Garden Art Abstract art for the garden anyone? Whitmore Boogaerts is well known sculpture artist who works out of a studio in Providence, RI. Some of his art may already be in or around your home. He's sold sculptures to clients in Sudbury and surrounding towns. Whitmore has over 15+ years of experience of creating a wide variety of mobiles, kinetic sculptures, furniture wall pieces and commissions. His work is currently on display at the following locations: Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 2008 Two pieces, one wall mounted in intensive care unit, the other a stainless/brass/glass piece mounted on garden gate. Public Art at Cherry and Webb Building, Fall River, MA 2007 20x by 20x wall sculpture installed as part of park area on South Main Street. Not Your Average Joe's restaurant, headquarters in Dartmouth, MA 2004-2007 Installed complete artwork for new restaurants constructed for numerous locations: Newburyport, Acton, Lexington, Burlington, Norwell, Hyannis MA and Norfolk, VA with partial artwork at Beverly, Dartmouth and Methuen MA. Work has included large outdoor pieces, wall sculptures, indoor sculptures, mobiles, screens, as well as functional pieces. BCP Bank Building, Fall River, MA 2005 Ten foot tall stainless steel sculpture with building number incorporated in piece. Back Eddy Restaurant, Westport, MA 2003-2007 Installed work inculding outdoor sculpture, benches, wall pieces and a hostess station. Westport Free Public Library, Westport, MA 2001 Stainless steel abstract, ten feet tall in front of building adjacent to main entrance. Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, Brookline, MA 2002 Colorful, abstract sculpture permanently installed adjacent to hospital main entrance. Lees Supermarket, Westport, MA 2001 Large outdoor piece, eight feet tall with food theme installed adjacent to front entrance. Galleries and Museums: Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, MA 2006-2007 Kinetic sculpture made with stainless steel, steel and glass installed on the grounds. Tiverton Art Center, Tiverton, RI, Outdoor Summer Group Show, 2007, 2006, 2004 L’Attitude Gallery, Boston, MA, ongoing and featured artist, 1999-2007 and 2004 Handworks Gallery, Acton, MA Featured Artist, 2003 Sakonnet Artist Gallery , Tiverton, RI, Solo Show, 2000 Clark Gallery, Lincoln, MA, Group Outdoor Show, 2000 L’Attitude Gallery, Anna Maria, FL, Group Show, 2000 Artful Hand Gallery, Boston, MA, Featured Artist, 1998 Cadeaux Du Monde, Newport, RI, Featured Artist, 1998 DeBlois Gallery, Newport, RI, Featured Artist, 1997 Hooloomooloo Gallery, Boston, MA, Featured Artist, 1996 Objects and Images Gallery, New York, NY, Featured Artist, 1996 Student Union Art Gallery, UMass, Amherst, MA, Solo Show, 1995 Aids Show - Amherst College, Amherst, MA, Group Show, 1994 Alumni Show - Middlesex School, Concord, MA, Solo Show, 1994 Awards and Other Projects: Westport Shakespeare Theatre Company, Eight sculptures on top of ten foot posts in the theme of 1930xs American whirligigs surrounding the audience seating area. 1999 Westport Shakespeare Theatre Company, Twelve giant flowers with translucent petals in the theme of 1960xs flower power. 1998 Finalist for Amherst Public Art Commission, May 1995 - Corten figure carrying an aluminum book walking up three granite stairs. It was supported by design review board and Police station architect. Co-coordinator, City Year Serv-a-thon, 1993 - Worked on the Cambridge Community Center painting a large aquatic mural in the Centerxs stairwell. House Portrait Company, 1984 to 1990 - Created over 450 house portraits from New Orleans to Boston. Thoreau Medal for Woodworking, 1983 - Design award for rocking chair at Middlesex School. Art Director at Public School #6 in New York, NY, 1975 - Gave tour to Andy Warhol at school art show. School Christmas card design winner, St. Davidxs, New York, NY, 1971 - Chosen from grades K through 12. If you'd like to view some of Whitmore's work, simply click on the link below. WB Sculptures Sudbury Lawn and Landscape Design offers design services that can help you to integrate sculptures, such as Whitmore's, into your landscape.

Sculptures

More sculptures are on display on Whitmore's Website

Hydrangea with Cercospora fungus

The picture shown to the right is a picture of a Big Leaf Hydrangea leaf that has Cercospora leaf spot. Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora hydrangea) is a fungal disease. Cercospora hydrangea won't typically threaten the life of a hydrangea. It's more an unattractive nuisance than anything else. The small circular purple, brown or black colored leaf spots from this disease will typically begin to appear during the middle of the summer and will be most prevalent/noticable during the late summer and into early fall. A wet summer with frequent rains, especially frequent afternoon showers, can help spread the disease. Overhead watering can also help spread the disease. The spots typically begin to develop on leaves at the base of the Hydrangea and will work their way up the plant. In order to slow the progression of Cercospora leaf spot, remove leaves that become moderate or heavily spotted, reduce the amount of overhead watering, and/or water the plant by hand at the base. Some heavily spotted leaves may begin to fall off the plant on their own. If this disease becomes a big problem among your hydrangeas, I recommend calling Emerald Acres (978-897-0011) to come out to examine the plant and to apply the appropriate fungicide.

Pool Covers Did you know it's possible to reduce your pool heating cost by as much as 50-70% just by using a pool cover? You can help save money and conserve energy at the same time. A majority of the heat that's lost from a pool is lost at night or during a cool rain. There are 3 types of pool covers...1)Bubble/Solar Cover, 2)Vinyl Cover, 3)Insulated Vinyl Cover. Bubble/Solar Covers are the least expensive of the three. It looks like bubble wrap, but it's made of a thicker grade of plastic and has UV inhibitors that allows for a longer product life. Pool covers can come in a variety of colors. They can be opaque or transparent. If you choose to use a Bubble/Solar Cover, I recommend finding one that's as transparent/clear as possible. The sun-light helps to heat a pool during the day. The more sunlight that's able to penatrate a solar cover, the warmer the Bubble/Solar Cover will keep your pool water.Vinyl Covers are typically made of a heavier material and have a longer life expectancy than Bubble/Solar Covers. Insulated Vinyl Covers have two layers of vinyl with a thin flexible layer of insulation that sits between the two vinyl layers. There are 3 ways a pool cover can be placed over a pool...1)Manually, 2)Semi-Automatic, 3)Automatic. Manual pool covers require a person to physically place the pool cover over the pool. Sometimes the covers are wound up on a spool/roll so it's easier to roll out or to roll up. Semi-Automatic pool covers have a motorized reel system that will roll out or roll up automatically, but typically needs a person to pull on the cover or guide the cover while it's rolling out or rolling up. Automatic pool covers are the most expensive, yet most convenient way to cover a pool. Automatic pool covers are permanently mounted and can cover and uncover a pool with just a push of a button. Automatic pool covers are typically the safest pool cover option. Most are sturdy and can prevent a person from accidentally falling into the pool while the cover is on. Estimating Swimming Pool Gas Heating Costs and Savings The table below estimates annual costs by location, by water temperature, and with or without using a pool cover. Table 1. Costs of Outdoor Pool Gas Heating by Location* Location Season Temperature 78° 80° 82° Miami 1/1–12/31 $2136 $2848 $3600 w/ cover 1/1–12/31 $416 $584 $800 Phoenix 3/1–10/31 $1384 $1776 $2216 w/ cover 3/1–10/31 $96 $168 $256 Dallas 4/1–10/31 $1512 $1920 $2456 w/ cover 4/1–10/31 $184 $280 $408 Atlanta 4/1–10/31 $1704 $2248 $2880 w/ cover 4/1–10/31 $320 $424 $592 Los Angeles 5/1–10/31 $1864 $2376 $2904 w/ cover 5/1–10/31 $168 $304 $472 Kansas City 5/1–10/31 $1434 $1872 $2384 w/ cover 5/1–10/31 $288 $416 $544 New York 5/1–9/30 $1448 $1904 $2384 w/ cover 5/1–9/30 $208 $296 $400 Chicago 5/1–9/30 $1621 $2072 $2536 w/ cover 5/1–9/30 $216 $296 $384 Denver 5/1–8/31 $1757 $2120 $2498 w/ cover 5/1–8/31 $123 $168 $243 Boston 5/1–8/31 $1712 $2096 $2504 w/ cover 5/1–8/31 $232 $328 $461 Minneapolis 6/1–9/30 $1331 $1776 $2176 w/ cover 6/1–9/30 $192 $248 $384 San Fran 6/1–8/31 $1560 $1856 $2168 w/ cover 6/1–8/31 $192 $320 $472 Seattle 6/1–8/31 $1525 $1784 $2056 w/ cover 6/1–8/31 $304 $424 $552 *Figures based on a 1,000 square-foot, outdoor pool heated with an 80% efficient natural gas heater at $.50 per therm. Estimating Heat Pump Swimming Pool Heater Costs and Savings Table 1 estimates annual swimming heat pump pool heating costs by location, by water temperature, and with or without using a pool cover. Table 1. Costs by Location of Heating Outdoor Pools with a Heat Pump* Location Season Temperature 78° 80° 82° Miami 1/1–12/31 $1100 $1460 $1845 w/ cover 1/1–12/31 $215 $300 $410 Phoenix 3/1–10/31 $680 $875 $1090 w/ cover 3/1–10/31 $45 $85 $125 Dallas 4/1–10/31 $760 $970 $1240 w/ cover 4/1–10/31 $90 $140 $205 Atlanta 4/1–10/31 $840 $1110 $1425 w/ cover 4/1–10/31 $155 $205 $290 Los Angeles 5/1–10/31 $950 $1210 $1485 w/ cover 5/1–10/31 $85 $155 $240 Kansas City 5/1–10/31 $715 $935 $1185 w/ cover 5/1–10/31 $145 $205 $270 New York 5/1–9/30 $740 $975 $1220 w/ cover 5/1–9/30 $105 $150 $200 Chicago 5/1–9/30 $810 $1035 $1270 w/ cover 5/1–9/30 $105 $150 $195 Denver 5/1–8/31 $875 $1055 $1245 w/ cover 5/1–8/31 $70 $100 $150 Boston 5/1–8/31 $875 $1075 $1280 w/ cover 5/1–8/31 $120 $165 $235 Minneapolis 6/1–9/30 $660 $850 $1040 w/ cover 6/1–9/30 $100 $125 $190 San Fran 6/1–8/31 $800 $950 $1110 w/ cover 6/1–8/31 $95 $165 $240 Seattle 6/1–8/31 $770 $900 $1035 w/ cover 6/1–8/31 $150 $215 $280 *Figures based on a 1,000 square foot, outdoor pool heated with an air to water heat pump with an average COP of 5.0 at $.085/kwh.

Pruning Times 101 - Ornamental/Deciduous Trees

Over the years we have noticed a debate that has become common among landscape designers and landscapers. When is the appropriate time to prune? The answer can vary from plant to plant, but there are some general rules for certain groups of plants. The best time to prune trees that flower in the Summer (ex: Koelreuteria paniculata) and Fall (ex: Hamamelis virginiana) is during the late-Winter to early-Spring (typically the month of March in Massachusetts and RI). There will be people that disagree with this phyllosophy, but it's ultimately incorrect or misguided. There are trees that bloom in the Spring (ex: Ornamental Cherry Trees)which should be pruned in the late-Winter to early-Spring as well. Crabapple Trees bloom in the Spring, but begin to set their flower buds for the flowing year during mid-June to early-July. If you prune a Crabapple Tree after early-June you risk reducing the amount of buds/flowers for the following year. It's not the end of the world if you prune it after this time period, but the tree will look more beautiful in the Spring if you don't. Crabapple Trees in particular require hardly any pruning all, except to thin out the interior branches of the tree, so it's less dense and allows more air circulation (this helps reduce rot and disease susceptibility). When trees are pruned in the late-Winter to early-Spring, in some instances such as with Ornamental Cherry Trees the amount of new growth can be denser and more profound.

Other reasons to prune during the late-Winter to early-Spring:

1) Trees and shrubs can get be damaged by heavy wet snow and ice. Pruning may be required to ensure plants stay healthy and in good condition. Broken branches should be pruned as soon as possible. Leaving broken and split branches hanging is like leaving a wound open on your skin. Guess what can happen? Infection! Plants with wounds are more susceptible to disease and insects if they are not pruned properly or in a timely manner when they are damaged.

2) We plead the case that conditions are less favorable for recently pruned plants to become diseased or attacked by insects. When you prune a plant, you're creating new wounds/openings into a plant. It takes time for the plant to heal the wounds (similar to how our own cuts in our skin heal), so the conditions in which pruning is done can also be important.

-In Sudbury, MA (according to weather.com)November is the wettest month of the year with and average precipitation rate of 4.45 inches of rain/melted snow (4.03 in October). March is wet as well (with 3.94 inches), but it's still slightly less than October and November.

-There is less sunlight in November than March (Nov 50% and March 57%).

-Temeratures are warming and stay above the freezing point (32 degrees) more often. November has a higher average temperature range (November 33°F - 52°F and March 28°F - 47°F) and a higher average level of humidity (November 71% in morning - 53% in afternoon and March 66% in morning - 46% in afternoon). Many diseases and insects like warmer temperatures and humidity (moisture in the air).

-Freezing temperatures, especially at night, are more prevalent in March and when combined with all the factors listed above, make plant less susceptible to disease and insects when they are pruned (less likely to become "infected" - in simple terms).

-Less harmful insects around during late-Winter (freezing temps).

3) Autumn is the time of year where things are dying and decaying. Mold spores and other spores are out in the air. Anyone who has allergies during this time of year will understand what I'm talking about. It's not the greatest environment for both plants as well as humans.

4) In the Autumn, plants are going dormant. Deciduous Trees are storing food/energy in their branches, trunk and roots in preparation for the winter. If you prune the branches of deciduous trees in Autumn, you risk reducing the amount of nutrients a plant will have available to survive the winter. Most of the time the tree will survive, but it doesn't help it's overall growth or health over the years.

You can prune trees in the Autumn. It's just better that you do it in the late-Winter to early-Spring (typically March).

Smart Irrigation Systems

If you have an irrigation system in the Northeast, it's estimated that 30 - 40% of your annual water bill (on average, or more) is from irrigating your lawn. Due to advancements in technology over the years, there are now "smart" irrigation systems. These systems have sensors that monitor the weather conditions impacting your landscape. The smart irrigation systems have sensors which measure rainfall amounts, wind speeds, sun intensity and more. The sensors help determine how much water is necessary for your landscape and when it's necessary to water it. These systems can help reduce the amount of water used to irrigate a landscape. If you are connected to the town water supply, this can help save you money on your water bill as well as make the irrigation systems more environmentally friendly, by conserving water. The smart irrigation systems are very easy to install. A smart irrigation system can be added on to your existing irrigation controller (if you have one that's compatible) or you can upgrade your current controler, so it can be added. Check with your landscaper or with us for additional information. (The pictures shown above are of the Hunter ET System.)

Warm winter impacts

Where's the cold and the snow? Many of us in the North East are currently enjoying some fairly mild temperatures for this time of year. There are people that feel global warming (CO2 and other gases) is becoming more and more of a factor, especially during the winter months. Other than the lack of snow removal, you may be thinking things like "I enjoy the warmer weather" or "how does this influence my landscape?" Well you'd be surprised at how much of an impact a mild winter can have on a landscape.
Cold winters help to deter vegetation, ticks and other insects from becoming as prevalent in the North East as they are in the Southern United States. The cold winter shortens the amount of time in which living things have a chance to grow and bread. As the winters become more mild, mosquitoes, ticks, and their respective diseases are going to become more of a problem. Invasive plants that normally would have a difficult time surviving a winter in New England will spread faster and threaten ecosystems. Their season for growth becomes longer, which leads to more, more...more everything, really. Mosquitoes in New England can carry diseases such as West Nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Deer ticks in the New England can carry Lyme Disease. As their populations increase, so does the risk of the diseases they carry becoming more of a problem for us humans. This will also increase the demand for more spraying to help keep us safe. Whether it's spraying a neighborhood for mosquitoes or buying spray at the store (containing DEET) to help keep insects away from the children, both cost money. Many people have already begun purchasing Mosquito Magnets for their yard to help make the outdoors more bare-able. Oh, and the warmer weather will help to give weeds a bit of a head start as well. We all know how much we love spending time and/or money on weeding (ha ha). Also, let's not forget the impact on the ski resorts ability to make or maintain snow on the slopes. It becomes much more difficult when mother nature is unable to lend a helping hand.
Whether you believe in global warming or feel the weather pattern is simply shifting, make sure you're prepared for what may become some ever increasing issues following mild winters in New England.
;-)

-Scaper

Welcome to The Greenpatch! The official blog of Sudbury Lawn and Landscape Design. We'll be periodically posting new topics for discussion that relate to the landscape industry.