Kent Matchael, of Albuquerque Horticultural
Services (AHS), has been
preparing for spring since January.
Pruning, cleaning, arranging beds, soil amending
and aeration and fertilization are just some of
many jobs that Kent and his partner Josue do to
plan and prepare Albuquerque yards for spring
planting. “Teaching people how to manage, or
managing for them, their landscapes in an environmental way,” says
Matchael, is the mission of Albuquerque Horticultural Services.
For AHS, creating recyclable landscapes means using special mowers
that cut grass into fine particles that release more nitrogen back into the
lawn; reusing leaves and clippings for mulch; and grinding up those leftover
leaves from winter to make a natural and effective weed control!
Reusing these organic materials reduces the need for plastic garbage bags
and emitting fossil fuels by driving to a disposal sight. When Kent does
have to remove larger materials, such as tree branches, he takes them to
Soilutions, Inc. (a locally produced composting facility).
Albuquerque Horticultural Services
According to Matchael, “soil is the key
to a healthy landscape.” Water conservation
is essential in this desert environment
we live in and the right soil conditions
can drastically reduce the amount
of water needed. Aerating the soil
around trees, flower beds or lawns provides
more oxygen to the plants and
requires less water. The use of mulches,
herbaceous perennials and ground cover
are supplementary ways to enrich the
earth, support vegetation and use less
water. Fertilization is also beneficial in creating
nourishing soil. Kent recommends using a blend of
balanced fertilizer, conservatively, with organics.
Proper pruning enhances the beauty of trees and
shrubs. Kent advises to prune for growth and development.
Many trees are killed or ruined each year
from improper pruning. In many cases, it’s better
not to prune than prune incorrectly. Mid-March to
April is the perfect time to plant perennials. Ornamental native grasses come in infinite varieties
and can be used to soften a landscape and create
texture and flow. They come in a variety of colors
that change from summer to fall and range in
height from a few inches to several feet.
Ornamental grasses can be incorporated into the
perennial garden with a striking effect.
In addition to yard maintenance, Kent establishes
rainwater harvesting systems and redesigns landscapes.
He believes it’s important to work toward
water conservation and offers many simple and
effective ways to reduce water waste. Kent is clearly
passionate about his work. With 35 years of
experience in Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico,
he brings a wealth of knowledge to caring for
plants in our unique southwestern conditions.
Kent, together with his wife, Dinah, and partner, Josue, make up Albuquerque Horticultural
Services, which has been in business for twelve
years. Dinah, who works in their home office, is an
artist and painted the bright and colorful sign on
the side of Kent’s truck. Look for the bright blue
and yellow dump truck on the road!
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