The Knolls at Breckinridge Pool & Landscape Committee

The Pool and Landscape Committee ensures that the pool and landscape common areas are maintained in a manner that is acceptable to the community; monitors the quality of the porter service at the pool and notifies the management company and Board of situations that require correction, and makes recommendations to the Board for equipment and services that would enhance the pool and common landscape areas.

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The Weed Problem Is Worst In Many Years -April 2010

Texas is having a big problem with weeks and the companies that deal with that kind of thing are overloaded with business right now. Below are some steps you can follow on your own and at least one company doing some work in The Knolls who will take care of your weed problem for you. The owner wants to personally gaurantee you that he will get rid of your weeds, which may be more than you will get from another company.

North East Texas Lawn Care can work with you directly to correct all the issues in your grass, soil and landscape too. George Nickol agreed to work with The Knolls and offer personalized service at the best rates he can. You can call them at 972-235-6688.

If you have other recommendations, send them to the webmaster address so the information can be shared, or use The Knolls Bulletin Board.

Here are some steps you can take on your own:

1. Start in February and use a Pre emergent prior to the weeds taking off and germinating. This typically a chemical. Contrary to popular belief, pre-emergent weed killers don't destroy weeds and their seeds. They simply stop them from growing. Some seeds are known to last fifty years, so if the herbicide isn't applied each year, the weed will grow. This article is pretty good.
2. In March (or RIGHT NOW) Spray "Weed - b - Gone" or similar broad leaf weed killer when weeds are green, but grass has not yet turned. You will apply the product with a hose end sprayer.  Do not spray flowers or shrubs.  (This will take care of about 85% of the problem we see in The Knolls). This job takes about 20 minutes to do an average yard on a calm day.
3. Once the grass is green, spot treat areas with weeds using the same "broad leaf weed killer spray - Weed-B-Gone" or entire yard if necessary.  This will not hurt the bermuda or St. Augustine. This job takes longer since you are using a pump sprayer and hunting for weeds.
4. At the same time as step 2 and or 3 - apply a weed and feed fertilizer with a broadcast spreader. If you don't have one, ask a neighbor to loan you one (use the bulletin board). Be sure the yard is wet when you apply this. You can buy a "weed and feed" product at a lot of stores including grocery stores.
5. When the weed grasses (like crab grass, etc) turn green, spot treat them with "crabgrass killer" liquid spray.  You have to do this in a pump strayer.  It will kill the bad grass, but will not kill your bermuda.  The bermuda may turn brown for a couple weeks, but it will come back strong in the spot that the crab grass leaves behind.
   
   This weed killer works great on stubborn broadleaf weeds (like dollar weed) as well without killing your entire yard. It may be spotty for a few weeks, but will look great in less than a month. See more info at www.design-gardens.com.
6. Continue steps 3 and 5 if necessary every 2 weeks until the problem is gone.  Once the yard turns brown in the fall, prepare for the next year by fertilizing and waiting till February to start over on weed control (pre-emergent).  After a couple years, you will have a weed free yard other than what blows in from other yards, which is easier to control.
   
   All of the above will cost you $50 to $100 per year depending on how much product you need and whether or not you already have a pump spayer and broadcast spreader.  
   

I believe the Tip of the Month program has ended. Here are previous month reports:

Timely Tip for December Gardeners from Calloway’s Nursery

Winterizing Your Landscape

Living in Texas, you never know what to expect from Mother Nature. Being prepared for our extreme weather is the best solution!  One simple thing you can do for your landscape plants is to provide a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch.  Mulching is beneficial year round but during the colder periods it provides a layer of insulation for the roots.  Secondly, water your landscape well before a cold spell.  A drought stressed plant is more susceptible to freeze damage.  Thirdly, for more tender plants, purchase frost cloth for extra protection. Remember that many frost tender plants can be damaged even when the temperatures are in the high 30’s. Frost cloth is a fabric which adds 3 to 4 degrees of warmth.  Cover the plant completely allowing the edges to come all the way to the ground.  That way, we are utilizing the heat which radiates from the ground. 

Become a member of the Calloway’s Garden Club and you will receive email notices prior to any weather crisis. Visit www.mytexasgarden.com to join.

This is also a great time to start planning changes or additions to your landscape.  Bring a sketch or photo and let our Calloway’s Texas Certified Nursery Professionals assist you!

Timely Tip for November Gardeners from Calloway’s Nursery

Planting Spring Flowering Bulbs in Fall

Spring flowering bulbs are such a welcoming sight after those long Winter months. Many of the Spring flowering bulbs require an artificial “chilling” process before they can be planted. This is generally accomplished by placing the bulbs in a paper bag in the vegetable crisper of your refrigerator for six to eight weeks prior to planting. However, Calloway’s Nursery is offering to do that for you. We have many varieties of Tulips, Hyacinths and Narcissus which you can purchase from our stores now and pick-up in December ready to plant. Let us simplify those “chilling” requirements!

We also will be offering pre-chilled Tulips and Narcissus bulbs online at http://mytexasgarden.com/index.php/estore/.

When planting bulbs, the general rule is to plant them at a depth three times the diameter of the bulb. Use Calloway’s Blood & Bone Meal at planting for added nutrients. Plant the bulbs pointed end up, cover with soil and water thoroughly. For the best display, plant bulbs in clusters or uneven numbers. Apply two to three inches of mulch on top of the bed.

For more information on bulbs, visit any of our Calloway’s stores and talk with one of our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals.

Calloway’s Timely Tip for October

Did you know that fall is one of the best times to plant trees, shrubs and perennials?  Nursery stock planted now allows for roots to settle in and become established.  When spring arrives, this root system can support and take full advantage of the surge of new growth.  Fresh nursery stock is arriving daily so, stop by and take advantage of the selection available and this wonderful time of the year to work outdoors!

Once again, we have received heirloom bulbs from The Southern Bulb Company. Chris Wiesinger, aka “The Bulb Hunter,” searches the Texas countryside to gather and preserve the “lost and forgotten” varieties; he then propagates and reintroduces them back to the home gardener. Our collection of Fall bulbs (plant these now for Spring blooms) include, the Red Spider Lily, ‘Gold Dawn’ Narcissus and ‘Snowflake’ Leucojum. These varieties, in addition to several others available, are full-sized bulbs and are grown from historic stock. We will also be receiving Tulip bulbs which are suited for Texas gardens-they require no refrigeration or digging up each year!

The Fall season has so much to offer in the garden! Visit www.mytexasgarden.com  for more fun ideas and activities!

Timely Tip for September Gardeners at Calloway’s Nursery:

Fall Lawn Care

Research has proven that your Fall lawn feeding is one of the most important ones of the year!  Your lawn has just gone through the stressful summer months and needs nutrients for rebuilding.  Calloway’s Premium Lawn Food supplies three sources of nitrogen.  The first source provides a quick shot of nitrogen to give your lawn a nice greening effect.  The other two are control-released to provide a consistent supply of nitrogen over the next several months.  The 21-5-10 formula also supplies the needed nutrients to stimulate root development, make your grass hardier for the Winter months and provide food for next Spring’s growth!
Apply it this month or the first of October.  For those who are organic gardeners, Calloway’s Organic Fertilizer contains seven food grade meals and can also be applied now.

This is also the time to apply pre-emergents to prevent broadleaf and grassy weed seeds from sprouting over Winter and Spring.  Apply Greenlight Crabgrass Preventer with Dimension for grassy weeds and Portrait for those pesky broadleaf weeds. For our organic gardeners, use Corn Gluten Meal as a natural pre-emergent.

So, don’t kick back and settle into football season quite yet-apply your fertilizers and pre-emergents now and enjoy your own green field next Spring!

Timely Tip for August Gardeners at Calloway’s Nursery

Bring on the Heat- Summer Color!

During the summer months, re-vitalize your garden beds. Fertilizing, pruning, new mulch and fresh plantings can all bring your flower beds back to life!

Fresh color is still available at Calloway’s in larger sizes for an instant impact. Celosia, Vinca (Periwinkle), Lantana and Purslane are all good, reliable summer bloomers. Plant these directly into beds or containers to replace flowers which have reached their prime. Add Calloway’s Flower Food, a slow release fertilizer, and you will not have to fertilize for two months. Keep old blooms trimmed off to encourage repeat blooming. Add a new layer of mulch to flower beds and to containers to lessen evaporation and keep the soil cooler. Color abounds even in the heat of summer!

We are hosting several opportunities for design help during the month of August. Saturday, August 8th at select stores, a small group Design Class will be held. Space is limited but your spot can be held by pre-registering at www.mytexasgarden.com and click on eStore. A one-on-one design consultation will be held on Saturday, August 22nd at select stores. For more information and to register for one or both, go to www.mytexasgarden.com.

Timely Tip for May Gardeners

This month is a good time for planting ground covers either as a lawn or in other locations of your landscape. Now is the time for planting seed or sod for your lawn grasses. Bermuda grass has the best traffic tolerance, and requires full sun to prosper. It is very drought tolerant. St. Augustine grass has the most shade tolerance, but is the least drought tolerant and is most susceptible to diseases, insects and iron chlorosis.

Other ground cover plants should be used where grass is difficult to grow or maintain. These can range from low growing evergreen shrubs, vines, grasses, perennials and even annual color. Groundcovers can provide solutions to a landscaping challenge or just add a bit of much needed texture and color. They help to define space and create various moods. Small leaved, smooth textured groundcovers used in broad curved plantings can convey a feeling of spaciousness. Whereas large leaved coarse textured groundcovers create a feeling of closeness.

Selection of a suitable plant for ground cover depends on the area where it will be grown. Some ground cover plants prefer partial shade, others thrive in deep shade or full sun; a few grow well in either sun or shade. Some, however, prefer moist soil while others need dry or well-drained soil.

Check out our collection of STEPABLES® which are tough, earth-friendly, easy-to-maintain perennials that take foot traffic. You can find the perfect plant for your needs within this group!

Join us in May for a variety of free clinics. In keeping on topic, our clinic for Saturday, May 16th is titled, “Covering Ground with Ground Covers.” Visit www.mytexasgarden.com for a complete listing and details of our free clinics. Have a wonderful May!

Timely Tip for April Gardeners

Calloway’s Nursery offers many organic products to help you develop a “green” environment. We also offer traditional solutions but for the gardener who is exploring the “greener” side here are a few ideas.

It all begins with the soil, so have your soil tested the first of each year FREE at any of our stores.  Organic matter is important to the soil composition. It helps with drainage and helps increase the soil microbe population. Expanded shale is also used to break up hard, compacted clay soils.  Calloway’s Organic Fertilizer contains seven food-grade meals and can be applied to your lawn and other plantings. Top dress your flowerbeds and containers with our organic mulches.  They not only break down slowly putting organic material back into the soil but, they also prevent weeds, conserve moisture and cool the soil during the heat of the summer.

Other organic insecticides and fungicides are Neem Oil, Diatomaceous Earth, Dipel Dust and Insecticidal Soaps.  These are products which are safe to use around pets and children. There are also beneficial insects available such as Ladybugs, Lacewings and Beneficial Nematodes! These guys will attack the pests and take care of them “naturally”.

Join us on April 18th, for our Earth Day clinic and learn more about our “natural choices”. Or, go tohttp://www.calloways.com/clinics.pdf
for more information on clinics.

Timely Tip for March Gardeners:

Create Instant Color!

Container gardens are fun and easy to create.  They can be as simple as three small flowers potted together or as elaborate as a small tree or shrub planted in the center of pot with annual color planted around. Follow these simple steps when planting or plan on attending one of our FREE Container Garden Clinics in March.

First select a container appropriately sized for the job.  Make sure it has drainage holes and is large enough for making an impact. Second, choose a well blended potting soil that drains well.    Thirdly, choose plants that require the same lighting and water needs.  Thefourth step is to start planting.  Fill the container half way with soil, position the plants and start filling in with the rest of the potting soil.  You can also add a fertilizer such as Calloway’s Professional Flower Food into the soil.  Lastly, I add a top dressing of decorative bark or mulch.  This adds the finishing touch, plus it will keep the soil cooler and prevent it from drying out as quickly.

After you have completed your masterpiece, sit back and watch it grow!  Now you are ready to start planning your next one!  Enjoy!

Check our website for Calloway’s/ Cornelius upcoming clinics:  http://www.calloways.com/clinics.pdf

Timely Tip for February Gardeners:

Gardening in February is necessary in achieving successful gardens! 

Have your soil tested so you are only applying the nutrients which are needed. Calloway’s Nursery is offering two FREE soil tests to every customer through February. Visit your nearest store for two free soil test forms. For optimum results, prepare your soil before planting.

Don’t forget that Valentine’s Day is approaching.  Calloway’s Nursery has fresh, living flowers for that special someone in your life. Give roses which can be planted and enjoyed year round or a container of cool season color for an immediate impact on your porch or patio. Houseplants in attractive ceramic pots provide long lasting enjoyment for indoors.  The list is endless, let your imagination “grow green”!

Also, please join us for FREE in-store clinics on timely gardening topics. These clinics are held in every store.

Saturday, February 7th at 10:15 am-Color Creations with Orchids-Create a beautiful, living Valentine’s gift which will last and last.

Saturday, February 14th at 10:15 am-Earthkind Gardening and Roses-Learn about these roses and gardening techniques which are conducive to our Texas conditions.

Saturday, February 21st at 10:15 am-Organics 101-Learn how to garden the organic way!

Saturday, February 28th at 10:15 am-Lawn Care-Be the envy of your neighbors. Learn what it takes to have a beautiful, healthy lawn.

Success in the garden begins with a good foundation! Become a member of our Garden Club and learn how to develop a beautiful landscape! Go to: www.mytexasgarden.com

The Knolls Common Areas are maintained by Planted Earth Landscaping.

Would you like the same company to take care of your property? Planet Earth is offering The Knolls at Breckinridge homeowners a significant discount for year-round, contracted service.

Turn your lawn and landscape care over to Planet Earth for the attention and detail they give our entry, the pool area and common areas to maintain and protect your lawn and garden. To get a quote for the Knolls Homeowners Association Inclusive Package, call Jamie at 214-454-4133.

FYI Regarding Preferred Partners:
The association is looking to identify and promote a core group of approved and preferred vendors for our neighborhood.

As we identify companies who are familiar with our architectural guidelines and Knolls HOA Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and relevant steps to provide expedient and quality homeowner services, we would like to encourage the use of those vendors, who in turn will provide services to Knolls homeowners at preferred rates. Look for updates to promote the Knolls Preferred Partners.

 

Read about a new Richardson ordinance to address overgrown landscape at residences.

 

 

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Please also visit these committees:

Crime Watch Committee

Social & Welcome Committee

Architectural Committee

Communications Committee