Posts

Understanding Soil Types

Want to create a better growth environment for the plants in your landscape? You can start by going to the root of the matter and understanding different  soil  types. The primary components of soil include silt, sand, and clay. The very best soils have balanced amounts of each component. The sandy parts allow for better drainage, while the clay holds the soil together, and the silt provides extra nutrients. Unless you've purchased the perfect mix of rich loam from  Kurtz Bros., Inc.,  it's likely that your soil in your backyard, front yard, or garden has a larger portion of one of those three components. Knowing the soil type you have is key to creating a healthy environment for vegetables, flowers, or other plants to thrive. Sandy Soil Sandy soil, as the name implies, has a higher percentage of sand than silt and clay. This means that water tends to drain quickly and completely from the soil. A lack of drainage can result in water pooling around the plants,...

How To Choose Plants For Garden Paths

The best  garden paths  are beautiful and inviting, drawing you or your guests away from the house into nature. Once you’ve created the right type of garden path for your outdoor space, you’ll need the perfect plants to beautify its borders. Find out how to choose plants for garden paths.    Consider the  foot traffic.   Depending on where your garden path is situated, people may step off it to enjoy nature up close— or the path itself may have gaps that need a little greenery.    If you expect more foot traffic along your path, try plants like creeping thyme, miniature thyme, or rupturewort (Herniaria glabra). These lovely ground cover plants work well between flagstones and in stone cracks, and they can all handle full sun. Many of them yield tiny flowers, making the pathway even more inviting.    Gauge the available shade.   While the varieties of thyme, scabwort, and rupturewort do ...

How To Choose Plants For Garden Paths

The best  garden paths  are beautiful and inviting, drawing you or your guests away from the house into nature. Once you’ve created the right type of garden path for your outdoor space, you’ll need the perfect plants to beautify its borders. Find out how to choose plants for garden paths.    Consider the  foot traffic.   Depending on where your garden path is situated, people may step off it to enjoy nature up close— or the path itself may have gaps that need a little greenery.    If you expect more foot traffic along your path, try plants like creeping thyme, miniature thyme, or rupturewort (Herniaria glabra). These lovely ground cover plants work well between flagstones and in stone cracks, and they can all handle full sun. Many of them yield tiny flowers, making the pathway even more inviting.    http://blog.kurtz-bros.com/how-to-choose-plants-for-garden-paths/

Practical Outdoor Heating to Enjoy Your Backyard in the Fall

When you’ve spent your summer enjoying the warmth of the sun and the beauty of your outdoor space, you’re reluctant to give up that al fresco fun in the fall. Autumn brings along much chillier weather, and those brisk breezes can sap the warmth right out of you. Fortunately, technology makes it possible to bring your patio or deck back to a bearable temperature. Get the scoop on practical outdoor heating so you can enjoy your backyard in the fall.    Fuel Types  for Practical Outdoor Heating   Outdoor heaters use four different kinds of fuel, depending on their design. Select the one that works best for your lifestyle. Natural Gas   A heater like this needs to be put in by a professional, because it hooks up to your home’s gas line. Natural gas heaters are pricey to purchase and install, but once they’re in, they’re inexpensive to run. Make sure you place the heater exactly where you want it, since it will be difficult to move....

Lawn Care Comprehensive Guide

Having a green and lush lawn is something that most homeowners dream of, but it’s not always easy to accomplish. Thankfully, with the proper lawn care supplies and tools on hand, you can keep your lawn well maintained. If you are looking for the right tools to get the job done, Kurtz Bros., Inc. can help.   Grass Seed   Grass seed is something that should be chosen carefully and Kurtz Bros. carries a variety of grass seeds so you can find the perfect one for your lawn. After laying the proper base layer of  peat moss  or other planting soil, the next step is to select the grass seeds and plant them with a  hand spreader  and  rake .   Contractor’s Mix  will be the most inexpensive option. It is 25% Kentucky Bluegrass 85/80, 25% Creeping Red Fescue, 25% Annual Ryegrass, and 25% Perennial Ryegrass, and is extremely durable.  5-Way Perennial Rye Grass Blend  is another option. This fine-bladed grass is fast growing and provides natural insect resistance....

How To Prep Your Yard For Fall Weather

It’s not time to say goodbye to summer just yet; but the weeks are flying by quickly. Before the summer actually starts to wane, take time to think about how you can get your outdoor spaces ready for the coming chill. Do you need a fresh load of  firewood  for autumn evenings? Are there flowerbeds or bare patches of  lawn  that need attention? Find out how to prep your yard for fall weather. Make Repairs to Outdoor Entertaining Spaces If you’ve been putting off outdoor repairs because of hot weather or a surplus of summer activity, set aside time to complete those repairs. Cracks in asphalt and  concrete  can get worse over time, so it’s best to deal with them before the really cold weather sets in. Repair cracks and broken spots in your driveway, patio, walkways, and other outdoor surfaces. Replace broken or damaged pavers with fresh ones and fix any uneven spots. Plant Bulbs in Your Flowerbeds or Garden Do you hope to enjoy tulips, daffodils, ...

6 Ways To Add Instant Color To Brighten Up Your Yard

Does your front yard or backyard seem boring and bland? Are you tired of the same green and brown hues? Maybe it’s time to  freshen up the look . Discover ways to add instant color to brighten up your yard! Repaint Outdoor Furniture to Brighten Up Your Yard Is your yard looking drab because of old, tired furniture? Maybe all it needs is a fresh coat of paint! Shop for durable outdoor paints and go to town on those outdoor chairs, accent tables, or benches. Even the mailbox might need a little sprucing up. Whether you repaint your porch swing and your mailbox or the entire set of furniture from your patio, you’ll find that the fresh color works wonders for your outdoor space. Add Instant Color with an Outdoor Rug If you don’t already have one, consider buying an outdoor rug. These rugs often come in vivid hues and can really add to the eye appeal of your patio or deck. If you’re repainting the outdoor furniture as well, be sure to select a rug that includes or compleme...