Year: 2018

Spring 2019 – Landscaping Estimate

We are now inviting clients to get on our spring estimate contact list.  Be at the top of the list for your free estimate and consultation by filling out our Spring 2019 Estimate Request Form    We will contact you in mid February -early March of 2019 to arrange for your landscaping estimate.

Your free landscaping estimate and consultation will include:

An on-site walkthrough of your property.
Recommendations as to whether your project would benefit from a landscape design    
Introduction to our landscape designer if necessary.
Explanation of our services
Discussion about various landscaping components that would work best for your property.
Free detailed estimate.

Click here to complete your Spring 2019 Estimate Request Form

Fall is a great time for landscaping in Calgary

Fall is a great time for Landscaping in Calgary!  Did you know that trees, shrubs and sod do much better when planted in the cooler fall months than they do when planted during our hot summers? Trees, shrubs and sod start to go dormant in fall and therefore they are far less likely to go into shock when they are planted.  Summer is in the middle of their peak growing season so it is very hard on plantings and sod, especially with our hot, dry summers.  The cooler fall weather combined with the plant dormancy cycle means you can don’t have to worry about planting trees or shrubs or laying sod.  Chinook Landscaping and Design typically installs plantings, paving stones, retaining walls and all other landscape components right up to and beyond Halloween.   Visit our website at landscapingcalgary.org  for more or Call us at 403-452-8552 for your no cost estimate.

Spruce Solutions

Large established spruce trees are noticeable everywhere in Calgary front and back yards.  These trees are typically Colorado Blue spruce and can grow to be 30-40 feet tall and take up the majority of your yard.  We are constantly asked about ways to manage spruce trees and keep them as part of the landscape.

Firstly, it is never a good idea to have your lawn area compete with spruce trees.  The spruce tree will always win.  They are known to be very hard on lawns for several reasons.

– They drop needles and shed them constantly throughout spring, summer and fall.  These needles can break down and change the quality of the soil.

– Spruce tree roots are very shallow and extend for a great distance to other areas of your yard.  The roots draw moisture out of the soil and deprive your lawn of water and nutrients.

– The large spruce tree branches shade preven sunlight and water from reaching your lawn.

So, we can see that having lawn under or close to your spruce tree is probably not going to facilitate a lush healthy lawn.  If you want to keep your lawn then we recommend pruning the branches up on the bottome 3-5 feet of the spruce tree.  This will give your lawn more sunlight and moisture.

The best option when it comes to spruce trees is to create a defined border around the perimiter of the spruce trees drip line.  The drip line is the tip of the longest spruce tree branches.  Create this border by using a natural spade edge, mowing pavers, Vinyl edge or raised pre cast or natural stone.  This border will mean your lawn and gardens will not have to compete with the spruce tree and you won’t have to mow around the branches. The messy needles and waste can be cleaned up without trying to rake them out of the lawn.  You can place fabric and 40mm rock under the spruce tree and use a blower to blow out needles and waste each season.   Keep in mind that over the long term, the roots may grow and lift some areas of your border.  The border can be adjusted and levelled again by notching out a section of the root.

Whats with all the pollen this spring?

You have probably noticed pollen like you never have before this season.  Yellowish mustard powder is everywhere this year in Calgary.  Vehicles homes and streets are covered with pollen.  Why is it so noticeable this year?  In a typical season various trees and grass put out pollen at different times of the spring/summer  This winter was anything but typical and winter stayed very late.  So because of that all of the trees combined with the grass are putting out pollen at the same time. They don’t want to lose the opportunity to propagate.  Its a survival thing.  Calgary has not seen much rain this spring so that has compounded the issue.  A few days of heavy rain would help to wash the pollen off trees and grass, streets, cars and homes. Allergies are through the roof of course because Calgarians are getting a mega dose of pollen all at once. There is not much you can do besides keeping windows and doors closed, rinse your walkways, patios and outdoor furniture. Make sure to take your allergy medicine if you have a major allergy to pollen.  There are some positive aspects to all this pollen.  We know if it is out there then the greenery around is continuing to thrive.  Pollen is very high in nutrients so although it may be a real irritant for some, inhaling accidentally throughout the day may give you a dose of healthy nutrients!!