Lawn Maintenance
Maintenance packages starting from $139/month
- Lawn Mowing
- Aeration
- Dethatching
- Top-dressing
- Overseeding
- Granular Fertilizer
- Soil and seed lawn repairs
Lawn mowing:
All lawn areas will be cut, trimmed, and edged weekly as needed, any clippings will be blown off of hard surfaces back onto the lawn. If the grass isn’t growing, we won’t cut it so as to not damage it. For the best looking lawn, and to keep it as healthy as possible, it is best to have it cut no shorter than 3”.
Core Aeration:
Aeration creates holes in the ground to allow air and water to flow deeper into the soil and strengthen the roots of the grass.
Dethatching:
Dethatching removes most of the thatch layer that is built up to allow water and air to reach the soil better.
Top-dressing:
A light layer of top-dressing soil is spread over the grass areas to improve the quality of the soil. This is typically done with overseeding.
Overseeding:
Spreading grass seed over all lawn areas helps thicken up the grass. This is done best when top-dressing as well. Watering is important to ensure grass seed takes root.
Granular Fertilizer:
For a healthy lawn, and to reduce weeds, it is best to fertilize at least 2-4 times a year. Early spring, late spring, early summer, and fall are the best times to fertilize.
Soil and Seed Lawn Repairs:
Any bare spots in the yard will get top-dressing soil and grass seed placed down and raked into the soil. This is best to patch up any dead patches or if there’s some sections that you want to thicken up. Watering is important to ensure grass seed takes root.
Landscape Installation
- Sod
- New garden installation
- Planting
- Mulch
- Flagstone walkways & small patios
- River rock and decorative stone
Sod:
If your yard is bare or full of weeds, it may be faster to start over. All old sod is removed, fresh topsoil is spread and graded, and then new sod is rolled out and properly installed. Watering twice a day for 15-30 mins each time for at least the first two weeks is necessary for the sod to take root and start to grow.
New Gardens:
If you want to extend or add a new garden, the grass will be removed, top soil and mulch will be added, and then your choice of new plants, shrubs, or trees can be installed. I can give advice on what plants may look best in your yard if you need any input, or install what you have planned or picked out.
Planting:
New plants can be picked up and installed if you want to add or change the looks of your garden.
Mulch:
Mulch helps keep moisture in the ground which benefits the health of flowers, plants, and trees. Mulch also reduces the amount of weeds in the garden beds. For best results, 2” of mulch should be laid. The colours/types of mulch are: Hemlock, Shredded Pine, Black, Natural Cedar, Enhanced Brown, Northwoods Fine Pine, Red, Auburn, Playground. Pictures and samples can be provided on request.
Flagstone walkways & small patios:
Flagstone can be used for walkways or patios, or as stepping stones throughout your garden or yard. A proper base is excavated and compacted for larger areas before the flagstone is installed. For stepping stones, a smaller layer of base is used to set the stones down.
River Rock & Decorative Stone:
Small to larger river rock can be installed anywhere that you want low maintenance care. Any grass is removed, and a weed barrier is installed prior to laying river rock.
Garden Maintenance
- Mulch
- Soil
- Old mulch removal
- Garden edging
- Weeding
- Flower installations
- Transplanting
- Shrub trimming
- Pruning/dead-heading
- Bush/Shrub removal
- Bush/Shrub planting
Mulch:
Mulch helps keep moisture in the ground which benefits the health of flowers, plants, and trees. Mulch also reduces the amount of weeds in the garden beds. For best results, 2” of mulch should be laid. The colours/types of mulch are: Hemlock, Shredded Pine, Black, Natural Cedar, Enhanced Brown, Northwoods Fine Pine, Red, Auburn, Playground. Pictures and samples can be provided on request.
Soil:
Top soil, garden soil, or planting soil can be installed if you don’t want mulch, but would like a fresh and tidy look to your garden.
Old Mulch Removal:
If your gardens are getting too high, or you want to change the mulch colour, it may be time for the old mulch to be scooped out and disposed of. When mulch builds up over years, it will start to grow some mould under the top layer.
Garden Edging:
Garden edging creates a clean edge to define the garden from the grass and help keep the mulch out of the grass, and the grass out of the garden. A proper garden edge can really make your yard stand out.
Weeding:
Removal of all weeds and grass from garden areas.
Flower Installation:
Annual flowers can be planted in your flower pots or garden beds. These can be picked out by you, or I can pick flowers based on your preference of colours and styles.
Perennial Cut-Back:
All perennials need to be cut back to an appropriate height before new growth starts in the spring. This service can be done in the fall or the early spring.
Transplanting:
If you want any plants moved to a different location in your yard, they can be moved or divided. Planting soil or plant fertilizer can be added.
Shrub Trimming:
All shrubs can be trimmed and shaped to an appropriate size of your choosing. Really overgrown shrubs may need to be trimmed a few times over a few weeks or months in order to keep them alive and healthy.
Pruning/Dead-Heading:
Any dead or out-of-place branches or stems can be pruned back to allow the rest of the plant to have more room to grow. Dead-heading can be done on perennials and flowers that bloom for a short period of time. Dead-heading certain perennials allows room for a second bloom to happen if that plant has one.
Bush/Shrub Removal & Planting:
Any bush or shrub can be removed, whether it is dead, dying, or you don’t like it. New bushes, shrubs, or other plants can be installed to replace them if you choose to do so.
Property Cleanups
- Spring cleanup
- Fall cleanup
- Curbside leaf removal
- Perennial cut-back
- Yard renovations
Spring Cleanup:
Cleanup and removal of any leaves, sticks, and debris left from fall or winter. The lawn will be raked or blown depending on the condition of the yard. The first lawn mowing is often done during the spring cleanup, but if it is too wet or doesn’t need it then it can be left until it’s ready to be done. The spring cleanup can be modified to best fit your needs, other shrub or garden services can be done during the cleanup too.
Fall Cleanup:
Cleanup and removal of all leaves, sticks, and debris. Leaves can either be hauled away or mulched into the grass. It is best to remove the larger amounts of leaves so rodents don’t nest in the leaves over winter, and lots of mulched leaves can block the grass from sun and water and could create bare spots.
Curbside Leaf Removal:
If you want to clean up your leaves yourself and don’t want to bag the leaves or wait for city street leaf collection, leaves can be raked to the curb and I will vacuum them with my debris loader. This service only includes leaves in a pile ready at your curb, if you want all leaves in the yard blown and removed, then ask about the Fall Cleanup.
Yard Renovations:
If you have overgrown gardens or lawn, depending on the condition, it may be best to remove most things and start over. Everything you want to remove will be taken out and disposed of and all areas can be prepped for new plants or whatever you may want installed.
Tree Care
- Low limb trimming
- Small-medium size tree removal
- Dead branch trimming
- Downed branch cleanup
- Tree planting (small-medium)
Low Limb Trimming:
If tree branches are too low to the ground or get in the way, they can be cut and removed.
Small-Medium Size Tree Removal:
If a tree isn’t too large or in a bad location, I should be able to remove it. Service includes cutting the tree down to the base as far to the ground as possible and disposing it. The stump will be left, a stump grinder service can be referred. Large trees will be referred to Stark’s Tree Service.
Dead Branch Trimming:
If a branch is dead and needs to be cut down, I can trim it with my pole pruner if it is approx. 15ft or lower.
Downed Branch Cleanup:
Any branches or limbs that fall down can be cut up and removed. If a tree falls down and is too big for me to deal with, Stark’s Tree Service will be referred. If the branch or tree needs to be cleaned up immediately, please contact any day or time.
Tree Planting:
New trees can be planted if you need more shade or privacy, or to replace any that were removed. Trees will be installed with proper soil, and tree stakes to keep it up-right.
Hardscaping
- River rock
- Decorative stone
- Pea stone
- Gravel
- Uneven interlock stone leveling
- Re-sanding interlock
River Rock:
Small to larger river rock can be installed anywhere that you want low maintenance care. Any grass is removed, and a weed barrier is installed prior to laying river rock.
Decorative Stone & Pea Stone:
Smaller decorative stones can be used in gardens, under raised decks, or any spot that you want low maintenance care. There are many options including pea stone, slate stone, white marble, mica, granite. A full list and pictures can be provided if you are interested.
Gravel:
Gravel can be used for drainage under larger stones, or if you have a gravel path or driveway that needs re-freshed.
Uneven Interlock Leveling:
If any interlock stones have raised or sank, they can be lifted, new base material can be added or removed, and the stones can be reset and tamped into place.
Re-Sanding Interlock:
Interlock surfaces can be pressure washed to remove the current polymeric sand, and once the old sand is cleaned up and disposed of, and the interlock has dried, fresh polymeric sand will be swept and watered into the joints.
