A&A Landscape and Maintenance of ND, LLC

Time for flowers!

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:21:35 GMT

Summertime is here and it's time to add that pop of color to your garden for all your upcoming gatherings and events. The sky is the limit with annual installations from colors to plant varieties, you really have endless possibilities to beautify your home or business at a less expensive cost. You can plant in pots, flowerbeds, and even in other decorative pieces to add some interest!

Don't forget to take into consideration the season and the amount of sun, water, and space needed. Different plants grow to different sizes and may grow over you're smaller installations and cover them up. Make sure to include different plant heights to add more interest.

A few planting tips to have your annuals blooming beautifully are to make sure your planting area is free of weeds, add soil amendment or mulch to your soil so your plants have plenty of nutrients, lay out your plants before planting, don't plant too deep, plant when it's not too hot, and plenty of water. With little attention, your annuals will add the pop of color you want to your landscape!

A few West Texas summer recommendations are:

- Petunias & Supertunias

- Potato Vine

- Geraniums

- Snapdragons

- Zinnias

- Marigolds

- Bergonias

- Poppies

- Sweet Alyssum

- Superbena Verbenas

- Moss Rose

- Dahlias

- Sunflowers

... and the list goes on!

If you have more questions or need help designing and planting, the A&A team is ready to help! We're ready to make your home stand out all summer long!

7 steps to prepare your garden for spring

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:21:35 GMT

Spring is around the corner and it is time to get organized to start prepping your garden to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. You may be a little overwhelmed at first but the A&A team is here to provide you with 7 easy steps to help you make your yard look great...

1. Prune your shrubs to promote new healthy growth and aesthetic.

2. Dethatch your lawn to get rid of old, dead grass and allow for new healthy growth to come through.

3. Apply pre-emergent to prevent the growth of new weeds in your new lawn.

4. Fertilize your lawn, shrubs, and plants to them a healthy boost. (Recommended: Twice a year for plants and Four times a year for your lawn)

5. Aerate your lawn to allow oxygenation. (Every 3- 4 years or when soil/ ground is too compacted)

6. Check the irrigation system for any repairs needed, especially after a cold winter if the system was turned off and not blown out. Adjust irrigation times for the new season so your plants, trees, and lawn have enough water to allow for the new growth.

7. To wrap up your spring clean up add annual flowers and mulch to your flower beds to give your yard that finishing touch.

A&A and coping with COVID-19

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:21:35 GMT

Like many small businesses in the Permian Basin, A&A Landscape has been affected by the current situation going on in the world along with some of our providers and projects.

Here at A&A, we believe that our primary asset is our outstanding workforce that allows us to deliver the quality of work that our customers deserve. That is why we are taking safety measures to ensure our personnel have a safer work environment. We encourage them to follow guidelines like 6-foot distancing, frequently washing hands, and sanitizing tools and equipment. Suppliers who deliver material to our job sites are also instructed to do the same.

We are striving to make sense and work with this difficult situation and having the right information is key to putting a stop to the continued spread.

Below is a helpful link on how to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

Stay safe and best wishes.

-The A&A Team

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html?fbclid=IwAR0tO6_rzEHFyll7suvsJbFL1Zo4VRY-ID6Saq_Z-DGH5UfAre_y6y8PvLE

Rebuilt from the Bottom Up!

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:21:35 GMT

We've been hard at work! Our website has been in the work for quite a while and it's almost ready to show at 100% completion! Not only that, but the whole company is going through a new phase, from re-working strategies and our design, we strive to do better by you! Expect a better and more frequent update in our Social Media space and Blog.

This way we can communicate what is important to you!

Stay tuned and and expect great things!

- Sincerely, The A&A Team!

5 ways to keep indoor plants healthy

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:21:35 GMT

1. Inspect plants before bringing them indoors.

If they show signs of pests or disease, cure the problem before you infect your other indoor plants. You can buy selective pesticides or fungicides depending on the problem your plant may have at your local gardening stores. Keep a close eye on the plant to make sure it is fully cured to bring them back indoors and around other plants.

2. Avoid placing plants in troubled spots.

Trouble areas such as near heat or air conditioning ducts, on television or a radiator, or between curtains and a frosty window. Make sure you know what the needs of your plants are before placing it in an official spot.

3. Provide the right light.

Plants that require full sun will thrive in a south-facing window. East-and west-facing windows have moderate sun. North windows have very little sun. Know your plant and your living space, different types of plants have different needs.

4. Remember dry air conditions during the winter due to heated air.

You can provide a little extra humidity with a pebble tray and some misting. Use a humidifier. Humidifiers are an excellent way to increase humidity in a growing environment and keep your plants moist.

5. Always plant in sterile soil.

That will minimize problems with fungus and other soil-borne diseases. Sterile soil is less likely to spread diseases or weeds. Though it is impossible to kill every disease-causing organism and weed, sterilizing soil drastically reduces the number of organisms that can cause problems. Also, adding microorganisms are beneficial to the plant.

8 easy tips for the perfect lawn

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:21:35 GMT

A soft, green lawn is a wonderful thing, and it does not have to be out of reach. Here is some simple advice for keeping a terrific turf.

1. Prevent weeds before they come up

Stop weeds from gaining a root-hold in your lawn before they even germinate by using a pre-emergent herbicide. This type of product controls the dreaded crabgrass, as well as other hard-to-eliminate weeds, by stopping their seeds from sprouting in your lawn. Use a pre-emergent early in the spring.

2. Eliminate broad leaf weeds as soon as they show up

Broad leaf weeds are the big weeds that are immediately obvious in your lawn, the bright-yellow faces of dandelions (and their scatter-in-the-wind seeds), white-flowering clover and big-leaf plantain are all pretty visible. To treat, apply granular weed control products. If there are just a few offenders, you can remove them by hand. To properly have your weeds removed consult with one of our agents today.

3. Mow high and frequently

Mowing your lawn too short may seem like a time saver, but this can damage your grass as well as allow weeds to set root. Keeping your lawn a bit taller results in healthier grass. The general rule of thumb is: Never cut off more than a third of the grass blade.

4. Keep your mowing blade sharp

A dull blade tears the grass, resulting in a ragged edge that makes the overall lawn look grayish brown. Sharpen or replace the mower blade when it shows signs of wear, or at least once a mowing season.

5. Water in the morning

The best time to water your lawn is the early morning because the sun will help dry the grass. Nighttime watering can result in prolonged moisture on the blades, which can open the door for some diseases. It's better to water less often but for longer periods. Wetting down the grass isn't watering the grass. You need to soak the lawn so the soil moisture goes down several inches.

6. Feed your lawn

What do lawns like to consume? Nitrogen is the most important nutrient. Look for a mix of fast- and slow-release fertilizers that will green up your lawn, and feed it over time. In the north, feed in fall and spring. In the south, feed in spring and summer. Don't feed dormant grass (drought can cause grass to go dormant in summer) because it can't take in nutrients.

7. Spot-train your pet

If you have a pet that spends any time in your lawn, it will show. Large yellow and dead spots will be what gives your lawn away. The nitrogen in the pet urine is culprit. Encourage your pet to use just one spot in the lawn. Make that area gravel or mulch so they can handle their business without spotting the lawn. Yard-train your pet just like you house-train them.

8. Reseed sparse lawns

If you lawn is a little thin in areas, you can seed over the area to help lush it up. Fall is the ideal time to reseed cool-season grasses. Plant warm season grasses in late spring.

Why mulch? 7 benefits of mulching

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:21:35 GMT

Mulch is a valuable for your trees health and care, mulching is one of the best things you can do for your garden. Mulching is when you cover your plants and soil with a protective barrier. This protective barrier can be made up of a variety of decomposing organic materials, including bark or wood chips, pine needles, straw, and coco bean shells, or non decomposing or non-organic such as, black plastic, landscaping fabric, recycled tires, pebbles, and river rock. The benefits of mulching are vast, but we will just talk about seven.

1. Controls Weeds

Through the use of mulch, you can lessen the amount of weeds that spring into your garden. The mulch acts as a barrier, limiting the amount of sunlight getting to the weeds.

2. Retains Moisture

Organic mulches absorb water. Organic and non-organic varieties both cover the soil and limit evaporation. Retaining moisture, especially during hot, dry seasons, can not only help your plants, but your water bill too.

3. Prevents Soil Erosion

Mulching not only keeps water trapped in the soil, it also keeps rain water from washing away your soil. It takes the fall of the water and lessens the force of the water.

4. Maintains Soil Nutrients

Not only does mulch help keeping your soil safe from the rain, but it can also release nutrients into the soil when using organic materials. This happens as the organic material slowly decomposes on top of the soil.

5. Controls Pests

Using certain types of mulch, such as cedar bark, can deter certain pests due to the fact that the cedar bark has natural oils that act as insect repellent. To get the full benefit, be sure to fins a mulch that is very fragrant, this will have the biggest affect on insects. But be warned, some mulches can encourage insects to flock in your garden and sometimes your house, so be sure to now exactly what type of mulch you are using and what best fits your needs.

TIP: Our landscaping expert, Robert suggest, "When mulching your garden beds, avoid pilling the mulch against the trunk or stems of plants. This can lead to insect and disease issues. Another thing to keep in mind is not to use too much mulch, generally 2-4 inches of mulch is recommended for most plants."

6. Encourages Earth Worm To Move In

Using organic materials for mulching can encourage Earth worms to occupy your garden soil. As any good gardener will say "Earth worms help improve soil structure and nutrient cycling."

7. Polishes Up Your Garden

Mulch can give your garden a finished look by filling in the empty spaces while being one of the easiest fillers to maintain. Grass, groundcovers, and other fillers may take expensive care, such as mowing and watering, as well ascompeting fpr resources with your garden plants. Mulch is easy to take care for and never competes with your other plants.

Maintaining curb appeal

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:21:35 GMT

A well-maintained yard can boost your property value, put you in the good graces of your neighbors, and even prevent break-ins. Here's a breakdown of four easy skills and outdoor equipment needed to keep your yard looking sharp as ever!

Trim your hedges to keep things neat

Motorized hedge trimmers are great alternatives to hedge shears as they quickly cut, level, and shape shrubs and bushes. They can be powered by gas, cord, or cordless and come in various bar lengths such as a chainsaw.

Before you begin trimming, make sure your hedge trimmer is sharp and well lubricated before each and every use. When trimming, start with vertical side first and use an upward and downward sweeping motion and move forward along the hedge. When cutting the top of the hedge, angle the blade at around 10 degrees to the horizontal and sweep cut material off the hedge. Keep a pair of manual hedge shears around for fine tuning the shape of your bushes.

Mow your lawn the right way

Mowing is pruning. Proper mowing increases the density of your lawn, which in turn decreases the growth of weeds. Each type of grass has a recommended mowing height. Find out which type of grass you have by calling us today at 701-577-6052.

Follow the 1/3 rule: never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade length at any time.A healthy lawn can survive with an occasional close cut but repeated close cut mowing can cause a brown lawn.

Here are some things to remember when mowing:

- Mow when the grass is dry. The blades will be less likely to clump when cut.

- Keep mower blades sharp and balanced. Ragged cuts caused by a dull blade can lead to pests and diseases.

- Change the mowing pattern each time you mow. Grass develops a grain based on your cutting direction, tending to lean towards the way you mow. Alternating the pattern allows upright growth and helps avoid producing ruts in the lawn.

- If your'e cutting grass that's particularly long, you can use the mower's bag and use the clippers at compost. Otherwise, ditch the clippers on the lawn and unless they form clumps or rows. This technique helps return nutrients and nitrogen to the lawn.

- Mow grass higher in shaded areas under trees. In these areas grass has to compete with tree roots for water and nutrients.

Blow away leaf mess

Leaf blowers are the best thing to help blow leaves and debris from your yard and position them them to be swept into a compost or refuse pile. Like hedge trimmers they can be available in gas, cord, or cordless models.

Choose a blower that fits the needs of your yard. A small yard can get by with a sweeper used to remove debris from hard surfaces and can be used on patios and garages. A stronger blower can make a big mess in small spaces and should be used in bigger areas and along curbs. Backpack mounted blowers provide the most power and less fatigue as the weight of the blower sits on your hips.

Before mowing, close all windows and doors to your yard to minimize the dirt and air contaminants that enter your home. Remember your ear and eye protection as well.The leaf blower is operated by a variable speed trigger on the handle. Most blowers have a "cruise control" switch that will help prevent fatigue and give you more control. Use your blower in one direction and work the debris from the corners in. Lift the blower up and down in the air to quickly ease and feather the debris into place for cleanup.

Trim and edge your lawn for a clean look

A string trimmer is a handheld device used to cut grass and trim areas around trees, gardens and walkways. Like the hedge trimmer and leaf blower, string trimmers are more popular towards cordless power but are still available in gas and corded models. To start trimming, keep the trimmer 2-3 inches from the ground and avoid hitting trees, shrubs, and roots. The string travels at up to 400 mph and can do a lot of damage to plants and trees in a short period of time.

When trimming along a sidewalk, pitch the trimmer slightly up which will taper the cut of your lawn and show a gradual transition from the sidewalk to the lawn. For a more angled cut, use the edger feature as shown below. Flip the trimmer vertical (like an airplane propeller) and work in a straight line. You'll kick up dirt and debris but will have a sharp edge when you're done.

Keeping hardscape clean and manicured

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:21:35 GMT

Have you ever wondered about ways to keeping your hardscape clean and still looking good? Well here are a few tricks to keeping your hardscaping clean and manicured.

Banish all weeds growing in cracks

No herbicides needed, just get those invaders of the ground. Use a scrapper to remove settled dirt from concrete or asphalt. An air compressor or a wet/dry vacuum on reverse will blow it right away. Patch driveway or patio surfaces. For brick- paths interlopers, clean with a pressure washer and fill with polymeric sand.

Repair the cracks themselves

Opt for a cold-pour filler for asphalt; use a textured caulk or a pourable concrete grout on concrete. For all, apply in 1-inch layers and press in with a trowel or screwdriver. Use a liquid pavement sealer to keep water out. (Note: it will make the pavement look a little darker than usual.)

Clear up mold, mildew and moss

On most hard surfaces (test first), apply a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water with a spray bottle or a mop and wait 10 minutes. Follow with a stiff brush and a garden-hose sprayer or use a pressure washer to dislodge whatever's left, and rinse. Moss, mold and mildew thrive in shady, damp areas. Adjust sprinklers so they don't hit the hardscape, and prune trees so hardscape has direct sunlight.

5 Things to keep in mind while designing an outdoor patio

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:21:35 GMT

One of the best ways to expand your livable space at home is to expand to the outdoors. When plans to renovate your guest bedroom or redecorate your kitchen may not make as much sense but a new outdoor living space may be what you need. Here are a few tips to help you get started with your new outdoor patio.

1. Be Realistic

The best way to begin is to have a solid game plan, design and budget. Consider more of the most-haves and designate space accordingly. Do you plan to entertain? Do you have a pool, or want a pool? Are you looking for privacy? If you are constrained by space, budget or both, try to create an outdoor space that you will actually use. Try not to be distracted by the fancy, shiny designs, but instead get designs that makes your house look bigger.

2. Plan For Real Life

While the pictures you saw in the DIY blog you saw evoke a fairy tale, ask yourself, will you get the same use out of it and is this what you really want. If you have kids, consider a play area for them, especially if your friends or neighbors have kids as well. That brick patio may not be a good landing for a four year old landing head first down the slide.

If you plan to entertain and include a dinning space, be sure to plan for logistics. If you will be creating an outdoor kitchen or cooking area, be sure to consider safety by locating grills away from where guest will be. If you want to dine outside, but will be using the kitchen inside the house, consider having a clear, well lit walkway for you to use when the first dinner party happens.

3. Do Not Fear Postseason

Depending on where you live, you might have to shut down the outdoor patio when the cold season hits, but i'm here to tell you that you should not give up so easily! a properly placed fire pit/ and or space heaters can help keep the warmth year round. Worried about snow? Radiant heating elements can be built into your patio floors to automatically melt the snow.

4. Have Fun With Colors and Style

Your outdoor patio can be whatever you want, in fact, should be a reflection of your style. Bright colored couches can really liven up a patio, and if you live in an urban setting, a few potted plants can help for that real life feeling.

Lighting is another thing you can have fun with. Maybe you always loves tiki torches, or perhaps you envisioned a magical awning of stringed lights. Do not overlook lights as being an important design or function of your outdoor patio. If lighting becomes a problem, there are tons of great solar options that are both easy to use and will not add to your electric bill.

5. Finally Choose Your Furniture

The furniture you select will have a major effect on your patio on how you actually use it. First, consider your environment. If you live in a wild tunnel, you might want to avoid light weight furniture, unless you mind chasing your furniture down the street. Alternatively, if your summers reach 100 degrees or higher, wicker or wooden furniture would be your best bet, as those iron seats tend to get really hot. If you live in Phoenix and you absolutely have to have those iron seats, do so and consider adding an umbrella to keep shade. You'll be happy you did.

7 Tree Maintenance Tips

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:21:35 GMT

The trees in your yard need proper care to thrive and look their best. Trees can be beneficial to any yard. Not only do they help the environment, they also improve the value of your home and cut utility costs. With a healthy tree you can have endless benefits, but an unhealthy tree can cost you money and a curb appeal. See these seven tree maintenance tips to help keep a beautiful tree.

1. Regular Tree Maintenance

Regular tree maintenance can mean several things. From tree trimming to regular watering, entrusting your trees with a pro can ensure a long healthier life for them. It also has the benefit of taking the landscaping project off of your plate. The average cost of tree maintenance is $425, with most homeowners spending between $240-$470.

2. Tree Trimming

Much like we all need a haircut every few weeks, trees need to be trimmed to maintain their beautiful appearance. Tree trimming is a task you can do yourself, or with the assistance of a pro. It is important to tree trim because you need to remove the dead leaves and branches so that new ones can grow. You may also want to trim your tree when you notice it getting to close to the house. High winds, storms, and loose branches can cause serious damage to your house, if not properly taken care of.

3. Soil Testing

If you see your trees getting a little dry or brittle, soil may be culprit. This is important especially if you just planted the tree or if the tree is seeding. Soil testing can help you determine your pH level and the amount of minerals in your soil, and how you can improve them to see your trees truly thrive. The average amount of soil test is $1,142, with homeowners spending about $947- $1,515.

4. Watering

For new trees, watering is very important. The golden rule is 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk's diameter. This will help it grow and not dry out. As the roots get deeper and the tree gets larger, the tree is able to consume more water. A large tree can consume up to 100 gallons of water through its deeps roots in a day. While older and larger trees need less maintenance, the newer or replanted trees need more water to stay healthy.

5. Mulch

More than just decoration to your yard, mulch provides many benefits to your trees. According to The National Arbor Day Foundation, it helps insulate the ground around the trees from the drastic temperature change and retains water. This can be specifically helpful for the replanted trees. The amount of mulch you will need depends on the size of the plant. Most tree bases need between 3' to 10' of mulch around the tree. The average amount of mulch ranges from $200-$2,000. This depends on the area and how many trees you plan on mulching.

6. Watch For Diseases & Pests

Even with plenty of care, there are two enemies of a healthy tree. Pests and diseases could ruin many efforts. To prevent this, carefully watch your tree for signs of abnormal changes such as spots on leaves, fungi, or changes in plant structure. Any of these could mean that your tree is being impacted by pests and/or diseases.

Tree Pest Removal

When it comes to pest control for your tree, there can be many critters that can infest your tree, causing damage to it and to trees around it. There are many insect control formulas available if you find an infestation. However, if you feel like you need a stronger solution, contact a landscaping pro to better assist you and treat it properly.

Tree Disease Treatment

Rot and Fungi are the most common diseases in trees. Fungi is most commonly the first sign of tree decay and rot and should be treated immediately. Similar to pests, there are many fungicides at your local home and garden store that can eliminate the fungus and stop the growth.

If the tree disease becomes more of a problem, the best thing to do is remove the tree. A tree that has rot can become a safety hazard at your home. The average cost to remove a tree is $630 with a homeowner spending about $419-$697.

7. Prepare your tree for winter

At the end of the season, before the first frost, you'll want to prepare your tree for winter. For smaller trees, transplants and fruit trees, you'll want to protect them from harsh cold. The best way to protect your tree is by covering it with a sheet or tarp to protect it from the frost. You will also need to fertilize around the tree so that it does not lose the nutrients it needs.

For any tree, be sure to prune the branches one last time so they are able to grow even more in the spring when the weather returns.

Conclusion

Trees are beautiful to any yard. When taken care of properly, your tree can have along lifespan that many others can enjoy for years to come. Tree maintenance is just one factor to keeping a great looking yard.

7 tips for keeping your new plants looking good

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:21:35 GMT

Since the majority of newly planted tree and shrub loss is due to water supply problems, here are a few tips for caring for your new plants to protect your investment and keep them looking good.

Water deeply and slowly. It's important to water deeply and slowly using a hose or drip irrigation system for at least the first year. This encourages the growth of deep roots, which anchor well, make the tree more drought tolerant. If a deep root system has been established over the course of the first two years, your plants will require very little watering in the years to come and are less likely to damage curbs and sidewalks

Sprinklers are for lawns! Most sprinklers are designed to water to a depth of only a few inches. Trees and shrubs require more water, less often than your lawn. When installing an irrigation system, planting beds should be on separate watering zones than your lawn. It is always best, if possible, to re-direct lawn sprinkler heads away from plants and rely only on hand watering or drip irrigation for trees and shrubs (especially for the first 1 to 2 years).

You need to know what type of soil your tree is planted in. If your soil is sandy, irrigate more often with less water; if heavy clay, space watering times farther apart but add more water each time. Clay soils can store twice as much water as sandy soils. Of course, rain must be taken into account. Keep in mind that soil conditions can change in as little as a few feet, so conduct spot drainage tests beforehand.

Frequent over-watering can be as serious as under-watering! Generally, For a tree planted in spring, hand water the root ball twice a week for the first month, and then widen the watering basin to include the whole planting area, and water weekly for the next two months. Decrease to every two weeks, sticking to that schedule until fall. Water every four to eight weeks through the second and third years after planting. This can vary depending on your soil’s moisture retention and drainage; all watering guides are just guides, not rules!

Be sure to keep a grass-free area around trees and shrubs. It is advisable to keep a radius of at least a foot–more if possible–around the tree or shrub. Grass is tough competition for young plants, and they will recover from transplant shock much more quickly if their competition is reduced. This grass-free strip can be left bare, or even better, covered with mulch. The mulch will keep the root area cool and moist.

Limit pruning at first. During the first year after planting, pruning should be limited, unless necessary, to removing broken, diseased, or poorly-positioned branches. The plant’s expanding terminal buds, which release a chemical that initiates root growth, triggers the spring root growth of many species. If these buds are removed, root growth may be delayed.

Give plants time to recover before fertilizing. Plants have to recover from transplant shock before fertilizers are useful. A slow-release starter fertilizer specifically made for newly transplanted trees and shrubs, when applied at time of transplant, can greatly reduce the time needed to become established. No other fertilizers should be used for the first year after transplant. After the plants are established, Liquid fertilizers should be avoided. Dry, slow-release fertilizers are best for established trees and shrubs.

Follow these tips and you will enjoy your new plants for years to come.