Category: lawn care

Professional Watering Plans for Every Yard

From brittle dry blades of glass to disease and pests, protecting your lawn during summer heat takes time and attention. The expert lawn care crew at Landwork Contractors has all the tools needed to help keep your lawns looking beautiful and healthy.  Here are just a few of our best tips for keeping your lawn properly watered and fresh.

• Cut Grass to the Right Length- Grass that is too long invites bugs and pests into your lawn. Grass that is too short can make your soil go dry. Also, different types of grass need different types of care. A professional lawn maintenance team in Westchester County will know the difference. The rule of thumb is to cut about one-third of the length off of any grass.

• Don’t Drown Your Lawn- Over-watering your lawn can be just as bad as letting it get too dry. A soggy lawn can actually lower the oxygen levels in your soil. This means your grass is getting a lot less of the nutrients it needs to be healthy. It can also increase the chance of disease and infections. Set up a proper watering system and don’t forget to include drainage for sloped lawns.
• Water in the Morning- Evaporation is one of the biggest enemies of summer lawn maintenance. A well-maintained lawn will thrive when it’s watered in the early morning. This gives the soil time to soak up the water and nutrients before the effects of the sun and heat set in.

• Keep Track of Water Levels- Set up a water gauge to track how much you are watering your lawn. A healthy lawn needs to have about 1ft to 11/2 feet of water each week. This means about water reaches about six inches deep into the soil.

• Stick to a Watering Schedule- Depending on the time of year, you should be watering your lawn twice a week. Start a watering schedule and make sure you follow it. If you start to notice that your lawn has lost its bounce, it could be wilting and needs more water.

You can have a lawn as lush and beautiful as your favorite golf course. Follow proper watering tips and leave lawn care to the team of professionals as Landwork Contractors. We’re here to turn your yard into a vibrant and beautiful retreat. Call us today at 914-479-2537 or make an appointment online.

Fall Maintenance & Care Creates Lush Landscapes

The homes and landscapes of Westchester County are famous all over the country for their classic beauty and lush green lawns. How do these homes stay green and gorgeous all year long? The answer is simple. Proper care and maintenance, especially in the fall. Landwork Contractors has been providing lawn care for over 16 years in Westchester and Putnam Counties. We know how to keep lawns lush and growing year after year.  We love taking care of our neighbors so we want to share the benefits of overseeding for your home.

What Is Overseeding and How Is It Done?

Before we get into the benefits of overseeding, it’s important to understand exactly what overseeding is.

Overseeding is the process of spreading new seeds onto already growing lawns.

Seems easy, right? Wrong. Successful overseeding requires many different steps and conditions to really make your lawn grow. Here are three big requirements needed for successful overseeding:

• Perfectly Prepped Ground- Aeration and overseeding are the one-two punch that really gets your lawn growing. Before overseeding, professional landscapers use an aerating tool to remove pieces of the ground. This allows more oxygen and water to reach the roots of already growing grass and newly planted seeds.

• Proper Temperatures- For the best results, the ground temperature must be warm enough to accept seeds while the air is cool enough to encourage seeds to grow. It’s kind of a goldilocks recipe. Too cool and the seeds will freeze or won’t open up, too warm and they will dry out. Fall is the perfect time for overseeding.

• Appropriate Water Levels- After aerating and overseeding, you’ll need water the grass. You don’t want to drown the lawn, but don’t let it get too dry either. The goal is to keep the first ¼ inch of the ground moist to help nourish and strengthen the seeds.

Benefits of Successful Overseeding

When done correctly, overseeding can bring multiple benefits to your grass that will give you a lush, envy-worthy grounds all year long.

• Repairs Damaged Areas– Over hot summer months, diseases and harmful pests can dry out and damage your grass. Overseeding repairs those areas.

• Fights Off Disease– New grass will help strengthen your lawn so that it is able to fight off future pests and disease.

• Improves the Feel and Look of Your Lawn– You can actually see changes in a week and a half, approximately 10 days.

• Grows Grass Back Thicker and Healthier– Overseeding creates new grass that will come up in between your old grass. This will help make your lawn dense and thick.

• Reduces Weeds– A dense lawn chokes out weeds, there just isn’t any room for them to grow.

• Prepares The Lawn For Spring Growth– Fall overseeding gives defenseless seeds the chance they need to grow and strengthen before the first frost. This is so important because these strong roots will create beautiful blades of grass in the spring.

• Protects Against the Heat of Summer– Properly overseeding in the fall will protect your grass during the hot, dry months of summer when grass can brown and wither.

Start Overseeding Today for the Lawn of Your Dreams

Everyone wants a lush lawn they can enjoy. The secret to getting a beautiful lawn during those sunny spring and summer days is to start overseeding in fall. Landwork Contractors offers multiple lawncare and lawn maintenance plans that we customized to your needs. Call us today at 914-479-2537 to make your lawn green and growing again. Or simply make an appointment online, we are here to answer any questions and help you with any lawn care issue.

Westchester County Professional Landscaping Brings Beauty Back to Tired Lawns

Long, dry, hot summers can wreak havoc on our lawns. Before long our once beautiful green lawns can become brittle and lifeless. Keeping a lawn beautiful all year long takes a professional touch and experience. Westchester County and Putnam Counties rely on the experienced team at Landwork Contractors to keep lawns thriving all year long. We offer a wide range of services to keep your grass fresh, including:

Our experienced team of lawn maintenance and lawn care experts have been working in this region for over 10 years. They understand the challenges that go along with this planting zone so they can prepare the perfect plan for your lawn or yard.

Thatch and Impacted Soil Destroy Green Lawns

As grass grows, little pieces die off and cover the ground, especially after regular mowing during summer. The pieces left over are called thatch. A thin layer of thatch is beneficial to plants because it prevents the evaporation of water and protects from too much sun. However, a thicker layer of thatch can actually choke out sunlight and water, robbing grass of much-needed nutrients.

Another issue for lawns is impacted soil. When soil is packed down too tightly, specifically in high traffic areas, the soil becomes impacted. Sunlight, water, air, and nutrients cannot reach the roots of grass in impacted areas and the grass begins to die off. Heavy thatch sometimes helps create impacted soil. The soil must be adjusted to keep the grass growing properly.

What is Aeration?

Aeration is the process of opening up dry, thatched, or impacted soil. During this process, tiny holes are created in the soil to produce more room for air, nutrients, and water to reach the roots and get into the soil.

Signs You Need to Start Aerating Your Lawn

If you have any of these issues, be sure to contact your trusted local landscaper, like Landwork Contractors. They will be able to diagnose the issue and get started on a customized lawn maintenance plan.

Overseeding Brings the Green

The best way to follow up the aerating process is to fertilize your lawn with overseeding. This technique scatters new seeds over the old grass and into the freshly created holes. Aerating and Overseeding must be done in late summer or early fall so the seeds have a chance to take root before the first winter frost. When done right, a combination of fall aerating and overseeding will create lush, green lawns in the spring and summer.

Benefits of Aeration and Overseeding in Late Summer or Early Fall

Get the Lawn of Your Dreams All Year Long

Aerating and overseeding help prepare your lawn for all the seasons of the year. Beautiful lawns take time, special care, and a lot of work. Let Landwork Contractors do the hard work for you. Our experienced lawn specialists will repair and replenish your lawn with our customized maintenance and care plans. Call us today at 914-479-2537 and get started on your dream garden today. Or you can simply make an appointment online.  We can’t wait to bring green back to your lawn!

Lawns Love Landscaping Professionals

LandworkContractors provides professional care for your lawn and landscaping during the dog days of summer. Your beautiful green grass needs extra special care during hot summer months. Summer heat and weather can take a toll on your lawn and landscaping. Our experienced team of professional landscapers keep lawns growing with:

Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can keep your lawn growing, even in summer.

Healthy Lawns are Happy Lawns

A healthy lawn is a thing of beauty. Keeping your lawn healthy is difficult during summer months when moisture is hard to come by and evaporation increases. During summer, grass experiences more stress from losing moisture. Moisture from rain or watering helps grass grow in the photosynthesis process. One of the most important things you can do to keep your lawn healthy is to mow it regularly

Mowing Know How

Mowing involves more science than most expect. Here are a few tips for mowing your grass properly.

• Mow High – Raise the blade for summer months. This boosts root system strength. Place the blade at about 3” for optimal growth.
• Keep Grass Long – Never cut more than a third of the length of the grass blade. You want long grass blades because longer blades mean longer and stronger roots. Long grass also keeps the soil cool, slows evaporation and prevents weed growth and disease during summer.
• Mow Often – Don’t let your grass get higher than 4.5 inches. This will mean regular and frequent mowing, particularly in spring and early summer. Staying on a mowing schedule is important for lawn health.
• Stay Sharp – Make sure your blades are sharp. Dull blades make ragged cuts in grass. These cuts lose more moisture and create higher demand for water. There is also an increase exposure to disease.
• Keep Your Cool – Mow during cool times of day. Mowing during the hotter periods increases water evaporation and loss.

Extra Care Tips

Healthy lawns are well fed through extra care and precautions. Fertilizing and weeds are two big issues for summer lawns. Use these tips to help your lawn stay healthy.

• Leave the Clippings  – Those little leftovers add nutrients back to the soil, cool the soil temperature and help preserve water.
• Patch it Up – When you see bare patches, simply rake in seeds. This is best done by a professional who can match up your grass seeds and apply them during the right time.
• Dense Make Sense – A dense lawn fights off weeds on its own. It also is healthier. If your lawn is looking sparse, add some fertilizer sparingly. Landwork Contractors can apply this for you during our regular maintenance.
• Plan, Don’t Pull – Yanking out weeds may seem like the smart thing to do, but to get rid of the problem you’ll have to dig deeper. Compaction and too much shade can both encourage weed growth.
• Watch Where You Walk – If there’s a spot of your yard that has been traveled often, it can increase weed growth. These areas are often compacted and will need special attention. You might even consider creating a walkway to save you time and money.

When it comes to keeping your grass lush and green for summer months, Landwork Contractors brings results you can count on. We know how to bring life and beauty to your lawn even during the hottest days of summer. Call us at 914-479-2537 to get your lawn maintenance plan started today. You can sit back and enjoy a cold drink while you make an appointment online. Then just leave the mowing to us. Your lawn will thank you.

Professional Landscaping Brings Results in April Plantings

The soil that has been cold and sleeping all winter is waking up, full of nutrients and ready to grow. This is a great time to start considering your planting plan.

Landwork Contractors offers the very best in new plantings for our region. Our professionals know what to plant when to plant and how to plant for the best results. We also offer long-term lawn care and maintenance to keep your garden and lawn thriving.

Perfect April Plants for Westchester County

When you’re picking out your April seeds and planning your garden, you must first consider which region you live in. We are very lucky to live in one of the most fertile and versatile regions in the United States. Westchester County and the surrounding area is known for its beauty and lush land. The soil here provides an opportunity for a lot of different vegetables, fruit, trees, flowers and grasses to grow. April is a the perfect time for planting vegetable seeds like:

It is also a great time to replant some of your spring blooming bulbs, fall blooming bulbs, bare root fruit trees and bare root roses. Just ask our specialists and we can help get your garden started.

Knowledge and Experience Ensure Garden Success

Seeds and plants that aren’t planted in the right region, at the right time, with the right amount of sun and water will not last. There are many things to consider when seeding and planting your garden and landscaping.

• Know Your Seed – Different plant seeds germinate or sprout at different times of the year. It can get confusing, but a professional landscaper like Landwork Contractors can guide you.
• Soil Temperature –Cold temperatures keep the seed from sprouting or getting nutrients. Warm soil increases photosynthesis in plants which requires more nutrients and water than might be available. Choose the right temperature for your seeds.
• Sunlight – All plants need sunlight, but some need more and others need less. As you plot your garden consider where the sun shines most and least.
• Water – As you plan your garden, be sure to know how much water your plants will need. Plant thirsty plants where they can accumulate water and drier plants in elevated spaces.
• Depth of Seed – Different seeds need different depths. If you plant a seed too deep it can’t grow enough to break the surface, too shallow and its roots will be exposed.
• Type of Seeding – Different seeds need different planting methods. Some can be broadcast on top of soil, some must be grown in shallow soil then replanted and some must be dug in a few inches.

Different seeds need different types of soil, sunlight, water and temperatures. Correctly planting seeds makes the difference between success and failure.

Easy Gardening and Lawn Care

Landwork Contractors knows how complicated gardening can be, especially when you’re busy. Leave the gardening to us. We can help you plan the perfect landscaping for your home with the plants you love. We even offer vegetable and fruit garden designs and plantings. Call us today at 914-479-2537 to get started. You can even relax and make an appointment online. We’ll have your backyard blooming all over.

Landscaping Requires Regular Individualized Maintenance

A beautiful lawn or garden is a retreat for families and staff to enjoy year round. However, these lovely little getaways need constant care and maintenance. March is the perfect time to start thinking about your maintenance plan for your yard or landscaping. Landwork Contractors offers many different services for both residential and commercial landscaping, including:

• Custom Masonry
• Patios Installations
• Lawn Care
• Planting Services
• Landscape Design
• Fire Pit Installations
• Firewood Cords
• Drainage Maintenance
• Commercial Snowplowing

Landwork Contractors is able to offer year round services to suit your needs for any season. Our licensed and experienced team has been caring for Westchester County’s gorgeous landscapes for over 15 years. We know how to personally care for your favorite neck of the woods.

Lawns and Grounds Need Maintenance All Year Long

It takes more than a little water and a little sunlight to keep grasses growing all year long. However, each season requires crucial maintenance for continued growth and health of grass and plants.

Spring Maintenance

• Pick up debris left over from winter.
• Repair patches of grass that have died over winter.
• Treat for weeds.
• Plant new seasonal and perennial flowers.
• Plant new vegetables.
• Remove winter mulch then add fresh mulch.
• Divide your perennials when overcrowded.
• Prune shrubs, fruit trees and flowering trees to stimulate growth and keep the plant healthy.
• Replace or repair cracked wooden decks, swings or benches.
• Add sealant to wooden hardscaping.
• Fertilize areas as needed for future growth.

Summer Maintenance

• Regularly trim and mow lawn.
• Cut grass higher as summer gets hotter to help grass avoid drought.
• Weed the area around your trees.
• Watch for pest or disease damage.
• Change the pattern in your mowing to avoid ruts in your lawn.
• Trim hedges.
• Fertilize Flowers.
• Mulch as needed.

Fall Maintenance

• Mulch new evergreens and conifers.
• Aerate and overseed lawns to encourage healthy lawns year round.
• Fertilize lawns.
• Rake leaves and debris that falls during autumn weather.
• Remove leaves and debris to encourage growth for grass and plants.
• Add new plants for winter like holly or hellebores.
• Get rid of fallen fruit before it rots.
• Harvest fruit and vegetables from gardens.
• Pick up extra lawn and patio furniture and toys before the first snow.

Winter Maintenance

• Stay off frozen or snowy lawns to keep from weighing down grasses.
• Make sure your evergreens still get enough water.
• Add tree guards to prevent rodents from damaging your trees.
• Start planning spring garden designs.
• Wrap shrubs and more tender trees with burlap to help protect against the weather.
• Keep an eye out for pest and disease damage.
• For commercial businesses, clear walkways or parking lots of snow for safe travel.
• Repair stone or masonry as weather permits.

These are just a few of the tasks needed to keep your lawn or landscaping healthy all year round. Landwork Contractors can meet your lawn maintenance needs no matter what kind of yard or lawn you have.

Unique Spaces Call for Individual Plans

Every garden or lawn is different. Each patch of dirt and square inch of grass is as unique as a fingerprint. Since each garden is different, each garden needs different care. Our specialists know how to care for each different type of space. We have specialized teams that deal individually with:

We can craft the perfect maintenance plan to keep your relaxing office courtyard or backyard getaway beautiful all year long. Call us today at 914-479-2537 to get your maintenance plan started. Or make an appointment online, you’ll have a beautiful lawn without lifting a finger.

Get the Best Out of Your Landscaping Year-round

Snow is on its way. Grass growth slows during winter. Many other plants begin to slow their growth as well. Your lawn still needs love and care, even in winter.  Landwork Contractors wants to keep your lawn healthy and beautiful all year long, so we’ve come up with some tips to help you through the winter.

Garden Care

Gardens don’t take care of themselves, even during winter.  Grass and plants need some extra care during cold weather. Follow these steps to keep lawns and plants fresh for spring:

• Check your bulbs and winter flowering plants. Carefully remove rotted or softened bulbs. You want to be sure not to remove blooms for the following season.
• Vegetable Garden Cover Up – Make sure any bare soil in your veggie garden is covered to help insulate roots and plants. Use only organic materials like pine straw, hay or chopped or mulched leaves.
• Keep Evergreens Green- Evergreens can suffer from winter burn when they don’t get enough water, even under all that snow. Cover them with burlap for protection and keep them watered.
• Gather Your Fruits and Nuts- Pick up fallen nuts and fruit off the ground. Leftover fruit and nuts invite pests and diseases to your landscaping and lawn.
• Mulch It Up … A Little – Mulch your bushes and landscaping areas, but keep it light. No more than 2-3 inches of mulch in any area. Too much mulch will invite vole colonies and rot to your beloved trees.

Snow and Ice

Snow can be beautiful, but it can also be bad for your lawn and dangerous when it turns to ice. It is so important to keep your walkways clear and protect your lawn from snow.  Be gentle with your winter lawns by using these careful methods.

• Flowing Pathways- Your sidewalks and paths should flow, not create falls. Clear all pathways and sidewalks of leaves and snow.
• Evenly Blow Snow- Don’t pile up snow in one area. Large piles of snow will suffocate lawns and plants. At Landwork Contractors, we remove snow to an off-site location to protect your businesses landscaping.
• Gently Sweep Away Snow- Using sweeping brushes to gently remove snow. Being rough with tender leaves can leave damage for spring blooms.
• Avoid Harsh Snow Removal- Rock salt on pathways ruin lawns and plants. Always use gentle solutions. Landwork Contractors uses gentle removal with calcium for commercial pathways.
• Don’t Break the Ice- Never try to remove ice from branches and trees. Breaking ice can end up breaking and tearing branches.

Repairs and Replacements

Winter is the perfect time for reviewing what needs to be repaired or replaced in your landscaping and hardscaping. Hardscaping is the term used for sidewalks, arbors, gates and other additions to your garden or home. Take a quick look around and see if there are cracks in the sidewalk, breaks in wood or hinges on gates that need to be fixed. Go through tools and supplies and see what will need to be replaced for spring. Replace or repair as the weather and your budget permits, then you’ll be ready for spring.

Leave the Care With Professionals

Winter lawn maintenance can be difficult and grueling. Leave the hard work to the professional team at Landwork Contractors. We can maintain your home landscaping or handle your commercial snow removal, so you can stay safe and warm inside. Call us today at 914-479-2537 or simply schedule an appointment online to keep you lawn or grounds protected during winter.