news from the garden

ideas for Growing your garden Fall 2008

Employee spotlight Beautiful, Efficient Gardens

Antonio Pantoja
Masonry craftsman & artist
Antonio learned
his masonry craft
from his grandfa-
ther, who told him,
“Haz lo major que
puedas.” (“Do it the
best you can.”)
As installation manager, Antonio
has worked for The Fockele Garden
Company for seven years. He is a
native of Mexico City and currently
lives in Norcross. He enjoys taking
his daughter to the movies, playing
soccer in a local recreational league,

S
and is an expert gardener. expansive lawns, the garden requires less
ometime, about 50 years ago, we
Antonio can build anything: patios, cultivated the notion of the perfect irrigation water over time, and is more
steps, walls, fences, arbors and landscape — boxy shrubs anchoring a efficient to maintain” says Julie Evans,
fountains. He can install drainage, home on a manicured football field-sized company co-owner and vice president.
lawn dotted with sprinklers that tapped “Lawns still have their place in the home
irrigation and rainwater collection
a misty beat all night long. The plant landscape,” she adds. “They are not only
systems. Anything he does, he does for recreation but also for providing open
well. We are proud to have him on palette was dominated by only eight to
ten different plant species. areas for relaxing, for views of the house or
our team. garden and for complementing other types
Over time, and especially in the past few of plantings.”
2008 Awards years, we’ve realized that this model no
longer works. “By rethinking our ideas Converting some of your lawn to a more
• Woodland Waterfall: Highest on landscaping – many of which now natural landscape isn’t as costly as you
awards for design & installation seem absurd when we study them – we might think. “Sometimes people assume
from the Professional Land can create beautiful and efficient designs it’s very expensive, but that’s not the case,”
Care Network, Association that actually are more attractive and company general manager Todd Brown
of Professional Landscape easier to maintain,” says Mark Fockele, says. “We are very competitive, price-wise.”
Designers, and the Georgia president and company co-owner. We are especially interested in creating
Green Industry Association “Grass lawns, for instance, require much lush, inviting gardens that are both beauti-
more water and maintenance per square ful and manageable. We are experienced
• Woodland Estate: Top award foot than any other plant, shrub or tree with naturalistic plantings, shade gardens,
for maintenance from the in your landscape,” Mark says. and soothing water features. For sunny
Metro Atlanta Landscape & properties, we can select shrubs and
Turf Association “When we incorporate trees, shrubs,
perennials and groundcovers in lieu of perennials that will supply multiple seasons

continued on page 2

Beautiful, Efficient Gardens, p.1 | Services Highlight, p.2

In this issue: Don’t Neglect Your lawn & garden in the fall, p.3 | Selecting Bulbs, P.4
Creating a Garden of time-tested survivors, P.4
w w w. F o c k e l e G a r d e n C o m pa n y. c o m
 of interest for the homeowner: flowers,
evergreens, fall color, and berries, to name
a few examples. Most importantly, our
approach to garden design, installation,
and maintenance is one that includes a
sensitivity to the characteristics of a site
and a concern with the environmental
impact of our landscape practices.
We pay attention to the adaptability
of plants, both native and introduced, which h
In addition to plantings
plantings, we also create pondds
ponds,
easily survive drought, heat and cold. “These
streams, and fountains; install fences, decks,
plants thrive in diverse weather conditions,
and gazebos; build stone steps, walls, patios,
whereas many plants introduced in the past
“ We have dinner decades are more fragile and require more
and paths. These ‘extra-touch’ elements give
out here often” frequent watering even after the establishment
each garden its distinctive character.
In 2006, Austin and Regina period,” Mark says. While The Fockele Garden Company is
Edmondson felt something known for building beautiful gardens, we also
Some other environmentally friendly
was lacking from their offer a full range of residential maintenance
garden design strategies for landscapes:
home’s landscape. programs. From dreaming up your garden to
• We collect runoff water/storm water in keeping it beautiful, we tend each garden as if
“It was nice; it just wasn’t great,” cisterns where possible. We then use it for it were our own.
said Regina. So they called The watering plants by hand or refilling ponds.
Call today for a consultation. We’d be glad to
Fockele Garden Company and We can also design and install an efficient,
come out and see how we could make your
Mark Fockele came out for an water saving irrigation system that can run
garden more beautiful – and efficient.
assessment. After seeing Mark’s from the cisterns.
conceptual sketch of their yard,
the Edmondsons eagerly wanted • We only use pesticides when necessary.
More diverse plantings are a lot less likely to
p p
to proceed. Mark’s garden design
experience a disease or insect problem.
included a water fountain with
koi fish, stone work and a tapestry • We select plants for multiple seasons of Take an online tour
of rich plant colors and textures. interest as well as their appropriateness for of our work
“We wanted to see something the site conditions such as light, moisture
blooming all the time,” Regina said. and soil type.

“It’s been a pleasure, we have • We enhance your property investment.

dinner out here often, and it’s Whatever you invest into your landscape
very nice,” Austin said. boosts your property value. A recent
Clemson University study has documented
The Edmondsons liked the that homes with “excellent” landscaping
landscaping – and the company can expect a sale price about 6 percent to 7
people – so much, that Austin percent higher than equivalent houses with
came out of retirement to join “good” landscaping.
fockelegardencompany.com/
The Fockele Garden Company
portfolio.html
as a part time Sales Director.
“I know firsthand what a great
service it is,” he said. Residential Services Highlight
De
Design and Installation Maintenance
• Planting and hardscape design • Mowing & edging
• Erosion control • Pruning
• Custom fountains and ponds • Pinestraw & mulch
• Rainwater harvesting • Debris & leaf removal
• Expert plant selection • Seasonal flower beds
• Irrigation & lighting • Pest & weed control
• Planters and pots • Fertilization
• Patios, walkways & steps • Perenial plant maintenance
• Drainage solutions • Irrigation & lighting

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Don’t neglect your lawn and garden in the fall
By Brad Mitchell to make sure they are working properly.
Then we inspect the system for leaks and
Spring is often looked at as the most
breaks before draining the water from the
important time of year for gardening,
system. It is important to get all the valves
but the chores you do in the fall are
and plugs open so there is no water left in
essential to keeping everything looking
the pipes.
good year-round.
Seasonal Color is a trade term for incorporat-
Even before the temperatures drop, we
ing annuals into your landscape. Like grasses,
start gearing up to inspect your irrigation
some thrive in the summer and some over
system, improve your lawn, clean up your
the winter. Around October, we plant pansies,
perennial beds & falling leaves, prune, and
kale and a variety of other interesting colorful
replace your summer annuals with plants
plants that maintain their beauty through
that provide cool season color.
cold-weather months.
The fall is a key time for lawn maintenance
As your perennial plants cycle towards
– whether your grass is a warm season
dormancy, our crews expertly cut back
species, like Bermuda or zoysia, or one like
spent growth, giving planting beds a neat
fescue that thrives in cool weather.
appearance. We remove leaves, and we trim
Warm season grasses go dormant and turn shrubs and groundcovers that require pruning.
that characteristic tan for the winter. Pruning is an important part
As you can see, there is a lot that can be
Meanwhile, those winter weeds like annual of your maintenance package. done in the fall to keep your lawn and gar-
bluegrass, henbit and chickweed start
digging in. It is important to apply pre- weekly reviews on the proper way to handle dens looking good all year. With The Fockele
pesticides and fertilizers. We follow Material Garden Company, you can be assured that
emergent weed control by mid-September
to inhibit their growth. Homeowners are Safety Data Sheets, which specify application your landscape will look its best year-round.
used to doing that in the spring, but only procedures, appropriate protective gear, and
catch the summer weeds. Nothing looks cleanup measures, and identify the target Brad Mitchell is the maintenance
pests – whether weed, insect, mold or fungus. manager for The Fockele Garden Com-
worse than seeing little spots of green
pany. He has more than 13 years of
weeds showing up on dormant turf in
If your grass is fescue, one of the cool season experience in horticulture and nursery
the winter. To eliminate any weeds that
grasses, it is essential to re-seed and fertilize management. Brad is in charge of all
are healthy and mature at the end of the
in the fall. Because re-seeding is considered day-to-day op-
summer, we apply a post-emergent weed
to be a new installation, you can water it erations, safety
control product before the first frost.
three times a week for up to 10 weeks. and training
All of the products we use are approved Current water use regulations allow watering in the mainte-
by the Environmental Protection Agency. a newly installed lawn. We are diligent in nance depart-
I am certified in commercial pesticide monitoring your irrigation system. ment. Brad can
applications and am licensed by the be reached at
Speaking of irrigation systems, fall is a good 770-532-7117.
Georgia Department of Agriculture.
time to have yours inspected before it is shut
All our crews go through training and
down for the winter. We check all the valves

“Teaming with Microbes; A Gardener’s Guide to

Green Tip the Soil Food Web”
It is beneficial to compost
by Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis. Published by Timber Press, Inc., copyright 2006.
fallen leaves and to later
incorporate the decomposed Who knew that beneath makes accessible a whole mini-universe, but
our feet lies a world churn- makes it attention-grabbing, too.
material, or humus, into the ing with activity? Anyone
soil. The leaves from deciduous interested in growing things The book provides pointers on how to reap
trees contain lots of nutrients will find this book fascinat- a multitude of benefits from cultivating the
that the trees have absorbed ing. Take a look under a soil to grow healthy, vigorous plants without
turned shovel at the hidden chemicals. The book’s list price is $24.95
over the growing season, so
life of soil. From earthworms to mammals and is available at www.Amazon.com.
returning these to the same Recommended by The Fockele Garden Company
to single-cell organisms, “Teaming” not only
soil that the trees inhabit
continues the natural cycle.

3
Selecting bulbs
Winter and spring flowering bulbs can add an
additional layer of sophistication and beauty to
P hotogr a p h y our g a r d e n
a garden or natural area on your property.

Bulb planting is often done in the fall and

identifying which ones to use can be a When planting bulbs, the key
challenging task. There are many types and is remembering where you put
cultivars of bulbs offered for sale, but choosing them from one growing season
ones that are adaptable to the Southeast is key. to the next!
During the selection process, season of bloom, Once your plants bloom, take
dependability, size, flower color, and soil condi- pictures. The photos will record
tions should all be taken into consideration. the location of the bulbs, and
Crocus and daffodils are some of the more you can avoid digging them
popular bulbs, but there are many others that up when you get ready to add
will thrive in the South. other plants to your landscape.
Let us design a bulb planting tailored to enhance
your individual garden.

Create a garden of time-tested survivors

• Dazzle Crape Myrtle - Crape myrtle • Thrift - also known as creeping Phlox,
trees are one of the most popular comes in shades of pink, lavender blue
small flowering trees in the South. The and white.
Dazzle series are shrub forms.
• Creeping sedum - another tough
• Black and Blue Salvia - many spe- evergreen groundcover that blooms
cies of perennial salvias are hardy in with tiny flowers, many varieties are
the Southeast. available.
• Catmint (Nepeta) - ‘Walkers Low’ • Thyme - any one of the many varieties
is also a deep blue, summer long will do well.
bloomer.
• Purple Ice plant (Delosper-
You see these beauties around old home ma cooperi) - a summer
site foundations. Through heat, cold, long bloomer, now available
drought and time, these plants still look in other flower colors.
great long after the people have gone.
These ‘heirloom’ plants make one beauti- • Rosemary - both upright
ful and tough garden. Some are new and creeping.
cultivars of the old timers that exhibit extra • Bearded Iris - could also
special qualities. When planting, remem- use siberian iris or Crinum
ber to loosen soil in an area twice the lilies (these do best if left in
width of the root ball before setting it in place for many years).
the ground. All are drought tolerant once
established and therefore need watering
initially.
Here’s a look at how you can create your
own garden:
• Panicle Hydrangea - ‘PeeGee’ Hydran-
gea. Others cultivars: Tardiva’, ‘Pink
Diamond’, ‘Unique’, most of which vary
in flower type. Owners : Mark Fockele and Julie Evans | Year Founded : 1988 | Employees : 40
Business Breakdown : 60% design/build, 40% maintenance
Customer Breakdown : Mix of residential and commercial

P.O. Box 671 | Gainesville, GA 30503 | p: 770.532.7117 | f: 770.532.7245 | www.FockeleGardenCompany.com

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