Your Garden 'Horrorscope' - Rose Rust

We have observed in our clients and our own gardens that a moist spring can create conditions ideal for rust development on roses. Rust flourishes when the temperature is between 64-70˚ F and moist foggy conditions. The life cycle of rust is 10-14 days, so repeated treatment to get rid of it is necessary.

Rose with Rust on the Leaves

First, remove as many of the infected leaves as possible. This includes fallen leaves.

Then, start a 10-14 day spray cycle of either an organic or synthetic fungicide. Follow the directions carefully to make sure you are using it properly.

As the weather warms and there are less foggy mornings, the conditions will become less hospitable for rust.

Prepare for Hot Weather: Sprinkler System Tips

Here at A New Leaf, we can't believe it's already April! And that means that summer is creeping up on us quickly. We wanted to start to get you prepared for the hotter weather, so we compiled this list of tips for making sure your sprinkler system is in tip top shape!

When it is hot, and you (or your Gardner) are running the sprinklers for longer periods, system problems may become more evident.

6 Signs Your Sprinkler System May Have a Problem

1. Unusual wet spots on your pavement or dry spots on the lawn.
2. Weak water output, which may mean there is a clog, leak or break somewhere in the sprinkler system.
3. The lowest sprinkler setting leaks constantly. This is not really a problem with the sprinkler, but with the valve: it's not shutting off all the way.
4. Your water meter is always running. If the meter moves when everything is shut off, you have a leak. Check the toilets and all faucets as well as your irrigation system.
5. Wet or muddy spots that suddenly appear may signal a broken pipe or riser
6. Valve boxes are filled with water. This could be caused by sprinklers directly hitting the box, or because of California's heavy clay soils directing water along the sprinkler trench lines. However, if the water does not drain away it could be indicating a faulty valve.

If you notice these issues, or if your yard is ready to be freshened up, give A New Leaf a call! You can visit our website for more information, and reach us by phone at (562) 690-1492 for Los Angeles County or (949) 298-4446 for Orange County.

Pre-Spring Garden Fixes

Spring is just around the corner -- is your garden ready?

It is time to cut back woody shrubs to stimulate lush new growth and prevent them from becoming leggy or scraggy looking. A layer of mulch to improve the appearance of the garden beds washed out by our heavy winter rains can do a lot for the health of your garden as well as help against those spring time weeds.

Maybe it is time to get your low voltage lights working again or even a new system installed. Your garden and home is looking a bit dark since the Christmas lights were removed, isn't it?

SPJ Fixture

For a more dramatic flair, how about a Garden Makeover? The A New Leaf crew has been busily working with several Landscape Architects bringing their designs to life for our mutual clients' enjoyment.

Is it time for you to consider a more major restyling of your garden? We can help you: visit our website for more examples of our work and for all of our contact information.