November Customer Appreciation: The Beckers in Summit

November Customer Appreciation:
The Beckers in Summit

 

 

 

The Beckers live in Summit, NJ and are relatively new Customers of Truesdale. In 2011, they called us to help them after they did a major renovation on the front of their home. We designed and installed a beautiful landscape. They were so pleased with the outcome that, after doing renovations to the back of their home, they asked us to return and do the back yard. We finished this in the Spring of 2012.

On October 26th, we asked Andrea Becker a few questions on what she thought of the work Truesdale did and how it was dealing with all aspects of the process.

Andrea, were you satisfied with the overall work that Truesdale did?

Yes, I was.

How did you find working with Ralph?

Ralph was very knowledgeable, an old school businessman. A man with a lot of integrity. If he said that he was coming, he did. If he said that he was going to do something, he did.

How was the office staff?

Paula always responded. She is very professional and sent and answered emails on time.

How was the crew?

They were very polite, very courteous and clean. They took down a fence and delivered it down the street to my mother’s house. I was very appreciative of that.

Is the end result what you had envisioned?

Yes, beyond what we had envisioned. We are very pleased with the results.

What kind of feedback have you received?

People comment on the texture, color and mixture of the plants.

Is there anything our company couldn’t provide you with?

No, nothing.

How is Truesdale different from other companies you have worked with?

Ralph has the ability to really see the finished project and what it will look like each season. I like that the owner is involved from start to finish and is easily accessible. I also loved the before and after digital prints – that was a major reason I did the project.

Any other comments you would like to share?

Ralph is a true artist and he is painting with the landscape he does. He treats my home like it was his home. He has an innate ability to plant something different and work with the architecture of the home. He uses color and texture to create a beautiful landscape. You can’t put a price tag on creativity. I love that he was here a lot of the time and even got on the machines, when needed. 

I think it is great that most of the crew have been with Ralph for years. I highly recommend Truesdale and would never use another company.
 

Getting Ready for Winter

As we approach winter, there are quite a few things you should do to protect your property and investment. Your trees, shrubs, lawn and perennials need help and the following are a few things that you should do. Perennials – cut them back now as the plants shut down and turn brown Remove leaves from the lawn and garden. Leaves left over winter can cause damage to your lawn and perennials. They harbor diseases, can cause fungus, it hides mice and, if left on the grass, will cause it to become brown. Bulbs – plant bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinth and crocus Mulch – apply a small amount of mulch around your perennials and shrubs to insulate them from the winter frost and help them retain moisture. Water – until the ground freezes, it is good to make sure that your plants and trees have enough moisture to help them through the winter. Thoroughly soaking them once a week is recommended. Weed – if you do weed now, it stops them from developing further and gives your beds a good start for the spring. Cover – in windy areas, you will want to cover your newly planted evergreens with burlap to prevent chilling winds from drying out and causing winter burn on your plants or you can spray them with an anti-desiccant (see below) Dormant oil – use this on deciduous trees to prevent spring insect damage Anti-desiccant – spray this on your trees and shrubs to help prevent water loss during the winter Glenn Koleda, our agronomics specialist, highly recommends the Anti-desiccant to help your trees and shrubs maintain moisture during the winter months. With the ground frozen and long dry periods that occur in winter, your plants will start to dry out and get winter burn. If this happens, you will notice that their needles and leaves will start to turn brown and die. Glenn applies anti-desiccant when the daytime temperatures consist of 3 days of 35 degree daytime temperatures. This is a good time to prune back your ornamental grasses. An easy way to do this is to use a bungee cord or duct tape, wrap the cord or tape around the grass about 8” up from the base. Truesdale’s Shrub & Bed program includes us coming out the beginning of November to cut back your perennials and get your beds ready for winter. If you do not have this service, give us a call. Doing a little preventative maintenance now can help ensure the health and beauty of your landscape. Email or call us today.

Great Idea: Fall Planting

Did you know that fall is one of the best times to plant trees, shrubs and perennials? 

Spring might seem the best time to plant, but it can also result in a competition between roots and new shoots for water and nutrients. Because the tops of the plants are dormant and not growing during the fall and winter, they direct their energy reserves towards root growth. As a result, fall-planted trees and shrubs will have better established root systems when spring arrives, making them more able to support the new growth and foliage that comes in that season. As long as the soil temperature is above 40 degrees the roots will continue to grow. Fall planting takes advantage of favorable soil temperatures and moisture conditions that promote the root growth needed to sustain plants through their critical first year in the landscape. 

The added root growth also aids the plants during the stressful heat and drought of the summer months, potentially reducing the amount of supplemental water required to keep the plants alive. There are usually not enough roots on newly planted ornamentals to satisfy the water demand of both the shoots and leaves, and wilting may occur. This is called transplant shock and this condition requires frequent watering and diligence to prevent the plant from dying. During the fall and early winter months, the soil temperatures and moisture levels are usually in range that promote rapid root development. 

Plant health often depends on root health and, in the fall, the warm soil encourages root growth until the ground freezes. In early spring, the roots begin new growth and continue to develop before the top of the plant begins to develop leaves, flowers and new stems. This gives fall planted plants and advantage. Their roots are well-established before summer arrives and are far better equipped to deal with heat and drought. 

Most container-grown and balled and burlapped deciduous trees and shrubs are excellent candidates for fall planting. These plants usually possess well-developed root systems. 

One last point is that since people don’t think of planting in the fall and nurseries don’t have a large stock to choose from, the best buys can be found in nurseries at this time. So if you are price savvy, this is the perfect time to buy.

Email or call us today. Just to summarize, the main advantages to planting in fall are: More root growth than in spring.  Head start on Spring for establishing roots.  Moisture is less of a problem, therefore plants need less watering.  Less competition between roots and new growth.  Transplant shock is reduced.  Soil temperature is conducive to root growth.  Lower prices on nursery stock.

The Process of Lawn Core Aeration and Overseeding

With this summer’s cruel heat, lawns are taking a major hit. To keep your lawn looking beautiful, lush and green, core aeration, a process highly recommended by industry professionals, may be necessary to revive a stressed out lawn. The process essentially provides the lawn roots and soil with oxygen that will stimulate healthy growth by: Improving water infiltration Loosening compacted soil Increasing oxygen to roots Improving nutrient availability Stimulating root growth Reducing thatch Culprits of a Dry Lawn Foot traffic will compact the soil over time, this squeezing of soil chokes the lawn and it becomes starved for water, nutrients and air. Any lawn that receives a high amount of foot traffic is most at risk of depleting the root systems essential nutrients. Dry heat and insufficient watering can also stress a lawn. Depleted moisture levels over a long period of time will surely cause a lawn to have a scorched earth look and feel. The Process of Core Aeration Core aeration is mechanical processes performed in the late summer or early fall. The process removes plugs of soil from the ground and leaves them on the surface of the turf. These holes allow the roots to breathe receive air and water and immediately stimulates root growth. The plugs themselves contain microorganisms that will feed on the organic matter and aid in the prevention of soil compaction. It’s not the prettiest sight but after a couple of weeks your lawn will regain its health and look – your property will be completely transformed. Over-Seeding Option It’s highly recommended to use the small holes created by core aeration to your advantage and over-seed the lawn immediately after any core aeration is performed. This will eliminate any bare spots, revitalize grass growth and implement new disease and bug resistant grass. After Care for Recently Aerated Lawns After aerating a lawn, continue giving the lawn one inch of water twice a week. Also, do not cut the lawn for two week. Aerating your lawn at the right time with the proper equipment can ensure that you have a beautiful yard, every season of the year. The Result Core aeration will give your property a second chance after being affected by the harsh climate or other environmental factors. Core aerating your property is an important step to ensuring your lawn has a beautiful and long lasting life. Truesdale Landscape Services will make sure your lawn is aerated at the right time of year and with the best care. We have professional equipment and expertise that will provide your lawn with all of the essential support it needs. Email or call us today. Keep These Tips in Mind If dealing with newly planted lawns, wait at least a year to aerate so that the grass is well established. Avoid aerating during drought or high heat. Aerating in these conditions, will stress the lawn by allowing the soil to dry.  Aeration can spread weed seeds and portions of weedy roots so make sure to control weeds before beginning to aerate.  Aerate prior to fertilizing or reseeding your lawn because aeration creates openings for nutrients and seed to penetrate soil.

Drastic Dry Heat

Plants and lawns have taken a major toll this summer due to the drastic heat waves. The combination of high temperatures and lack of rain this season have been putting properties under a tremendous amount of stress. For those of you who take pride in having a green lush yard you need to double your effort when dealing with this summer’s heat. With the temperatures being as hot as they are, 50 percent of water actually evaporates before it soaks into the ground so watering at the right time for the right amount of is a must. The best thing to do is water early in the morning and/or late in the afternoon when the sun is low. 

When a lawn appears to be straw colored and crispy you should attend to it right away because the growth tends to be stunted. A sure sign that any lawn is suffering will be the appearance of brown spots where the water is not reaching. The easiest solution to keeping your lawn green is sprinklers. If you do not have in ground sprinklers, the generic hose fitting sprinklers work just as well. 

Not only are lawns taking a major hit this summer but so are everyday plants. It can be easy to forget that plants need just as much water as a dry lawn. Not only do newly planted items need to be watched carefully but so do well-established trees and plants. This means that the plants you have had for years and normally never had to worry about are even at risk. If you start to notice your plants yellowing starting from the bottom up, that is a sure sign it is water deprived. Other signs of dehydration are wilting, dropping, and browning leaves. Homeowners in the New Jersey area should be extra concerned if they have evergreens or a Japanese maple on their property because these are especially sensitive to the summer heat and are vulnerable to sun burning. 

Keeping your yard healthy is not a complicated task; the simple fact is your property needs hydration just like every other living species. Watering is an easy job that only takes a short period of time from your day. Leave your sprinklers on 30-40 minutes a day in each spot and you will have a stunning healthy property. It is easy to forget to water but scheduling it into a daily plan will ensure your yard will stay beautiful, even during the driest temperatures. 

Perennials That Pop

Now that summer is in full bloom, perennial gardens are starting to pop! This is the time perennial gardens take center stage with vibrant, long lasting flowers that can handle the summertime heat. The key to a perfect perennial garden is balancing color and size. The more colorful and vibrant your flowers are the more noticeable they will be. Truesdale Landscape Services can provide a perennial garden that will be planted with tender care and precision. Types of perennial gardens include: pool scape, patio scape, and every day scape garden that flourish during the summertime.

Poolside Perennials

The Hogan residence, pictured above, is a beautiful example of what a thriving poolside perennial garden should consist of:
Coreopsis Lilies
Ferns
Shasta Daisies
Salvia plants
Veronicas

The hydrangea bush adds a touch of elegance to the area as well. Not only is this family able to enjoy their beautiful pool during the summer days but they also get to enjoy the gorgeous blooming flowers and shrubs that are planted around it.

Every Day Perennial Gardens

Everyday perennial gardens can make a property look like something straight out of a magazine. The Dinizo residence has let their perennials transform the yard into a colorful oasis. Although in every perennial garden you want to have plants that are meant to flower for fall, spring and summer, summer is the time where perennial gardens start to really catch the eye. Some plants that endure the summertime climate very well are:
Shasta Daisies
Asiatic Lilies
Coreopsis Moonbeam
Enchinacea
Beebomb flowers

Blacked-eyed Susans and day lilies also are very common in summer perennial gardens. Truesdale master gardener, Linda Dinizo mixes catmint in with her flowers to spice up the garden. Perennial gardens can work with either shade or sun depending on the flowers. Whatever your preference, Truesdale can plant a garden that will bloom throughout the seasons!

Patio Perennials

The Delmauro residence showcases a patio perennial garden. When dealing with perennial gardens like this one, it is best to plant them in height order so that the tall plants are towards the back and the small flowering plants are in the front. For the best outcome, the flowers should be planted in clumps so that it’s an eye pop full of color. As you can see, this is a great way to create privacy and offer a warm secluded space to enjoy.

Truesdale offers a wide variety of perennials that can transform your property into your long awaited dream. We have advanced knowledge and expertise dealing with plants; we will make sure that you are satisfied along every step of the way. Our shrub and bed care program involves three yearly visits, one visit per season - spring, summer, and fall. Our crews will make sure your property is cut and cleaned to perfection. We are experts in perennial gardens and would love to give you a show off worthy property.
Email or call us today.

July Customer Appreciation: New Providence Neighbors

July Customer Appreciation: New Providence Neighbors

Two of Truesdale’s new customers and neighbors Lisa Hora and Steffie Adams, live on a sleepy New Providence back road. This is a nice area but it's also a severe flood zone. These homeowners were especially at risk for water damage because they live on the downward end of a slope. After Truesdale installed their drainage systems, these two neighbors have yet to see any water accumulation, water damage or even wet spots.

The drainage system installed on the Hora property in early August 2011 also included an entire landscape installation, a new walkway with steps, a driveway and new plants. This was perfect timing because when hurricane Irene hit New Jersey in late August, just a few weeks later, she had no water issues. “I was so happy, for the first time since I moved here five years ago my basement was dry.” Lisa boasted.

Lisa’s hurricane triumph sparked the attention of her neighbor Steffie Adams. Adam’s called us when she noticed wet spots in the basement after hurricane Irene. We installed a drainage system that connects and diverts water from both homes to the storm drains on the street so these homeowners no longer have to worry about water damage. As an extra precaution, a second storm drain was also installed on the Adam’s property.

Adams and Hora receive weekly ground maintenance with shrub and bed care. In addition, the Hora property receives our agronomic services for the property’s trees, shrubs and lawn. These two Truesdale customers deserve recognition for trusting us and their loyalty this past year. We are happy to help them maintain their beautiful properties.