bad, and no one wants their nice paver patio to have gaps between the stones. If sand is used as a bedding layer, it can also become a structural problem if the bedding layer begins to wash away.
Polymeric Sand
In 1999 Techniseal introduced Polymeric sand to the market. This is sand that is mixed with a polymer that binds the sand particles together. This makes it last longer. It is not permanent, however. Over time, the polymer will break down, and the sand can wash or blow out, so it does require some maintenance. It typically will last at least three to five years before that is necessary to touch up or re-sand any areas.
Applying Polymeric sand
When applying polymeric sand, it is important to wear a dust mask as it can be harmful if inhaled. First, pour Polymeric sand onto the pavers and sweep it into the joints. Compact the pavers to settle the sand with a rolling plate compactor or a hand tamper. Then fill and tamp again until the sand is 1/8th inch from the paver level and doesn’t consolidate any further.
Prepare for Watering
Blow sand residue from the top of the pavers. It is important to get all the sand off the top of the pavers, or you will have a haze on them. Use a leaf blower set on low and held about waist high to help.
Watering
You want to add enough water to activate the polymer but not so much that you float the polymer right out of the sand. Use a water nozzle turned to the shower setting. Water the joint until the sand just stops absorbing water. Pause and let the water soak in. Water again until no more water soaks in, but you do not see a milky white substance on top of the joint. Do 10 feet by 10 feet sections at a time. Once the polymer sets, you won’t be able to add more water.
Curing
The polymer will cure in 24-72 hours, depending on the temperature and dryness of the area. Polymeric sand in shade can be a bit more spongy than Polymeric sand in the sun, even after it cures. Do not let the sand get rained on hard until it is set. You may need to cover the sand with a tarp to protect it from rain. You should avoid excess foot traffic for 24 hours and any vehicle traffic for 72 hours.
Common Mistakes When Using Polymeric Sand
We see these mistakes over and over when clients use Polymeric sand.
Damp Pavers or Joints
If the joints and pavers are wet, the polymer will start to set up prematurely. This causes a haze on the pavers and leads to poor joints. The pavers and joints must be bone dry before you start. The sand will also stick to the top of the pavers and become a difficult mess to clean up.
Over or Under Watering
If you do not water the Polymeric sand enough, it does not activate the polymer. When this happens, a crust forms on the surface but the sand below this crust is not bound together. The unbound sand moves out from under the crust, which then collapses.
If you apply too much water, the polymer floats out of the sand and drains away. It can leave a haze behind on the pavers as it runs across them. You are left with sand between the pavers and a haze on them.
Leaving Excess Sand Behind
Sand that is left on the pavers will bind to the pavers and leave a haze on them, detracting from the beauty of the pavers.
Poor Drainage
The drainage under the pavers and joints must be good, or the water will back up and not filter through the Polymeric sand, allowing the sand grains to bind to each other. A very slight slope will aid drainage and help prevent problems. We have also shifted from a sand bedding layer to an open aggregate base that helps with drainage below the pavers, especially in dark and damp Northern exposures.
Overfilling the Joints
Too much sand can cause problems. It is important to keep the level of the sand in the joint 1/8th inch below the surface of the paver. If the sand is level with the paver, the water will back up over the paver, and the polymer will cause the paver to be hazy.
Too Narrow or Too Wide Joints
Joints should be at least 1/8th inch and no more than four inches. The joint depth should be at least one inch. If the joints are too narrow, the water cannot flow down and properly activate the polymer. If the joints are too wide, the sand will wash out before the polymer sets up.
Polymeric Sand Maintenance
As mentioned, polymeric sand does require some maintenance. Regular cleaning with a blower and/or a hose will help keep the pavers and joints in good condition. You can power wash your paver patio if you are careful not to blow out the sand. Keep the power washer moving and never aimed directly at the joints. Periodically, you will need to chemically clean and re-seal the pavers and joints. You may then need to sweep new Polymeric sand into the joints to fill any low spots. Just make sure it is completely dry first.
Customer Expectations
When it comes to paver joints, polymeric sand is often seen as the gold standard. And it is the best solution we have for filling joints in a flexible pavement system, and it does a great job. However, like any construction material, it is far from perfect and is definitely not maintenance-free. The ground will move and over time the sand will move, crack, wash or settle and will need some maintenance. It is critically important that consumers understand the history, design, and intent of this product to ultimately have a successful paver project for both the client and the contractor.
Our Paver Maintenance Program
Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping has a paver maintenance program. We have options that include Spring clean-ups, as well as regular cleanings (blowing, power washing, and chemical cleaning), along with regular re-sealing of pavers to enhance the color and sheen. To sign up for our paver maintenance program, schedule a consultation now before the spring rush hits.
