Trust all of your commercial landscape tree planting to the professionals at Pugh’s Earthworks

Pugh's Earthworks Planting trees is always a major part of creating an attractive commercial landscape. However, if trees are not planted correctly, problems may arise. Selection of the proper tree is critical as you may want shade trees or you may want decorative trees or both. The certified landscape professionals at Pugh's Earthworks are trained on all facets of proper tree planting. It is pretty common knowledge that trees like other certain shrubs and grass are dormant during the winter. This is when the root growing season is at its best. Conversely in the summer, the foliage above ground is in full growth mode. Thus planting trees during the fall or early spring makes for a healthier tree and one that can withstand the high summer heat. Though you may want to plant the whole year round to keep your landscape looking beautiful, the weather is always a factor to consider that may stop you from doing so. That is because temperature extremes like severely cold or extremely hot are difficult for a new planting to handle. After all, they are just trying to take root and may be in shock with their new surroundings. Yes, plants, trees, and shrubs can undergo stress when placed in extreme conditions like excessive heat that occurs in the middle of summer. The heat can interfere with proper root development, causing the trees and shrubs to die. While you should avoid it, there are some ways to still do some planting in the middle of summer. First, do your planting in the evening and then water new plants after planting. You can also opt to do the planting on cloudy days. Then, use water bags and irrigation systems to ensure they have enough water so their roots can thrive even in the heat. The better times to plant trees and shrubs are early fall, late spring, and early summer. So, the next time to consider is early fall for your planting goals. It's a good idea to plant trees when they are dormant. Also, soak the shrub or tree in its pot before removing it to plant as this helps reduce the risk of damaging its tender roots. Provide good soil by adding a compost mixture and mulch after planting the tree or shrub. It can be challenging to plant trees and shrubs in a way that gives them a chance to grow and thrive. That is why we are here to help.  Contact us today to learn more about our planting, landscaping, and garden maintenance services. Pugh's Earthworks Tennessee Commercial Landscape and Maintenance Services Pugh's Earthworks provides commercial landscape design and maintenance services throughout Tennessee, including Memphis, Jackson, and Nashville. We have five commercial landscape service operations in three states, including landscapes and service lawns and landscaping in Little Rock, Arkansas. Our monthly services include landscape design and maintenance, customized to your needs, budget, and seasonal situation. We have the highest level of dedication and commitment to quality which keeps Pugh's [...]

The certified professionals at Pugh’s Earthworks are experienced at controlling and preventing drought damage to commercial landscapes

Pugh's Earthworks Summer time is here. Some parts of the country are already feeling record heat for mid June. It does not take many days of this excessive heat to dry out the soil. You start to see signs of early drought as grasses and plants show signs of discoloration and stress. The certified landscape professionals at Pugh's Earthworks are trained and knowledgeable regarding detecting, preventing and treating commercial landscapes that are in early or late stages of drought and heat stress. We understand that having a lawn with deep roots helps protect it when it gets so hot during those summer months. It is those deep roots that hold the water and keep the grass cooler so that it won't die out from the excessive heat. Here are some lawn maintenance tips to promote those deep roots for your lawn. Soil Start with cultivating the topsoil. Sandy loam or well-drained loam gives roots the ability to stretch out and grow. If you have sandy soil, know that it doesn’t retain water very well. That's when you will need to add organic matter, which delivers the necessary nutrients and increases water retention. Water Keep this soil moist. Grass needs at least an inch of water weekly. However, you don't need to water every day. It is actually infrequent watering that encourages deep root growth. Water must get below the root zone to help nourish the roots so they can become deeper. An automatic sprinkler system helps ensure that your lawn receives the right amount of water at the right time. Mowing Mow frequently and keep grass at the right height for the type of grass you have. For example, grass with large crowns or clumps, which is typically Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue, should be mowed at a much taller height. In contrast, Zoysia grass should have a shorter mowing. Whatever kind of grass you have, be sure to mow no more than one-third of the blade lengths at a time. This stimulates growth and protects the roots. Fertilizer Fertilize at the end of the growing season to achieve strong root growth. Slow-release fertilizers are often touted as the best for promoting the growth of the grass roots. AgriGro biostimulants have also been proven to increase root growth. This is because these substances help plants endure environmental stress better than those that were not treated. Other Maintenance You can also encourage strong roots by giving them plenty of room to grow. This means pulling any weeds, which have root systems that like to choke the roots of the grass. Plus, it involves periodic aeration, which allows air and water to reach the roots. Use a core aerator, which will reduce soil compaction. That way, the water can penetrate all the way down to the roots Be sure to also remove what is known as thatch by using a rake to clear this dead organic material and grass clippings from the soil. From following these tips, you'll most likely improve the chances [...]

Pugh’s Earthworks strongly adheres to industry accepted safety precautions for the landscape industry

Pugh's Earthworks In the landscape industry, safety is a paramount concern. Protection for landscape technicians is critical. Pugh's Earthworks employs a safety engineer who is up to date on all industry safety practices. The safety engineer holds periodic training sessions so that every employee understands the importance of work safety and the best ways to ensure good safety precautions are always upheld. Some of the guidelines followed are listed below. Report unsafe working conditions or equipment to your supervisor. Identify and destroy harmful or noxious plants such as poison ivy. Protect against insects with insect repellents or protective clothing when needed. Use caution in areas where you may encounter wild animals or unfriendly domestic ones. Rest periodically during strenuous jobs such as digging or sawing: work-rest schedules vary according to temperature conditions, how strenuous the work is, and how acclimatized ("used to") the worker is to the workload. Make sure emergency telephone numbers are clearly posted or readily available. Know the location of the first aid kit and how to use the contents. Do not touch stray or dead animals. Contact an animal control agency for removal. Wear respiratory protection if you must clean up waste, leaves or dust that may contain mouse droppings. Mice can carry the hantavirus which can become airborne with dust and may be inhaled by workers. Be aware of expected weather conditions for the day, and plan accordingly. Have plans about where to go if severe weather hits. Know where to seek shelter in a thunderstorm (fully enclosed metal vehicles, with windows up or a building (not sheds). Learn proper hand washing techniques. Wash your hands thoroughly after before eating, using the washroom, or changing tasks (using different tools and/or different locations). Personal Protective Equipment Tips: Wear high-cut CSA certified safety footwear with toe caps and reinforced, non-skid soles. Use approved (e.g. CSA Z94.1) head protection when working under branches or where there may be falling objects. Use appropriate eye protection (safety glasses or goggles) whenever dust or debris may get into your eyes (eg. when power tilling, breaking up rocks or concrete) or when using strong cleaning agents, spraying or dusting. Wear sturdy, well-fitting gloves with grip. Use vibration-absorbing gloves while operating vibrating equipment. Wear suitable chemical-resistant rubber or plastic gloves when handling fertilizers and pesticides and other chemicals. Wear hearing protection devices (e.g., ear muffs, ear plugs) that provide appropriate protection from noise produced by equipment being used. Protect yourself from the sun - use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and re-apply sunscreen as required throughout the day. Consider wearing lightweight long pants (v.s. shorts) and long-sleeved shirts. Wear a brimmed hat and comfortable clothing that provides sun protection. Wear sunglasses that filter out at least 90% of the sun's ultraviolet rays. Take regular rest breaks inside. Frequent short pauses are better than longer breaks further apart. Do not wear loose-fitting or torn clothing. Pugh's Earthworks Employee Safety Seminar Pugh’s Earthworks was originally started by [...]

Pugh’s Earthworks recommends the use of compost for commercial property nutrition and for the environment

Pugh's Earthworks The certified technicians at Pugh's Earthworks have learned, through their many hours of studies, that compost renders numerous benefits. For one it helps the environment tremendously. It retains a very large amount of water. This water retention prevents or reduces soil erosion by controlling runoff.  When water flows downstream it carries with it many pollutants. Things like heavy metals, nitrogen, phosphorus, oil and grease, fuels, herbicides, and pesticides. All these chemicals are found in such things as fertilizer, gasoline for power tools etc. Compost is a natural fertilizer. The decomposition process of organic matter that includes some of that food waste you throw away. It is that compost and what it is made of that helps nourish the soil and feeds those plants or that lawn. Compost can be made on a small scale like what people do with the organic aspects of their trash. It is typically made in a large container. Or, it can be created on a much larger scale. Besides food, compost can also include grass clippings, leaves, hay, seashells, tree bark and twigs, animal manure, and straw. The compost mixture typically consists of two parts of dry material like leaves to one part wet or green material, such as grass clippings. The mixture is then left to decompose. Air movement is important, but the decomposing compost must also remain evenly moist. What makes compost so good for the lawn and other landscape is the microorganisms. Millions of microbes deliver the necessary nutrients to the soil to help stimulate plant growth. With all the nutrients, the grass becomes healthier. Just think of it as vitamins for the grass. To apply compost to a lawn, it needs to be spread with shovels to create a layer across the lawn that is about 1/4" thick. After a rake can be used to ensure the compost is evenly spread. It is good to apply the compost just after seeding and aerating. Because microorganisms are continually reproducing and dying, you can never add too much compost to the lawn. Once organic matter starts to build up in the soil, you can apply compost much less.  Also, you won't need to fertilize and water the lawn while weed, insect, and disease will also decrease. This illustrates another benefit of using compost for the lawn. To get professional assistance with composting, contact the certified technicians at Pugh's Earthworks contact us now to find out how we can help you maintain a lush commercial lawn while doing marvelous things to protect our precious environment. Spreading Compost for Plants Pugh’s Earthworks Credentials/Affiliations/Degrees, Certifications The Pugh’s Earthworks team has all the proper credentials, degrees and certifications necessary to deliver top quality landscape and lawn maintenance design, installation and maintenance services. Our team is experienced, highly skilled. They all operate with a customer first attitude. Our firm is one of the largest landscape and lawn maintenance companies in Tennessee. We have all the right equipment to handle commercial landscape and lawn maintenance projects. Our [...]

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