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15 Jun 2017
June 15, 2017 By admin Lanscaping Tips , , ,

5 Weekend Landscaping Tasks to Improve Your Curb Appeal

As a homeowner, you’re probably trying really hard to find the best of the best for your landscape: from safety and protective products to flowers, plants and unique decorative items that can make your outdoor space stand out. In addition to all that, you’re probably spending most of your free time in your garden performing all sorts of landscaping tasks. Unfortunately, this kind of dedication to your landscaping can be overwhelming.

Sure it can, but it doesn’t have to. The key to keeping all things neat in your landscape is proper planning. Unless you’re not planning a road trip this weekend, there’s no better time to boost your curb appeal in only a few simple and easy landscaping tasks. Whether you want to sell your place or give it a fresh makeover, you won’t have to invest weeks of labor and huge amounts of money to achieve your goal. We provide you a list of landscape improvements that can add a distinctive first impression without emptying your bank balance and be consuming a lot of effort and time. Here are 5 landscaping tasks to help you improve your garden’s look over a weekend.

Pull Up Dead Plants and Weeds

Plants that failed to grow healthy and beautiful sadly need to go. Not only do they impact the curb appeal of your landscape, but they can also take up a lot of space that you would otherwise use for new, hopefully healthy plants and flowers. Also, those weeds that grew in places most unsuitable need to go too. The small weeds are easy to pull up, but beware of the larger ones, especially if they’re close to good plants. Their roots may be tangled up and if you pull them carelessly, you may damage your good plants severely.

Clean Your Gutter

If there is a task that is most commonly overlooked by all homeowners, cleaning the gutters is definitely the one, besides also getting your home cleaned by a home cleaning service. While it plays an important role to the curb appeal of your landscape, most gutters are in serious need of cleaning and look dirty. When neglected, this small task can create big problems, such as water damage to your roof. Before you get to it, check the weather forecast and check if it’s hot this weekend. Thus, it will be easier for your gutters to dry out.

Pressure Wash Your Walkways

Over time, your walkways may need much thorough cleaning than sweeping. Those tiny particles of dirt can almost become a part of the walkways themselves and the only way to get rid of them is to pressure wash them. If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can either hire a professional service provider to take care of it or rent one for a day. Nothing makes a landscape look as dirty and untidy as non-maintained walkways. Pressure wash your driveway, siding and any deck you may have and let cleanliness be the first word to describe your landscape.

Hire Mowing Lawn Service Provider

While you’re busy doing the rest of the landscaping tasks of this list, those worn-out looking areas around your garden need to be taken care of too. According to the statistics, 72% of the American householders do their own yard work all by themselves. However, a growing number also opt out to hire professional mowing lawn service providers to make sure their lawn looks just perfect. Unless you haven’t worked for a landscaping company, you’re lacking the speed and other required skills to maintain a beautiful and healthy lawn. Moreover, due to the fierce competition, landscaping companies provide their services at prices you will find extremely low. Hiring the right mowing lawn service professional can make you feel relieved, allowing you to make the most of your free time and complete all of the other tasks of this list.

Trim Your Trees

Although it’s not the easiest or simplest task of all, trimming your trees every now and then is essential. Aside from the obvious reason such as the tree’s appearance, for many homeowners, knowing when a tree is in need of trim or if it’s in need of trim at all is difficult-to-impossible. But let’s assume that you do know when to trim your trees and you simply avoid this task, week by week, until too late. We urge you to examine your trees and look if there are any dying or dead branches that are better off cut. Not only do they impact the curb appeal, but they also represent a constant threat for you, your family and your property, as it can break at any time.

03 Apr 2017
When Beauty Becomes a Burden: Removing a Tree from Your Garden
April 3, 2017 By admin Tree Removal , , ,

When Beauty Becomes a Burden: Removing a Tree from Your Garden

Trees are important natural resources for the city of Chicago and its suburbs (Aurora, Naperville and Oswego, to name a few) but they do much more than absorbing carbon dioxide and providing shade. These living sculptures are key to designing memorable landscapes as they can add beauty and interest to your yard, and value to your home. In a way, trees are much like wedding bouquets – they dictate the style of bride’s attire and are the perfect accessory to make a bold statement.

Sadly, even though tough as the Terminator, trees too are prone to disease. Predisposing factors, such as Chicago’s harsh winters, can make them even more susceptible to pests and disease. Hence even if you’ve done everything right to protect your tree’s vigor – from watering to protecting bark, trunk and roots – it could succumb to disease.

Moreover, because ecosystems have no solid-wall boundaries, meaning air and organisms can move in and out of them, the tree in your yard could easily become infected if nearby park or street trees are diseased. Take ash trees for example. Chicago suburbs Aurora, Naperville and Oswego have been waging a war against the emerald ash borer in the recent years. If your tree has been infested with EAB, caring for it is a bad bet. Even if it could stand for years.

Infested and dying or already dead tree is a safety hazard. Because it’s brittle, limbs can break and cause serious damage to your property or neighbor’s car and even endanger passers-by. Hence, it must not be left standing. The decision to remove a tree is a difficult one, but should not be given a second thought. Since infested tree is dangerous, it’s wise to hire professional tree removal services to do the job.  Beside being well-versed in the process, an experienced company has the equipment and tools needed to get the job done safely.

A power chainsaw for example, is useful for cutting up branches or felling small trees, but if not handled properly it could cut not only tree limbs but yours as well. Professionals know how to safely start and operate a chainsaw. Do you? Few YouTube tutorial videos are not enough to develop skills and safe working practice. Hands-on training is required. Hence, by trying to remove a tree yourself without previous experience, you run the risk of being seriously injured. Professionals are trained for such job, plus they wear protective wear and follow tree removal regulations to ensure safety.

Then there’s the issue of the tree itself. Is the tree stable in the ground? Is it leaning heavily to one side? Are there any large branches broken or hanging? Assessing these and similar factors will minimize the risk of the likelihood of someone being harmed. Experience landscapers know how to carry out a risk assessment to identify how removal work will be carried out and to ensure no one is injured.

Postponing tree removal for whichever reason is not a wise idea. You not only risk your safety and the safety of your family, but falling branches may injure and even kill passers-by. This can lead to a lawsuit being filed against you due to negligent property maintenance. Also, the delay could cost you additional thousands of dollars. Certain boroughs have the exclusive right to remove a tree from private property in case it poses a threat to public safety, and bill you for the cost. If you fail to pay, the city can place a lien against your property to recover payment on a debt.

Therefore don’t delay nor DIY – hire qualified professionals.

16 Mar 2017
When Tree Removal is the Best Option
March 16, 2017 By admin Tree Removal , , , , ,

When Tree Removal is the Best Option

Cicero once said “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need”, and I think rarely would one disagree with this. While books are food for the mind, a beautiful yard is definitely the most wonderful food for the senses. Not to mention how a beautiful landscape can add to the value of your home. But tending a lawn that excites with rich scents and fresh colors is a demanding task many have failed at. That’s where landscapers come into play. They use their extensive knowledge in plants and soil to make the lawn a functional space, and their refined design talents to transform it into a living piece of art.

But not always a landscaper will have the role of a creator. Sometimes he will need to step in and do some destruction. When a certain pesky and stubborn tree starts hindering the trimmed, immaculate look of your front lawn, a landscaper can save the day by removing it promptly.

Trees do add a certain forest charm while also creating shade in hot summer days, but sometimes they can be the greatest disturbance factor in a yard’s balance. You can trim them and keep them neat on the outside, but below ground their roots can grow uncontrollably. And roots that run wild can cause serious damage to your home’s foundation. This is where tree removal can prove to be inevitable.

Another dangerous trait of trees is that sometimes their branches can dieback and fall on passers-by or on top of an object in your lawn you hold dearly. This is a sign that the tree is unhealthy and it’s best you ask a landscape professional to make a risk assessment of whether a tree removal is needed.

Having in mind Chicago’s unpredictable weather, there’s always a high chance of a severe storm to occur affecting the likelihood of a tree being struck by lightning. Depending on its age and species, a tree may survive or succumb the damage caused by lightning. The latter is more likely to happen however. Especially if the trunk is split or the bark is torn off. In such case, it would be very difficult for the tree to compartmentalize wounds, heal and eventually recover. Moreover, hanging broken and unsupported branches pose a serious threat to your safety. In such case, tree removal is the best option.

However, not always does a tree have to be a risk factor or damaged beyond repair in order to be considered undesirable in your lawn. If your tree is quite large, it can block the view from your house and take up a considerable amount of space and ruin the functionality of your front yard. Sometimes it can get in the way of the nice little flower bed by destroying the plants’ order with its growing root. Additionally, depending on the species, certain trees naturally “bleed” a large amount of sap damaging grass below. Excessive sap dripping can also lead to the withering away of surrounding plants. Hence it’s best to have the tree removed.

Whatever reason you may have, do not by any means undertake tree removal on your own. It’s risky for anyone without the proper equipment or knowledge. The advantage of hiring professional tree removal services is getting the job done right, and in the most safest and efficient way. Plus, removing an unwanted tree can create a big mess in your yard. Tree care professionals know how and which tools to use to prevent property damage. With their help, the front of your house will soon be the dreamy refuge of flowers and greenery it was before the tree problem.

16 Mar 2017
Make a Great First Impression With a Gorgeous Front Yard Landscape
March 16, 2017 By admin Lanscaping Tips , , , ,

Make a Great First Impression With a Gorgeous Front Yard Landscape

Sometimes to make the home pop, all you need is an entryway display that really packs a punch. So if you want a beautiful front yard landscape that renders relaxed outdoor living, you should treat the grassy area around the house to a little TLC this spring. After all gorgeous lawns don’t create themselves. Plus, your lawn will surely take a beating this summer. The heat and drought along with playing games with your kids or fetch with your dog will most likely take a toll on turf. It’s best you revitalize it now so you’re rewarded with a lush grass.

But DIY-ing your landscape can pose quite a challenge. It requires skills, time, different landscaping materials and knowledge. Even the simplest of tasks like watering can be daunting. This is where landscape professionals can prove to be valuable. They have the resources and landscaping materials that will help you create the swath of green you have in mind. Moreover, professional landscapers are well-versed when it comes to soil type and quality, water usage and more. If however you prefer to give your front yard a makeover yourself, remember, a beautiful lawn starts with strategic planning and right landscaping materials.

The Dirt on Soil

Soil, one of the most important landscaping materials, is the foundation for greenery. The good soil encourages strong root growth, proper drainage and holds nutrients that feed plants. The wrong soil can result in plants failing to grow even if you’re born with a green thumb. Hence it’s best to try to learn more about different types, texture, mineral and nutrient content and acidity to ensure you choose right.

Some of the most fertile types of soil are sand, clay, silt, peat, loam and chalk. Each type is made up of different particles and organic materials which is what determines the texture and whether the soil holds nutrients and moisture well. Also, some types are more alkaline than others.

Why Soil Loves Mulch

Mulch is pretty much a top dressing for soil. It can either be organic (wood products) or inorganic (rock products) and helps reduce soil compaction; protects against soil erosion, prevents weed growth and defines areas. Quality mulch can also help minimize the spread of soil borne diseases and can even serve as an insulator keeping the soil cool during warmer months and warm during winter. Of course if used correctly, therefore, knowing which type to use is important. The most common types of mulch used nowadays are wood chips, pine needles, grass clippings, nutshells, riprap, decomposed granite and even crushed concrete. Depending on whether organic or not, some mulches are permanent while others need to be replaced over time, but all can help create beautiful landscape designs.

Drip Irrigation System: Watering Made Easy

Drip irrigation systems are becoming one of the essential management tools as they provide consistent water to the roots. This not only minimizes water loss but also helps prevent the spread of fungal diseases and weeds from growing. The beauty of drip irrigation system is that it’s designed to complement your lifestyle. It helps ensure your plants thrive in any condition with almost no fuss. If installed properly that is. The right irrigation system (installed right) will help prevent over and under-watering what can encourage fungus and diseases and lead to increased bug activity, respectively. A professional landscaper can set up the most appropriate irrigation system, which can reduce your water bill, and ensure complete coverage for your lawn.

FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY A LITTLE HARD WORK WE CAN ALSO DELIVER MANY LANDSCAPING MATERIALS.

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