Design & Skilled Maintenance for Sustainable Landscapes
Maintenance Services
Our primary service is skilled maintenance of existing gardens, exclusive of lawns. Weekly, biweekly, or seasonal visits are available.
We provide maintenance based on:
- NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care (2008 edition)
- Our landscape evaluation of existing conditions
- Our plant health care manager's suggestions, considering overall plant health
- Your aesthetic values and your priorities
- Recommendations from your garden designer
Our crew consists of avid gardeners and dedicated professionals. Most of the crew members have NOFA accreditation in Organic Land Care and undergo continuous education in the green industry. This ensures that we apply the best possible practices available to allow your landscape to achieve its full potential. The almost-exclusive use of quiet, pollution-free hand tools (excluding shredder and chipper) will keep you and your neighbors happy.
Pruning
We employ selective hand pruning for
- Woody Ornamentals - Trees and Shrubs
- Fruit Trees
Selective pruning is a specific approach for evaluating a plant's shape, size, and structure to locate and remove diseased, weakened, and dead branches, as well as excess growth to advance its health, beauty, and natural form.
The best time to perform structural pruning is at an early stage of plant development. It is especially vital for fruit trees. They have to be pruned in a way that will contribute to the increase of fruit production while providing balanced weight distribution.
Structural pruning ensures a desirable form and structure of a plant and is performed when trees are young and rapidly growing. Many shrub species can tolerate structural pruning at any phase of their development.
Special attention should be paid to fast growing trees. Proper pruning in their early development is a key for the longevity.
Rejuvenation pruning is used for overgrown, neglected shrubs. This technique is suitable only for several shrub species.
Rejuvenation pruning can be done in two ways: gradual and extensive. The first technique removes growth gradually in a period of three years. The second one is a drastic approach that involves complete removal of the entire plant 6"-10" above the ground. Only few shrub species can tolerate extensive rejuvenation.
Invasive removal
We will evaluate your property for invasive species and choose the right technique to eliminate them. Very often it is one of the first steps in site preparation for installing a new garden.
Invasive species threaten the diversity of the native plant communities. Because invasives have advantages in reproduction and/or surviving, very often they completely replace native plants, altering and, in the extreme, causing irreversible changes in the ecosystem.
In the garden invasives add to landscape maintenance by spreading themselves out of designated areas and by crowding out other plants. Sometimes they cause such deleterious effects as producing toxins lethal to some animals and plants, altering hydrological patterns and soil chemistry. Garlic mustard, for example over a period of time may produce enough toxins to kill a near-by tree.
Dividing and transplanting
Whenever you need to divide perennials, transplant them to another location, or moving a shrub, we are ready to help in keeping your garden neat and splendid.
Weeding
We use hand tools and organic solutions for weeding. On the properties with scheduled visits we target weeds in their most vulnerable stage to ensure long lasting results. Additional strategies such as applying mulch or planting ground covers help to keep them at bay.
Deadheading, staking
Deadheading is vital to avoid unwanted self-seeding and promote a longer period of blooming. It eliminates unnecessary weeding of seedlings later in the fall and during the following spring. Staking is helpful to keep tall plants upright and neat, prevent them from leaning over their shorter neighbors, and adds height to your perennial border.
Edging and mulching
Every landscape benefits from edging, since it creates a clear demarcation line between a lawn and a perennial border or between two flower beds. Edging is like putting the icing on the cake—not required, but it adds so much to that manicured look. It also prevents grass roots from invading planting beds and keeps mulch away from lawn.
Mulching is essential to
- Suppress weeds
- Keep moisture from evaporating, which reduces water bills
- Prevent large soil temperature fluctuations, i.e. it cools soil in summer and averts root damaging thaws in winter
- Add organic matter; good quality mulch is partially decomposed and rich in microorganisms, which are essential for building soil structure
- Create a uniform look for the landscape
Leaf shredding
In the fall and spring as weather permits, we clean-up, shred, and then spread shredded leaves in planting beds. The leaves are rich in nutrients, low in cost and have uniform appearance. They decompose fast, and assist in building soil structure.
Brush chipping
Clearing up neglected areas, extensive pruning, or storm damage may cause accumulation of brush, which will be costly to transport for disposal. We offer on-site brush chipping.
Benefits of wood chips:
- High in nitrogen
- The best natural fertilizer for woody plants
- Suppress weeds when applied as mulch
- Make natural pathways in woodland areas
Compost bin building and tending
Our clients have the opportunity to save on disposal fees by setting up on-site composting. We offer installation of wire composting bins and/or their tending. It is a great learning experience for kids as well.
See also