Hi there,
Welcome to the very first edition of the Hemlock Landscapes newsletter. You are receiving this because you are either a past customer or have signed up on our website. We hope you enjoy it - all feedback is welcome!
In keeping with the green industry, we are very excited to launch our new e-newsletter which will come four times throughout the year - winter, spring, summer and fall.
The purpose of our newsletter is to keep you current with what is going on at Hemlock, as well as to provide you with some helpful tips, fun ideas and insightful information about your landscape.
Call us today at [440] 247-3631 to schedule your next service.
A Special thanks to our clients
On behalf of the entire team at Hemlock Landscapes, we’d like to thank each of our clients for making 2008 a success. We are proud to have had the opportunity to provide quality services to you this season. This year has been one of growth and change and as we progress forward, we are committed to continually improving to meet and exceed the needs of our clients.
Listening closely to our customers has been an integral part of maintaining our high quality standards. Your input is crucial to our success and as always we welcome it. Our eagerness in getting to know our clients has helped maintain long term relationships as well as build new ones. Whether you have been with Hemlock from the beginning, or are new to us, we are committed to providing the highest quality care available. Our team of professionals strives to continually meet your unique needs.
We have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to serve each of our clients this year. We consider ourselves fortunate to have such wonderful working relationships with our clients. Once again, thank you for a great year and we look forward to another exciting one in 2009.
We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!
Tips for keeping birds healthy and happy this winter
Birds can add a fun source of interest during the winter months. These tips will help keep the birds healthy and coming back to your yard on those cold winter days.
- Provide an assortment of feeders to appeal to a wide variety of birds
- Keep a clean supply of water available for the birds to drink
- Choose the right mix of food for the birds in your area
- Keep your feeders clean to help prevent diseases from spreading
- Don't stop feeding and providing water until spring when natural sources of food become available
- Landscape for the birds - incorporate plants into your landscape that provide berries and seeds for the birds
Winter Activities to keep your spirits up!
Now that winter has its grip on Northeast Ohio, these long, cold, blustery days will gradually lead to cabin fever. Keeping your body and mind active during winter can help with the winter blues.
It’s nice to enjoy the crisp air with an outdoor activity such as ice skating or downhill skiing. Or, how about strapping on a pair of cross country skis or snow shoes (my personal favorite) and hitting the trail. Ever consider ice fishing? What a great way to spend your time and it can be especially fun on a moonlit night. The choice of activities is endless… take a class, join a gym, volunteer for your favorite charity, or simply have lunch with an old friend.
If you’re not the outdoors type then maybe a comfortable chair next to a warm fire is more up your alley. Remember all the books you’ve been meaning to read? Winter is the perfect time to catch up on your reading. Throughout the year as I learn of books of interest I add them to my winter reading list. It helps to keep a warmer frame of mind by curling up with a cup of tea and a good book. I also anxiously await the delivery of the new seed and plant catalogs. Leafing through the pages of beautiful color pictures and reading the plant information makes spring that much closer. Not only is it enjoyable, but it’s a great way to improve your plant knowledge.
Don’t allow the lack of sunlight and shorter days to get you down… shake off those winter blues and get active. Remember one of the best parts about winter is the SPRING following it!
~ Jamie Brinkerhoff
Words of Wisdom
Of winter's lifeless world each tree now seems a perfect part;
Yet each one holds summer's secret deep down within its heart.
~Charles G. Stater
Plant of the season
Botanical Name: Schlumbergera
Common Name: Thanksgiving Cactus or Christmas Cactus
This beautiful flowering house plant in the cactus family is known as the jungle cactus. Unlike the desert cacti, this unique plant loves higher humidity, more water and a richer soil. The flat jointed and segemented branches hold lovely drooping white, pink, red, lavendar, purple or orange flowers depending on the species. Bloom time is dependent on the variety. Schlumbergera bridgesii, Christmas Cactus have 2” branch segments that are rounded and naturally blooms during the winter. Schlumbergera truncata, Thanksgiving Cactus have 2” branch segments with pointed or toothed margins and blooms during the fall. This is a relatively easy plant to grow as long as you provide the right environment, and with a little extra care you can get it to bloom annually.
A Garden Recipe to share
Cheesy Broccoli Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 2 Tbsp. flour
- 2-1/2 cups milk
- 3/4 lb. (12 oz.) Velveeta Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut up
- 1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed, drained
- 1/8 tsp. pepper
Directions:
Melt butter in large saucepan on medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add flour; cook 1 minute or until bubbly, stirring constantly. Stir in milk. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients. Cook until Velveeta is melted and soup is heated through, stirring occasionally.
Looking Ahead
Now is the perfect time to start planning for your 2009 landscape projects. If you have any questions, or would like help in any way please contact us so that we can assist you in making your garden the best that it can be! For more information about us and the services we offer, feel free to check out our website. Also, don't forget that we offer great winter rates on tree service from December through March 15.
Contact us today!
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