As Fall is quickly approaching and the weather begins to cool off, there are many things you can do to ensure the health of your garden and landscape in Southern California this Fall.
Fall Mulching
Not only does mulching add a protective layer to help the quality of soil, it also protects your plants against weather conditions. As the weather begins to cool down, it is important that your plants are prepared for the cooler temperatures.
Check Irrigation Systems
With temperatures going down, and the weather not being scorching hot any longer, you may want to check your irrigation system. Not only will this prevent overwatering, but it will also help you save money in the coming, cooler months. Pacific Vista Landscape Services is happy to help you with your irrigation needs. Contact us today!
Harvesting
For those who plant vegetables, fall means harvest season! Harvest season runs from late September to December, but it is never too early in the Fall to prepare. Now is the time to start researching when the best time to harvest your vegetables is, as each is different from the next. It is also the time to buy the tools you need to harvest. This includes pruning shears, scissors, and gloves.
Yard Clean up
Fall is a great time to start pulling your annuals and collecting fallen leaves. You can use your annuals and leaves to create compost for the next season and add it as a layer of supplemental food to next year's plants. They will love it! It's also important to clean up those piles of debris in your yard, especially ones with fruits and vegetables. Leaving these piles out can attract harmful pests to your precious garden.
About Pacific Vista Landscape Services
Established in 1988, Pacific Vista Landscape Services manages every aspect of landscaping maintenance and design.
For more information contact us at:
661-222-7525
22777 Lyons Avenue, Suite 212 Santa Clarita, CA., 91321, USA
Updated: Jun 18, 2023
Flax is one of the oldest known crops on Earth. The use of flax fiber to make linen goes back at least to ancient Egyptian times. The flax fiber is extracted from the stem of the plant and can be used for many things. In addition, the seed, oil, lignans, and flax protein all have potential health benefits and has been used for medicinal purposes throughout history and is becoming even more widely used today. The Latin name of the flaxseed is Linum usitatissimum, which means “very useful”, and is very accurate!
Flax is native to the eastern Mediterranean and India. It has slender leaves and pale blue or purple flowers. In the United States, flax was first introduced by colonists to produce fiber for clothing. Today, every part of the flaxseed plant is utilized commercially, either directly or after processing. The stem yields good quality fibers having high strength and durability. It is a natural and biodegradable composite, and is stronger than cotton. It is also used in paper products. Currently 51% of the world's flax crops are grown in the Americas, with the number one country in global trade of flax being Canada.
According to the National Library of Medicine, "Flaxseed is emerging as an important functional food ingredient because of its rich contents of α-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3 fatty acid), lignans, and fiber. Flaxseed oil, fibers and flax lignans have potential health benefits such as in reduction of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, autoimmune and neurological disorders.
The protein content of flaxseed varies from 20 to 30%. Flax protein helps in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and in supporting the immune system. Whole flaxseed, flaxseed meals and isolated proteins are also rich sources of glutamic acid/glutamine, arginine.
Flax contains up to 800 times more lignans than other plant foods. Flax lignans are phenolic compounds formed by the union of two cinnamic acid residues. Lignans are ubiquitous within the plant kingdom and are present in almost all plants. Lignans act as both antioxidants and phytoestrogens."
Flaxseed oil is the food grade name but it is also known as linseed oil when its used for other things than human consumption, like in paints and stains. Linseed oil is very nourishing to wood also, making it more resistant to wear, and it is inexpensive and natural.
New Zealand Flax
In the Southern Hemisphere there is New Zealand flax, Phorium tenex and Phorium colensoi, native to New Zealand and is very useful is similar ways, although visually quite different than the Northern Hemisphere flax.
The Māori people of New Zealand relied on it for fiber to make everything from clothes to ropes, baskets, fishing nets and more. It is very important to their culture throughout their history. It got called flax when European settlers came to New Zealand and saw it was useful for fiber like the flax at home.
New Zealand flax grows extremely well in Southern California's climate and throughout the western states where there is lots of sun. It can range from light to dark green, rusty orange to reds and even purple in it's long, pointed leaves. Besides growing easily and being drought tolerant, it is low maintenance. It has become more popular for ornamental use globally than for fiber production, now a popular landscape element. It adds a stunning look to any garden with it's upward long blade leaves, and looks different than most other plants. Sometimes it sends up a long single stalk with red or yellow tubular blooms that hummingbirds and other pollinators love.
If you would like help with your existing or new landscape project, contact us and see what our professionals can do for you! We specialize in commercial and residential landscaping and maintenance, designing hardscapes and softscapes, installing sprinkler and drip systems, and much more!
Updated: Feb 22, 2023
As Californians, we are lucky to live in such a nice, warm climate. But sometimes, the winter days hit us harder than usual, and we need a little something to spice up our life – or yard!
With California’s Mediterranean climate we are lucky to be able to still have beautiful flowers all year round. Here are a few that can add more liveliness and color around your home.
Winter Jasmine
Yellow and elegant, winter jasmine is known in Chinese as “The flower that welcomes Spring”. A lively addition to your yard, winter jasmine can thrive in cold and hot temperatures making it the perfect perennial. Winter jasmine does best with regular watering, especially during those hot SoCal summers and a bit of trimming from time to time.
Hydrangeas
Seen all over Southern California, these flowers come in a multitude of colors and their beautiful form will surely add personality to your yard or garden. Hydrangeas are a lovely flower because of their easy care. This flower has two main requirements: morning sun and afternoon shade and a well-draining soil.
Pansies
Pansies are a delicate, low-maintenance flower that can add so much calm to the surroundings of your domicile. These dainty flowers enjoy the same amount of sunshine as the hydrangea and do well in Southern California winters because of the sunshine.
Pansies should be planted about a foot apart from each other. They are relatively low maintenance and can provide more character to your home.
Want the best results with these flowers for your yard? Contact us today!
