Lawn and Landscape Tips
Once things warm up in March, we get frequent inquiries as to lawn care and repair after the winter months. To make things a little easier, here are some other things you can do to make sure everything is going to be “Picture Perfect”:
Early Spring seeding or later in August/September seeding: De-thatching, Aerating, adding Soil and Nutrients, Over-seeding and Weed Control
Not sure what some of these items are then click here for some info on Lawn Care Blunders to Steer Clear of
Unless you have an irrigation system to water new grass seed in, Spring and Late Summer are the better times to get your grass back into shape especially with the winter we had this year. The days are warm, but the nights are cooler which makes watering much easier. Getting rid of weeds and adding back soil and nutrients to your lawn is also important to establishing a good base for new grass seed. If the ground is compacted and full of dead turf this also needs to be addressed before attempting to repair your lawn. Also check if you need to aerate and de-thatch before overseeding and fertilizing. The folks over at SCOTTS offer some great advice on the above areas when it comes to green lawns. Click HERE to go to their site.
There is a short window in the Spring to get your new grass going and the first few cuts in before either the summer heat sets in or if late summer over seeding the leaves start to fall so plan now. Remember it takes a few weeks to get the grass seeds to sprout, then a few more weeks before your first mowing. After 5 weeks you can then apply fertilizer with weed and grub control so that all your hard work does not disappear overnight. Also remember to keep the falling leaves off the new lawns so it does not get smothered as well. It's often compared to taking care of a baby, so we send this to our clients as a guide to watering grass seed and establishing a new lawn: Watering Grass Seed-A Caution and a Guide
Due to continued high demand this year for our services, we are currently only estimating and scheduling new lawns and repairing lawns if it's part of a larger project such as a front landscaping renovation or backyard transformation so give us a call today to speak with a consultant: 860-228-3915
Lawn Care 101 It might be a bit of a sorry sight after the past 6 months, but with a bit of work, you can bring it back to life. If you can see a fair amount of thatch (the dead, straw-like stuff) you will need to rake it out before you attempt any other lawn care projects. The reason? Anything you add, such as new seed or fertilizer will simply sit on the thatch, rather than getting down into the soil, unless it is removed. Once you have de-thatched your lawn, you can add your fertilizer application. This helps the lawn to green up and recover from winter or summer stress. Weed control and crabgrass preventative should also be applied during this step if you are not attempting to grow new grass or overseed. If you are growing new grass by seed wait until 5 weeks before you start weed and grub control and do your first mowing 🙂
Depending on your property location-If you would like to find out more about lawn fertilization or just have lawn questions or need some advice, contact our friends over at Palatine Lawn Care (strictly lawn and Glastonbury only)
Both of these companies below provide additional services and more than just the lawn care, since we are are a specialized landscaping company they provide other services for trees, shrubs, and weed control which is important as well to protect your investment.
The Green Scene, and Allied Tree and Lawn Care
If you are like many of our clients that have surrounding oak trees or pine trees on the borders of your property and find that growing grass is an uphill battle every year due to the tree itself and its needles and/or acorns, you may find these articles helpful:
Why grass doesn't grow under pine trees
Planting Under an Oak Tree: What Can You Plant Under Oak Trees
April/May Update: Informative website regarding year-round care recommendations for the perfect lawn for you the homeowner. Check it out here.
Plant and transplant April and May are good times to plant those new roses, flowering shrubs, fruit trees, evergreens and most deciduous plant but so are the cooler months of late August into September. If you’re still not sure what to plant, you can always contact us. We are able to design and help you plan your landscaping project. As far as transplanting existing plants from one spot to another, time is running out, so the sooner the better. Many plants are already starting their spring growth and you want them to get used to their new spot before the heat starts coming in.
Pruning If you need to prune trees and shrubs, the best time to do this is before growth starts in the spring. The exceptions to that rule are spring-flowering shrubs. For those, you need to wait until after they finish flowering (mid-season May-July). Spring would be a good time to prune roses and ornamental grasses if they look like they need a trim. We are happy to assist you on any particular pruning questions you may have or give you a quote to do it for you to keep your landscape healthy and shape/size in check.
Weeding Probably everyone’s least-favorite garden activity, possibly because it feels destructive rather than beneficial, and it can be backbreaking work. Did you know we can apply a premium pre-emergent application to your planting beds that will save you lots of weeding and money! CLICK HERE for more weed control tips we recommend homeowners use. If you are busy or have an extensive landscape, the licensed professionals over at The Green Scene can provide this service as well as lawn, shrub and tree fertilization and tick control spraying if this is a concern. Protect the landscape that you have invested in since weeds are a constant concern in CT. due to all the trees and woods, we have around us.
Specializing in Lower Maintenance Landscapes
for Today's Busy Homeowners
Mulching
Mulching is one of the most important ways to protect and maintain healthy landscaped plants, shrubs and flowers. Some of the uses for our Premium Dark Brown Shredded Bark Mulch are:
- it prevents weeds from coming through.
- organic mulches break down and add to the nutrient base of the soil making the soil richer.
- helps to hold water and moisture in your plants and gardens, therefore you don’t have to water as much.
- helps the roots maintain an even temperature.
- protects your soil from erosion.
- adds to the aesthetic appeal of your landscape by making it look more finished.
- Our premium mulch is 100% organic so sometimes during wet season clients will notice fungus or mushrooms growing. This is natural but usually not something folks like to see in their landscape beds. Here's some advice: Getting Rid of Mushrooms/Fungus
Adding color to your landscape Now is a great time to plant, so take a look around your landscape and decide if you can brighten the place up with a few new “faces.” We can help you with updating your landscape and putting together a free quote once we determine the amount of sunlight affecting that part of your landscape and what type of shrub or tree would give you the “Best Bang for Your Buck”. Flowers are great for short term but by selecting specimens that have interesting color or texture in their foliage also you will have a more lasting visual effect in your landscape. Click on the photo gallery at the top of our website to see some other plants that we like to incorporate in our lower maintenance designs. Email us today for a free estimate!
Halloween is over and looking forward to November! But while most people will be preparing to trim the turkey, the team at Christmas Décor by Picture Perfect Landscape are busy trimming houses and trees! Picture Perfect Landscape has been busy since early September prepping/installing to create custom Christmas displays. If you’re considering tackling a holiday display this year, be sure you know how to safely install your lighted decorations. Here is a quick link with additional tips from 
Make sure to secure extension cords to the ground to prevent any Christmas carolers from tripping. Any plugs that are outside should be kept elevated to keep the rain from getting in. A great trick is to use a brick or rock to lift the plug from the ground. You should throw out last year’s Christmas lights too. Old Christmas lights or cords that have been in use for many years can be a fire hazard. How can you be sure your lights are safe to use? Plug in your lights and if they rapidly heat up, it’s time to throw them out.
Secondly, make sure you’re only using Christmas decorations and extension cords that are made specifically for outdoor use. Indoor lights and especially indoor cords are not designed to withstand winter weather conditions. The cold and the rain could cause irreparable damage to these decorations and also cause short circuits and fires. It’s a great idea to double-check your Christmas lights and decorations to make sure they can withstand the outdoors.
If you do have to use a ladder, use a utility belt and have a helper. That way, you’ll only have to make one trip for your tools, lessening the chance of a fall. Make sure you are using hooks and hangers designed for putting up lights and for outdoor use. Because nails, screws, and pins can damage your home, these hooks provide a safer and more durable alternative.
We all love to decorate our homes for the holidays so check out the services offered Christmas Décor by Perfect Perfect Landscape. Our Full Service Program includes initial design and electrical layout, professional installation of our lights and decor, maintenance during season, and removal/storage after the holidays are done so don’t worry about clearing out the garage 🙂
Our products are all high quality and commercial grade that will last through many Holiday seasons. Top of the line LED roof lights and mini lights in warm white, multi color, or solid color. Realistic artificial garland and wreaths, colorful bows and daytime accents like pine cones and berries. Everything is setup on a timer so that you can safely enjoy the holidays if you are out and about shopping or away visiting friends. No longer will you have to jump out of bed because you forgot to shut them off. The lights will go on and off each day as programmed so you can enjoy the holidays. Save energy too by not having them on all day and night.
Christmas Decor by Picture Perfect Landscape provides service visits to insure your light display is in top shape and if you have any problems a service professional is just a phone call away. Share the Gift of Lights this season with your neighbors, family and friends. Your home will be the envy of the neighborhood with a design from Christmas Decor by Picture Perfect Landscape.
NOTE: As a friendly reminder we have shut down our landscape services for this year and have
Reminder that it's never too early to start planning for the fall and upcoming winter holidays. We've been designing holiday quotes and scheduling since July so now's the time to contact us if you are planning a holiday event and need some professional help. Every year we anticipate high demand and limited availability due to the short window of time during the holidays so the sooner you can contact us the better before we are booked up. UPDATE 11/8/25 Currently scheduling after THANKSGIVING installations.
This year we will be celebrating our 33rd Anniversary for landscaping and 26th for holiday services. We value our existing clients and look forward to an opportunity to serve new clients each season. We hire dedicated and skilled uniformed workers that show up in our company logoed vehicles. We utilize the proper equipment depending on the size of the job and use top of the line landscaping materials along with a team mentality to get the job completed. From the initial office contact to the estimate and design to the actual installation we pride ourselves on communication every step of the way. Reminder: As a reminder, spring maintenance packages were sent out end of January with Prepay/Deposit Incentives for Spring 2024 Estimates along with a copy of our latest newsletter sent out in January/February. You can also view our online version by clicking this link 
For Landscape Improvements with No Surprises, Spring Planning Carefully! Landscape improvements can make a tremendous difference in the looks, usefulness and value of your property. There’s no time like the present to start thinking about new projects. Even though we had a severe drought last fall, 2023 was one of the wettest on record especially all of July and continuing into the fall. After all the rainstorms many clients found themselves addressing drainage issues, repairing or replacing their aging hardscapes like walks, patios stairs and retaining walls. Also, some lawns and shrubs/trees will suffer with too much or too little rain. So, it's a good time to assess your landscaping and invest in some TLC to protect your home and investment.
It All Starts with a Plan and a Realistic Budget
If you have an older landscape, you might consider a systematic plan for rejuvenating a small section of your property each year. This is an effective way to spread landscape renewal expenses out over several phases while “keeping up” with the aging of your plants. Plus, by focusing on just one or two areas at a time, there will be less distractions to slow down your progress. By planning carefully now, you can look forward to a beautiful landscape that improves the quality of your property for years to come. Smart budgeting will also help, and we can assist you with different options depending on long term plan and expectations or if it needs to be completed in a couple of phases.
Almost every yard and landscape will get a little out of shape during the off season. But with spring coming on strong, a little "warm-up" conditioning is probably all that's needed to give you and your property a great jump on the season. Before long it's going to be time to fire up the grill for that first great-tasting cook-out. And now's the time to grab an hour here and there to get your yard and patio ready.
Taking a walk to take stock...Spring Planning
Early planning and budgeting needed for most landscape projects. It's a good idea to start early with any spring projects, but this is especially true for landscape installations or renovations. These take time to plan and construct and spring production schedules fill up in a hurry. This is especially important if you are looking to get a project completed sooner versus later. Due to Covid restrictions, people continuing to stay home more, and increasingly popular work from home options, the current industry material/supply and demand over the past couple years has been turned upside down. We've also seen pricing increased across the board from gas to labor as well, so more planning and project reservations needed than we've seen in the past 30 years of landscaping.
Professional help in spring can be a great value
Spring services offered: pruning, cleaning out the beds and weeding, creating a fresh edge against the lawn, and re-mulching. Update your landscape: Sometimes landscapes get neglected, have an outdated or overgrown look and pruning just won't do. We can remove the undesirable shrubs or trees and suggest replacements to enhance and 
At Picture Perfect Landscape we specialize mostly in landscapes designed for the busy homeowner. More simple designs, less clutter and keeping in mind smarter maintenance while still having color and texture for year-round interest. We also offer annual or semi-annual maintenance of these landscapes. So, if you have existing perennial gardens that require monthly upkeep or looking for an English garden, then we are probably not the right fit for you. Often time, we end up converting these types of landscapes since clients find they can no longer take care of these demanding gardens themselves due to physical or time limitations. Sometimes folks inherit these more demanding landscapes when they purchase a new home. These were usually established and maintained over the years by the previous owner who had more free time and/or money to hire monthly gardeners. We can assess and make changes to create a simpler landscape that requires less maintenance so you can spend more time enjoying your investment.
For those wanting something safe for kids, pets and the environment we have started using Earth's Ally made with sea salt, vinegar and soap. Here's the link for more 
We also recommend using a weed preventer product 3 or 4 times a season such as 
STEP ONE: First up is controlling the weeds you can see growing in your landscape, walkways or walls with a spray for killing live weeds. We recommend using either 
Both Roundup and Natria with Root Killer is absorbed by the leaves of the weed/plant and then with sun and warm temperatures the weed will start to die from within all the way to the roots. Then you can just remove or put topsoil or mulch on top of the area as it decomposes. "Work smarter not harder" as Ron the owner likes to say lol.
For those of you that still have reservations about using Roundup around children or pets due to all the negative media and controversy that is out there, then I would suggest using the 
STEP TWO: Weed Pre-Emergent and Preventer: This was something I found many years ago that was a gardener's secret to keeping their vegetable beds weed free. 
Again it works to prevent new weeds and does absolutely nothing to the live green weeds you have. I mention this because I did have a client many years ago that called up complaining that he had put down 4 buckets of the Preen in his beds and the weeds were still there. I asked if he had sprayed weed killer first and he said no I forgot about that part. Preen works by releasing a little bit of itself when activated by water or rain and creates a barrier that works for about 8 to 12 weeks depending on the type you get. Then you reapply again to keep working for another 2-3 months. Click below to identify some of the most common weeds in our area:
Weed Torches: This is also an option depending on location of weeds. Many of our clients have walkways, patios, driveways and stone areas around beds or pools that require additional maintenance especially if you live near a wood line or your mowing company is not blowing the clippings out of the landscaping. Here is a quick info if you're curious about this chemical free alternative and I remind folks to stay away from vinyl siding, dry mulch, plastic or exposed weed mat or fabric-basically anything that is flammable or can melt 🙂
And lastly, for those of you that live in areas surrounded by woods and thus must battle the yearly bugs like aphids, spider mites, tent caterpillars, and Japanese beetles (just to name a few) here is a product that I recommend for roses and other flowering shrubs to help them battle and recover from these pesky critters. 
