SCAPEMAIL
Volume 9, Issue 8 April 16,2025
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Spring Day of Service
- Drainage Issues
- Pre-Emergent
Signs of Spring
As we welcome the warmer days, we are reminded of the beauty and renewal that spring brings to our landscapes. April is a transformative month, where nature awakens and bursts into vibrant life.
This is the perfect time to focus on rejuvenating your outdoor spaces and preparing them for the warmer months ahead and April is the perfect month to undertake essential garden maintenance tasks.
These include pruning dead branches, clearing away winter debris, and refreshing mulch beds. It’s also a great time to aerate your lawn, ensuring that it receives the necessary nutrients and water from the April showers to grow lush and green. Regular maintenance now will set the stage for a healthy and vibrant landscape throughout the year. –Shayne
YardScapes Annual Spring Day of Service
Each year, YardScapes hosts its Annual Spring Day of Service, an event that brings together staff, family, friends and business associates who volunteer to enhance the town’s natural beauty and support local non-profit organizations. This initiative, typically held in April to coincide with Earth Day (which is always April 22), is a testament to our commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.
This year, volunteers will work at several key sites in the community, including Pratt Nature Center, The Nature Conservancy at Sunny Valley Preserve, The Children’s Center, two areas at Steep Rock Preserve, and a private residence.
The impact of YardScapes’ Spring Day of Service extends beyond the immediate beautification of the town. Well-landscaped areas have been proven to reduce stress, improve concentration, curb crime, and promote general feelings of well-being. Moreover, quality landscaping can strengthen local economies by attracting new residents and investors to the area.
YardScapes’ dedication to community service is evident in the enthusiasm and commitment of its volunteers who come together to contribute their time and skills, demonstrating their support for YardScapes’ mission and the broader community. The Spring Day of Service is a powerful example of how collective efforts can create lasting positive change.
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” Muhammad Ali (1942-2016)
Drainage Issues
Drainage issues are a common concern for homeowners, as they can lead to significant problems if not addressed promptly. Poor drainage can cause water to accumulate around the foundation of a home, leading to structural damage, basement flooding, and mold growth. Understanding the causes and solutions for drainage problems is essential for maintaining a safe and healthy living environment.
One of the primary causes of drainage issues is improper grading around the home. If the ground slopes towards the house instead of away from it, water can pool near the foundation. This can be exacerbated by compacted soil, which prevents water from being absorbed into the ground. Homeowners should ensure that the soil around their home is graded properly, with a slope of at least 6 inches over the first 10 feet away from the foundation. Additionally, aerating the soil can improve its ability to absorb water, reducing surface runoff.
A beautiful solution, as we discussed in the ScapeMail Issue #4, is a rain garden – a shallow, planted depression that captures and absorbs runoff from roofs, driveways, and other impervious surfaces. By allowing water to infiltrate into the ground, rain gardens reduce the burden on stormwater systems, prevent erosion, and filter pollutants. They also enhance the aesthetic appeal of a property and provide habitat for wildlife. Installing a rain garden can be an effective way to mitigate flooding, improve water quality, and contribute to environmental conservation.
In some cases, more extensive drainage solutions may be necessary. French drains, for example, are an effective way to redirect water away from problem areas. These systems consist of a perforated pipe buried in a trench filled with gravel, which collects and channels water away from the home. Similarly, dry wells can be used to collect and disperse excess water underground. For severe drainage issues, homeowners may need help from a professional landscaper to design and implement a comprehensive solution.
Addressing drainage issues promptly is crucial for protecting the structural integrity of a home and preventing costly repairs. By understanding the causes of poor drainage and implementing appropriate solutions, homeowners can ensure that their property remains safe, dry, and free from water-related damage.
Pre-Emergent
As the growing season approaches, it’s essential to prepare your landscape for optimal health and beauty. One effective strategy to maintain a weed-free environment is the use of pre-emergent herbicides. These products play a crucial role in preventing weed seeds from germinating, ensuring your plants and turf thrive without competition from unwanted vegetation.
A weed is simply a plant that is considered “undesirable” in a particular situation. Many weeds possess undesirable traits and are invasive to lawns and gardens. They tend to overgrow, spread quickly and choke out the desirable and native landscape plants. Some of the most common lawn weeds in Connecticut are Bittercress, White Clover, Black Medic, Henbit, Purslane and Bindweed.
Pre-emergent herbicides are chemical agents applied to the soil to inhibit the germination of weed seeds. Unlike post-emergent herbicides, which target weeds that have already sprouted, pre-emergents work by creating a chemical barrier at the soil surface. This barrier disrupts the growth process of weed seeds, preventing them from emerging and establishing themselves in your landscape.
The effectiveness of pre-emergent herbicides lies in their timing and application. These products must be applied before weed seeds begin to germinate, typically in early spring or fall, depending on the type of weeds you’re targeting and when they emerge.
Once applied, the herbicide forms a protective layer on the soil surface. When weed seeds attempt to germinate, they absorb the herbicide, which inhibits their growth and prevents them from breaking through the soil.
Hummingbirds!
Did you know there are websites that track the arrival of hummingbirds? According to some, they are already arriving!
If you’re looking to attract them to your home, here are 10 native plants that are favored by these tiny and fun to watch birds.
- Trumpet Vine (shown)
- Trumpet Honeysuckle
- Red Cardinal Flower
- Columbine
- Morning Glory
- Bee Balm
- Wild Bergamot
- Coral Honeysuckle
- Butterfly Weed
- Cardinal Climber
