Baking soda is an affordable and versatile solution to keep your plants healthy and thriving. This household staple is a great way to promote a more sustainable garden without harmful chemicals.

Baking soda has many uses in the kitchen, but what if we were to tell you it has just as many uses in the garden! Here are our top 4 favorite ways to improve your garden and keep your plants healthy with baking soda.

1. Insect Repellent

Baking soda is a natural and safe alternative to chemical insect repellents. It’s known to ward off spider mites, slugs, snails, silverfish, cockroaches and more.

You can easily whip up a few solutions to keep these pests away.

2. Gets Rid of Fungus, Mildew and Weeds

Get rid of mildew and fungus in your garden quickly. Baking soda prevents fungal growth by lowering acidity levels.

Make a spray solution for the infected plants by mixing 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 liter of water and a few drops of liquid soap.

To kill weeds and prevent them from coming back, just pour baking soda where they’re growing.

3. Enhances Taste and Look Of Plants

Since baking soda is used for cooking it is safe to use on your vegetable gardens as well!

You can easily sweeten up your tomatoes by sprinkling some baking soda around the soil. Just try not to put the baking soda directly on your tomato plant.

4. Cleaning

As a natural deodorizer baking soda is perfect for cleaning in the garden. Here are some of our favorite ways:

• Keep your bird baths clean by placing some baking soda on a cloth with water and scrub
• Easily clean off tough spots on your gardening tools by mixing water and baking soda 1:1 in a pail. Place the paste on any spots for 5 minutes and rinse.
• Mix 1 quart water and 2 tablespoons baking soda to clean off walkways, stones, and paths. Just gently scrub and rinse.

Happy Gardening!

Louis Contino

Get your gardens ready with Louis Contino Landscaping, Inc.

Call us at 631-351-5409 in Huntington or fill out our contact form and we will get in touch with you.

Incorporating plants that repel pests in your design is a natural way to protect your garden and your family. These 5 species will keep the bugs away so you can enjoy your backyard paradise all season long.

Keeping a beautiful garden can be a challenge, especially when pests start to invade. There are many natural ways to keep insects at bay by incorporating certain plants into your design.

Whether you’re gardening in beds or pots, with a little bit of planning you can enjoy your yard without worrying about pesky bugs destroying your landscaping and annoying you.

1.Lavender

Lavender is known for its soothing scent. Not only will this plant add a vibrant pop to your landscaping, it repels mosquitoes, moths, fleas, as well as many other insects.

It will flourish in the garden or in pots.

Pro tip: When placing your lavender, position it near your outdoor seating and by doorways to stop unwanted insects from entering.

2.Catnip

Studies have shown that catnip may be more effective than most commercial bug repellents. Like many other herbs, catnip prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

You can also protect your home from ants by putting catnip in small sachets and peppering them around your kitchen.

3.Thyme

Thyme is another herb that prefers full sun and can be grown indoors or out.

It contains oils that repel mosquitoes and other insects. It’s best planted near outdoor seating for obvious reasons.

The leaves can also be crushed and stored within containers for added pest repellent benefits.

4.Rosemary

Rosemary is a seasoning favorite, with flavorful uses in the kitchen and repellent properties in the garden. It works well to discourage mosquitoes and other insects from sticking around.

Like thyme the leaves can be crushed and stored as well.

5.Sage

Lastly, as a part of the mint family sage, emits a strong fragrance that will also repel those nasty pests while adding beauty to your yard.

Happy Gardening!

Louis Contino

Get your gardens ready with Louis Contino Landscaping, Inc.

Call us at 631-351-5409 in Huntington or fill out our contact form and we will get in touch with you.

Healthy soil is necessary for a healthy garden. Here are six ways to supercharge your garden to give your plants the nutrients they need for success.

Looking to grow a beautiful luscious garden? One of the most important aspects of a healthy garden is healthy soil. Plants need nutrients to grow and thrive.

Here are six ways to supercharge your soil to give your plants the best possible chance of success.

1.Chicken Manure

Organic fertilizer like chicken manure contains nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, phosphate, nitrogen, and calcium, all essential for a plant's growth.

Chicken manure helps to improve the soils aeration and structure.

Pro Tip: Fresh manure must be aged before use. The best way to age is through compositing. However, you’ll want to keep your manure composts separate from your other composts.

2.Wood Ash

Wood ash is full of nutrients such as potassium and phosphorus. It’s helpful for flowering and fruiting plants. It’s best to use harder woods like beech and oak rather than softwoods.

Wood ash is also useful in composting, due to its alkaline nature it can be used to lower acidity levels making it a better environment for worms. With this in mind, don’t use wood ash around plants that need acid soil to thrive.

3.Compost Tea

Compost tea is a liquid made by microorganisms from compost. Compost tea is beneficial in making sure plants are healthy and can better resist diseases and pests.

It also improves the soil's health and its water retention.

4.Blood meal

Blood meal is made from slaughter-house blood. It’s most often the blood from cows and is dried into a powder form.

It contains hearty nutrients for soil. Blood meal has many benefits, including supplying plants with nitrogen, helping with healthy foliage growth, and since it’s organic, it’s a better option than chemical fertilizers.

5.Bone meal

Bone meal, like blood meal, comes from the slaughter-house and is made from ground animal bones.

It promotes healthy soil by giving plants phosphorus and calcium and aids with healthy root development.

6.Guano Fertilizer

Guano is the excrement of bats.

It’s an amazing fertilizer because it is rich in essential nutrients for plant growth such as nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, and more.

Happy Gardening!

Louis Contino

Get your soil in tip top shape with Louis Contino Landscaping, Inc.

Call us at 631-351-5409 in Huntington or fill out our contact form and we will get in touch with you.

Sugar is not only for your morning coffee! Sugar can be incredibly useful in your garden.

From feeding your plants to getting rid of pests, sugar can be a valuable tool whether

you're an experienced gardener or just starting out.

1. Cleaning In The Garden

Sugar can surprisingly be used to clean your hands! After working in the garden all day,

1 tsp of sugar and a little bit of water can easily wash away all the dirt and oil from the

garden.

Pro Tip: Get grass stains out of your pants by mixing warm water and ½ cup sugar until it

is a paste. Just apply and let it soak on your stain for an hour and wash normally.

2. Make Your Cut Flowers Last Longer

Your flowers can last even longer on display just by adding a tablespoon of sugar into

your vase water. It will keep your flowers blooming!

Pro Tip: Be sure to also add in a tablespoon of vinegar to prevent bacterial growth that

can be caused by the sugar.

3. Trapping Fruit Flies

Get rid of pests in your home with an all natural sugar trap.

Cut up brown paper bags in 2 inch strips, hole punch the top of the strips and tie a string.

Next boil ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoons water and ¼ cup sugar in a saucepan.

Evenly coat both sides of the strips and hang them with a bucket underneath to catch

any dripping. Once they are dried hang them around your home and you have a fruit fly

trap.

4. Give Your Plants Nutrients

Feed your plants with this simple recipe!

For every 8 ounces of water mix together 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 tablespoon of salt.

Happy Gardening!

Louis Contino

Get your gardens ready with Louis Contino Landscaping, Inc.

Call us at 631-351-5409 in Huntington or fill out our contact form and we will get

in touch with you

Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your outdoor fun. While many people opt for harsh insect repellents,

there are natural ways to keep the mosquitoes at bay. Certain plants have natural properties

that mosquitoes simply can’t stand, making them a great addition to any garden.

1. Citronella

Citronella is well-known for its mosquito-repelling properties. For best use, plant around

your outdoor seating area.

2.Catnip

Catnip has been found to be ten times more effective than most insect repellents. Plant

in pots or in the ground!

Pro Tip: Catnip is an easy plant to take care of but watch out! It can be insidious and

take over your garden.

3.Lavender

Lavender is a beautiful plant that smells amazing due to essential oils that are found on

the leaves of the plant. These oils interfere with how mosquitoes smell! For best results

plant in well-draining soil in full sun.

4.Peppermint

Peppermint is known for its festive strong scent, but it also works amazingly at keeping

the mosquitos away and it looks beautiful in the garden.

5.Basil

Basil has a strong smell that keeps bugs at bay. There are many different types of basil

so find which works best for you and your garden.

6.Sage

Keep the mosquitoes away from you and your guest at the next bonfire. Throw some

sage into the flames, it will smell amazing and keep the bugs away.

7.Rosemary

Rosemary can be pruned as a decorative plant into many shapes and sizes. Not only

does this herb have properties that keep the mosquitoes away, but you can also use it to

cook with!

Happy Gardening!

Louis Contino

Get your gardens ready with Louis Contino Landscaping, Inc.

Call us at 631-351-5409 in Huntington or fill out our contact form and we will get

in touch with you.

Marigolds are one of the most popular annual flowers for a reason. They come in a variety of

colors and have endless benefits to your garden. They can be planted in a pot or right into your

garden.

1.Attracts Pollinators

The beautiful blooms on Marigolds attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

These insects are necessary to keep your garden thriving. Plus who doesn’t love seeing

a beautiful butterfly in their garden!

2.Repels Pests

Plant Marigolds around your garden to keep the pests at bay.

These flowers attract predatory insects such as lacewings and ladybugs which help keep

away bugs that will eat your garden.

3.Protects Tomatoes

Protect your vegetable gardens! Marigolds are a trap plant which means they can help

draw pests away from other plants, like your tomatoes.

4.Keep Nematodes Away

Nematodes can be harmful to your vegetable gardens and dangerous if eaten. The root

of the Marigold produces nematicides which kill nematodes.

To best keep these pests out of your vegetable garden’s soil plant marigolds throughout

your garden.

5.They add color and beauty to your garden

Marigolds come in a variety of colors and sizes, there are many choices so you can find which

fits your landscape best.

6.Low Maintenance

Marigolds require little maintenance and can tolerate many different soil conditions which make

them an easy plant to grow!

7.Edible Flower

Marigold petals are edible and can be eaten cooked or raw! They can be added to quiches,

salads, soups, and even tea.

8.Long Lasting Blooms

Marigolds have blooms that last through the summer and into the fall, which means you will be

able to enjoy their vibrant colors all season long.

Happy Gardening!

Louis Contino

Get your gardens ready with Louis Contino Landscaping, Inc.Call us at 631-351-5409 in Huntington or fill out our contact form and we will get

in touch with you

White vinegar is an extremely versatile pantry item that is perfect for gardeners looking

for an inexpensive and eco-friendly way to help their landscape thrive. From cleaning to

getting rid of pests, white vinegar can tackle all your gardening issues!

1.Garden Cleanings

To keep your tools from developing any rust, soak them in vinegar for 5-10 minutes and

then rinse.

To stop your clay pots from developing calcium stains, soak them for a half hour in four

cups of water and one cup white vinegar.

2.Get Rid Of Weeds

Easily get rid of weeds without harsh chemicals and weed killer.

Simply mix a few cups of vinegar, with 2 tablespoons of dish soap and a gallon of water.

Spray this mixture on your weeds and they will be gone in no time!Pro Tip: Just be sure not to spray any other plants, the vinegar solution can damage

them!

3.Remove Fleas

Need to get rid of fleas in your home?

Just mix together equal parts white vinegar and water into a spray bottle and spray the

areas of your home they are invading. This mixture will not kill the fleas, but it will repel

them!

4.Get Rid Of Slugs

Slugs can be very damaging to your garden, especially during a rainy season. Get rid of

these invaders with this simple recipe.

Mix together 1 cup water and 1 cup white vinegar into a spray bottle. Avoid your plants

and spray the mixture directly on the slugs.

Happy Gardening!

Louis Contino

Get your gardens ready with Louis Contino Landscaping, Inc.

Call us at 631-351-5409 in Huntington or fill out our contact form and we will get

in touch with you

Ice is not only treacherous to walk on, it can damage your concrete walkways and patios. Here is a quick and easy, natural way to remove the ice and protect your landscaping hardscapes.

The winter season and freezing temperatures can negatively impact landscapes in many ways. The biggest problem we find lies with rock salt and its ability to destroy beautiful concrete walkways and patios.

However, we have a solution and a natural one at that.

It doesn’t involve any nasty chemicals and you probably already have most of the ingredients necessary in your kitchen cupboards.

Next time it snows, gather these household materials to de-ice your yard.

Simply mix together:

1 teaspoon of Rubbing Alcohol
1 teaspoon of Dawn soap
½ Gallon of hot water
 

Pour the mixture over your walkways and it will begin to melt the ice away.

Any leftover ice can be carefully scraped away with a rubber tipped shovel.

Easy, economical and a safe way to protect your investment.

Happy Gardening!

Louis Contino

Freshen up your walkways and sidewalks with Louis Contino Landscaping, Inc.

Call us at 631-351-5409 in Huntington or fill out our contact form and we will get in touch with you.

There are many plants that are able to withstand cold weather and thrive in cooler climates. These 7 plants will add beauty to your garden no matter the season.

One of the biggest challenges when it comes to gardening can be finding plants that can survive and thrive in harsh cold climates. Freezing temperatures can quickly damage and kill many types of plants.

However, it’s still possible to keep your garden flourishing, by choosing plants that are hardy enough to survive the cold. Here are 7 plants that will impress even through those chilly months!

1.Viola and Pansies

Pansies, a type of Viola, are a beautiful garden addition as they come in many colors and patterns. They’re hearty in cold weather and easily survive a frost which makes them a perfect flowering plant to add color to your fall, early winter and spring gardens.

Pansies actually need cooler temperatures to thrive. They require full or partial sun, but in a site that avoids the afternoon heat.

Pro Tip: You can plant your pansies in the fall or early spring. While they can handle a frost it’s best wait to plant them until the temperature stops regularly dipping below freezing.

2.Hyacinth

Hyacinth is the perfect perennial to add a pop of pastel to any flower bed. It’s planted in mid to late fall, before the ground freezes, but blooms in mid-spring, and comes back year after year.

Hyacinth must have temperatures of 40° to 45°F for at least 12 to 14 weeks.

Pro Tip: You can chill your bulbs before planting them. Just be mindful that Hyacinth bulbs contain oxalic acid which can cause skin irritation, so handle with gloves.

3.Snowdrop

Snowdrops get their name because they are known to pop up through the snow.

While they may not add much color during the colder months they’re the perfect choice for a winter garden and can survive long periods of cold weather.

4.Sweet pea

Sweet peas are very hardy despite their delicate appearance.

They can be planted in early spring or late winter where frost occurs regularly, there’s no need to wait until the last frost to start adding them to your garden.

5.Lily-of-the-Valley

Don’t let this dainty looking plant fool you, Lily-of-the-Valley can thrive in almost any climate and soil due to its adaptability.

In northern climates this plant can thrive in full sun exposure, but in other climates, prefers the shade.

6.Daffodil

Daffodils are a bright yellow addition for your beds or borders that will come back year after year.

The perennial bulbs are planted 2 to 4 weeks before the ground freezes in fall, and their blooms begin to show up late into winter and early spring.

7.Crocus

Crouses require an extended period of cold to bloom. These plants need to be in soil 35°F or below for about four months and can live through a deep freeze.

They come in many beautiful colors ranging from yellow and oranges to blues and purples and more.

It’s best to plant them in the fall before the ground freezes and they will bloom in the spring. In the northeast the best time to plant your crocuses occurs in September to October, when the soil is below 60°F.
 

Bugs can be an inconvenience in any home. They can pose health risks to you and your loved

ones as well as being unsightly. While there are may chemical solutions to rid your home of

these pests, using plants is an environmentally friendly alternative.

1. Lavender

Lavender not only has a beautiful fragrant scent but its strong smell repels spiders. Place pots

of lavender by your windows, your doorways and anywhere else around your home to keep the

insects away.

Lavender plants are low maintenance, but do need to be frequently pruned. They need lots of

sunshine and well-drained soil.

2.Peppermint

Peppermint is a part of the mint family known for its strong aroma that drives away spiders,

making them a perfect addition to any arachnophobes' garden.

Peppermint requires little maintenance and perferes partial shade in cool weather.

Pro Tip: Keep your mint trimmed to avoid over growth!

3.Lemongrass

Lemongrass contains the essential oil known as citronella oil. This oil can be applied to keep

away bugs.

The smell of the plant itself also has the ability to keep spiders out of your home.

4.Basil

Basil has essential oils that keep bugs away. Just place a few pots of basil near your doorways

and windows.Another great place to put basil is in the kitchen!

Pro Tip: Basil needs sunlight and regular watering to thrive.

5.Rosemary

Rosemary is a scent that is hated by spiders.

Pro Tip: Rosemary needs direct sunlight to grow and is the perfect plant in areas with lots of

spiders.

6.Marigold

Marigolds attract butterflies and bees, but help to repel spiders and other insects.

Pro Tip: Plant Marigolds in front of your windows as a barrier to keep the spiders outside!

7. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon Balm has a strong smell that sends spiders and fruit flies away. This is the perfect plant

for those who don't have a place in their home with lots of sun exposure.

Happy Gardening!

Louis Contino

Get your gardens ready with Louis Contino Landscaping, Inc.

Call us at 631-351-5409 in Huntington or fill out our contact form and we will get

in touch with you

Dandelions are more than just weeds in your yard. They improve soil structure while

providing essential food sources for pollinators, making them an unexpectedly beneficial

addition to your home paradise. So put down the weed killer and find out how

dandelions can benefit your yard.

Historical Background Of Dandelions

Dandelions have been used all around the world throughout history. The Greeks,

Romans and Chinese used this flowering plant for medicinal purposes. It is believed by

historians that dandelions were brought over to the Americas on the Mayflower due to

its healing properties.

Attracting Pollinators

Dandelions are one of the first plants to blossom in the springtime. Though they are

native to Eurasia, dandelions have become a key part in providing a source of nectar

and pollen to insects in the United States.

Aerates Soil

The dandelion plants help to improve soil quality. You can place them in poor soil and

overtime they will aerate the soil and help the health of the plants around them.

Adds Nutrients To Soil

Dandelions have taproots that stretch down deep into the soil and collect nutrients to

the soil’s surface.

Fun Fact: Dandelion taproots can reach anywhere from 7 inches to 15 feet.

Happy Gardening!

Louis Contino

Get your gardens ready with Louis Contino Landscaping, Inc.

Call us at 631-351-5409 in Huntington or fill out our contact form and we will get

in touch with you.