Categories
Lawn Care

Shrub Pruning How To

Shrub Pruning

With autumn here (kind of in the Ozarks), occasional dips in the temperature are encouraging us to go outside again a lot of us are noticing how out of control our yards have become. Then we start thinking about getting ready for winter or just enjoying the nice weather again. We aren’t afraid to admit that our own yard needs some….a lot of TLC. We’ve been super busy and our yard has paid the price.

So what seems to be on people’s minds as far as their yards right now? Out of control shrubs, bushes and trees.

When to Prune

As a general rule of thumb most trees and shrubs can be pruned in late winter or early spring. This is the time that most trees are dormant and will therefore be less stressed by  heavy pruning. Tree or shrub type does have some affect on when the best time is to do heavy pruning. Pruning during the right season for certain trees helps insure  the best production of flowers and foliage. Dead heading is always a good idea and can be done anytime. 

  • Late winter and early spring is the best time to trim back summer flowering shrubs.
  • Late spring and early summer are the best times to prune spring flowering bushes, just after the flowers have all died out.
  • Mid-summer is the best time to prune bleeding trees or those with a very heavy sap flow.

Some  pruning can be done at any time of the year, if it will help the plants health. Say a big storm comes through breaks several branches off of your gorgeous crape myrtle. In this situation the season isn’t as important as removing the broken branches. The plant will most likely recovery faster if the broken branches aren’t taking nutrients, leaving a large wound for pests and disease, or affecting the overall growth of the plant.

When is it Always Ok to Prune?

It is ok to prune anytime if there are:

  • Dead branches
  • Damaged branches
  • Weak branches
  • Branches that are crossing, or touching the house
hedge trimming

Types of Pruning

  • Regular maintenance helps keep a tree or shrub from outgrowing its surroundings.
  • Renewal pruning is consists of removing the oldest branches, and cutting all the branches back to the same length.
  • Pinching is removing the new green growth at the tips of branches back to the woody stalk.

How to Prune

When pruning it is important to consider water, pest and disease. This is why most major pruning is  best done when the tree is dormant or just after flowering.

  • All cuts should be made at a 45 degree angle to prevent water from collecting on the cut. Any water that the cut collects is an open invitation for  mold and disease.
  • Cuts should be made ¼ inch above the bud that you want to remain on the tree.
  • Remember that the new shoots will grow in the direction the bud is facing.
  • It is also important to keep all cuts parallel to the parent branch or main stalk of the tree.
  • When dealing with diseased plants always remember to clean your tools so you prevent spreading it to other plants

If you are ever in doubt on when to trim or prune you can always ask a local landscape professional or consult your local extension office. To get the most out of your plants prune when needed, and not all at once when things get out of hand.

If your shrubs have gotten out of hand and live in Northwest Arkansas give 2 J’s & Sons a call to tidy them up and remove the extra weight.

Best grass to grow in the Ozarks

Categories
Holiday Lighting Service

Christmas Light Installation


Christmas Light Installation

Yes, we know it’s not even Thanksgiving yet. But honestly holiday lights help spread cheer and joy, even to the Scrooge’s who don’t want to admit it. Plus the kids love them and every year it seems like there are less and less homes decorated and light up for the holidays.

We have started hanging Christmas lights the beginning of November for the past several years. If you don’t have the time, equipment or even just don’t want the headache give us a call. We will come back and take them down after the New Year.

2 J’s checks to make sure all the bulbs are working properly and can set them up on a timer if you prefer. We can hang your personal lights (we wrap them back up neatly in January), purchase lights for you so you don’t have to go shopping for them, or you may rent some that we already have on hand.

No contracts. Plus great customer service if a bulb goes out or timer gets changed.

Let’s all make Holiday Spirits a Little Brighter this season.

Christmas Lights
Christmas Light Installation along driveway

 

 

 

Call 2 J’s for all your Christmas Light Service Needs

Fall cleanup and leaf removal 

Categories
Portfolio

Photos Drainage

open faced drainage ditch

Drainage

Proper water drainage is important to every home and piece of property. Excess water from poor landscaping, or even just roof and gutter run off can cause a lot of property damage.  

open faced drainage ditch
Local Stone open faced drainage ditch. This large ditch has saved the customers foundation and prevented a lot of erosion. The open face also makes it easy to clean out all of the leaves and debris.
open faced drain

Drainage Problems from Gutter Run Off

 

This drain goes from the gutter and under the parking area to help with erosion.
Before the drain cap
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Promotions and Random Stuff

Thank You Veteran’s

Thank You Veteran’s

Thank you Veteran’s 

Categories
Hardscape

Hardscape Cut Boarder Stone Edging

Cut Boarder Stone Edging and Hardscape

 

This customers old metal edging was beginning to rust out in some places. This was causing some of the gravel yard to slip as well as affecting the growth of the grass in other areas. Cut stone border and some flagstone added more height and depth for the gravel to keep grass area of the yard separate. Hardscape has many purposes as well as being aesthetically pleasing.

tree ring
metal edging

Changing the old tree rings to cut stone helped bring everything together and consistent.

cut boarder stone edging
garden edging

 

Hardscape

 

A section of flagstone was added for more definition while allowing a mower in without gravel in the wheels. It could also eventually be extended into a walkway.

flagstone

Durability of Boarder Stone Edging

The stone will never need to be replaced, unless the customer wants to redo the yard entirely at some point. At which time the cut stone can always be re-purposed into a fire pit, walkway or other hardscape project. We love using rock edging, it is a little more expensive than metal. However the curb appeal and longevity certainly make up for the price. We will be replacing the neighbors old metal edging with stone this winter, keep an eye on our Instagram for those pictures. 

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Promotions and Random Stuff

Happy Halloween 2019

Happy Halloween 2019

We hope everyone stays safe and bundles up tonight if they are going out, it’s going to be a cold one. Chimney sweeps and gas unit cleaning /light ups are on the top of our priority list at the moment. If you haven’t had your unit taken care of yet give us a call instead of being cold. Jeff has been staying out late to make sure customers are warm.

Leaf season is officially in full swing. If you haven’t been scheduled yet please call soon. Being on a routine maintenance schedule is cheaper than a one time clean up, as it takes less man hours.

Next week we start Holiday Lighting installation. The entire first week and a half of November are already booked. New customers who call and schedule during November ask for a discount. Existing lighting customers who refer us ask Jeff as well, we appreciate it immensely.

Have a safe and fun Halloween!

Categories
Chimney and Dryer Vent Cleaning

Why Keeping A Dryer Vent Clean is Important

Dryer Vent Cleaning

Regularly maintaining the line that vents your clothes dryer out of you home is one of the most important thing you can do to keep your home safe. It also helps prolong the life of your dryer. Cleaning the vent on our clothes dryer is often the furthest thing from our minds. After all we clean the lint trap after nearly every load of laundry, so how dirty could the actual line to the exterior house vent really be?

What Causes Dryer Vent Clogs

Several factors can play into build up in the dryer vent duct.

  • line length
  • line elevation
  • temperature and condensation
  • frequency of cleaning the lint trap
  • how well the exterior vent cover is working
  • size of laundry loads
clean dryer vent and what came out of it
freshly cleaned dryer vent, and 5 gallon bucket of debris from inside the line.

Why Dryer Vent Cleaning is Important

Nearly 3,000 home fires are caused each year from clothes dryers. The U.S. Fire Administration predicts that about 34% are caused from lack regular vent maintenance. Scheduling an annual cleaning, along with cleaning the lint trap regularly would help reduce this number significantly.

Machine Longevity

Regular dryer vent cleaning will also help keep the machine in good working order and prevent damage to parts. The thermal fuse is one of the most frequent parts to fail due to a clogged vent line. Thermal fuses are generally rather cheap to replace but can be rather a headache to change out and find a replacement.

Dryers are not cheap, and for most of us our daily routines depend on them. New parts are often hard to find. In addition to the down time while they are being ordered and shipped.

 

Dryer Vent Cleaning Service

Fall is the perfect time to schedule a dryer vent cleaning in Northwest Arkansas. A dryer vent cleaning service can be preformed at the same time a chimney sweep or other heating units are being cleaned and serviced.

Categories
Portfolio

Fire Pits

Hassle free propane fire pit and custom native stone sitting area

Fire Pit and Stone Work

Camp fire and s’more weather is coming to Northwest Arkansas. Here are a few of our favorite fire pits from over the years. We can install wood or gas, they both give an added home equity boost if you are looking for an investment down the line. If you are a renter ask us about a prefab kit that you could move with you. For more of our hardscape work check out our Walkways

Walkway lead to firepit
native flags stone hardscape sitting area with fire pit
stone bench
gray flag stone fire pit
this fire pit helped with erosion control and added outdoor seating
chocolate gravel helped add texture and save some money for a nice sitting area
Hassle free propane fire pit and custom native stone sitting area
Native stone patio and propane fire pit
 
Categories
Chimney and Dryer Vent Cleaning

Gutter Cleaning and Power Washing

The rain has been pretty constant this summer. Flooding has been a major issue in a lot places. Homes, lawns and driveways are suffering while the grass looks gorgeous.

Why Gutter Cleaning is Important

Keeping the gutters clean and free of debris can help protect your home and in many cases lawn as well. Impacted down spots can be expensive to replace. As well as doing damage to your home and causing erosion in your lawn.

We often forget about our guttering until it is raining, and no one wants to be out on a ladder cleaning them then. Even if they are overflowing and causing damage or just being a nuisance.

Gutter Cleaning Prevents Home Damage

Unfortunately gutters don’t just funnel water way from doorways and windows they also transport dirt, leaves and other debris that accumulate on our roofs. This can damage the gutter downspouts if they are not cleaned regularly. Along with siding and facia. In some cases the gutters can even be torn from the house due to excess weight.

 

For the month of September in 2019 2 J’s & Sons is offering all new customers 20% of their first gutter cleaning service. Don’t forget to ask about power washing siding, sidewalks and outdoor sitting areas as well.

 

Sitting Areas and Fire Pits Gallery

Categories
Lawn Care

Tips for Growing a Healthy Lawn in the Ozarks

 

Lawn Care

Cooler weather should be just around the corner. It makes a perfect time for lawn care. I don’t just mean cutting the grass.  Over seeding a lawn with bare spots, aerating and top dress to promote fertilization are all great things to do during cooler weather for lawn care. Here are some of our tips for growing a healthy lawn in the Ozarks.

Top dressing a lawn

Top dressing is when a thin layer of very high quality dirt is added to the top of a lawn. It is raked in to fill odd holes and divets in the lawn. The dirt is generally composed of compost, manure and worm castings to help fertilize and replace the nutrients that have been absorbed by the grass root system over time. Every living thing appreciates a diet routine change. Here is a little more information on soil amendment  Natural Tricks for Better Soil

Top dress and over seed to fix bare spots.

Over seeding a lawn

Over seeding is simply adding new grass seed to the lawn to help fill in bare or thin spots. After topdressing is a great time to overseed. It gives the new seed a good place to rest and lots of nutrients help it grow. Benefits of Over-Seeding

Aerating

 is for lawns that have become root bound. The roots have in most cases become so grown together that there is no room for new starts to begin. Aeration can also benefit a lawn that has suffered drought or when the soil has not been properly amended and fertilized. Here is more information on  Lawn Aeration

Remove Rocks and other Debris.

Cooler weather is also a good time to just get out in the yard and remove any loose rocks that happen to have grown. Yes, everyone that lives in NWA and the Ozarks knows that we actually grow rocks here overnight. They prevent grass from growing, trip children and wreck havoc on lawn mower blades.

Mulching

 can be done almost all year round. Autumn leaves can be mulched with a lawn mower to add the leaf debris back into the lawn. Its also a lot quicker than raking them all up. Saves garbage bags or the risk of starting a fire for those that burn them instead of bagging or mulching them.

During the growing season mowing over large clumps of grass several times adds the nutrients and any seed that was on the grass back in to the soil.

leaving grass clumps after mowing can kill the new grass growing underneath.

Let the Grass Seed

 As the weather gets cooler or before it begins to get to hot again let the grass get a little shaggy and produce its own seed. Why waste free seed and risk more bare spots later when the lawn can replenish its self with free nutrients.

grass does not have to grow to high only until you start to see the tassels

 

Lawn Care in the Ozarks

A lush grassy lawn only takes a little lawn care. Well maybe a little more care and attention here in the Ozarks where the ground is so rocky and most of our dirt consists of clay that does not promote good drainage or root growth. Lawn care does not have to be a headache, a few minutes each season can make a huge difference and most of it can be done during nice weather. Doing outdoor tasks in the Ozarks during cool days is wonderful experience since we have so few that aren’t hot and muggy or cold and windy.

Best Grass to Grow in the Ozarks