NiteLites of Dayton Outdoor Lighting Contractors Provide Top Tips for Environmentally Sound Landscaping Solutions at Dayton Spring Home Show April 23, 2010

With the arrival of spring, and raised awareness from the observance of Earth Day, home and business owners are searching for ways to enhance their landscape using green components. Whether one is searching for large bushes and trees or small flowerbeds and vegetable gardens, strong, nourishing mulch is necessary.

Not only does mulch enhance the beauty of a home and landscape, but it also provides many other valuable benefits for shrubs and trees. Mulching around plants, shrubs, trees, and landscape focal points such as sculptures and seating areas, is a great way to reduce landscape maintenance and to keep plants healthy. Live plants benefit from mulch as it conserves moisture by providing as much as a 25 percent reduction in soil moisture loss from evaporation. Mulch also keeps soil aerated by reducing soil compaction that often results from raindrops hitting the soil. Also mulch reduces water runoff along with the accompanying soil erosion.

There are many different types of mulches on the market today, some, plastic mulch for example, which contain harsh toxins that are detrimental to soil and plants. The latest trends have evolved to seek out environmentally friendly options, such as organic mulches, including grass clippings, leaves, hay, straw, shredded bark, wood chips, shredded newspaper, cardboard, wool, and various types of manure. Another eco-friendly solution among gardening enthusiasts and landscaping professionals is composting. Compost is defined as “a mixture of decayed or decaying organic matter used to fertilize soil. Compost is usually made by gathering plant material, such as leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable peels, into a pile or bin and letting it decompose as a result of the action of aerobic bacteria, fungi, and other organisms.” This method will help lighten heavy soil, increase the water-holding capacity of sandy soils, encourage healthy populations of helpful soil organisms and provide nutrients for crops. Care should be taken when composting, making sure that the materials have been completely composted to avoid possible phytotoxicity problems. Also the weed seed must be 100% eliminated or the dispersion the mulch will cause the weed growth.

If taking the organic approach, exotic mulches are one way to create appealing landscapes as well as neighborhood conversation pieces. Cocoa bean hulls, a by-product of the chocolate-making industry, can be used on any type of plants and give off an alluring chocolate aroma when used as mulch. These hulls can be used on any and all types of plants. The mulch has a dark brown or black appearance, and instead of fading like other mulches, it will darken over time. Cocoa bean mulch can be spread very thinly, and has a chocolate aroma which will stay for several weeks after distribution. For chocolate lovers, this could be a dream come true, but it is wise to remember that not everyone may enjoy the smell. Watering will be necessary after the mulch is spread out, so that the lighter hulls will not float away. The sharp hulls will keep out snails and small animals looking for a snack, but may attract neighborhood dogs or cats. Pet owners should be cautious, as the hulls contain theobromine, a chemical compound which is toxic to these animals.

One additional caution on the use of any type of mulch – mulch should never cover the landscape lighting fixtures or their heat vents. All lights, indoor or outdoor, produce heat. An outdoor light that is covered in mulch has no means for the heat to escape. If the heat cannot escape the mulch may start to smolder from the extreme temperature build-up. In doing so, the heat can melt the PVC composite of the light, burn the insulation off the cable and eventually short out the lighting system. In essence, the lighting system will require several new lights, new cable and a repair bill that could have easily been avoided. So, no matter who spreads the mulch or what time of year the work gets done, caution should be used not to cover lighting fixtures or their heat vents. If a hired landscaper performs this service, they need to be advised that there is a landscape lighting system on the property. Marking all the lights with flags will alert the contractor to use caution when spreading the mulch.

Well groomed and mulched landscaping beds not only create that positive first impression, but also add tremendous beauty to a property while providing many benefits for its living plants. Professionally installed LED landscape lighting by NiteLites enhances the overall attractiveness of properties and their landscaping
Outdoor LED lighting and organic mulch are a perfect eco-friendly pair when properly used.

NiteLites of Dayton Outdoor Lighting Contractors, Jim and Tracy Landsiedel, and their team of outdoor lighting designers, will be available April 23 – 25 at the Spring Home Show, showcasing to home and business owners the many Southwestern Ohio outdoor LED lighting solutions for any type of residential or commercial property. The event will take place at Fairfield Commons Mall in Beavercreek, Ohio and is free to all mall visitors. Attendees are encouraged to weigh the benefits of this new technology, which uses less energy and lowers energy bills, is resistant to heat, cold, and shock, and has a life span of up to 50,000 hours per lamp.

NiteLites is an industry leader in the low voltage and LED outdoor architectural and landscape lighting field, and specializes in both residential and commercial installations. Each outdoor lighting project is custom designed to showcase the property at its best. NiteLites installs only their top of the line, energy efficient, specification grade low voltage fixtures and transformers which are manufactured to their exact system specifications.

For more information on NiteLites of Dayton Outdoor Lighting, or to schedule a free demonstration, stop at the NiteLites’ booth during the show or call the Landsiedels at 937-886-1420. You may also visit http://www.nitelites.com/franchise_locations/Outdoor_Lighting_of_Dayton.asp and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-OH/NiteLites-The-Outdoor-Lighting-Professionals/323312647924 to view examples of an assortment of completed projects.