"The Mulching Mind"

EnviroColor + Home Depot = Awesome

 

It's even easier to get EnviroColor online, available now at Home Depot!

You have a million things to do today. From family activities to projects at work, we understand that life moves at a hectic pace. That's why we're proud to announce that it's even easier to get the beautiful lawn and vibrant ground coverings that you deserve. EnviroColor is now available online at the Home Depot. With the click of a button, you'll be on your way to vivid green grass and refreshed mulch and pine straw in rich earthen tones.

EnviroColor provides turf, lawn, and ground cover colorant solutions that gives grass, mulch and pine straw a natural, healthy look without checmicals or pollutants. Our solutions use water-based, non-toxic pigments that are completely harmless to the environment, surrounding plants and wildlife. And it's even easy to apply with most standard sprayers.

Using EnviroColor doesn't just revive and refresh faded grass, mulch and pine straw - our colorants can reduce the annual costs of ground covering replacement by 25%-50%. Saving money never looked so good. Give your landscaping a natural, healthy appearance and then get back to what matters most - life.

Point. Click. Save. Get EnviroColor online at Home Depot today.

The Proof is in the Pine Straw

 

Communities everywhere are saving money and improving the appearance of their landscaping with EnviroColor.

Who knew that going green could save you green? Our valued customers do - and here's what one of our customers, a property manager for a local community, had to say recently about EnviroColor!

"We are going on our 4th year of using EnviroColor for the pine straw at our property, and what a huge difference it's made! Before you started servicing our property, we were spending over $14k a year treating the pine straw twice every year. We tried to cut costs and only treat the grounds once a year, but it looked awful and really affected the appearance of our neighborhood.

The high costs of treating our pine straw ourselves really took a toll on our community - amenities such as the pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, and the clubhouse were neglected. But thanks to the experts at EnviroColor, we're looking great and have even been able to upgrade our facilities with the money we've saved by using EnviroColor's services.

Over the last three years, we've saved well over $21k, and now only have our pine straw treated once a year because the color really lasts. Our HOA is delighted by both the money you've saved them as well as the outstanding service you provide. Because of EnviroColor, our community is once again a beautiful place to live!"

We truly value our customers, and are commited to making a difference in communities everywere. If you want to know more about how you can save money and improve the appearance of your neighborhood, contact us today!

Adventures in Landscaping: "Dude. I Just Want to Buy a Lawn."

 

How I discovered that growing grass was a heck of a lot more complicated than I originally thought.

Alright. I have a confession to make. I always just assumed that grass was...well, grass. I mean, sure - I knew that some lawns looked different than others, but I never really gave it much thought...until the summer of 2010. My journey to becoming a grass guru started innocently enough, as I was talking to a first-time-homeowner friend of mine who just bought a foreclosed home straight out of Fright Night. The "lawn" (and I use that term loosely) had more in common with the Sahara Desert than the Garden of Eden. So when it came time for her to do something about it, I naively volunteered my helpful services.

I had the brilliant idea to just call up the local grass store and have them deliver a new lawn. Visions of lawn parties and barbecues filled my head as the hold music played. When the grass guy answered, I was unprepared for the barrage of questions he fired my way. He asked about climate. He talked about foot traffic and soil type and about how much sun the area received. Then he asked about what type of grass was needed. And I'm sitting there thinking, "Dude. I just want to buy a new lawn."

For those of you still reading, it's safe to assume that the conversation ended in epic failure. But being the awesome friend that I am, I refused to admit defeat. So I decided to educate myself on the veritable mystery known as grass. Here's what I learned.

The survival of your lawn depends on buying the right type of grass for the climate area that you live in. As a general rule, northern areas are more suited for cool season grasses whereas warm season grasses are ideal for southern climates. Since this lawn project was in Georgia, that meant choosing from bermuda, zoysia and centipede grasses. Based on the limited amount of shade in her (dead) yard, bermudagrass seemed to be the best choice. It's fairly hardy and drought-tolerant, and grows best in our muggy, humid southern climate.

But choosing the type of grass is only half the battle, because then comes the big "S" question - seed or sod? Seeding costs less, but it takes more time to cultivate a healthy lawn. Laying sod means almost instant lawn gratification, but with a hefty price tag attached.

In the end, seeding was the best option for my friend's budget. As the days were getting hotter,we had to kick ourselves into overdrive to get the seeding started, since bermudagrass is best planted from May to July.

Following some helpful advice from this guide, we sowed, we seeded, and we sweated. It was time-consuming, but we were meticulous and determined. In the end, we were victorious. Over time and with proper care, her lawn began to grow and stopped resembling the patch of dead earth it once was. When she threw her first barbecue and we all gathered on the back lawn, I remember thinking what a great thing it was to be a part of making something grow.

Have you had an adventure in landscaping? Share it with me in the comments below!

The Grass is Always Greener...with EnviroColor!

 

The drought has forced us all to restrict our water usage, but that doesn't mean your lawn has to suffer.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), almost 52% of the contiguous United States is suffering from moderate to severe drought conditions. Despite, or perhaps even because of the series of brutal storms that kicked this year off, current weather patterns don't predict an end to the drought that has steadily been worsening over the past few years.

Here in my home state of Georgia, watering restrictions have tightened since 2010, limiting the use of water for planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground coverings and landscaping. And I'm sure that the same types of restrictions apply to those of you in neighboring states. While some people grumble about the general "dead" appearance of their lawns and shrubs, for the most part everyone agrees that water conservation is needed for the long haul.

For those of you whose lawns are looking like a dried out dead thing, at least I have some good news. It is possible to pitch in and do your part for water conservation and still have a healthy, green lawn - all year round.

EnviroColor provides turf, lawn and grass painting solutions that give your lawn a natural, healthy and green look without chemicals or pollutants. Our 4EverGreen™ colorant is a non-toxic, water-based pigment that gives grass a uniform hue and eliminates brown patches from drought and disease. It's easy to apply with most standard sprayers, and keeps your grass looking fresh for up to 12 weeks after application.

According to national forecasts, this drought isn't going away anytime soon. But that doesn't mean your lawn has to suffer. Check out the video below to see how easy it is to have a beautiful lawn with EnviroColor 4EverGreen™.

Are you ready to put the green back in your grass? Get EnviroColor 4EverGreen™!

7 Secrets for Gardening on a Budget

No matter what type of garden you're planning, these seven secrets will save you money when it comes time to start planting.

Spring is here! The sun is shining, the grass is growing, and you're ready to roll up your sleeves and head into the garden. You want your favorite plants to root deep in the ground - not your wallet. So here are seven secrets to help you get the most bang for your buck when it comes to making things grow.

1. Plant from Seeds: To stretch your gardening budget, retain the seeds of flowers and vegetables from previous seasons. Once you've allowed them time to dry, deposit the seeds separately in well-labeled bags and store them in a warm, dry place. Before spring arrives, plant the seeds in seedling trays and keep them indoors - somewhere where they can get lots of sunshine. Make sure they're watered accordingly, and once spring hits and they're ready to go into the ground, you'll be on your way to an established garden. If this is your first planting, or if you don't have last year's seeds, check with family, friends, and neighbors for spare seeds, or watch for sales within your local community.
2. Invest in Fruit Plants: Small fruit plants, trees, or bushes can more than double your ROI (return on investment) once they start to grow. There is a wide variety of fruit plants that are easy to care for, and often produce more than enough fruit to augment your monthly grocery bill. In addition, any excess fruit you have could be used as gifts for friends and family, or even sold for a tidy profit.
3. Choose Water-Conscious Plants: All plants need water, but some require less than others. Choosing flowers, plants, and vegetables that don't get as thirsty as often can help you reduce your monthly water bill, and are perfect for those of us who have hectic schedules.
4. Grow Plants from Cuttings: There are many plants and vegetables that can be easily grown from your neighbor's garden - this allows you to increase your garden's diversity, and can also eliminate the need to buy new plants to add to your plot. Just make sure to ask permission first. Also, check out this guide for more tips on how to grow clippings from established plants.
5. Consider Composting: Creating your own compost results in many benefits - for starters, it gives you a great way to recycle organic material, such as tea bags, coffee grinds, vegetable and fruit rinds, grass clippings, leaves, and weeds. In addition, making your own compost eliminates the need to pay for costly fertilizers, and it's also a natural way to give your garden an energetic "eco-boost".
6. Buy Seeds in Bulk: As it is with most things, buying seeds in bulk will save you money over time. Buying bulk seeds gives you more purchasing power, and if you're a shrewd negotiator, you can save up to 40% or more. You can make it a fun too - round up your gardening friends and have a seed-buying party. This allows you to split the cost and ensure no seeds go to waste.
7. Plan Ahead: In your garden, a little bit of planning can go a long way. If you don't have a garden budget, it can be useful to create one. Knowing what you can spend will really help you when it comes to decision making. Along with a budget, try mapping out your garden on paper. It doesn't have to be fancy, but if you know what you want to plant and where you want to plant it, it can help you buy only what you need to maximize your garden's space. Also, make plans to save and store your seeds from this year's planting for use next year.

Whether you're gardening to supplement your family's food bill, or just because you love growing things, gardening doesn't have to be a "break-the-bank" pastime.

Is there a special way you save money in your garden? We want to know - tell us in the comments!

Breathe New Life into Old Pine Straw

With constant exposure to the elements, your pine straw quickly loses its vibrant color. EnviroColor is an easy, eco-friendly and cost-effective solution that keeps your ground coverings beautiful all year round.

If you're like me, you love your home. It is your haven in an otherwise chaotic world. You spend time cleaning, maintaining, and decorating your home - so that it's warm and inviting when friends and family come to visit, or relaxing and peaceful when it's just time to kick back.

While you can influence what happens inside of your home, your lawn and landscaping can be more difficult to control, as it's subject to Mother Nature's unruly whims. Maybe your grass isn't as green as you want it, or your pine straw and mulch is fading into a dismal shade of gray that has about as much curb appeal as an army of pink flamingos. You want your lawn to look like paradise - not prison.

Here in the south, pine straw is the essential ground covering used in landscaping projects of all sizes. It looks great when it's freshly spread, giving your landscape an instant aesthetic boost. But over time, pine straw and other organic ground coverings decompose with exposure to the elements, losing color and volume. Within 30 to 60 days, pine straw loses that newly-minted "oomph", and looks more like it belongs outside of Dracula's castle than in your well-manicured community.

In order to avoid a serious case of "the grays", pine straw beds have to be refreshed multiple times per year. Depending on the size of the beds and the amount of pine straw you need, this can cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars per year.

Stop. Before you pull out the checkbook to replace old pine straw...why not think about recoloring it instead? EnviroColor's pine straw painting and mulch color-enriching solutions are the perfect answer to keep your beds and landscaping beautiful year round, while saving you money in the process.

By applying EnviroColor to your pine straw, you can reduce the cost of ground covering materials by 25-50% while reducing your labor costs too! Regular treatment can extend the life of your pine straw, resulting in less material needed and longer cycles between each refresh.

Even better, it's eco-friendly too! EnviroColor solutions are water-based, non-toxic, and completely harmless to the environment, surrounding plants and wildlife. By reducing the amount of materials needed to produce the same results means a reduction in the amount of trees and fuel required to create, package, and ship pine straw and mulch products.

We offer a wide range of colorant products to suit every aspect of your landscape - diverse colors to match your lawn, mulch, or pine straw beds. It's an easy and cost-effective way to enhance your home's landscaping - so that the beauty outside mirrors the beauty you've created within.

You don't have to take my word for it. Take a look at what our customers are saying about us. Then contact us for a free estimate and see how easy and affordable it is to liven up your landscaping with EnviroColor.

Are These Deadly Dangers Lurking in Your Backyard?

In this article, we identify 5 of the most toxic plants and mushrooms that are commonly found in backyards across North America. Are they in your backyard?

Nothing beats a little backyard R&R. Whether you're grilling out with the family or just hanging out in the hammock, your backyard is your own private paradise where you can go to get away from it all. But that doesn't mean it's completely safe, and you'd be surprised at what types of danger lurks past the veranda. In this article, we're going to expose five of the most dangerous plants and mushrooms that are commonly found in your own backyard.

1. Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac: These pesky little plants are commonly found in wooded areas and are dangerous to the touch. When the leaves are disturbed, they release a clear, liquid oil compound called "urushiol" that causes a painful, itching rash to the majority of people who come in contact with it. As a child, my grandmother taught me a simple little rhyme that is commonly used to identify this irritating foliage, "Leaves of three, let them be!"
2. Oleander: This hardy, evergreen plant can be found throughout the United States and other regions and is a unique addition to this list because every part of it is considered toxic. Symptoms of ingestion include increased heart rate, nausea, vomiting, tremors, seizures, and central nervous system collapse. Touching this plant can also be dangerous as it can release nectar on your hands that could easily be transferred to your mouth.
3. Water Hemlock: These perennial herbaceous plants are commonly found near wet habitats such as ponds, creeks, streams, marshes, or swamps. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, water hemlock is the "most violently toxic plant" found in North America. Ingestion directly affects the nervous system and causes violent convulsions, seizures, and even death. Water hemlock is easily identified as having small green and white flowers in a distinctive umbrella shape.
4. False Parasol (Chlorophyllum Molybdites): This widespread mushroom is typically found on lawns and in parks across eastern North America, California, and other subtropical regions. It generally sprouts in the summer and autumn after it rains. It is the most commonly consumed poisonous mushroom in the U.S. and can be identified by its large, hemispherical cap with a flattened top that is whitish in color with coarse brown scales. The gills are white and may have a greenish-tinge. Toxic symptoms occur between 1 to 3 hours of consumption and include severe vomiting, diarrhea, and colic.
5. Mower's Mushroom (Panaeolus Foenisecii): Chances are you've seen this poisonous little fungus at one time or another, as it is one of the most commonly found mushrooms on lawns across North America. Typically popping up in groups, you can identify this mushroom by its bell-shaped, banded, chestnut brown cap, broad gills, and a light-colored stem. They have a nutty odor that is slightly unpleasant. This mushroom is a toxic triple-threat, as it contains serotonin, 5-Hydroxytryptophan, and 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid. It's also listed as psychoactive due to the amount of psilocybin content. If you don't know what any of that means...just take my word - it's not good for you!

Your backyard doesn't have to be a scary place - practice proper backyard safety by identifying the plants and fungi in your local area. For families with small children or pets, never let them ingest or disturb unfamiliar plants or mushrooms.

Is there a plant or mushroom in your backyard you need help identifying? Send us a picture and we will get you an expert answer!

5 Tips to Get Your Lawn Ready for Spring

Get your lawn and garden ready for spring in five easy steps.

It's that time again, folks. Winter is just about to take a hike, making room for spring to come and work its magic. Dormant trees will bud and grow. Flowers will blossom in a dazzling array of color. And in communities across the region, neighbors are gearing up for battle in the "Best Lawn" war.

To help you get ready for spring, here are 5 easy tips that will transform your lawn from "blah" to "beautiful".

 

1. A Clean Lawn is a Healthy Lawn: The autumn and winter months can litter your lawn with leaves and other debris. The first step in the lawn reviving process is to clear away all of the clutter. While a stray leaf here and there poses no danger, large piles of leaves left unattended can decay, causing the grass to wither and die. Utilize a rake or leaf blower to remove piles of leaves and other junk from your lawn's surface. Dispose of the leaves in accordance with your community guidelines - or plan to add them to your compost pile for an organic eco-boost to your lawn and garden.
2. Breathe Life into Your Lawn...Literally: Don't let weeds choke the life out of your lawn and garden. Weeds, crabgrass, and dandelions should be eliminated before they have the chance to produce seeds. When digging them out of your beds, be sure to grab these pesky plants by the roots - but be careful not to damage the roots and stems of your prize perennials. Once you've taken care of the weeds, make sure your greens are getting enough oxygen - soil aeration can help your lawn and garden flourish. The size of the area will dictate the type of tool best needed to get the job done.
3. Shave-and-a-Haircut: Once the weather warms up, help your trees thrive with a good springtime pruning. Remove the dead limbs, and detach any branches that crisscross or could cause potential problems. Just make sure the weather is stable. A hard freeze can damage the trees you've just pruned. In addition, spruce up your bushes with a nice trim. Remove any excess growth with a pair of hedge clippers - this will give your shrubberies a nice, tidy look.
4. Mow, Mow, Mow Your Lawn: With the arrival of spring, Saturday's favorite pastime is back. Make sure your lawnmower is in tip-top shape by changing the oil, spark plugs, and air filters. When you're ready to get started, here are a few simple guidelines to make sure your lawn is getting the most from the mow. First, never mow your lawn when it's wet - the best time to mow is in the early evening when the sun isn't baking your lawn (or you). Alternate your mowing direction each time you mow to prevent grooves from forming in your grass. Try to switch up the mowing patterns as well - this helps to keep your grass level and even.
5. Dress Your Beds for Success: If your flowerbeds have a case of the winter blues, spruce them up with a layer of mulch! Mulch does more than just beautify your beds - it helps prevent the growth of weeds and also reduces the amount of water needed. Mulch is available in a variety of colors, textures, and organic materials to help you achieve your desired look, feel, and function of your flowerbeds.

A healthy lawn is a happy lawn! What makes your lawn happy? Share your tips with us below in the comments for a chance to be featured in an exclusive article!

Photo by William Warby

Starting the Year Off on the Right Foot!

We here at EnviroColor pride ourself on delivering a first rate product and customer service. It gives us no greater pleasure than to hear positive feedback from our clients. Last week we were totally impressed with a blog post from one of our customers.

Howard Brothers/True Value did a product spotlight (totally unbeknownst to us) about our solution on January 25, 2012. I wanted to give them a BIG thank you and let them know we appreciate the positive review.

If EnviroColor can help bring your pine straw or mulch back to life, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We not only sell the product for the DYI, but we also offer the complete service for larger customers.

Thanks for your continued support,

 

Bob Russo

President, EnviroColor USA

Save money grow from a seed

I was on to something when I said I was going to start my garden with seeds and watch it grow! Although I just wanted to do it for my enjoyment, there are other reasons why starting a "brand new" garden could be beneficial to you and your pockets.

Not only can you  have the pride and joy of watching your seeds mature before your very own eyes, like a proud parent. You can save some green in the process! Ain't life grand?!

The experts over at HGTV  explain to you why  seed growing gardens are best value for your wallet!

In many parts of the country, seeds have been flying off the shelves. And why not? Even if you've never relished the idea of growing your own vegetables, you might be swayed by the economics of it. Consider this: A $3 packet of seeds can yield 5 pounds of lettuce, 8 pounds of green beans, 20 pounds of carrots or 120 summer squash.

Depending on the variety and the care it receives, one tomato plant can yield more than 10 pounds of fruit, and in a packet of seeds, there are some 30 potential little tomato plants — plenty enough to swap with other gardeners. Or, the 24 or so little transplants you can't use could be sold at spring plant sales given by garden clubs. Either way, the math looks good.

Starting your garden from seed beats paying $2 or more per transplant at the garden center. Plus, you can get much more variety (transplants are usually limited to a few varieties of a very few vegetables).