RI Landscaper 855RILAWNS

Landscaper Serving Southern Rhode Island Since 2001

Proper Fall Planting

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Although it may seem counterintuitive, late summer and early fall are the best times to plant most shrubs and trees. The ground is warm, the air is cooler, and the plants are entering their dormant period and so commit more energy to root development (opposed to foliage/new growth). Planting in the fall will allow your new additions to fully establish themselves before the stress of next summer. Of course, there are still certain steps you must take to ensure best results. If you follow the steps below, then next season you’ll have healthy, established plants. 

 

1. Choosing your plants

Choosing native species is not only environmentally conscious but also more sensible. Native plants are adapted to our climate and will require less watering and time than exotic species. The Audubon Society warns that “landscaping choices have meaningful effects on the populations of birds and the insects they need to survive.” Plants are an important part of our ecosystem and we all benefit when it is healthy. For a helpful list of species native to Rhode Island, check out the Rhode Island Wild Plant Societies website for local resources or the Audubon’s database. 

 

 

2. Choosing a location 

We can’t stress enough the importance of choosing plants appropriate for their location and vice versa. If there is a bush or shrub you absolutely must have, then you will need to find a place in your yard suited to it’s needs. Conversely, if there is an area of your yard that you want to add plantings to, then you must consider the conditions of that area and choose the plant accordingly. We know it is tempting to want a particular plant you love to be in a place you find most appealing, but if that plant isn’t suited for the space (poor drainage, too much sun, too little sun, etc) then it will not thrive and you’ll have wasted precious time and money. 

 

 

3. Digging the proper hole 

Hole depth and size is of utmost importance when planting. Most people dig a hole barely big enough for the root ball which is, unfortunately, a big mistake. A proper hole should be 2-3 times wider than the root ball but not deeper. We recommend planting high, as that is much safer than planting too deep. It is ok to plant the root ball as much as 25% above the surrounding soil level. The soil will settle which will lead to the base of the plant sinking lower than initial positioning. Thus, if you plant it level with surrounding soil, when it settles it will be below grade and will be more likely to succumb to root rot. 

 

 

4. Inspect the Root Ball

It is extremely important to disturb the root ball before planting. If the roots have been restricted by the pot that it has been in, then it will forever be stunted (or worse) if you do not disturb that pattern of growth. Joe the Gardener says, “Dont worry about hurting the roots or losing soil as you break the roots apart or even cut some away. Better to give them a fresh start than let the constrictive pattern get worse underground.” 

5. Don’t fertilize right away! 

Do not fertilize you’re new planting until it is well established!! We can not stress this enough. It is important to ensure your soil is healthy, and we do recommend amending with compost, but fertilizing your plant before it’s root system is fully established will put undue stress on it. Give your new plant time to focus its energy on root development rather than new growth. 

 

 

6. Water, water, water

Lastly, your new planting will require daily watering for at least 1 week, then every other day for a few weeks, gradually reducing how much you provide until winter. It will likely need daily watering again next season until it is thoroughly established. Eventually it will require less, fear not, but to ensure you get to that point, you will need to water frequently for the first year or even two! Your time and effort will pay off. If you can, investing in soaker hoses and timers can make all the difference in assuring your plants get the water they need, even if you’re too busy to do it. Remember, landscaping is a long term investment and the money/time/effort you put in now, pays off for years to come. 

How To Pick The Best Pavers For Your Patio

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Patios make great additions to any house for a multitude of reasons. They make your outdoor space more enjoyable and can provide you with years of enjoyment if designed and installed correctly. Regardless of the reason you might want one, whether it be for relaxation or entertainment, it is very important to create a comfortable outdoor space, especially during the warmer months. Patios increase the usable living space of your home and are multi-functional. They can be used as a space to read, eat, lounge, cook, and to host an array of other activities. Even if you choose not to use it as a dining area or as place to have parties or celebrations for your family and friends, patios are guaranteed to help improve and add to your home’s value and create a fun atmosphere to use whichever bests fits your lifestyle.

 

A perk of getting a patio installed is the creative aspect of landscaping! Luckily, there is a variety of decorative stones, rocks and gravel that you can choose from that have multiple uses in and around your home. Other than patios, they can be used for mulch, ground cover, driveways and filler around pools! Your home’s curb appeal relies heavily on how your landscaping looks relative to other homes in your neighborhood.

 

In recent years, pavers have been very popular – the more common styles being clay and stone. Clay pavers will last a lifetime and stone can add an elegant and sophisticated look to your backyard. However, you should know that natural stone, brick and concrete are the three most basic types of paver materials; there are a wide variety of colors and styles to choose from!

 

Natural Stone

Natural stone is most commonly available, although it is more expensive than the other options. Most stones work as pavers. Flagstone, marble, sandstone, limestone, slate, and granite are often see in patios.

 

Multi-colored natural stone paver patio

Brick

While brick has been around forever, it remains a popular choice of many homeowners. There are a wide variety of textures available and it is strong and resilient. Be wary when shopping because the word “brick” is sometimes used to describe the shape of the stone, rather than the actual material. For example, you might see “concrete bricks,” however they aren’t technically bricks at all.

 

Moreover, clay brick pavers have many advantages such as their color retention. They’re colored naturally because they are mixed from various types of clay and retain color better than concrete, especially when exposed to UV rays. Although bricks may chip and crack over time due to traffic and moisture, they last for decades! Clay bricks require minimal maintenance as well because of their resistance to staining. Furthermore, bricks have a timeless, charming look and style to them and are also eco-friendly (which we love!!). A lot times they are salvaged, cleaned and reused, which goes along with our commitment to sustainability.

 

However, a concern is that they can be 15% to 20% more expensive than concrete and they have limited color choices, as well as shape (usually rectangular in shape and) and size. However, it can be fun setting them in unique patterns and exploring the different finishes available to add character.

 Multi-colored clay brick pavers

 

Concrete

Most recently concrete products have made a resurgence in both the inside and outside of the home. Concrete comes in many different styles and patterns as well and is durable. They’re made from cement and aggregate that is poured, compressed, and air cured. Some of the positive attributes associated with concrete pavers are that in can mimic stone and that it is inexpensive because the lower cost of raw materials.

 

Some cons are that the color in Classic concrete pavers can fade quicker than other choices because sun exposure can damage the pigments that are used to dye them. I would recommend Unilock Enduracolor concrete pavers for long-lasting color or use a sealant to help keep the color rich on the Classic pavers. However, be aware of surface erosion as it takes away the smooth finish and exposes more of the aggregate underneath. In addition, pay attention to the quality when purchasing concrete pavers. The durability and strength will vary depending on how the manufacturer makes it and it can be difficult to know what kind of quality you’re paying for at times. For a fun look, check out interlocking concrete pavers! They have tabs and slots so they fit together like puzzle pieces.

 

Interlocking concrete pavers

 

The best part about pavers is…

They are almost maintenance free! Feel free to sweep and clean them regularly to enhance their longevity and appearance if you’d like.To clean most pavers, you can make a mix of 10 parts water to one part vinegar and for brick, try using water and a small bit of detergent. Pressure washers can help them clean as well. In addition, to minimize staining, you can also seal some types of pavers.

 

If you’re unsure which type to go with, remember that you’re not confined to only one! Try mixing materials like brick and concrete together or stone with a rock trim, for a neat, unique look to showcase your personality and style. You always have choices! Picking out pavers for your backyard doesn’t have to be boring.

 

Fortunately for you, our hardscaping services allow you to install any type of landscape construction, including patios, walkways, pool areas, and many more. To learn more or to request an estimate, click here. 

How Often Should You Mow?

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freshly-cut-lawn-garden

The short answer: often. By often, we mean once per week, depending on the condition of the lawn. If your lawn is healthy and green, mowing once per week will help keep it that way. If you’re seeing some yellow patches, leave these areas alone for a week or two and mow around them until they get a little healthier.

Why mow so often? In the spring and summer, with a little organic fertilizer, natural rainfall and supplemental watering, your lawn should be growing fast. In order to keep this growth healthy and green, it’s imperative to keep up by cutting the grass each week, maintaining a certain length, depending on the grass. A general rule when cutting is to never cut more than one-third of the leaf blade, which means mowing each week is a necessity.

One example that epitomizes the mow a little, often rule is golf courses. Although the grass is a little different than a typical residential lawn, mowers are out every day mowing the grass a tiny bit and this keeps the grass growing healthy and green.

Other tricks to maintaining a green, healthy lawn all season long are keeping your mowing blades sharp to avoid tearing (our mowers are sharpened weekly), testing the pH of your lawn if it’s not performing well, pulling out any weeds that can steal nutrients away from the grass and watering deep and sporadically to encourage deep roots.

This season, enjoy the greenest, healthiest lawn by mowing (at least) once a week, cutting a small bit of the lawn at a time.

Remember, we offer weekly and bi-weekly lawn services so you don’t have to do all the work!

The Importance of Lawn Dethatching

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lawn-dethatching-a-cut-above

 

What is thatch? Essentially, it’s pieces of dead grass that gather and sit just above the soil. A little bit of thatch is beneficial, but if too much accumulates in your yard, it can’t be naturally broken down. This prevents moisture and air from getting to the roots of your grass, which eventually leads to healthy grass turning brown and dying. A thick layer of thatch also promotes disease and harmful insects.

How do you prevent thatch from building up and killing your yard? There are two processes that are common fixes for thatch buildup, which are dethatching and aerating. (Good news, we can do both for you!)

Manually dethatching can be time and energy consuming, but gets the job done. It involves using a convex rake through the grass, lifting up the thatch as you go. Once you do this, you’ll have to rake up the debris and bag it. You can also rent a power rake, which you can get at a local hardware store. This makes the process somewhat more simple, although remember you will still need to rake and bag the thatch that you bring up to the surface of your lawn.

When to dethatch? Early spring is the best time to do so, allowing for the lawn to get a healthy, clean start on growth for the season. We’ve also found that you’ll get better results from dethatching if you wait to do it after a watering or light rain.

Lawn aerating also helps to keep your lawn healthy and free of any buildup that could hinder growth. Lawn aeration helps to reduce thatch build up in your lawn, reduces soil compaction and helps to stimulate new growth. Lawn aeration also creates more efficient watering and fertilizing for the season by allowing for easier penetration. Lawn aeration is a key step to keeping a healthy, green lawn and strong root systems for your grass.

Looking to get a jump start on a healthy season of green grass this year? Send us an email or fill out our contact form for a quote on dethatching and lawn aeration.