HELLO SPRING!! With three snow events since that groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter weather, wildly fluctuating temps, and now more daylight, we are surely ready to welcome the vernal equinox and the beginning of the Spring season on Sunday! We’ve been doing housekeeping at HQ, updating and streamlining our procedures and processes, […]
Happy Yardi Gras!
FOR THE LOVE OF FIRE PITS, FIREPLACES, AND FIRE BOULDERS
FOR THE LOVE OF FIRE! There is no denying our love of hypnotizing flames coming from a fireplace, fire pit, campfire, bonfire, or even a tiki torch or some candles as they add warmth, light, and a one-of-a-kind ambience to our surroundings. Add in a comfy seat and the sound of crackling wood and that […]
Green Matters / Eco-Friendly Property
GREEN MATTERS Green plants, whether they be trees, shrubs, or grass are essential in producing oxygen, removing carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air, filtering groundwater, providing homes for wildlife, help in keeping temperatures down, and are invaluable to our mental and physical health to name just a few of their benefits. Our company […]
January Thaw / Landscape Planning & Design
In the midst of winter, it’s hard to imagine that there is such a thing called the “January Thaw”. With its beginnings in New England folklore, the January Thaw is a string of days, usually around the 19th-28th, that are unseasonably warmer than usual. It is the winter equivalent to Indian’s Summer in the autumn. […]
Thinking about landscape and garden design / Happy New Year! 1/4/22
WELCOMING WINTER TO LITCHFIELD COUNTY! 12/22/21
WELCOME WINTER! The darkest days are behind us with the arrival of the winter solstice yesterday morning when at exactly 10:59AM, Earth’s north pole was tilted the farthest from the sun that it will go. Many also refer to this day as the “shortest day” or “longest night” because the number of daylight hours are […]
HOLIDAY LIGHTS IN LITCHFIELD COUNTY 12/7/21
We are now in the darkest time of year when we have the least amount of daylight hours due to the low elevation of the sun in our sky. On the winter solstice, the day with the least amount of sunlight, thus the longest night of the year, the winter season will officially begin. The […]
Thanks & Giving New Milford 11/23/21
GIVING & THANKS Giving thanks is acknowledging thanks for something someone has given us while gratitude is all about appreciating what we already have. At YardScapes, we are always grateful and never take for granted what we have, but at this time we are also giving many thanks to all of the golfers, sponsors, donors, […]
LANDSCAPER AWARDS / FALL IN NEW ENGLAND 10/20/21
YOUR VOTE COUNTS! In the next issue, which comes out on Election Day, we will be asking you to cast a vote for your favorite YardScapes team member to receive the coveted ‘Scaper of the Year Award. This honor is given to the field staff team member who consistently demonstrates initiative and who also exceeds […]
DEER CONTROL IN LITCHFIELD COUNTY 10/5/21
New homeowners and those new to this area are often delighted to see deer along roadsides or in their yards. That is, until they see the unsightly and oftentimes irreversible damage the deer can do to their trees and plantings. There are many ways to deter deer from using your precious plants as their personal […]
FALL LANDSCAPING AND GRUB CONTROL! 9/21/21
For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the autumnal equinox occurs at 3:20PM tomorrow afternoon when the sun crosses the “celestial equator” and fall officially begins. Daylight hours will start to become shorter as the sun continues to rise later and set earlier. Then, at the winter solstice on December 21st, the days will […]
FALL LAWN, GARDEN AND ESTATE CARE 9/7/21
The heat waves of summer are behind us with warm days and cool nights ahead. Autumn is approaching and that only means we still have a considerable amount of work to do. Fall is not only the perfect time to seed and feed your lawn, but it is also crucial to inspect and treat for […]
Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer
Here was are in August already with another month-and-a-half of summer to go. In ancient times, they saw this as the beginning of the harvest season because everything was growing, blossoming or fruiting and ready for picking and the first grain was cut for the upcoming winter. There were festivals where they celebrated and shared […]
A Busy Summer / Ponds & Waterfalls
A Busy and Eventful Summer It’s been a very active summer so far and we’re not stopping yet. I returned earlier this week from five days In Washington, DC as I serve in my role as the president of the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). The Board of Directors, Senior NALP Staff and I […]
YardScapes at Arlington National Cemetery and The National Mall
July 6 – We Need Your Help!
It’s That Time Again Wow! The 2021 YardScapes Quad-Am Golf Classic player registration SOLD OUT in record time! All player spots are full and now we’re seeking sponsors and donations. Again this year, Pratt Nature Center in New Milford will receive 100% of all proceeds raised at, what appears to have turned into, this very […]
Summer, Watering Techniques, and Photographs Wanted!
This year the summer (or June) solstice happens on Sunday, June 20th and marks the official beginning of the long-awaited summer season! Hot days, warm nights, cool breezes, cold drinks and making memories are all on tap as we get outside and spend more time with friends and family once again. No more dressing in […]
All Critters Are Not Our Friends
From the tiniest blacklegged tick to the biggest black bear, “pests” and fickle New England weather are the only things that normally keep us from enjoying our outdoor spaces. While we can do nothing about the weather, we can deter bothersome pests from having a good time on your property with some simple prevention steps. […]
Add Instant Color with Annuals!
DO IT ALL ANNUALS Spring annuals are the absolute quickest way to add color, interest, and life to your landscape. They come in a wide variety of colors, heights, and shapes so there is something for every landscape and the design possibilities are endless. Annuals can fill a flowerbed, showcase a specific flower, create a […]
DAY OF SERVICE RECAP
Our Volunteers Stepped Up Again Our Spring Day of Service was held on April 24th and the participation was impressive! Coinciding with Earth Day, our staff and their families locally cleaned over 100+ pounds of litter from sections of Aspetuck Ridge Road, Boardman Road, Paper Mill Road, River Road and Young’s Field. Our seasonal workers […]
EARTH DAY EVERY DAY April 20, 2021
“We believe that everyone everywhere benefits from a connection with nature.” That’s our philosophy and we live it every day not just on Earth Day, which is this Thursday, April 22. Helping our clients create a yardscape that they genuinely enjoy and look forward to spending time in, while also being good stewards of the […]
Solid & Enduring
What exactly is a hardscape? Basically, anything that isn’t a natural, horticultural element like a plant or tree. Hardscape elements can be made from natural material such as a stone walkway or wood deck, or out of man-made materials like a concrete patio or a metal garden bench. Typically, the hardscape elements on your property […]
Ready, Set…..
We’ve been prepping our equipment and we are ready to GO! Daylight saving time added that precious hour of “man-made” daylight but this period around the vernal equinox, (the first day of spring), is the time of year when the increase in daylight minutes is growing the fastest. Longer days mean things will be warming […]
Lyme Disease – Fertilization – Mulching March 2
PROTECTION FROM LYME DISEASE It’s that time again. We hear the sweet sounds of the early morning birds and see the tinges of color in the treetops. As we look forward to all the wonderful things the spring months will have in store for us, one thing we all dread is the resurgence of ticks. […]
GREEN MATTERS AND SO DO CREDENTIALS FEB 16
We recognize all too well the importance of green spaces and their benefits to the environment and the overall welfare of all living things, including us. Strategically placed plantings not only look good, they benefit the environment in countless ways. They filter pollutants from the soil and air, slow erosion, help with noise reduction, add […]
THE FASCINATION OF FIRE FEB 2
There is no doubt that since the beginning of time, all creatures have been fascinated by the flickering light and crackling sounds of fire. Many plants and animals use natural occurring fire to their advantage and we all know that even after a devastating wildfire, there are benefits for the scorched area. Thankfully, the ancient […]
It’s Never Too Early To Plan Ahead Jan 19
While we are all uncertain of what this spring and summer will have in store for us, our team has been busy at our headquarters reviewing and scrutinizing our processes, making adjustments, and implementing new procedures to best serve our clients. With families increasingly staying home, there has been a steady demand from homeowners to […]
Happy New Year 2021! Jan 5
Winter is a matter of perspective. As we pack away the decorations, say so long to family and friends, and make our resolutions, let’s not forget there is always enjoyment to be found in the winter season. Remember how happy you were as a child when there was a “snow day”? Whether your idea of […]
The Magic of Holiday Lights Dec 8
‘TIS THE SEASON OF LIGHTS! We associate many different symbols with the winter holiday season and their celebrations. There are angels, bells, candy canes, kinaras, menorahs, yule logs, reindeer, wreaths, and even a cheerful chubby man in a red suit. They all have their distinct and often ancient origins yet they all have the ability […]
Annual Wrap-up
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! The winter solstice arrived yesterday and it is officially the Winter season and we can celebrate the daily increase of daylight hours. We also arrive at the cusp of leaving a very unusual year behind. While we will never forget the challenges the entire world faced in 2020, we are, at the same […]
We Are Thankful!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2020. It will surely be a year that we will never forget. How we look back on 2020 will be different for each of us. While some of us have experienced minimal disruption to our daily lives, so many of us have had our worlds turned upside-down. The entire staff at YardScapes have […]
2020 Employee of the Year Survey
Please vote today! It’s the time of year when we recognize those team members who consistently demonstrate and uphold the YardScapes Core Values. These landscape professionals repeatedly contribute to client satisfaction and are always striving to improve the quality of our work and the performance and happiness of our crews. Recognition is designed to applaud […]
We Will Never Stop Learning
Each year YardScapes travels to Louisville, KY for a large landscape industry convention where we attend educational seminars and participate in industry specific round-table discussions. This year, the event was held virtually via Zoom meetings and, for a few days in October, our administrative staff participated in this event, in their offices, socially distant from […]
INTRODUCING YARDSCAPES LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS!
It’s official! YardApes, Inc. is now YardScapes Landscape Professionals. After many months of behind-the-scenes work, we will go live with our new website and our social media outlets next week. In the meantime, it’s business as usual. Please read the quick facts below and let us know if you have any further questions. Thank you […]
A $12,000 Donation – Thanks to You!
A $12,000 DONATION! WooHoo! $12,000 is the final amount we raised for the Pratt Nature Center at our 15th Annual Quad-Am Golf Classic held in September at Bulls Bridge Golf Club. Once again, I’d like to thank all of the sponsors, donors and players for making this event a success in a year of much […]
Oh Deer! How to Minimize Damage to Your Gardens
NO SLOWING DOWN Most of you have heard our exciting news about our name change that was recently publicly announced and I was both amazed and encouraged by all your positive responses and genuine messages of support. Our entire team is very excited about our new brand and it’s been hard to keep it secret […]
Autumn is Here – Check for Lawn Grubs
AUTUMN GREETINGS! The autumnal equinox occurred at 9:30am and it is officially Fall! The signs are all around us – from back to school and fall sports to landscapes exploding with vibrant colors, dwindling daylight hours, cooler temperatures, later sunrises and earlier sunsets. Impressive fall foliage happens because of the fewer hours of daylight leaves […]
Estate Management and Fall Services
CHANGING SEASONS Autumn is approaching fast and that only means we still have a considerable amount of work ahead. Fall is not only the perfect time to seed and feed your lawn, but it is also crucial to inspect and treat for pests or diseases and prepare your property for the upcoming seasons. Year-round maintenance […]
Late Summer Lawn Care
I’m optimistic that the heat waves of July and August are behind us and beautiful days with cool nights are ahead. Now is the time of year when we start looking towards lawn maintenance services that help to reverse the stresses your lawn received during the hottest and driest summer months and to prepare it […]
Becoming YardScapes Landscape Professionals
July 23, 2020 As we celebrate our 30th year of business, I have taken time to reflect on our story, heritage, and how we came to who we are. I’d like to announce that we will be changing the name of our business as we finish up 2020 and enter 2021 to better reflect the […]
Water Features Add Peace & Tranquility
THE HEAT IS ON! Mid-Summer likes to bring us a heat wave to remind us exactly how delicate we can sometimes be. It’s not always fun to trek to the lake or beach either. With more and more people staying close to home, our expert designers and installation crews can help you incorporate a water […]
Landscape Design – A Summer’s Perspective
Wow. We are halfway through the year already! While 2020 certainly has been challenging, we are hoping that the summertime will provide us all a little more “normalcy” as we all venture outside more and carefully attempt to spend time with our families and friends while making those priceless summer memories that last a lifetime. […]
Safe Havens Free of Pests
As we’re getting closer to summer, let’s not forget the challenging season we just navigated through. Spring was uncertain, to say the least and spending time outdoors was tough. While it’s nice to see things slowly reopen and people out enjoying the fresh air and sunshine, we all know how wonderful it is to come […]
Spring Is In Full Bloom
IT’S SPRING PLANTING TIME! We all look forward to this special time of year. Now that the days and nights are getting warmer, outside will be the place to be. Choosing and placing plants is a little more involved than just picking what you like. There are many things to consider before you get started […]
April Showers Bring May Flowers
The past few months have been challenging for everyone and we sincerely hope this message finds you all safe and healthy. We are doing our absolute best to continue servicing our client’s properties adhering to physical distancing guidelines with our own additional procedures in place to help keep us, our clients and our communities as […]
Thank You Day Of Service Volunteers
Thank you volunteers! In celebration of Earth Day and to recognize our annual Day of Service the VIRTUAL COMMUNITY LITTER PICK-UP was held on Saturday, April 25th. Our staff, friends, clients, and community members came together at 9:00AM for the Zoom meeting kick-off. Then, we hit the streets, The Pratt Nature Center, and a few […]
(Virtually) Join Us for our Annual Day of Service!
JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL DAY OF SERVICE In celebration of Earth Day you’re invited to join us in a VIRTUAL COMMUNITY LITTER PICK-UP! We could not host our regularly scheduled event so, instead of cancelling our annual Day Of Service, we’ve decided to observe Earth Day with this community-wide celebration. It’s easy to participate! […]
Adapting is the New Planning
In the fourth free COVID-19 webinar hosted by NALP, CEO Britt Wood talked with industry executives Shayne Newman, president of YardScapes, Inc. and NALP President-Elect, John Guth, vice president of lawn at Green Lawn Fertilizing, LLC and Todd Pugh, CEO and founder of Enviroscapes, who shared their strategies for running a business in the middle of a pandemic.
Additional Procedures to Help Keep Us – And You – Safe
We sincerely hope that you and your loved ones are all staying safe and healthy. There is much that we still do not know about this crisis or when it will resolve. This is a very tough time and we are empathetic about how overwhelming it can be. We feel extremely fortunate that we can […]