Kathy Spear Landscaping

2531 John F. Kennedy Road        Dubuque, Iowa         563-557-9735

E-mail Kathy anytime       kathy@ksl-dbq.com

The Landscape and Pond News
Improving your property through communication!

SPRING IS HERE!!!!!!!!!

 While in the grassy areas, you may notice a few mouse tunnels running here and there. These and any other sparse areas should be raked out and over seeded. Most of you have seen the grass seed patch with mulch and a mild fertilizer all mixed together in bags at most of the stores. It works great! Mid April is the prime time to start any seeding or over-seeding project.

 If bed cleaning wasn't completed last fall it should be done now. The dead leaves on most perennials, like hosta or daylilies, can usually just be easily pulled. Some flowers like Black Eyed Susan require a good set of hand pruners. Most all flowering material should be cut to ground level before new growth starts. If you do cut a little green, don't worry. Think of it as an early hair cut. It won't hurt a thing.

 Tall grasses should be cut to ground level now. Russian sage should be formed to basketball size. Summer blooming spirea's can be pruned to bushel basket size. White spring blooming bridal wreath spirea should be pruned after blooming. Shaped evergreens can also be pruned now.

 The city started yard waste collections April 3rd. Stock up on your single use stickers now available at area stores. Or get your 2006 annual sticker from the city utility office, for use on your container all season long. Those of you with lots of yard waste may want to consider a large city owned container. A monthly fee is charged during the season, but it is well worth the expense. Call the utility office at 589-4250 for more information.

NEW PLANT MATERIAL

 The month of April is when we receive most of our fresh plant material directly from the growers. It arrives bare root and thirsty. We soak all bare root plants before potting them into a mixture of good black dirt and quality compost. We label every plant, place it in our nursery and care for it until we plant it in your yard. Shrubs are arriving now. Perennials arrive about mid April.

POND CLEANING

• Spring is the recommended time of the year to completely clean your pond or water feature. My crew can do this for you. Usual charge averages $250 to $500 depending on size and time involved.
• All filter mats should be removed and thoroughly hosed off. If needed, new filter mats can be added at this time.
• Water should be pumped out, down to lowest level. Remove debris, wash down rocks, cut back water plants, and adjust lighting.
• Reset rocks if needed, tweak waterfalls and streams.
• Refill pond, add dechlorinator to remove chlorine and chloramines for fish. If fish were distressed add stress coat to relieve symptoms.

SPRING POND TIPS

• Don't start feeding your fish until water temperature is at least 55 degrees. Low-temp food is probably best. Although small amounts of regular food also works. Medicated fish food is recommended if your fish seem stressed.
• Water temperature must be 70 degrees to introduce tropical plants to your pond. Be sure to fertilize. This is the time to divide plants.
• Adding barley in early spring will help clarify the pond.

SPRING WATER PLANT SALE

 A new supply of water plants - both hardy & tropical - will be ready for sale on Mid to late April. We have a great grower, from Des Moines, who has very good quality plants. And we hand pick our own selection, and bring them back ourselves to help keep our cost down.

POND TOURS

 Our First Ever Spring Pond Tour will be held Saturday April 22nd, from 11 AM to 4 PM. This one day event will give you a sample of Kathy's creativity. Imagine what your own yard could look like, gather ideas from existing pond owners, and enjoy the day!

Check in at Kathy's office after April 14th for a listing of locations.

Kathy is also offering special sale pricing on pond kits ordered that day.

Place your pond order on or before the 22nd, and get 25% off the catalog price!

POND CLASSES

 Every Saturday in May and June, at 11 AM, Kathy will offer classes that are all about ponds! It would be helpful if you could pre-register by calling 557-9735. You can also register at the door. There will be a charge of $ 5.00 per class. Kathy has tons of information to share, and special pricing on pond kits and supplies as well. Building your own pond, Maintaining your pond, fish or plant questions. You name it, and Kathy will be able to help you with it.

JUST A NOTE TO REMEMBER

 Our Third Annual Fall Pond Tour will again be held in mid September. More on this event later.

For questions, comments, or to request additional information about any newsletter topic, proceed to the Contact Us page to communicate directly with our staff.

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