Serving you since 1991
1640 S. Bridgefarmer Rd., McKinney, TX
Mon-Fri: 07:00am - 5:00pm
11 Dec 2016

Elizabeth’s Favorite Plants

Of course every garden designed by Elizabeth will be unique and reflect the likes and dislikes of the customer, but there are some plants that she likes to use and are proven performers in the North Texas area.  The following are a list of those plants.

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11 Dec 2016

Benefits of Drip Irrigation

One of the most frequent questions we get at Great Gardens is about drip irrigation. Many people are not familiar with drip and question the value of it. The benefits to drip are many and with water conservation being a focus in North Texas it is important for everyone to be aware of its advantages and cost saving features.

Drip irrigation is an efficient way to irrigate as it allows plants to be watered with tubing placed in rows along the ground. This process reduces wasted water through evaporation and wind and creates a stronger plant with the water going directly to the roots. Additionally drip reduces the over watering onto lawns, sidewalks, driveways and runoff into sewers and drains as is typical of spray systems.

Another benefit of drip irrigation is the elimination of leaf wetness on plants. Because water is not sprayed onto the leaves it reduces the chance of fungus and disease thus resulting in healthier plants. Also with the uniformity of watering in all bed areas each plant receives a consistent amount of water which is not the case with spray irrigation.

With the water restrictions that are in place in our area it is also an advantage to have drip irrigation since most districts allow drip watering on any day regardless of normal watering restrictions.

If you are interested in learning more about drip irrigation and how you can reduce your water usage please contact us and we will be happy to discuss it further.

11 Dec 2016

Landscaping Reduces Your Energy Bills

Did you know that installing a landscape can reduce your energy bills? According the energy.gov the average homeowner can recoup the cost of a well planned landscape in eight years.

Shading is the most efficient way to reduce air conditioning costs. A well placed tree can reduce the daytime air temperature up to 6 degrees and a landscape planted correctly with shading in mind can help to reduce your air conditioning costs by 15-50 percent (energy.gov). Deciduous trees block solar heat in the summer but allow sunlight to enter your home during the winter thus providing energy benefits all year long. If you plant a 6-8 foot deciduous tree near your home it will start blocking the sun in your windows the very first year and depending on variety it can shade your roof in 5-10 years. By planting these trees on the south side of your home you can screen 70-90 percent of the summer sun.

Other planting tips are using bushes, shrubs or climbing vines to shade the side of your home and patio areas. Even groundcover helps to cool the air before it reaches your home. Always watering in the morning during hot times to reduce evaporation and use mulch year round to keep the root of your plants either cooler or for protection during the cold weather.