... Finally!

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” – Margaret Atwood, Bluebeard’s Egg

Winter seemed to linger longer than normal this year. After a cooler than normal April and late season snowfalls it looks like spring is finally here to stay. Spring is the time for plans and planting, a time to return to the outdoors and experience nature at its best.

Our landscape crews are at their highest level of activity as they endeavor to perform the many spring tasks required on your properties. Timing is everything in our landscapes and being proactive with spring tasks will result in a relaxing, enjoyable summer.

Here is a list of tasks to consider having completed within the next four weeks:

-        Rake and cleanup debris that has accumulated over the winter or was not cleaned up last fall. -        Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to lawn areas now. Indicators show this is the perfect time to make this application. Just be careful not to apply this in areas where you plan to over-seed. -        Inspect your turf for bare or thin areas and repair them with grass seed. Although the fall season is the preferred time for seeding, you can be successful now if the timing is right. -        Mechanically edge your planting beds to define the line between turf and mulch.

-        Prune away winter damaged branches from trees and shrubs to make room for new growth. -        Install natural processed mulch in beds and tree rings to achieve a 2”-3” layer. Mulch will help reduce weeds, keep your plants moist and give your beds a fresh appearance. -       Grab your camera and take pictures of your spring bulbs and flower locations.

These pictures will come in handy next fall when you install your tulip and daffodil bulbs for next spring. -        Spring is the best time to split and transplant your existing perennials. Most perennial flowers benefit greatly from being divided periodically. By dividing and transplanting these plants, you can increase your planting area, improve the vigor and flower of the plants and even end up with extra plants to give to family and friends. -        Make your plan for summer annual plantings and containers. In our area, the threat of frost typically lasts until May 15 th. This spring, play it safe and install your summer flowers closer to Memorial Day.

If your landscape is in need of rearranging, replacing dead plants or re-design, now is the time to get some advice on what to plant and where to plant it. We can help Contact your Account Manager today to set up an appointment to discuss your landscape needs.

For more information email us at info@BalancedEnvironmentsInc.com OR

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... HAPPENINGS ...

EARTH DAY 2018 To help celebrate Earth Day, our team organized and educated the children of students at Rosalind Franklin University Medical School in North Chicago. Over the years we have dedicated dozens of trees on the campus to celebrate the role of trees in our lives. This year, the 60 youngsters were able to dig in the soil and plant their own herb varieties of sage, rosemary and chives. It’s rewarding to give something back to our community and educate our future gardeners on the sensitivity of our earth and the balance of our environment.

IREM Industry Partner of the Year  Balanced Environments, Inc. was proud to be awarded the 2017 Industry Partner of the Year award. The Illinois chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) recognizes excellence in Chicago Real Estate. (read more…)

... JUST FOR YOU ...

CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden PLANT GIVEAWAY Wed, May 16, through Sun, October 7, 2018 Wednesdays – Fridays, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. ** Volunteers in the garden share information about each month's featured plant and encourage visitors to plant seeds or seedlings (while supplies last) to take home to their own gardens. A flier with care information and a recipe is available. MORE INFO... (click here) THE MORTON ARBORETUM the Sycamore Room DAYLILY SOCIETY SHOW Sunday, July 15, 2018 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Marvel at the different colors of more than 150 varieties of daylilies. Get advice from Chicago Daylily Society members. Then participate in choosing the “people’s choice” by voting for your favorite daylily. (Daylily varieties available for purchase.) MORE INFO.... (click here)

BALANCED ENVIRONMENTS, INC. Corporate Office: 17950 W IL Route 173 Old Mill Creek, IL 60083 Phone: (847) 395-7120 Fax: (847) 838-6750

OLD MILL CREEK - LOMBARD - PLAINFIELD - CHICAGO - UNION GROVE, WI