Wheatgrass contains high amounts of vitamins A, E and B. It also contains many minerals and trace elements: Calcium, Phosphorus, Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron and Zinc.

Info found on http://www.mywheatgrass.com

We keep our road free of trash

Also see the round about where Comstock Blvd, Union and Aberdeen N E meet, this area has been beautified courtesy of MLM.

LANSING, Michigan (May 7, 2013) – The Governor has proclaimed that during the month of May we raise awareness of the positive economic and environmental impacts that the nursery and landscape industry has had, and continues to have, in the Great Lakes State; and encourages residents to Plant Michigan Green by visiting a local retail garden center, planting a tree, having a landscape or lawn installed, or simply taking time to enjoy the beauty of Michigan’s greenery.

For more information on how you can participate to help the environment, to find a professional, and to Plant Michigan Green go to www.PlantMichiganGreen.com.

The Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association was established in 1922 and is the statewide trade association representing over 5,000 nursery, perennial plant production, Christmas tree, sod producers, landscaping, and lawn care firms that are the fifth largest nursery industry in the nation, the largest specialty crop in the state, and provides significant impact on the state’s economy accruing a total of approximately $5.715 billion each year and employing over 36,000 Michigan citizens.

Time

In your busy life you probably don’t want to spend your leisure hours making your property look its best. Delegate what you can and do what you enjoy. Our job is to let you Live Better Outdoors!

Care and Expertise

As your landscape and lawn care professionals, we care about our work and treat your property with the utmost care and respect. We also have decades of experience to do the job right the first time.

The Right Tools

We have the heavy equipment to perform your lawn care and landscaping efficiently and safely with the best possible results.

Stewardship

Proper use of fertilizers and herbicides is an important part of plant health and vigor. MLM applicators are certified and licensed by the State of Michigan; keeping your health and safety top priority.

Peace of Mind

Monsma Landscape & Maintenance is properly insured for the safety and protection of you and your property.

We are your Landscape and Maintenance Professionals in Grand Rapids MI

Management of storm water has become a hot topic country wide and in West Michigan. The principles used for installing permeable hardscapes are the same as typical hardscape installations. There are many attractive product lines that absorb rainfall while reducing runoff.

BENEFITS:

1. Storm water runoff reduction

Through the use of permeable pavers in Grand Rapids area driveways and parking areas, the amount of storm water that reaches water treatment systems can be reduced. This will save money for municipalities and keep our lakes cleaner.

2. Aquifer recharge

Porous pavements detain storm water and allow it to slowly add to the ground water levels and mimic the natural water cycle.

3. Pollution control

Paved surfaces used for vehicle traffic catch some of the pollutants that flow into streams and lakes with the storm water. Permeable pavers filter suspended solids, nutrients, and metals through the crushed stone base and aid in the break down of contaminants.

4. Cost savings

Experience has shown that even though the initial installation costs more, permeable pavers have maintenance costs that are 30% less than asphalt.

5. Cooling effects and looking cool

Permeable pavers that are sown with grass seed have a lower surface temperature than asphalt. Porous pavers look great! The open areas of these pavers can have soil and grass seed added to give a very unique look.

Over 90% of rainfall events are of half an inch less. Much of this rainfall can be handled by permeable pavers. By showing your clients the benefits you can add more green to your bottom line.

Source: Paveloc Industries, Inc.

Grand Rapids Rain Gardens

Clean Water the Natural Way

With all the rain that we have had in the last week you’ve probably been wondering where does all the water go and what pollution is carrying with it. Before the days of pavement most of the water was absorbed back into the aquafier where it fell. Today with pavement and pipes the water is transported into our rivers and lakes along with the residue from our cars. Rain Gardens slow the flow of runoff as temporary reservoirs designed to contain, filter, and absorb the water keeping it from the storm sewer.

Beautiful New Habitat

Properly designed rain gardens can be amazingly beautiful features of the landscape. They are also a source of entertainment for the owners and home to many butterflies beneficial insects and songbirds.

Build it Once

Rain gardens are meant to filter the runoff rapidly, meaning the water drains within 24 hours of the storm. For proper filtration you need the right mix of about 50% sand, 20% soil, and 30% compost. No topsoil is needed for sites of heavy clay. Care must be taken during construction to minimize soil compaction in the rain garden by equipment and foot traffic.

Right Plant, Right Place

Different plant species will be needed for the low level, mid level, and top level of the rain garden. Conditions of sun and shade will influence the selection process. And you will want to top it off with 3 inches of mulch to keep the plants moist during dry spells and to help discourage weeds.

1. Cover Evergreen shrubs and trees provide area to hide and rest.
2. Water Yes, birds get thirsty too!
3. Food Winter is when a bird’s survival can depend on your feeder.

What’s for supper?

Bluejay bird feeding Grand Rapids

Here are some helpful hints to prepare you for this adventure. First, there are two main types of food that birds will be attracted to in your yard. One is seed and the other is suet (sounds like soo-it). Suet is high quality fat from animals and can be purchased from the meat department of your local grocery store. Many birds that prefer seeds at your feeder also eat seeds in the wild and get them from berries, crops, or other plants. The birds that eat suet, usually find worms or insects in the summer months to fill their stomachs, but can’t find insects in the winter. Some birds also like nuts, fruit, or other table scraps. Look at the list below to find out who eats what.

Birdseed Bonanza:

Grains: Grains are very popular with many bird species. Sunflower
seeds, corn, milo, and millet are common birdfeed grains. Black, oil-type
sunflower seeds and white proso millet are probably the best and most popular
seeds to attract goldfinches, blue jays, cardinals, black-capped chickadees,
evening grosbeaks, pine siskins, purple finches, pine grosbeaks, and
white-breasted nuthatches. Corn is also a very popular grain food on the ear,
shelled, or cracked. Blue jays, house sparrows, starlings, and pheasants all
prefer corn. Milo, another grain, is preferred by

dark-eyed juncos, American goldfinches, pine siskins and tree sparrows.
Cardinals like squash seeds if you’ve got any extras from your fall harvest.

Suet: Suet (beef fat) is a nutritious food for brown creepers, downy
woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers, red- and white-breasted
nuthatches, and black-capped chickadees.

Thistle: Thistle seed is a great way to attract redpolls, purple finches,
pine siskins, and goldfinches.

Here’s a list of common winter birds and how to attract them with a feeder and
the correct mixture of seeds or food types.

Winter feeder care

Nuthatch bird seed Grand Rapids MI

Don’t just put your feeder out and forget about it. If you provide food in the winter, keep the feeder full since many birds will rely on it as a regular place to eat. Also, it is very important to keep the feeder clean since birds
can get sick from moldy birdseed or pass diseases on from your feeder to another bird. Keep the following tips in mind for a healthy feeding station.

• Give your seed feeders (especially thistle and tube feeders) a shake before you refill them to dislodge compacted seed. Dump out any wet clumps of
  old seed.
• Clean all hulls off platform feeders and out of seed trays daily.
• Occasionally clean your feeder with a sturdy brush and soap and water
  before you refill it. Rinse in a weak bleach/water mix if it looks like you
  have any disease problems (please have an adult help you with bleach). Rinse
  and allow feeders to dry before refilling with seed.
• Wash your hands after filling or cleaning your feeders.
• Don’t allow large amounts of seed to become wet on platform feeders.
  Instead, when it’s wet outside, feed birds from covered feeders that will keep
  seed dry, or put out only a handful of seed at a time on the platform.Source: dnr.wi.gov

Low maintenance landscape Grand Rapids MI

Personal tastes in landscaping can be as unique as you are. However most folks agree that well planned exterior hardscapes and plantings will increase property values in the Grand Rapids area, it’s curb appeal and will add benefit to your life experience.

Easy breezy and low maintenance landscaping

The top request from our Grand Rapids area clients is low maintenance. This can be achieved, but please remember there is no such thing as zero maintenance. During establishment (usually the first year after installation) it is important to keep up on weeding and watering. With most perennials there is the need either (pre season or end of season) to cut down the growth of the previous year. With these basic tasks covered you can enjoy the outside as much as the inside of your cottage!

Right plant, right place

Let’s look at the possibilities for a dry, sunny site with poor soil. With less than ideal soil it is a good idea to add leaf compost for a good start.  Adding a temporary soaker hose will make watering a snap. Slow release fertilizer added when planting will give your plants an extra boost. Putting the right plant in the right place is the biggest key to success. Plant selection should be based on how it will perform in specific location. There are plants that need full sun and some need shade, some like wet feet and others need well drained soil. You also need to know what plants deer will browse. It is important to know what your plant needs before the shovel goes in the ground.

Tough sun lovers

With so many different cultivars of these plants, you’re bound to find some that tickle your fancy. Here is a short list of some drought tolerant, full sun perennials:

What Every Gardener and Landscaper Should Know…
It’s all about the soil! Whether you have containers or a plot in the ground, over time the soils become depleted of nutrients. Every spring container soils should be replaced and amend the garden with leaf compost.

Keep the Garden Growing With…
Slow release granular AND liquid feeding.

Everyone Should Avoid…
Over mulching of woody ornamentals is never a good thing. This creates a mulch volcano that keeps the bark moist and eventually rots the bark preventing the nutrient exchange and kills the plant.

For Months and Months of Flowers…
Always save room for perennial favorites Gaillardia ‘Lemons & Oranges’ and Geranium ‘Rozanne’.  I’m a sucker for Hydrangeas; ‘Limelight’ and ‘Tardiva’ provide a stunning supply for the late summer and fall months.

For Containers That WOW…
Always have these three ingredients: the filler to take up space, the spiller to cascade over the sides of the pot, and the thriller to give height to the arrangement.

Mushrooms are delicious vegetables which go well in omelets, in salads, or with a juicy steak. The truth is they taste even better when freshly picked.
Have you ever thought about growing your own mushrooms? Not the old fashioned way that means wandering aimlessly through the woods hoping to stumble upon a hidden cluster of stems. The best part is that everything can be done within the comfort of your home, even in the middle of winter.
Mushroom growing is a simple, fun activity that the kids will love. You can relax because it’s not half as messy as finger-paint. Just think of the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment they will have at mealtime. Misting the kit regularly is the main task in addition to the harvesting. Self- contained mail order kits will begin to produce in as little as 10 days. The websites mentioned below provide more details to help you decide if you want to grow mushrooms.
There are really only four things that come in the kit.

• Mushroom spore / Liquid culture: the building blocks of all mushrooms, like the DNA.
• Growing Media: a soil like blend of material in which the growing happens.
• Growing Chamber: this can be a box or a plastic tub that holds everything.
• Spray Bottle: misting the growing area regularly is needed for growth.

The websites mushbox.com and thinkgeek.com/product/ed80/  are very informative and were consulted for this article.
Bon Appetite!