Finding the Perfect Outdoor Kitchen

The kitchen is usually the gathering place for many families, so why not take the kitchen outdoors? An outdoor kitchen is basically an extension of your outdoor living space. It is common for people to have a dining set or sitting area in their backyard or on the deck, so adding a kitchen means more space to socialize and not having to run back and forth from the inside during your next gathering. When designing outdoor kitchens, there are a few factors that should be considered in order to make the space comfortable and convenient.

Permanent or Portable

The first thing to consider is if you want the kitchen area to be a permanent structure. For example, a barbecue island is portable, but if you prefer to use a stove and oven unit outdoors, you will need to install a gas line or electrical outlets that can handle the power of the stove. Cabinets and sinks can also be permanently installed; however, there are a wide range of portable appliances that can be stored in a dry environment during the winter.

Frequency of use

The amount of time you will use the outdoor kitchen plays a large part in the choosing the appliances. For example, if you only plan to use the outdoor kitchen for a family of four and your backyard is not overly large, you may want to choose a smaller size grill than one that has all the bells and whistles. There are excellent choices available for grills, including size, accessories and functions. Choose a grill that suits your needs, if you don't need a rotisserie on your grill; consider getting one with an extra burner instead. However, the grill you are installing should be made with quality, durable materials that will stand the test of time. The last thing you want is to install a cheap grill into a custom made counter top and then have to remove and replace it within a few years.

The appliances, furnishings, cabinetry and accessories you choose should be reflection on your style and taste. An outdoor living space should be comfortable, yet easy to maintain, so take your time in selecting the items for your outdoor space and carefully choose items that you can enjoy for several years to come.

Summer Landscaping in Columbus, OH

When it comes to the summer, you are spending more and more time outside – and you want to embrace your own yard in its fullest. Whether you have a front porch swing or you want to make the most of your backyard patio or picnic set, your landscape matters.

The summer is the time to add fragrance to your landscaping. Consider some of the different flowers that will make your backyard smell wonderful. You can use jasmine and other wonderful flowers to enhance the scent of your backyard.

If you have always wanted to swing in a hammock in your backyard, now’s the time to do it. Even if you have a significant amount of landscaping in lace, you may be missing the two major components to hanging a hammock – sturdy trees.

At Environmental Management, Inc, we can provide you with landscaping in Columbus to ensure you are able to make the most of your summers outside. The weather is too gorgeous throughout the summer months not to take advantage of it completely.

You may love to putter in your garden on a daily basis and this is great. Bright flowers can add some color to your summertime chores. Embrace the warmer months with flowers that can withstand the heat.

If you have wanted to add some more shrubs or flowers – or create new flower beds throughout your yard, now is the time to do it. At Environmental Management, Inc, we are happy to provide you with a consultation to talk through some ideas with you. This ensures that your backyard and front yard alike are filled with flowers and green landscaping.

Columbus is one of the best cities in Ohio to embrace the summer months because it’s not too hot and it gets just enough rainfall to keep your landscaping looking lush the whole year through. As a gardener, you are not expected to do it all by yourself. When you need help with the creativity, the selection or the hard work, we are here for you every step of the way.

Your summer can be absolutely amazing. Think about how much better your yard can look when it is brightly colored with summer flowers. You can take a break from the gardening for a while to kick back and relax in a hammock and even invite the neighbors for a cookout – giving you a reason to show off your gardening skills and share the fragrance of sweet summer flowers.

Get the Most from Your Mulch

GET THE MOST FROM YOUR MULCH

Mulch is available in a variety of forms. With spring, homeowners start to think about the outdoors and business owners turn to outdoor landscaping needs. Mulching is one of the best ways to clean up the yard. What type you buy, though, depends on a few things.

ORGANIC MULCHES

There are two main types of mulch, organic and non-organic. both have benefits. Organic products are those found in your own yard naturally, such as clippings from the lawn mowing or pine needles. You can purchase mulches that have nothing but wood chippings, which would also be considered organic. Leaves are another example of an organic product. Attractive wood mulches provide great way to protect the base of flowers and gardens. Bark, for example, is ideal because it lasts much longer. Smaller organic wood chips are ideal because they allow for ease in spreading them around. Wood chippings tend to be the most common form of purchased mulches.

·                     Select organic mulches by look and function.

·                     The larger the mulch material, the longer it will last.

·                     Keep in mind that mulches can and do add nutrients to the soil. Grass clippings, for example, will work into the dirt over time, adding nutrients for plants and trees.

·                     For decorative options, do consider mulches in a variety of colors. Know what type of substances are sprayed onto these, though, to ensure you know what you are putting down.

Keep in mind that organic mulches may have applications of pesticides on them. Ask your distributor if this is the case.

INORGANIC MULCHES

Inorganic mulches are not necessarily plastics or non-natural material. For example, items like stone work well as an inorganic mulch. This type of product is beneficial because it allows water to drain easily away from the plants and reduces flooding in some areas. Decorative stone comes in a range of colors and styles. some are much smaller than others are. Pebbles are a popular type of inorganic mulch for areas where you hope to limit growth.

You can even use black fabric clothes and plastics in areas where you want to block out weed or grass growth. In some cases, after laying this type of fabric, you can then top it with organic mulches, including wood chips for a clean, easy-to-maintain look. Yet another application option is the use of rubber mulch. This type of product eliminates the need for annual mulching and comes in various natural-looking colors, including redwood. It is often used in playgrounds.

Which is the right mulch for you? That depends on what your goals are in terms of beauty and providing for the soil in the area.

The Fine Art of Composting

As a gardener, I enjoy having access to fresh compost throughout the growing season. A walk in the woods or forest reminds me that the natural breakdown of plant material provides nourishment to the trees, shrubs and grasses in nature. The same process is possible in my garden and flowerbed with some planning. I used to use a tumbler because it seemed easier to turn the compost. Last year, I created a pile in a shady corner of the yard and fed the pile throughout the season. Moderate care through the winter months has maintained the breakdown of the fall cuttings that were added.

My neighbor wants to start a compost pile this spring, so we will get started in early March. A compost pile can be started any time throughout the year. I had to remind my gardening neighbor that some seasonal limitations exist.

ITEMS NEEDED FOR THE COMPOST PILE

• “Green” materials – This is living plant matter that provides nitrogen. Grass clippings, food scraps and plant materials fall into this category.

• · “Brown” materials – Dead plant matter provides carbon for the compost pile. Thatch from the lawn, fallen leaves and stalks from the garden plants and flowers comprise this category.

• “Starter” – Various enzymes must be added to the compost pile to jump start the bacterial growth process. Animal manure, fertilizer or a commercial starter can be used. Some gardeners use beer to start the process.

• Watering hose or can – A convenient water source is important since the compost pile requires additional moisture throughout the hot summer season.

• Garden fork – This helpful tool is used to turn the compost pile to aerate the contents. More air in the layers will cause good bacteria to thrive.

STEPS TO ESTABLISH A COMPOST PILE

Before spring, I spend time staring out the window at the yard and garden. New projects race through my mind and my To-Do list grows each day. Planning is just as much fun as creating the compost pile.

• Step 1 – Find a dry, shady spot in the yard that will be reachable with the water hose and close to the garden. The optimal size is three to five feet square.

• Step 2 – Determine the best method to shred or chop the ingredients. Uniform pieces will decompose easier in the pile.

• Step 3 – The first layer in the pile should be six inches of “browns” if any dried materials remain from the fall. A good watering is necessary to moisten this layer.

• Step 4 – A three-inch layer of greens can be created when the lawn is mowed for the first time. Kitchen scraps are an important part of this layer. A three-to-one ratio of brown to green is important.

• Step 5 – Add some garden soil or mature compost on top. The microbes in this layer will provide the start for the decomposition process throughout the pile.

• Step 6 – Maintain a consistent schedule of turning the pile every one to two weeks with the garden fork. Mix the pile to distribute the moisture. Add more water if dry places exist. Consistent turning keeps the pile active.

Heat is generated in the center of the compost pile as the microbes consume the plant matter. Months will pass as the pile makes beautiful compost that can be used to feed the garden plants and flowers around the yard.

Prepare Your Garden Now for a Rewarding 2013

Whether you are planting your first garden or you are a seasoned gardener, planning and preparation is essential for a fruitful harvest. Start preparing in mid-winter so that when the ground thaws for spring you are ready to begin planting. Continue reading to discover what you can do this February to ensure a more productive garden at your Ohio home.

Choose the Garden Area

Depending on your living conditions, you may need to plant your garden indoors, which will severely limit the number and variety of plants in your garden. If your outdoor space is small or the soil is too difficult to manage, consider container plants or raised beds. You can plant most plants including tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers in these. However, some plants including corn, which requires several plants for pollination, is difficult to plant unless you have a large plot. Draw a map of your gardening area to determine the placement of plants, so you make the most of whatever space you choose.

Organic or Not?

If you want to grow a garden that is free of chemicals or genetically modified plants, you will want to go organic. This means you will need an organic soil and organic seeds or seedlings. Additionally, you want to use all-natural fertilizers and pesticides. Alternatively, you may choose companion planting, which is the positioning of plants so they repel insects and benefit the soil for each other. Organic gardening takes a lot of organization, so you need to start your research and planning for this type of garden as early as possible.

Go Shopping

Take this time to get your garden in order. Do you need to replace a rusty rake or holey gardening gloves? Start shopping now so you have the essentials, such as tools, fertilizer, soil additives and seeds, ready for the start of spring. Order seed catalogs online from companies that are nearest to the Ohio region, such as from Sand Hill Preservation Center or Seed Savers who are both located in Iowa, as seeds and plants from nearby companies are more likely to grow in your area. By preparing early, you have more energy and time to focus on your plants.

Start Your Seedlings Indoors

Get a head start by starting your plants indoors. Seeds are much more affordable than seedlings, but you will need to provide them with plenty of sunlight and water. Additionally, the correct growing conditions, i.e. light and temperature, vary per plant. For each of your seeds, do your research to determine the optimal growing conditions. Planting your seeds indoors ensures you will have plants ready to go into the ground as soon as springtime arrives.

Prep the Area

If you are planting outdoors in a field or raised bed, you will need to prepare the space. Clear out any fallen leaves, twigs or branches that are in your gardening plot. Give the soil a boost by testing it for nutrients. Contact your local cooperative extension office for tips and tools for testing soil. Prepare to add nutrients, such as nitrogen or aluminum sulfate, as soon as the ground can be tilled in order to make the soil more or less alkaline or acidic. In Ohio soil naturally is more acidic, so you will most likely need to supplement with lime for a more fertile soil.

A New Year's Resolution You Can Keep... For Your Yard

New Year's is always great for a fresh start. So while you make pledges to exercise more, eat better, perhaps even attend church more regularly, don't just think about fresh starts for yourself. Remember last summer when you let your lawn go brown in May? Remember, when it became an eyesore in the neighborhood compared to everyone else's green grass. Yeah... it might be nice to not let that happen again - nothing quite dampers a home's appearance like an ugly lawn.

While getting that nice lawn back is a bit of work, it's achievable. So start planning now so your grass is green and healthy come spring. Here's some tips:

• Aerate: Did you water your lawn only to find that it still died out in the summer heat? Get it aerated in the spring. Aerating essentially consists of using a machine to poke small circular holes in your lawn. In turn, this allows more oxygen, water and nutrients to get to your grass roots, which means less watering and more growth. You can call us here at EMI, Garden Escapes or another professional to perform these services or rent a machine and do it yourself. It also helps break up thatch.


• Get on a fertilization plan: It's recommended that you fertilize your lawn four to five times a year. Make your schedule around the holidays. Lay down your first spread in early spring and then fertilize around Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and a final fertilization prior to winter. This helps your lawn grow and stay healthy year-round.


• Water responsibly: It's always best to water during the early morning and early evening hours. This is the period where the wind is typically lightest, meaning that the sprinklers find more of your lawn and water isn't blown about by the wind elsewhere. It's also the time of day when the sun isn't hot, meaning that water is able to soak into your lawn and not dry up as fast. Also be sure to be mindful of the weather forecast as nothing has quite the effect on a lawn like rainwater - and all the nutrients in it - so turn off your sprinklers when rain is predicted to save on your water bill. You can also buy a rain sensor for this purpose.


• Smart planting: Give your lawn and landscaping a bang every spring by planting tulip bulbs this fall. The bulbs will give way to beautiful tulips to help you ring in spring and nice weather every year after they're planted.


• Smart mowing: As you're mowing your lawn, be sure not to cut too short - this can stunt growth. For this reason, it's advised that you cut on high settings so you're never taking more than one-third of a blade of grass off. It's also advised that you mow in different patterns each times. This ensures that your lawn doesn't grow a particular way and prevents wear patterns.

Have a great New Year from all of us here at Environmental Management, Inc!

Fall is a Great Time for Renovating Lawns

Break Time For Your Lawn

With many areas experiencing drought this year, the lawns are all looking a little forlorn. As a homeowner, you have done what you could, but it doesn't seem to be enough. With fall coming, there is a small reprieve to help to renovate that tired, thirsty lawn.

• As the weather cools and turns to autumn, more rain may be on the way as we head to winter. As long as it rains where you live and there are no government declarations of drought or the need to conserve water, you really don't have to water the lawn in the morning and/or evening to keep it green until the first frost. When a frost advisory is announced on the nightly news, stop watering.


• Aerating the lawn seems like a spring thing, and although aerating can wake up a lawn in spring, doing it in the fall as well gives it time to breathe and make room for new blades of grass in the spring.


• After aerating, weed and feed and additional seeding where needed can take place. The lawn is ready to except the extra nutrients, herbicides and seeds that will remain partially dormant during the winter but will spring anew in, well, spring.


• Look for weed and feed combos with a good amount of nitrogen and moss killers, if you happen to have moss springing up in and around your foundation. Moss likes to grow in cool, shady moist areas, and the sides of your home that don't receive a lot of sunlight but collect a lot of rain or sprinkler water is where you will find patches of it.


• A helpful mnemonic for the most basic lawn care duty is, "Don't stop mowing until the grass stops growing!". Some warm Indian summer days in mid to late autumn can confuse the lawn and keep it growing, and provide the perfect Petri dish for disease if it's not mowed. If you mulch, have a really solid idea where that mulch should go to avoid the same issues.

Your lawn requires seasonal changes in care and maintenance. A lawn is not a naturally occurring thing in nature and requires your attention in every season but winter for obvious reasons. Mid autumn and early spring are the best times to provide a renewing to your lawn. Knowing what you can do and when and how to do it makes all the difference, even if you are in a drought area. While caring for your lawn in each season isn't common knowledge and has to be learned over time, as a homeowner who cares you will be able to achieve stunning results with basic lawn care which includes mowing, aerating, seeding, weeding, and feeding. If your problems have more to do with lumps and bumps and thatch, either learning for yourself how to treat these issues or asking questions of lawn care professionals, like the Garden Escapes staff, will point you in the right direction.