ScapeMail
Volume 9, Issue 3 February 4, 2025
IN THIS ISSUE:
Accreditation Matters
Hardscaping Projects
Pollinator Gardens
Spring is Just Around the Corner!
Well, world-famous Punxsutawney Phil predicts there will be six more weeks of winter weather, and CT’s Chuckles, who did not see its shadow, predicts an early spring. Regardless of if you believe in this folklore or not, the vernal equinox, aka Spring equinox, always occurs on March 20th/21st which is the astrological first day of Spring in the northern hemisphere – 45 days from now. We’re counting them down! -Shayne
Accreditation Matters
Professional industry accreditation is crucial for clients to be aware of with any business they deal with for several reasons. First, it serves as a mark of professionalism, education, quality, and reliability.
When a business is accredited by a recognized industry body, it indicates that they have strived to meet specific standards and criteria. This assurance of quality gives customers confidence that they are dealing with a skilled, competent, and trustworthy provider.
Accredited businesses are also required to undergo periodic reviews to maintain their special status. This ongoing evaluation process encourages them to continually improve their practices and stay up to date with industry trends and advancements.
Second, accreditation ensures that the services or products the business provides meet established safety and performance standards, which is vital for both employee and customer safety and satisfaction.
Last, professional accreditation ensures organizations are bound by a code of ethics and conduct.
For YardScapes’ clients, accreditation from the National Association of Landscape Professionals means they can expect a consistently high level of service and commitment to excellence from every employee at YardScapes.
Hardscaping
As we move through the remainder of winter, we want you to know that February is the perfect time to start planning any hardscape projects you have in mind for 2025. By planning your new addition now, you’ll have a wider choice of available materials, experience quicker turnaround, and more timely scheduling to ensure that your outdoor space will be ready to enjoy as soon as the warmer weather arrives.
Whether you’re considering adding or upgrading a patio, walkway, firepit or retaining wall, they are all fantastic additions to any property, providing versatile spaces for entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying the outdoors.
Consider factors such as the size and natural features of the chosen location, the style of your home, your personal style, and how you intend to use the space. This foresight will help you create a functional and beautiful outdoor living area.
Walkways not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your landscape but also improve accessibility and safety – whether you opt for a winding path through your garden or a straight, formal walkway to your front door. Think about the flow of foot traffic, the durability of materials, and how the walkway will integrate with existing landscape features.
Starting your hardscape planning in February means we’ll have ample time to finalize designs, secure materials, and schedule installations, ensuring your landscape is ready for the season. If you need assistance with your hardscape projects, our team is here to help you every step of the way.
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus
POLLINATOR GARDENS
Installing a pollinator garden not only creates a beautiful, lively and dynamic area for you, but it also contributes to the health and sustainability of our local ecosystems all year. It’s a win-win!
By selecting a variety of native plants that bloom at different times throughout the growing season, your garden can provide a continuous food source for beneficial pollinators like bees, butterflies, flies, beetles, wasps, moths and hummingbirds throughout the spring, summer and fall. Then, once they die back, they leave seedheads to supply food for the birds in winter and hollow stems for insects to overwinter in.
Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, making them easier to maintain and more beneficial for local wildlife. Some popular choices include milkweed, coneflowers, and bee balm.
By incorporating a mix of flowers, shrubs, and trees to provide various habitats and food sources throughout your property, you can create a diverse habitat that will attract a wider range of beneficial pollinators. Additionally, the addition of a water feature not only provides you with relaxing sounds, but it will also ensure the birds and bees continue to visit your gardens.
Did you know that the use of native plants significantly helps in avoiding pesticide use? Native plants attract native insects that in turn, keep populations under control. Many pesticides and “home remedies” can be harmful to pollinators, even in small amounts so it’s best to let Mother Nature do what she does best.
Pollinators in Connecticut – CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
