VOLUME 8 ⚪ ISSUE NO. 4 ⚪ FEBRUARY 23, 2024
IN THIS ISSUE
◻️ CGKA Conference
◻️ Hardscaping
◻️ Living Outside
◻️ Dormant Pruning
Spring arrives next month so if you have any projects for your property this green season, now is the time to get those plans in place. As we will discuss below, expert landscaping adds more than just monetary value to your property, and even the smallest projects are a win-win for the homeowner.
If you are considering additional landscaping or hardscaping this season, have that conversation with your landscape consultant as soon as possible. This will allow us time to make a plan, secure any materials, and schedule the work to be performed when the conditions are right.
“We believe everyone, everywhere, benefits from a connection with nature” is not only our tagline, but also the sentiment shared by our entire team as we work hard every day bringing our talents and skills to our clients while doing a job that we truly enjoy. ~Shayne
2024 TURF & LANDSCAPE CONFERENCE
This past Tuesday, our team attended the 2024 Turf & Landscape Conference hosted by the Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association and held at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. The event began with the CGKA Awards, where Shayne received the Sal Cioffi Award – the highest honor for an individual’s contributions to the CGKA and the State.
Shayne was chosen for this award because of his determination to change public perception of our industry, his on-going participation with many national and local business and industry groups, along with his commitment to local community service.
The rest if the day was filled with timely informational sessions on topics such as changing weather patterns, soil testing, and sustainable lawn care practices. There was also time to visit some of the 50+ trade show vendors to learn about what’s new and exciting in the landscaping industry.
HARDSCAPING 101
Hardscaping refers to all the “non-living” or hard elements incorporated into a landscape. These will include stone steps, retaining walls, a wooden fence or metal garden bench. In contrast, softscapes are all the living plants. Here are some of the key benefits homeowners can expect from hardscaping.
- Increased time spent outside!
- Added curb appeal and a touch of elegance as it significantly enhances the overall appearance of your property and can increase the home’s value.
- Hardscaping can seamlessly connect different sections of your property together in a cohesive and attractive way. It can also help to highlight or hide certain features.
- Water usage is substantially reduced because hardscaping requires zero water, yet when properly installed can help with rainwater runoff.
- Hardscaping is long-lasting, extremely durable, and built to withstand the elements.
- You can enjoy the increased functionality of your outdoor space in many ways. A patio, firepit or outdoor kitchen can entertain family and friends, walkways provide safe paths between areas, retaining walls can level a slope and help prevent erosion while also increasing usable space, and a water feature adds a sense of tranquility and visual charm.
- Outdoor lighting pulls the whole look together at night while enhancing safety and creating the perfect ambiance. Properly installed lighting creates an inviting atmosphere and extends your outdoor enjoyment time.
“The most serious charge which can be brought against New England is not Puritanism, but February…. Spring is too far away to comfort even by anticipation, and winter long ago lost the charm of novelty. This is the very three a.m. of the calendar.” —Joseph Wood Krutch
LIVING OUTSIDE
As outdoor professionals we know the importance of spending time outdoors and will always advocate for it. We have previously written about the proven health benefits of fresh air, sunshine and green grass but adding hardscaping to your landscape can afford you the luxury to live, play and relax outside more often. READ MORE Health Benefits of NatureA well-designed and expertly installed hardscape is one of the quickest and least expensive ways to upgrade your property and create a comfortable outdoor living space you look forward to spending time in. Our materials are high-quality to ensure that your investment will provide you with many years of enjoyment.
Enjoy your coffee on the patio overlooking your garden in the morning, stroll the garden pathways admiring the flowers and sit in your secret reading nook during the day, then gather the family in the outdoor kitchen to enjoy dinner al fresco in the evening.
Whatever your preferences, these defined spaces should be inviting, comfortable and suit your needs and lifestyle. It’s all about spending quality time in nature and reaping all the benefits of your personal outdoor sanctuary.
DORMANT PRUNING 
Late winter is the time for careful pruning of most trees and shrubs because they are less susceptible to stress and disease while they are dormant. This also allows for better healing after a cut because the plant is not actively growing.
With the leaves gone, it is also much easier for the worker to see the plant’s structure and any dead, diseased or damaged branches that need attention.
Pruning also helps to control the size and shape of a plant, and encourages new, healthy growth and more blooms on flowering plants.
Please be advised that improper pruning (wrong time, wrong branch, improper cut, dull secateurs) can all have detrimental effects on the plant.
As always, your landscape consultant is your best resource in helping you to determine what is best for your property and all the living things on it.
