RI Landscaper 855RILAWNS

Landscaper Serving Southern Rhode Island Since 2001

SPRING IS HERE!

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Another month, another month inside our homes down. With the weather turning warmer, all thoughts go to getting outside, becoming one with nature and putting the last couple moCnths behind us. Our governor has said that things will be reopening soon (slowly) and I’m not sure about you, but I’m looking forward to seeing loved ones and doing the simplest things I took for granted before this pandemic reared its ugly head (walking the wall, hiking trails all over the state, etc).

In the meantime, I’ve been getting my garden ready for planting and doing some cleanups. First order of business was to clean out all the old beds and amend the soil with some compost. We’ve always had a great variety of veggies in our garden, from carrots to corn, peas to peppers and so many more. Now, more than ever, it will be so nice to be able to pick what we need and donate our extras.

My Vegetable Garden!

Have you considered growing a vegetable garden? If space is an issue, consider growing some plants in pots! Do you have a fence around the property? Where you once had flowers, consider putting in a vegetable or maybe some herbs. Check out this blog post from the Spruce.

https://www.thespruce.com/vegetable-garden-ideas-4156309

Need some help setting up some raised beds? We can help! We’ll bring all the materials to your home and set up for you. 

If your kids are getting stir-crazy like the rest of us, have them join in on planting and picking. My neighbor’s little girls love to come over and pick strawberries and green beans off the vine. I’m hoping that by the time the green beans are ready things will be a bit more relaxed. Hope springs eternal.

Looking to make your home office a little more ‘homey’? My home office is filled with plants and I have several bird feeders outside the window so I feel a bit more connected to the outside world, even if it’s just the sweet little birdies. Amazon has some affordable bird feeders that you can attach right to your window and you can get bird seed delivered right to your door from a variety of sources. It’s like a show with different characters all day!

Breakfast Time

Our thoughts are with all of you and hope that you’re doing well and staying safe. A big ‘thank you’ to our crews as well as all the grocery store workers, gas and convenience store clerks and all essential workers. 

We’re still in this together. 

A DIFFERENT KIND OF BLOG POST

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Normally, our blog posts are all about landscaping and the like. This post is going to be a little different and more personal. Unlike many big companies, 855RILAWNS is a small group of dedicated workers but more importantly, family.

We are so lucky to have a majority of the same crew members and management for multiple seasons and we truly know and care about each other. We celebrate our personal milestones and support each other in the hard times. This situation with the COVID-19 virus definitely is one of those times.

In an abundance of caution, our office staff has been working from home and our crews are following the safety guidelines set forth by our Governor. While on properties, the crews have been instructed to distance themselves, use the same equipment for each crew member and to wash hands frequently. 

Because we are a small business, we have had the great pleasure of getting to know and care about our customers as well. We’ve shared our stories with you and have been blessed to have heard yours.

We are so grateful for the support and kind words we’ve received from our customers (you are the best!) and we really are trying to remain positive about the situation. We’re here if you need us, even if it’s just to talk. We get it, we really do. 

A great big ‘thank you’ to our customers that are on the front lines. All those in the healthcare field, teachers, retail workers that continue to stock shelves, gas station employees…the list is long but we want you to know that you are appreciated more than you can imagine. 

We have watched with the rest of the world while life changed overnight. The new normal is anything but normal. We hope, with the rest of the country, that we come out stronger, with more appreciation for the ones we love and realize that we truly are all in this together. 

Please take care of yourselves. Check in with your neighbors and family, even if it’s just a text or phone call. 

Be safe. 

A LONG WINTER’S NAP

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As we prepare for our shutdown for the season, we have a few last minute tips for you and your lawn.

Make sure you remove the leaves from your grass! We can’t stress this point enough. Leaves that are left on the property not only invite diseases like snow mold and brown patch, but critters tend to make their homes in them. If you need help with your cleanup, call us!


ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL CLEANUP BY THE 855-RILAWNS CREWS

Shut down your sprinklers. Have your irrigation system drained by a professional so you’ll be ready for spring. If you have hoses, make sure to drain and coil them for storage.

Check your gutters and downspouts. Make sure all are clear to prevent overflow and roof damage. Don’t feel comfortable on that ladder? We have the tools to make the job quick and easy.

Don’t forget the birds! Fill your feeders and take care of our feathered friends. Drain your birdbath to prevent damage or consider a heated model so they have water all winter long.

Mark your lawn to avoid plow damage. When we have a heavy snow (and we always have one!) we can’t always tell where the lawn ends and the driveway begins. If you have the area plowed or even use a snowblower, consider adding stakes to avoid tearing up the grass. If the ground is frozen, use a hammer to drive a screwdriver into the area to create a pilot hole.

Consider buying a generator. We were very lucky this hurricane season but winter storms can bring power outages as well. If you have electric heat it is vital to have a backup plan. If you have a generator, test it!

Be especially careful with fire. Do you have a fireplace or wood stove? Make sure you empty the ash in a proper ash can and move outside, far from your home. To be safe, assume there are smoldering embers in that ash can and place in a clear area of your yard. Keep away from dried leaves and firewood.

Thank you from all of us. We are so grateful for all our customers and look forward to working with you in 2020!

HOW TO WINTERIZE YOUR EQUIPMENT

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You’ve worked your mower or tractor hard all summer to keep your lawn looking good. Now, with the advent of cooler weather, it’s time to tuck your lawn equipment away for a long winter’s nap. By having your equipment serviced before you put it away for the winter, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from having equipment that will start right up when you need it.

  1. Remove old fuel from the gas tank. Leaving untreated fuel in your gas tank during winter is practically a death sentence for your mower’s fuel system. The gas will begin to go stale, corrode, and form gummy deposits in the fuel tank, carburetor, fuel lines and filter. Your safest bet for long-term storage (more than 90 days) is to use or remove all fuel in your mower.
  2. Drain the carburetor fuel bowl. If you’ve removed the fuel from the tank, a small amount may still remain in the carburetor fuel bowl. Get that gas out! Drain the fuel bowl so the gas won’t deteriorate, gum-up and damage your carburetor.
  3. Disconnect the battery. Even with the machine off, a small amount of juice can still be sucked from the connected battery on your riding mower. When storing your equipment for long periods of time, disconnect the battery and store it in a cool, dry place. This will decrease the rate of the battery’s discharge.
  4. Change the oil. Why would you want to change the oil before storage? First of all, old used oil contains contaminants that you definitely don’t want sitting in your engine for three or more months. Secondly, it also gives you a head start on next spring’s tune-up, ensuring your engine is properly lubricated from the start.
  5. Call an expert if you don’t want the hassle. 855-RILAWNS has the expertise to handle your small equipment maintenance. We offer pick-up and delivery of equipment as well as full winterizing and tune-up services for your small equipment. We’ll change your oil, sharpen your blades, check your filter and give your equipment the expert service you can rely on. Call today for your free estimate!

YOUR FALL TO-DO LIST

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Seasons change, whether we’re ready or not. Autumn is upon us and with it comes another list of things that you may want to take care of before winter brings its grip on the area.

IN YOUR HOME:

  • You may want to put on your storm windows and doors once the days are a bit cooler. Consider adding weather stripping and caulk to prevent drafts and help with those energy costs!
  • Did your pet tear up any of your screens? Now is the perfect time to bring them in to have them repaired. 
  • You might want to have a professional come check out your furnace. They can make sure your system is up and running and will check for any issues. At the very least, change the filter.
  • Do you have a crawl space with exposed pipes? Get down there and insulate them before they freeze (and you have a flood!). 
  • When it starts getting cooler, we’re not the only ones that want to be snug—make sure your attic is pest free by checking your vents. If you suspect you have a critter up there, call a professional.
  • Do you use a fireplace or wood stove? Now is the time to clean and inspect it. Do you need firewood? 855-RILAWNS has got you covered! Call us today for your free estimate.

FOR YOUR VEHICLE :

  • Change your wiper blades. Not sure what size to buy? Most auto parts stores have staff that can look it up for you. 
  • Check your tire pressure. If you have a car with one of those sensors, you may have noticed that it automatically goes off when the weather gets cold. If you have snow tires, now is the time to call your mechanic. Don’t wait till there’s snow in the forecast!
  • Fluids all set? Besides your windshield fluid, you should check your brake and antifreeze levels. If you’re not sure how to check them, call your mechanic (or check youtube!)
  • How is your battery? Are your lights dim or have you had any weird clicking sounds when you start your car?, You definitely want to have that checked!
  • Before it’s freezing out, check your heat (maybe on one of the cooler mornings?). If you notice a coolant leak, bring your vehicle to a professional ASAP.

FOR YOUR YARD:

  • Clear all debris from downspouts and all gutters after all leaves are down.
  • Rake all leaves from yard and dispose of properly. Don’t have an easy way to dispose of them? We offer a ‘rake and take service’ for you.
  • Don’t want to deal with those leaves at all? Call us today for your free estimate!
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