RI Landscaper 855RILAWNS

Landscaper Serving Southern Rhode Island Since 2001

Dial In Your Package

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In a service industry like landscaping and outdoor maintenance, customization and customer service are the name of the game. (I guess you would say they are two names of the game…?) Anyway, our business model works for many Rhode Island households who need help with their lawns and gardens during the summer months.

Let’s face it – making sure that your property is in top condition, every day, takes quite a bit of work! We can help. Our programs are set up to truly support the property owner. We don’t just come out and mulch and vanish. We set out to provide a partnership that you can feel good about, in the heat of July and August, and all year. 

What You Get

What you get with all of our packages is a free consultation, and some other key tools to help you to keep your property in top condition.

First of all, our customers get a free soil test to see what their land is composed of. This makes a difference, because it affects your planting processes and how you decide to deal with various parts and patches of your yard or outdoor space.

Our customers also get free monthly inspections, which is important in monitoring how plants are doing, what’s taking root, and how an initial plan is coming together. Then there’s also free fall cleanup, which helps you to button down your yard and get it ready for winter. That’s also a real value, so that when you are waiting out the February doldrums, at least you have your yard sorted. 

Essential and Premium Packages

In addition, those who want more from a landscaping service get a number of hours of gardening expertise with the Essentials kit. The Premium package adds our organic fertilizer program to enrich your soil, and the installation of mums and other annuals.

All of this combines to create an excellent visual impression for your property in a sustainable way. It takes the stress and hassle out of dealing with your exterior spaces of your property as the seasons fly by. We know that many busy families don’t have time to do it all themselves, and that’s normal, that’s okay. We’re here to fill in the gaps and help deliver a truly comprehensive outdoor landscaping experience. Take a look at the site and contact us with any questions about how we can keep your property looking elegant and tidy. It’s what we do!

Three Easy Tips For Maintaining A Healthy Landscape

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One common problem that many homeowners struggle with is maintaining a healthy yard. Countless dollars are spent annually on planting, upkeep, and replacing landscaping and lawns, leading some homeowners to downsize their properties in an effort to save time and money. Fortunately, with the proper care and knowledge, your lawn and landscape can thrive without costing you too much time and money. Here are some tips on how to get your yard looking better than ever without breaking the bank or your back.

Three Easy Tips For Maintaining A Healthy Landscape

Choose The Right Types Of Plants And Sod

It is easy to get excited about all of the plants, trees, and sod types you find at your local nursery, but don’t get so swept away in the beautiful options too easily. Half of the battle of maintaining a healthy landscape is choosing the right plants for your space. Plants are often given numbers to correspond with their ideal growing zones. Choose the ones that match your specific region to ensure best case scenario with growth and longevity. Make sure you know your soil type before laying sod and other plants so that they have the greatest chance of survival.

Provide Your Landscape Proper Nutritian

The second thing you probably forget about is giving your plants and grass the proper nutrients they need to be healthy in any season. Most people think that simply watering the yard is enough, when in actuality if you want a picture-perfect yard, you’re going to have to do a lot more. Plants and grass require particular nutrients to thrive, so you should look into exactly which ones are right for you and your yard. If your grass is looking faded, brown, or patchy, this is a sign that you need to fertilize it with the correct nutrients to get it back to good health properly.

Up Your Lawncare Game

Finally, we have a cheat code for those who still have an unhealthy yard and don’t know what to do to keep it in shape. Landscaping companies are professional businesses designed to care for your yard in any way that is needed, doing whatever it takes to make it look amazing. With expert knowledge in what it takes to keep yards and grass healthy, these companies will regularly come and tend to your yard for you. That means no more working in the hot sun for hours a day with little results and no more patchy unprofessional-looking yards. With landscaping companies, you will have the best yard in the neighborhood guaranteed.

Getting to Know the Benefits of a Soil Test for Homeowners

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When you get down to the basics, plants are pretty simple. They require sunlight, water, and oxygen. This makes them pretty foolproof, right?

However, what if your plants have all the essentials, but they still struggle to grow? If this happens, it may be time to invest in a soil test.

When Should You Conduct a Soil Test?

There are several situations when you should conduct a soil test. These include:

  • One hasn’t been done in three years
  • You want to see if amendments have an impact
  • You moved and want to see what type of soil you have
  • You plan to expand your garden
  • Your plant is struggling to grow

Is There a Right Time of the Year to Conduct a Soil Test?

If you think there is a problem, it’s best to conduct a soil test sooner rather than later. It is best to do this when the soil is not frozen. That way, you can make any needed changes as soon as you get the results back. You will also have time to recalibrate the soil. Remember, when it comes to changing any issues with the soil in your yard, it will take some time. This means you need to remain patient and don’t give up.

Who Conducts Soil Testing?

For immediate results, you can purchase a soil kit from the local home and garden store and handle the process yourself. Or, if you are patient, have a professional handle the job. In most cases, the results received from the pros will be more accurate. There are plenty of landscaping services that provide this as a service along with your local Extension office.

What Information Does the Soil Test Provide?

A soil test is going to let you know everything about your soil. This includes the amount of organic matter present, the level of macronutrients, and the pH level. The standard tests will only provide you with information on the characteristics of the soil. This means they do not test for other things, such as pesticides, pollutants, or other compounds that may be toxic.

With more advanced tests, you can get even more information, such as the soil’s texture (i.e., sand, clay, or silt). You will also be able to learn more about the different micronutrients that are in your soil. You can even measure the soil salinity, which tells you the amount of salt that is present. If your plants do not grow well, this is information can be valuable.

Once you have this information, you can make changes as needed or have the professional service you hired to do this for you. Some of the most common solutions for poor soil include:

  • Add organic matter
  • Add organic mulch for high pH and a product containing lime for low pH
  • Use fertilizer with the nutrients lacking in your soil

By having a soil test conducted, you will know what is going on with your soil and what your plants need to not only survive but thrive. Keep this information in mind to make the most of this growing season.

Tips For Taking Control Of Your Lawncare

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Yard work and landscaping can become a never-ending cycle for home and commercial property owners. Not only can the physical labor be challenging to endure, but understanding what your landscape needs to thrive can be mentally taxing. Keeping your yard and landscaping in order is a full-time job that can consume all of your free time. No one wants to be that person with an overgrown yard; however, keeping up curb appeal can be an overwhelming prospect. Fortunately, we have a few ideas for you that will guarantee your yard looks impressive with minimal effort required.

The Right Tools For The Job

Upgrading your yard work equipment will help you stay on top of the game with less effort. One of the main reasons that yard work is so tricky is using old equipment or even the utterly wrong equipment. The reasons those bushes are so hard to trim might not be because they’re tough; it might be because your trimmers are dull and old. If you want to speed up the process of maintaining your yard, you should make sure that all your equipment is in good working condition. Nobody wants to trim bushes all day with shears that just don’t cut it!

Low Maintenance Lawns

A popular choice among busy homeowners is low maintenance lawns and landscaping. Choosing turf that adapts more quickly to your region’s climate and soil type will help your lawn thrive throughout the seasons without too much maintenance. Planting trees, shrubs, and flowers that are indigenous to your region will also ensure lower maintenance and less frequent dead plant replacement. Some homeowners go so far as to create more hardscaping in their yard than landscaping, bringing in decking, stone, and other low maintenance areas instead of or in addition to traditional lawns.

Leaving It To The Professionals

This second option requires little to no effort and is perfect for people who don’t have the time, energy, or interest needed to maintain their lawn. Hiring a professional landscaping company such as RILAWNS is an affordable option that allows you to have a more hands-off approach to yard work. Landscapers are professionals who will come and work on your yard regularly, striving to make it look the best they possibly can. With a professional landscaping company, you’ll never have to spend hours in the elements trying to get your yard looking its best.

When it comes to your landscape and yard work needs, remember that you are in control of how you spend your time. Whether you choose to do the work yourself, create a less demanding property, or hire a professional landscaping company, RILAWNS is here to help.

Common Lawnmower Problems

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Spring will be here before you know it. Get ready for problems with your lawnmower. There’s nothing worse than getting in your dirty jeans, dragging the mower out of the shed, and finding it won’t start or isn’t working correctly. Here are some common lawnmower problems.

Common Lawnmower Problems

It Won’t Start

Is there gas in the tank? I’m sure you put gas in the tank, so where did it go? A leaky gas tank will need to be replaced. If your mower runs on battery, then this too may need to be replaced. If neither of these fixes are working, try cleaning the air filter and spark plugs. 

Starter Rope

Are you losing your strength, or is this rope getting more difficult to pull? It certainly could be. If the flywheel brake is pushing against the handle, the rope can be difficult or impossible to pull. It could also be the lawnmower blade dragging on the ground or lodged with clippings. If neither of these issues seem to the culprit, you may have to research the manual to see what part is not functioning correctly. 

Loses Power

You’re pushing along, and you hear something. A sputter? A splitting? That sound is most likely to be followed by a stop. You’ve probably got a dirty filter. Try cleaning or replacing it altogether. If that doesn’t work, you may need to clean the blade. A worn-out spark plug could also be causing your difficulties. 

Smoking

Smoke coming from your mower isn’t good, but there’s probably no need to take cover. Your lawnmower likely isn’t going to explode. It’s actually a common problem, usually caused by an issue with the oil chamber. It may be too full, or there may be a leak. 

Loses speed

Check your mower manual to learn the location of the motor casing. The drive belt may be damaged or dislocated. If it is simply misplaced, then it can be reattached. If it is damaged, then it is time to replace it. 

Too much vibration

There are so many factors that can contribute to a bumpy ride while you’re mowing. It could be an inappropriately adjusted cutting deck, inadequately tightened mounting bolts, or a worn out drive belt. Your blades could have encountered one too many roots or rocks and be damaged or bent. Check these parts and see if they need to be replaced.

Hopefully, you won’t encounter any of these problems when you decide to mow your lawn. If you do, 855-RILAWNS is here to help. We rely heavily on our landscaping equipment and therefore know how to keep lawnmowers in excellent condition. Contact us for all your lawn care needs, including repairing that pesky mower.