Category Archives: Lawn Installation

10 Landscaping Must Dos to Help Your Plants Survive the Colder Season

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Do you worry that your plants will be at the mercy of the cold season? A change in temperature means a difference in the environment for your plants. The colder season brings harsh temperatures to plants, and if you do nothing to protect them, you may not have come spring. You have to consider some landscaping strategies to help your plants survive the colder season. Here is a look at ten landscaping MUST Dos to give your plants a chance to live through the winter. 

  1. Be Proactive With Your Landscaping

The first line of defense is taking the necessary steps to prevent winter from getting the better of your plants. You have to be practice with your landscaping approach. The actions you take or neglect to take now will impact the survival of your plants in the bitter cold. If you want your plant to around come spring, strategize and figure out ways to keep your plants healthy and alive.

  1. Stick to Hardiness Zone

Knowing and sticking with plants that are best suited for your area’s hardiness zone is key. Hardiness differs from plant to plant, and not all can survive cold temperatures. Beauty fades, and if you refuse to plant by zone, no matter how beautiful your plants were before the cold ushered in, they will be far less appealing when the winter rolls out. If you live in zone 4 but love zone 7-9 plants, don’t risk it. 

  1. Lay Mulch

It may not be something you have ever considered, but mulch landscaping in winter is a good defensive measure to protect your plants from cold temperatures. It’s effective at preventing repeated freezing and thawing of soil that results in plants heaving. After ground freezing begins, lay 3-4 inches of mulch, three to four inches of mulch, careful not to apply a lot near the plants’ stems and trunks. 

  1. Dig Up Tender Plants

Come fall, dig up tender plants that are not hardy enough to survive the harsh cold temperatures. If you intend on using the plants after the cold season has ended, dig up and store them for the winter. Tender plants like cannas and elephant ears are examples of tender plants that should be dug out ahead of ground freeze, ideally after a hard frost. Remove dahlia tubers two weeks after the first hard frost.

  1. Adequately Water Plants Into Fall and Winter

Some plants can take a beating in the frigid winter temperatures. Some plants’ water reserves can deplete if not adequately watered into fall and winter. This depletion can place plants, like evergreens, at risk of winter burn and death when the freeze sets in and the plant roots cannot absorb water. 

  1. Wrap Plants

If you have young plants, they lack the thickness to survive the winter on their own. As such, they require a bit more care to ensure their survival. Maple, ash, and linden trees have thin barks, making them more likely to suffer frost cracking and sunscald. Protect your plants by wrapping them from bottom to top using burlap or thick paper tree wrap. If the tree starts showing signs of growth, which could happen later in winter or early spring, remove the covering. 

  1. Cover Roses

Tender roses should not be left out in the cold of winter. Grafted roses, in particular, should get some added TLC because the rootstock below ground isn’t sufficiently hardy to withstand the cold, like the plant growing above does. A simple solution is covering the graft just below the soil line with a cone-shaped mound of soil that’s 6-8 inches. Once a sign of growth appears-usually in spring-remove it.  

  1. Keep Salt De-Icers Away From Landscaping

Winter carries snow with it, and many homeowners typically pull out their bag of de-icer to keep their sidewalk and driveway safe for pedestrians. Salt is detrimental to grass and plants. When salt is absorbed through the root and leaves of plants, it robs their cells of moisture and dries out their tissue. Try alternatives like sand or calcium or potassium-based de-icer. Pay attention to not overusing the de-icer.

  1. Prune The Right Time

Fall is the right time to prune your trees and shrubs before the bitter cold sets in. If you want to remain with beautiful plants in spring, pruning spring-flowering plants during the fall is crucial. Flowerless plants in spring aren’t quite appealing or aesthetically pleasing, so you have to prune certain plants, shrubs, and flowers at the right time. Spring-flowering plants, such as lilacs, should be pruned immediately after they flower, while summer-flowering perennial hibiscus should be pruned in the spring.

  1. Rake Leaves in Fall

If you want to keep your grass alive, do not neglect to rake your grass in the fall. The key is ensuring that sunlight reaches your grass, and leaves can often form a dense mat covering that acts as a barrier against sunlight. The leaf covering can suffocate the grass, so much so that when autumn rain showers and milder temperatures trigger growth, it is hindered. 

Helping your plants to survive the colder season may take some know-how, and at Lola’s Landscape, we can take on your landscaping project and get your plants ready to thrive during the winter. We have the knowledge and skills in lawn and plant care that you can depend on. Give us a call today, and let us be your landscaping specialist. 

How to Properly Install a Lawn

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At some point, you may have thought that your neighbor’s lawn is greener than yours, right? But have you considered how you can improve the aesthetics of your front or backyard? Well, you can do it with just a few essential tips and techniques.

You will find many options when installing a lawn in your front yard or backyard. Therefore, installing a new lawn can vary depending on the type of lawn you choose for your home. We have compiled a simple guide on how to install a lawn properly. So, let’s start the discussion.

Properly Installing a Lawn

  • Step One

A sod cutter or grape hoe (also grub hoe) may come in handy when you begin the lawn installation in your yard or elsewhere. Removing the old grass or weeds is necessary before you place the new lawn.

  • Step Two

It is essential to grade the soil before installing the new lawn as it helps to counter any drainage problems. Moreover, it will help the roots of grass settle firmly and occupy proper space on flat soil.

  • Step Three

Does your lawn soil have a clay-like or sandy texture? For promoting high-quality grass growth, consider adding premium topsoil (manure, peat, organic material from shops, etc.) for healthy lawn soil.

  • Step Four

If you are conscious about your soil’s conditions and health, you should allow laboratory tests. They will suggest any nutrients or pH-affecting deficiencies in the soil.

  • Step Five

Following lab tests, the next step is to add healthy phosphorous starter fertilizer to ensure healthy plant and grass root growth. Bear in mind that you have to rake it instead of tilling the entire fertilizer gently.

  • Step Six

Watering the soil is a crucial step to allow it to settle nicely for one week before you plant grass or sods in it. During this one week, you can add more soil, grade the soil, and add more water. Consequently, after rolling the soil to release air pockets, use a light garden roller.

  • Step Seven

As your soil is ready for plantation, you may consider the type of lawn you may need for your yard. Turf or sod, whatever you may call it, is an artificial lawn that is extremely easy to install yet requires consistent maintenance.

Grass seeds, on the other hand, take time to grow but are much more natural in appearance and give higher self-confidence and satisfaction. There are multiple options, and you can go with one that seems convenient for you.

Conclusion

Are you looking for the best sod or other forms of lawn improvement methods? We have you covered. Call Lola’s Landscape today to learn about our lawn services with the best resources and help.

We can help you achieve the lawn that you desire and help you relax in the comfort of your own home. 

Summer Lawn Care for Commercial Properties

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Summer lawns are beautiful and see a lot of activity. People are out playing sports, conducting social interactions, concerts, and a lot of other activities. As someone responsible for maintaining a commercial lawn, there are many things to keep in mind. We have prepared a list of things that will help you better care for a commercial property.

Here are some of the Do’s and Don’ts of a Summer lawn that you should keep in mind if you are responsible for maintaining a commercial lawn.

●      Mow Higher – 

A lawn should be mowed at no less than 3″ during the summer. The taller height will help shade the competing weeds and encourage the grass to take deeper roots. If you cut the grass too short, it will result in the turf burning up due to the lack of water and summer heat.

●      Easy on the Food – Minimum fertilizers should be used during the summers. Unless your lawn gets watered from an automatic irrigation system, fertilizers can burn a summer lawn. Excessive amounts of nitrogen coupled with little rain can cause the grass to become brittle and dry.

●      Lawns Get Thirsty– Water is crucial to the health of your lawn in the summers. Properly established lawns need at least 1.5″ water per week( for about 20-30 minutes and a minimum of three times). If you have an irrigation system in place, make sure the water settings are adjusted accordingly for the summer months. 

●      Weeding Your Lawn– Grass thrives in the summer, and so do other weeds. These competing weeds can rob your grass of vital nutrients. It’s important to rid your lawn of these weeds to ensure that your grass maintains its health.

●      Put Pups in a Park – Pet poop contains high ammonia levels, which essentially means setting your lawn on fire. Brown patches that result from pet defecation are not going to repair themselves. If your lawn gets a lot of furry visitors, it is time for you to designate a specific area for these pets to do their business. 

Apart from looking good, a well-maintained commercial lawn can increase a property’s value by about 15%. That is no small increment in the value, and for this reason alone, many people keep their commercial lawns in such great shape. 

If you need more help with your domestic or commercial lawn, we are at your service. Please get in touch with us and let us see how we can help you maintain your lawn in a more efficient manner.  

Landscape ideas to prepare for Summer

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Nothing beats the feeling of stepping on a freshly mowed lawn and picking fruits from a garden right behind your house. It feels like paradise, especially when the summer sun gently invades through the window to warm the sheets. The feeling is lovely. But it comes with plans. If you want to create a paradise on your small fenced earth, what are some ideas to lighten up the summer? 

Trending Landscape Ideas

There are a lot of beautiful landscape ideas currently trending. If you choose one, it should be tailored to your needs, taste, and style of life. These designs work just great for the summer.

  • Edible Garden

It has been a raging sensation in recent times. You can have a few greens in hanging pots, some vertical growing berries, and a few crunchy plants right outside where the sun meets your yard.

 

You help support the ecosystem by providing for the birds and yourself while having an excellent color play on your yard every time the sun comes up. What a lovely idea! Are you not in the mood for an edible garden already?

 

  • Fancy fountains

All you may need will include some programmable water spillers or some advanced irrigation technology. Although it may be a little expensive, having a fancy water feature right where people can see it will make your summer landscaping exceptional.

 

Some old fashion bricks, some nicely styled statues from where the water spills out, and some simple flower pots is a lovely concept, especially for people who love to stand out.

 

  • Pet-Friendly Scaping

You could have a mown lawn with a nicely built dog house right where your human friend can get enough sunbathe. You could have tiny birdhouses attached to raised poles at considerable meters apart to welcome some birds in the summer.

 

The whole concept is to have a beautiful yard that is animal friendly too. You could have a ball to keep the dog busy. You could also have pots full of seeds at exciting locations to watch the birds find food. But you must be a pet lover to appreciate this concept.

 

  • Trimmed Lawn

Trimmed Lawn represents a quiet life in a residential area. It is sometimes expensive to maintain, given the cost of labor required to plant and mow.

However, innovative ways to these costs are;

Would you not love to wake up to the smell of green grass every morning of this summer?

Conclusion

Imagine for a second the feeling of fulfillment as you watch your dog basking happily in the sun with the garden hose in its mouth. These ideas can help you feel that joy in the coming summer.

 

 

Winter Landscaping Tips You Need To Start Now

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When you hear the word landscaping, you’re probably picturing blooming flowers in spring and summer or even the changing colors during autumn, but landscaping is an art form that can be used all year round. Taking a little extra time to plan during the warmer months and then adding some key features as temperatures begin to drop will allow you to have a gorgeous yard even on the coldest days. Try some of these simple tips to start your winter landscaping today!

Repurpose Summer Containers

Finding an adorable flower container for spring and summer is always exciting, so why let it go to waste in the winter? Flower boxes and pots of all types can be repurposed in the winter with some hearty spruces and evergreens. Rhododendron, miniature spruce, and holly are among the most popular winter plants that can go in a smaller container. Not every container can withstand cold temperatures, so double-check the recommended care instructions before leaving your container out to repurpose it!

Utilize Hardscaping

When fewer blooming plants are creating a gorgeous landscape, allow your hardscaping to shine! An arbor, garden statue, trellis, and so many other types of hardscaping materials will look especially gorgeous when they’re the primary focus during the winter months. Look for areas in your landscaping design during spring and summer that need a little more structure, then incorporate hardscaping that you’ll be able to love year-round!

Find Winter Plants That Keep Their Fruit

There are plenty of trees and shrubs that keep their fruit through the winter. A vibrant berry against a snowy white background will create a gorgeous and festive landscape that’s simple yet beautifully unexpected. Crabapple trees and holly berries are the most commonly seen winter fruit plants, but there’s plenty more to choose from depending on your location and how cold the winter gets.

Embrace Evergreens

When designing a new flower bed, plan to put one or two evergreens in a central location. They create a great colorful addition during the warmer months and can stand alone to keep the bed looking vibrant in the winter. Evergreens come in more than just green too! There are yellows, blues, reds, and a variety of green shades to choose from.

Landscaping in the winter takes a little time to get the hang of, but once you get it, your yard will look better than ever! Contact a local landscaping expert for some professional advice if you’re unsure where to start.

5 Ways to Find Your Ideal General Contractor

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No matter how you slice it, home renovations are stressful. During almost every project, at least one thing doesn’t go according to plan, leading to issues for homeowners and contractors alike. Selecting the best contractor to oversee your next project, however major or minor it may be, is absolutely critical to making sure you have a positive experience. As you continue reading this article, you will discover five important steps you can take to find the ideal general contractor for you.

  1. Credentials are essential 

    Good contractors have valid credentials. This means they carry the necessary business licenses for the area in which they operate, they have all of the correct insurance policies, and they are actually certified in any specializations they claim to have. If a specific contractor’s credentials don’t measure up, he or she shouldn’t even make it onto your shortlist.

  2. Referrals can help you make your decision

    Sometimes, especially if you’ve narrowed it down to just a couple of options, getting referrals from people you trust can be the deciding factor in which contractor you actually hire. Knowing that your friends and family trust a particular professional is likely to sway you in his or her direction for good reason. Therefore, you should never hesitate to ask around for recommendations.

  3. Spend time researching

    Even though you’re probably chomping at the bit for your renovation to get going, conducting research ahead of time is extremely important for multiple reasons. Not only will it allow you to see what kinds of reviews other people in your area are leaving about the contractors you’re considering, but it will give you the opportunity to find out if any of the professionals have areas of specialization that will be beneficial during your remodeling job.

  4. Consider the environment

    As people become more aware of the negative impact that construction and home renovation can have on the natural environment, many of them are making a concerted effort to use green building materials. If this is a priority for you, make sure you find a local contractor who shares your concern about sustainability.

  5. Always look at a portfolio

    All quality contractors maintain portfolios of their work. It doesn’t matter if the gallery is online or in a traditional paper format as long as it showcases projects you love. Furthermore, reputable professionals are always willing to answer questions about their past jobs openly and honestly. Don’t hire anyone who is cagey with his or her responses to legitimate inquiries.

There will probably be snags along the way during your residential renovation job, but by following these tips, you should be able to pick a contractor who is perfect for your project. He or she will provide you with assistance and assurance every step of the way, even when you feel like your house is never going to be done. As your local contractor, Lola’s landscape cares for you and your house. We understand your worries and concerns and we try our best to make you feel at ease, that is why we are here to answer your questions. Call us now or visit our website to learn more about our services

 

Lawn Care in Norfolk County

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For over four years we have been providing our lawn care services to cities and towns around the Norfolk County area.

Our landscape services can be anything from mowing, to tree removal, all the way to lawn repair and installation. Our expert landscapers will be sure to provide you with the best lawn services around!

The main goal, here at Lola’s Landscape is to go above and beyond all of our customers’ expectations. We are able to achieve this goal by using skilled and experienced landscapers, and always finishing a project on time, and within budget.

Taking care of your lawn is a lot of work, and a lot of people just don’t have the time to dedicate attention to their grass; this is where Lola’s Landscape comes in handy! We will help you with all of your landscaping needs!

For a free estimate, please feel free to give us a call at 774-248-4584.

Lawn Installation Norfolk MA

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Last week we received a call from a man in Norflolk MA, interested in our lawn repair services. He said that his lawn was completely destroyed do to lack of attention on his part; he said that over the last few years, he and his family have been too busy to properly take care of their lawn. With this bit of information, we said that we would come to his house and inspect the lawn; we wanted to see what the next steps would be to fix up his lawn. We were thinking, during the phone conversation, that he might need a complete lawn installation.

Upon our arrival, and inspection of his current grass (or lack there of) we decided that the best route would be to do a complete lawn installation. We told him that the state his lawn was in, it would take years for his grass to grow back, strong and healthy. So we told him about our lawn installation services.

We told him that with our bob cats and excavators, that we would be able to transform his old lawn, into the envy of the neighborhood! He told us that he was 100% on board with us performing a lawn installation.

By the end of the project, his lawn was completely transformed, and he was very satisfied! If you’re interested in our installation services, or our other landscape services, please feel free to give us a call at 774-248-4584. We are looking forward to helping you with your next landscape project!