Lawn and Grass Care

Watering is crucial on a new lawn, once or twice a day for the first couple of weeks. To test your watering skills, carefully step on the edge of the new lawn it should feel squishy. New lawns can be mowed 7 days later, making sure to bag the clippings witch could burn the lawn if left thickly on top. I myself bag every time I cut the grass, it also helps prevent weeds from blowing around.

If you are sodding yourself make sure to have 4 inches of new screened topsoil and not a planting soil which could burn the roots on the new sod. Then apply a starter fertilizer over the new soil preferably with a spreader.

Stagger your joints and always keep a straight line if you can. Never lay going up a hill but from side to side is better to allow more water penetration. Don't forget to roll larger areas, it helps to remove air pockets.

If we also did some stone work for you just remember we use a polymeric sand in the paver joints on our jobs which takes up to 2 days to fully dry/harden so we recommend you avoid wetting the sand.

Planting Tips

Annuals should be planted no earlier than Victoria Day Weekend in May because of possible frost in the evenings. Dead heading your annuals will promote more blooms as the plants nutrients will go the new blooms.

Applying a Miracle Grow as directed is a great way to enhance your plants, shrubs and flowers.

Remember we use a polymeric sand in the paver joints on our jobs which takes up to 2 days to fully dry/harden so we recommend you avoid wetting the sand.

Fall & Winter Prep

Most shrubs and hedges can be pruned in early fall.(end of Sept.)

Upright junipers should only be wrapped with burlap once ground is frozen. You'll want to start the burlap at the bottom and wrap with a small overlap all the way to the top. Using plastic zip ties will help secure the burlap together. Remove in early spring once the snow is gone. Dry burlap and store away for next winter.

Tulip bulbs are best planted just before the ground freezes so the squirrels can't dig them up. You can apply a small amount of moth balls or another critter ridder substance on top of the earth. In the spring after the tulips are finished you could leave the bulbs in the ground and hope to see some tulips come up the following spring or you could remove them like I do and plant a new color come spring.(Tulips all the same color in groups of 5-7 give off quite a statement)

As you are getting ready for winter remember to use an ice melter instead of salt which will harm all your concrete pavers and surfaces. I prefer the Alaskan Ice Melt in a shaker bottle. Make sure to stock up as it does not go bad as long as water does not get in the container.

No need to cover any stone work in the winter but it is beneficial if wood decks & steps could be cleared as it allows the wood to dry which will prolong it's life.

I prefer the use of plastic shovels on any surface which will help prevent scratches on your beautiful job.