Water

Water your Connecticut lawn with the roots in mind!  Most grasses need about 1 inch (2.54 cm) of irrigation per week during peak growing seasons. A single, deep irrigation is preferable.  Whereas, frequent, brief sprinklings encourage unfavorably shallow root penetration.  Deep roots are crucial in helping grass plants withstand hot summer conditions, including droughts. For best results, water your lawn during the early morning or at night when temperatures are lower.

Mow

Mow your yard properly. A systematic approach to mowing is important for the overall health of your lawn. Some concepts to keep in mind when cutting your lawn are:

• Never cut more than one-third of the height of the grass during each mowing.
• Frequent springtime mowing helps strengthen roots, making the plants hardy.
• Raise the cutting height of your lawnmower as the summer months approach. Longer grass shades the soil better, keeping it moist.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Sea Coast Designs Landscape at (860) 853-0150.  We’ll be happy to answer any of your lawn care questions. Additionally, if you are interested in discussing Connecticut lawn care techniques or you’d like to discuss a hardscape (stone, patio, walkway) with us, feel free to call us at (860) 853-0150.  

Examples of our work can be viewed www.oldsaybrooklandscaping.com.

About Sea Coast Design Landscape

Since 1998, Sea Coast Designs Landscape has been maintaining and enhancing residential and commercial properties along the Connecticut Shoreline: Essex, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, and more!  From simple seasonal contract for lawn maintenance to full design and installation of outdoor spaces, our proven expertise and earned credentials poise us as leaders in our field.  You can view examples of our work online at www.oldsaybrooklandscaping.com or call today for a consultation (860) 853-0150.  

Here are a few tips to help you select the right landscape designer:

Know What You Are Looking For

When choosing a landscape designer you should spend time reviewing landscape contractor’s portfolios and abilities.  Review how long the landscape contractor has been in business and if the company has a high standing in the community.  Not all landscape designers offer the same services, so consider if you want long term or short-term service contracts, as well as residential or commercial services.

Check References

Landscape designers often have a developed reputation for their expertise on complex, challenging projects and landscape scenery.  Ask the landscape contractor for references; most will be able to give verifiable references as to their timeliness, landscape scenery, designs and abilities.  Additionally, consider the breadth of the projects the landscape contractor has previously done and if this is well over your landscape scenery ideas or if it is too small or commercial to fit your lifestyle.

Collect Bids

After you have looked through some portfolios and have had some face-to-face meetings, the next step in choosing a landscape designer is to collect several bids. You may be surprised at the vast price range that you get. It is important to remember that the highest price does not necessarily mean you will get the best product, and conversely, the lowest price does not always mean that the product will be awful. Different prices for the same landscape scenery will usually signify that the landscape designer is in a different stage of building their business or may have many employees working for them.

Do they offer exceptional customer service?

When choosing a landscape designer, also consider the person’s demeanor and attitude. Remember that this is your landscape scenery, and it should fit into your lifestyle. A talented landscape contractor should be able to take your ideas and develop them into something that is realistic, yet better than what you could have come up with on your own.  Additionally, consider the landscape contractor’s ability to be flexible for this project and your future landscape scenery projects.

High quality work, superior products and attention to detail are the key strengths to look for while choosing a landscape designer.  Your home is one of your biggest assets and you want to make sure that you are improving your home’s value with your landscape design goals.  If you have any questions regarding selecting a landscape designer, or you’d like to request a consultation with Sea Coast Designs Landscape, please give us a call (860) 853-0150.  

About Sea Coast Design Landscape

Since 1998, Sea Coast Designs Landscape has been maintaining and enhancing residential and commercial properties along the Connecticut Shoreline: Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Old Lyme, Essex, Deep River, Chester, Clinton, Madison, Guilford. From simple seasonal contract for lawn maintenance to full design and installation of outdoor spaces, our proven expertise and earned credentials poise us as leaders in our field.  You can view examples of our work online at www.oldsaybrooklandscaping.com or call today for a consultation (860) 853-0150.  

If you’re not sure what type of grass to plant in your Connecticut lawn, you need to determine what you value most in a lawn. The most commonly planted cool-season grasses include Kentucky bluegrass, fescues, and ryegrass:

Kentucky bluegrass

Kentucky Bluegrass is a widely adapted species that is used for many situations. Its darkgreen color and medium fine texture contributes to it sometimes being called the king of lawn grasses. Kentucky bluegrass is able to spread and recover because it grows by underground primary lateral stems called rhizomes. These rhizomes grow out from the main plant and form a new plant, allowing it to form a dense cover. Kentucky bluegrass is a good choice for athletic fields, home lawns, and golf courses. For high quality turf, Kentucky bluegrass should receive medium to high maintenance.

Perennial ryegrasses

Perennial ryegrass has a non-spreading, bunch type growth habit. It germinates and establishes quickly. It has a dark green color, medium fine texture, and good mowing characteristics. Perennial ryegrass may be seeded alone or in mixtures with other species.

Fine fescues

Creeping red fescue is the most widely used of the three main fine leafed fescues. It has slow spreading rhizomes. Chewings fescue and Hard fescue have a bunch-type growth habit. All have a fine leaf texture. They are particularly well adapted to dry, shady conditions as well as low maintenance situations. The fine fescues are primarily used in mixes with other species like Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass.

Tall fescues

This is another bunch type grass that persists in the warmer areas of the cool season range of adaptation. This is primarily due to the fact that it has a deep root system, which helps it be more heat and drought tolerant. Plant breeders have made great improvements in this species over the last decade. The newer varieties are as dark green and almost as fine textured as the improved Kentucky bluegrass varieties. It does not tolerate as close a mowing height as Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass, so a mowing height of 1.5 – 3 inches is recommended. Tall fescue requires slightly less water and fertilizer to produce a high quality turf stand.

Interested in discussing cool season grass options for your Connecticut lawn?  Contact Sea Coast Landscape Designs and we’ll work with you to ensure you get the most out of your lawn, no matter what time of year it is!

Sea Coast Designs Landscape is happy to help with your fall clean up in Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Essex, Deep River, Chester, Clinton, Madison, Guilford and Old Lyme.  Below are a few things we recommend you consider in preparation for the cold winter months:

Leaf Pickup.

Leaf pickup is critical to your lawn’s overall health throughout the year.  Clearing your lawn of leaves and sticks will prevent the heavy, wet foliage from suffocating the turf. You’ve probably heard that lawns, too, have to “breathe,” and that they can be smothered if a thick layer of unshredded leaves is left on top of them over the winter

Taking the time to fertilize in the fall will strengthen your plants’ and lawn’s roots, giving them a strong base on which to thrive next spring. As you can tell, the basic goal of fall fertilizing is to promote root growth. When you have strong roots, you have healthy plants with numerous flowers.

Thatch build-up and foot traffic can compact soil, which cuts off oxygen and nutrient supply to the roots.  Aeration loosens soil and literally airs out the earth.  Balding turf, matted-down grass, sparse new growth, pools of water and tough ground are signs you need to aerate.

Level and reseed.

Start spring on level ground by filling ruts and low spots where water collects now. Early fall is the best time to reseed a lawn so turf roots establish before winter.

Whether you’re a new or returning Sea Coast customer, contact us today to discuss your fall clean up and lawn care options in Connecticut.  

In addition to cleaning up the bed surfaces, all of your leafy perennial plantings will need some attention as well. Dead foliage at the base of each plant will need to be removed to give the plant a fresh start for the new season.