ANC Kustom Kreations

12/25/2020

04/29/2020

Check out that curb appeal 🙌🏼
New walkway expanded. Flagstone path with crushed granite filler added.

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-ANC

02/20/2020

Low maintenance is the most obvious benefit of using native plants in your landscape. These plants are used to our temperature fluctuations, our extreme heat and humidity and our occasional freak "Blue Northers". They are more heat and drought tolerant and are able to survive on rainfall (after they are established) without supplemental watering. Native plants generally are more resistant to insects, fungi and diseases, and if planted in reasonably fertile soil, need no fertilizer. In other words, native plants save you time and money. All this and they are pretty too!

Because native plant lists often include naturalized or adapted plants, the term "native" is often ambiguous and confusing. But adapted plants will work for you too. Some plants that were brought by the first settlers became acclimatized quickly and started to grow without cultivation. Adapted plants (plants from other parts of the country, or world even) that have similar soil and climate needs often are considered native because they feel right at home and grow well here.

The most important thing to remember before purchasing a plant is that Texas is a very big place and just because a plant claims to be native to Texas does not automatically make it a candidate for our area. A plant that grows happily and carefree in El Paso may be unable to tolerate our spring downpours and summer humidity. On the other hand, a plant that thrives in Savannah, Georgia or Charleston, South Carolina may feel right at home in the Houston area because of our similar climates. Make sure you understand the plant's cultural needs and whether or not you can meet those needs before you purchase. There are several nurseries in our area that specialize in native plants and there are many publications to guide you in selection. Take the time to learn before you buy.

Though most homeowners can not afford to tear out their existing yards and "go native", they can stop and think before reaching for the same old mums or begonias they've used every year. Just like an investment portfolio, it's good to diversify and try a few new things. With a little forethought, a few native plants can even be incorporated into an existing formal landscape. And if you are ready to pull out some existing exotics (those plants that are not native) consider digging up the biggest water guzzlers and replacing them with a few native shrubs, vines, or flowers.

02/06/2020

Winter weather will likely continue sometime between now and Spring, but the recent weather that is more typical of Spring has confused many species. Many spring bulbs, such as daffodil and narcissus have begun to bloom somewhat prematurely. Some saucer magnolias and star magnolias have also initiated bloom. Most seem to suspect that it is still Winter and are therefore blooming sporadically, but others are in full bloom.
This weather is pleasant while it lasts, but may eventually cause some problems in the garden. Winter pruning of many deciduous species must be completed during dormancy. If however, dormancy is prematurely disrupted and vascular activity resumes, the necessary pruning can not be completed without damaging the subject while it is most sensitive. Fruit trees and roses for example must therefore be carefully monitored if immediate pruning is not possible. If vascular activity, such as swelling buds, is observed, pruning can not be delayed.
Timely pruning unfortunately can not protect prematurely active fruit trees from resumption of winter weather. Immediate resumption of cool weather might delay premature bloom enough so that it actually occurs during later Winter or early Spring, after damaging winter weather. More of the same weather will otherwise cause early bloom that will very likely be damaged by later frost, wind or rain. Even if bloom is completed while the weather is unseasonably warm and dry, developing juvenile fruit of most species is as easily damaged when Winter weather continues.
Irrigation may also become a concern during this pleasant weather. During normal Winter weather, irrigation should be very minimal or not necessary at all. Only garden space or containers under eaves, lanais or other structures should require regular irrigation. Such irrigation should also be minimal because evaporation of soil moisture, evapotranspiration (evaporation of moisture from foliar surfaces) and vascular activity are inhibited by cool weather. Without rain, supplemental irrigation may furthermore become necessary to sustain unseasonable vascular activity in areas of the garden that are not so sheltered.

11/26/2019

Now that little Kinsley is here,,, the name of the company is now ANC Kustom Kreations

09/26/2019

We are now coming into October and the beginnings of November, the growing season is now winding down and your lawn should be ready for the winter. Here are the tips and suggestions that I have to help your lawn.
Let’s begin with the water. As I said a few months ago the rains will come and as usual they arrived in the fall, this is Houston and it always happens like this. If you have an irrigation system you should have it adjusted to a minimal once a week or go ahead and turn it off all together till early spring. Right now the rains we are receiving are sufficient for your lawn since it wants to go dormant for winter.
Your shrubs and plants should not be pruned again till early spring so that you do not promote any new growth that can be damaged by freezes.
Your final fertilization should have been applied using fertilizer that is low in nitrogen and higher in phosphorous and potassium for root growth, this is the first year I have noticed a major fertilizer company advertising their product to promote root growth during the fall and winter.
You should be getting ready to remove your summer color and ready to plant winter color.
Also beginning in November you lawn can go to an every 2 week schedule on mowing instead of weekly, because it should slow down on growth and this schedule should be followed until the end of February.
I do not recommend planting any type of ryegrass for winter, because first you will be mowing weekly and the ryegrass is competing with the existing lawn using any of the nutrients that are stored in the soil. Yes it does look good to have the green lawn in the neighborhood, but there is much work involved in it by scalping existing lawn, planting the seed, heavy watering, and constant mowing.
Follow these tips and your lawn will do great through the winter and look even better in the spring.

07/07/2019

One of the things I have noticed already this week is the amount of chinch bug damage to St. Augustine yards in the Houston area.
Houstonians pride themselves in the appearance of their lawns but one thing that is hard for the untrained eye to notice during the short or long dry spells we are have and can get is chinch bug damage.
Chinch bugs are small very tiny black insects with tiny white dots on their wings. They usually begin their damage in areas that are close to Sidewalks and Driveways. The damaged area turns yellow and can eventually die. The damage appears in patches and if left untreated it is very unsightly and you will have to replace the turf in the area. Many people see the damage and think it is dry and the begin to over water thinking it is dry, but all they are doing is wasting water and what ever grass is there it is growing and getting more succulent for the chinch bugs to kill,,,,,they like good lush grass.
They can be controlled with several applications of Diazinone, a pesticide that is readily available. Make certain you follow the directions on the label as it is stated. Apply the chemical and two weeks later, apply it again and be sure you spray the effected area and the area surrounding it. By doing this you kill any new chinch bugs that have hatched, and i also recommend doing a third application a week later, to make sure all newly hatched ones are killed also.
The best natural control is to keep your lawn well watered and keep thatch from building up. They love yards and at first attack yards that are stressed to begin with. The best chemical control is Diazinone but only after they are present and you begin to see damage.
Always feel free to call me with any questions or to have me come out and inspect your lawn and landscape.