This unseasonally warm spring is a blessing and a curse. Our phone is ringing off the hook with requests for spring clean ups- "to be done yesterday!" Most seasons we slip into spring, with people wondering why we've come so early to cut the plants back. This year, March has hit us with a sledge hammer and one week into the season we're already six weeks behind!
Here is a particularly troublesome side effect- Bittercress. Bittercress is a prolific seeder. You may not notice it any other time of year except when it shoots up quickly in the spring, then a few weeks later when the spring loaded seed pods release a million little pellets when you brush against it. One year's seeding, seven year's weeding. You bet. Fortunately, it is both easy to identify and pull in the spring, and easy to control with a preemergent. We do routinely apply a preemergent under our mulch application, so at least we have that going for us! |
BIO:Anna and her husband Todd own Arcadia Gardens, LLC a Stevensville, MI based landscape design and build company. Her degree in Horticulture with a focus on landscape management from Michigan State University allows Anna to select plants specific to on-site conditions and with maintenance requirements that suit the client's needs. She is comfortable designing across a range of styles- from contemporary to classic- and makes a point to include the client's input throughout the design process. She is an active member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers and is serving as 2014 President of the APLD-Michigan Chapter. Anna has recently contributed to media such as "The Designer" and Gardendesign.com and is qualified to speak on a variety of topics from landscape design and maintenance to addressing local garden clubs and organizations. Contact Us: |