RI Landscaper 855RILAWNS

Landscaper Serving Southern Rhode Island Since 2001

HEALTHY FUN IN THE SUMMER SUN

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With a very strange spring behind us (almost!) we head into the summer and Phase 2 of the Governor’s plan to reopen the state. The beaches will be open as of June 1st with some restrictions in place. It almost seems like the carefree days of summer are a thing of the past but we can do this and still have fun.

Are you looking for some suggestions for things to do this year?

  • How about a hike? There are plenty of places to get out and enjoy the weather and we are so lucky here in the Ocean State to be able to access them so easily. Here in South County there are trails both on the coast as well as inland. When was the last time you walked the South County Bike Path? There is a new addition that leads right to the University of Rhode Island. Make a day of it! Pack a backpack with a picnic, grab the kids and get out there! How about Rome Point? It’s a great place to explore, relax and maybe see a seal. Go early or on a weekday.
  • Take an online exercise class! Gyms are opening (slowly) but if you prefer working out at home, there are dozens of free classes available. Love the idea of a Peloton bike but don’t have the $$$ for it? There’s an app for that. You can access all kinds of classes and use your own exercise bike, treadmill, yoga mat, or weights.  We’ve all been so stressed with Covid-19. How about a yoga class? Youtube has dozens of free classes for every level. Just want to march in place in your living room? Leslie Sansone has her own Youtube channel with classes for every member of the family.
  • Adopt a pet. Have you ever thought “I want a pet, but I don’t have the time to housetrain one right now”? So many of us are working from home, with no definite return to office date that this might be the perfect time to go to your local shelter and find a new friend.
  • Have a spa day at home. Order some bath salts, some candles and a face mask and spend some time relaxing in your own place! You’re worth it. If you have little ones, you might want to wait till they’re asleep so you can enjoy the peace and quiet. Are your little ones not-so-little anymore? Have them join you! Soak your nails and give yourselves a mani-pedi. Self care is the best care!
  • Garden. Put on your gloves, get out and pull some weeds and plant some flowers or veggies. Need some suggestions for plants or want some help building some raised beds? Call us! We have crews that can get you on your way to having a beautiful, bountiful garden.

Now is the time to get out and enjoy the weather with the ones we love. This spring was challenging for all of us so have a great month and relax!

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!
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