Landscaping Blogs

Robert Smiddy of Willow Ridge Garden Center and Landscaping covers how much it costs to hire a landscape design expert. Want to learn more: willowridgegardencenter.com/landscape-design-consulting-cost-knoxville Transcript: Hey again everyone, it’s Robert Smiddy from Willow Ridge Garden Center & Landscaping. One of the most common questions we get is “How much does it cost to get design work done?” Some of those answers are not exactly clear for most people. But, for us, we start at about $150 dollars to do some elevational sketches for you all the way up to $5000 for master plans that cover about 6 acre estates or larger. There is some variance there. The answer is not perfect, but it means you know there is some variance there. And sometimes we can show you things you could do without a design at all and you could put that extra money you saved in planting and other items. So, hope that answers your question at Ask the Expert. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at (865) 481-3825 or via email at [email protected] and we would be happy to assist you.

On Ask The Expert, Robert Smiddy breaks down all the specifics of mulch. Want to read the blog? Check it out: https://willowridgegardencenter.com/ask-expert-everything-about-mulch/ Transcript: Hey Everyone, I’m excited about a little landscape bedding area project we’ve got and talk about a landscaping basic: Mulch. Everybody likes to know why they should mulch, when they should mulch, how thick they should mulch, why do we mulch at all? Well, the reasons to mulch are 2 fold. First, primarily for Weed Seed Germination and prevention. Second, as a moisture retention way for your plants to benefit. If you keep 2 to 3 inches of mulch around your plants all year round, that will help retain moisture. So, during the times of drought, your plants will have some residual moisture to draw upon. There are added benefits for your plants as well. First, it keeps them healthier. Secondly, it keeps you from watering so often because there is some residual retention there. Third, is the weed seed germination. Weeds can get started in your mulch beds. But, they are not like soil because it’s loose and not compacted. So, the roots don’t have a place to take a hold. They may germinate, show green for a little while, but soon desiccate and die. And they are easier to pick out, especially after rain or a good watering. In summary, these are the reasons why we mulch. Remember to maintain that 2 to 3 inches all year round for your beds and plants as they benefit from moisture retention. That is your landscape basic for the day. Robert Smiddy Willow Ridge Garden Center & Landscaping

5 Steps You Can Take To Get Your Landscape Design Off The Ground Want to read more? Check out the full scoop: https://willowridgegardencenter.com/5-step-process-of-working-together/ Transcript: Hey Everybody, Welcome to this edition of Ask The Professional. I’m Robert Smiddy with Willow Ridge Garden Center and Landscaping. I’m your landscape designer. I’m going to talk to you about the 5 steps you can take to get your landscape design off the ground or into the ground. Step 1: Phone Consultation We are going to have a conversation about what your project is all about. We gather all the details, budget, square footage area, design ideas and so forth. Step 2: Send Pictures In this step, you are going to send some pictures of the area you have in mind. You can do this through our website. This gets us on the same page so I can see what you’re seeing. We can talk through the photographs and discuss the various ideas going forward. At that point, we can also decide if we need an onsite consultation, which can also be scheduled. The key outcome of this step is to establish a cost estimate and make sure we are in the ballpark, so there are no surprises. We agree to a budget that you are comfortable with and then establish scope. Step 3: Contract for Installation towards scope of work / Presentation In this step, we establish a scope and decide if we need to do additional designs. In addition, we meet face to face to go over the design or discuss any design you have in mind. We go through the process step by step and review the project end to end. We also review sample work that has been done in the past so you get an idea of the possibilities that are available for your backyard. After we have a discussion, agreed to the scope of work, review the contract, we take a deposit and get you scheduled for the installation. Step 4: Installation Phase Prior to the installation, we make sure any permits that need to be pulled are done so. In addition, we order all the materials and line up the resources and labor required to complete the work according to the scope of agreement. Step 5: Final Walkthrough During this final step, we walk through the project area together and make sure all your expectations have been met. We make sure you are completely satisfied

It's Late Fall, What Can I Plant In My Yard? Read The Full Write-Up: https://willowridgegardencenter.com/what-plants-can-plant-in-fall/ Hey everyone, it's Robert Smiddy over at Willow Ridge Garden Center and Landscaping. I'd like to welcome you to another edition of Ask The Expert. Many times I'm asked, "what will help me have some color in the fall?" I am standing next to one of my favorite answers to that question and many times, unfortunately, when I ask the question back, "do you have Camellia in your garden?" The answer is "no." Well, I'd like to change that! This is Camellia Sasanqua Hiryu, one of my favorites. It's really brilliant as you can tell. It's got lots of flowers on it and is really a great way to add color to your garden in the Fall. Here we are in our region, which is zone 7, on November 8th and we still have blooming color! This is a wonderful way to add color to your garden or home this Autumn. Did you know that there are more than 250 different species of this Camellia?! Cold Hardy species, the Sasanqua in particular, are the really great Fall bloomers. Wintertime Plants There's another particular variety called Yuletide, which in the Knoxville area will bloom around the first week of January. So, where else can you get an everblooming shrub that can give you color in January? It misses our Christmas by just a little bit, but a great addition. Camellias are a really fuss-free plant that don't require a lot of attention from us. They can live in sunny or shady spots with a lot of variety in heights and spreads. You can really look for these in your nursery or garden center to add something that'll give you great Fall color with evergreen foliage that is really beautiful. I really hope that you'll consider planting Camellia this Fall to add some color to your yard. Thank you very much and we'll see you next time on Ask The Expert with Robert Smiddy from Willow Ridge Garden Center And Landscaping!

Want to learn more about fertilizing plants this winter? Head here: willowridgegardencenter.com/fertilize-my-plants-in-the-winter-knoxville-area/ Fertilizing In The Knoxville Winter I’m hanging out in the garden today and thinking about some of the questions I get regularly. Today I want to address the question of, “Can I fertilize in the fall?”The answer is “yes and no.” One of the things about fall is that most plants are just rooting themselves in. So, if you are transplanting something or planting something fresh, the answer is yes. You can fertilize it at that point. What you fertilize with matters! Use only triple superphosphate, which is 0-45-0 on the analysis of the bag. That only promotes root growth and that’s all we want this time of year. Especially since as the ground is not frozen, the rootes will continue to grow! You Don't Need To Fertilize Existing Plants There are not many things we fertilize in the fall. Some things that bloom late like blooming camellias and things. There are some variables here about fertilization but as a general rule, we don’t fertilize much in the fall or winter for trees, shrubs and even perennials. Long story short, we don’t want to put nitrogen on them to grow. Thanks again for tuning in to this edition of Ask The Expert! Join Our Email List! https://willowridgegardencenter.com/jo… Website: https://willowridgegardencenter.com/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willowridgeg… Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/willowridgegc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowridge… Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/ooMDHU5KYTH2

It’s late fall and one of the questions I receive a lot during this time is: “What can I do if my plants are in the wrong place? Can I transplant them?” Want to learn more? Head to: https://willowridgegardencenter.com/can-i-transplant-my-plants-in-the-winter The answer is absolutely yes. Fall is a great time for planting. So, it would be a great time for transplanting as well. The exception to the rule may be if you have a chameleon plant. Usually these types of plants bloom later in the fall, in which case you want to avoid transplanting these plants. However, for the most part, you can transplant most plants around the fall. Think about where you want your plants to be, prepare the soil, make sure to water regularly and fertilize. Additionally, adding a layer of mulch in the fall will give added insultation and protection from winter’s freezing temperatures. The key is to get them in and care for them so they can produce for you in the long run. Thanks again for tuning in to another edition with Ask The Expert with Robert Smiddy. Remember, at Willow Ridge, we know the best dirt!

In this edition of Ask The Expert, Robert goes in depth on the hows and whys of watering your landscape in Winter. Join Our Email List! https://willowridgegardencenter.com/join-email-list/ Website: https://willowridgegardencenter.com/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willowridgegardencenter/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/willowridgegc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowridgegardencenter/ Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/ooMDHU5KYTH2

In this episode of "Ask The Expert", Robert shows us some of his favorite plants that have great Winter Interest. Join Our Email List! https://willowridgegardencenter.com/join-email-list/ Website: https://willowridgegardencenter.com/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willowridgegardencenter/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/willowridgegc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowridgegardencenter/ Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/ooMDHU5KYTH2

In this edition of Ask The Expert, Robert talks about some of his Top Choices for Fall Garden Color. Join Our Email List! https://willowridgegardencenter.com/join-email-list/ Website: https://willowridgegardencenter.com/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willowridgegardencenter/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/willowridgegc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowridgegardencenter/ Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/ooMDHU5KYTH2

In this edition of Ask The Expert Robert talks about the benefits of adding a fountain or water feature as a focal point in your garden. Join Our Email List! https://willowridgegardencenter.com/join-email-list/ Website: https://willowridgegardencenter.com/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willowridgegardencenter/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/willowridgegc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowridgegardencenter/ Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/ooMDHU5KYTH2

In this edition of Ask The Expert Robert tells us about an oustanding plant selection: Japanese Stewartia. Join Our Email List! https://willowridgegardencenter.com/join-email-list/ Website: https://willowridgegardencenter.com/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willowridgegardencenter/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/willowridgegc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowridgegardencenter/ Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/ooMDHU5KYTH2

In this edition of Ask The Expert Robert talks about the uses of Reblooming Iris in the landscape and the benefits of using a professional landscape designer. Join Our Email List! https://willowridgegardencenter.com/join-email-list/ Website: https://willowridgegardencenter.com/ Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willowridgegardencenter/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/willowridgegc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowridgegardencenter/ Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/ooMDHU5KYTH2