You Will Save Time & Money

While it may seem that your lawn is a quick cut and seeding away from looking like a professional baseball field, it often needs around-the-clock care to stay strong and healthy.  A professional lawn care service such as Cole Landscaping allows you to focus your time on other priorities in your daily life. Not only will a professional team be able to save you time but also save you money.  Maintaining a healthy lawn requires equipment and products that can become pricey throughout the year.  An experienced team will already have the resources on deck to get the job done efficiently and in a timely manner.

  You Can Enjoy Your Lawn

The last thing that any property owner wants is an eyesore of a lawn, especially if they have invested their hard-earned money to improve their landscape.  With professional experts who know how to maintain every aspect of your lawn, you can rest assured that your lawn will be looking its best year-round, allowing you to enjoy your yard for activities that range from cookouts to enjoying the summer nights by a campfire.

  It Is a Great Investment

While you may not think of lawn care as an investment, it most certainly is.  After all, your propertyâ€s biggest asset is its crowning glory and what makes it stand out from the rest.  A lawn is often the first aspect that people notice when they come across a property.  Plus, a properly maintained lawn gives off the right first impression!

  Custom Plans Just for Your Property

Hiring a team of lawn care professionals allows you to have a custom plan built just for your lawn!  When you work with Cole Landscaping to maintain your lawn care you can expect six bi-monthly visits throughout the seasons to ensure your lawn is well-manicured.  Cole utilizes traditional fertilizer and other bio-sensitive products to assist with insects, diseases, and broadleaf weed control.  What our six lawn care treatments look like:

● Early Spring Application: Traditional fertilizer with pre-emergent with control for broadleaf weeds and crabgrass.

● Spring Application:  Traditional fertilizer with pre-emergent with control for broadleaf weeds and crabgrass.  A technician will also run a spot treat for weeds, including dandelions and clovers.

● Summer Application:  Traditional fertilizer with surface-feeding insect control ( not grub).  Another spot treatment will be done for weeds and clovers.

● Late Summer Application:  Traditional fertilizer OR organic fertilizer, depending on how the summer has treated your lawn.  Plus, a spot check for weeds and clovers.

● Early Fall Application:  Traditional fertilizer with dolomitic limestone to correct pH imbalances.  Plus, a seasonal spot check.

● Fall Application:  Winterizing fertilizer to ensure your lawn rooting system is hardened and protected for the upcoming growing season.

  Start Your Lawn Care Program with Cole Landscaping!

Cole Landscaping is a one-stop shop when it comes to landscaping design and maintenance!  Our team will work with you to create and manage a landscape plan that revolves around your lifestyle and property needs.  For more information on our landscaping design and maintenance services, be sure to contact us at 800-243-5771 or by filling out a contact form on our website!

The post Why a Professional Lawn Care Program Can Benefit You appeared first on Cole Landscaping.

For most of us, summer is not a season of stress. For lawns though, it is. Consistent hot and dry weather over a long period of time can lead to heat or moisture stress. This can cause your lawn to turn brown and even invite a variety of weeds and pests. To keep your lawn at its best and limit the hot summer damage, you should familiarize yourself with some of the basics of this issue.

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Winter is the perfect time to plan your dreamscape.  Think about what your family would benefit from most. Could it be an outdoor kitchen? Or a patio with a fireplace to extend your outdoor season? Perhaps a swimming pool with a separate shaded area for dining and entertaining?

Despite the freezing temperatures and the possibility of snow in the forecast, now is a great time to start planning a major backyard makeover. It is easier to assess the space that you would like to transform your when your plants are dormant. Planning now makes a difference. It may be too late to make plans to renovate your outdoor space  when your grass starts to turn green because landscapers in your area could be completely booked up with their spring and summer projects.

Taking the First Step

Keep in mind that large scale projects take months to plan correctly. There are three major phases before work can begin: Designing, Planning, Permitting. Needless to say, each phase takes time and consideration.

Meet with A Designer and Discuss your Dreamscape

Once you make a decision about the functionality of your project, it’s time to sit with a designer and discuss the its practicality. Joe Klufts, our Landscape Designer, will view your outdoor living area and sit with you to discuss your ideas. Then he will provide you with a set of landscape renderings to help you envision the results.

Review the Plans for your Dreamscape

Usually there are a few rounds of edits to the design plans. Typically we will use the first couple of appointments for discussion and a general conceptual sketch of the project. Then, there may be a few edits after that. For most scenarios it is not uncommon to have several appointments before we can provide a price for your project.

There are many variables that could influence your final design. Supply chain issues are real – you may find that the blue stone that you want for your patio won’t be available until August. Or perhaps the kind of shade trees that you like won’t grow well in your backyard environment. Maybe you will decide to have the work done in stages according to your budget.

Permits Require Time, too

More likely than not, your project will require permits. This is especially true if architectural elements or engineering plans are part of the job. When you have a project that requires surveying, plumbing, or electrical specialties, coordinating early in the season will help you avoid delays when you begin to break ground. Schedules fill up quickly, so it’s best to make your major decisions in the winter.

All in all, the more time you give yourself to plan your landscape design, the more confident you will be when the project is underway in the spring.

Schedule your Appointment Today

Weâ€re gearing up for the “22” landscape season and we are excited to once again be creating some amazing outdoor spaces –  pools, patios, outdoor kitchens, fire pits and more.  How can we help you transform your outdoor living space? Reach out to us for a free consultation.

#colelandscape #colelandscaping #landscapedesign #outdoorliving #thepossibilitiesareendless #backyardmakeover#buildingbackyards #outdoorlivingarea #outdoorrenovating #backyardrenovation

The post Your New Dreamscape Takes Months of Planning appeared first on Cole Landscaping.

Red Thread is one of the most common fungal patch diseases found on lawns during these warm summer months. Other lawn funguses commonly found in turf grasses in New England during this time of year are Pythium and Dollar Spot.

Although it may appear unsightly, the good news is there are several disease-control options available. The best thing you can do for a diseased lawn is to aerate and nourish the soil beneath the turf.

Aeration Heals Your Lawnâ€s Wounds

First, start with proper lawn aeration to ensure that the lawn breathes. Aeration loosens impacted soil and enhances new growth after broadcast seeding. Broadcast seeding coupled with a top-dressing of our own “Black Gold” organic compost is the most cost-effective approach to correcting the problem that “mother nature” has created.  Broadcast Seeding and fertilization enhances new growth by 200% and ensures bare spots grow in.

What is Red Thread?

Red Thread has been running rampant on the North Shore this season. This lawn fungus appears in turf as small pinkish-red spots or patches, usually when temps are high, and humidity is higher. Infected areas eventually turn light tan, and the leaf tips or margins may be covered with fine pink to red threads, giving the turf an overall pink coloration.

Red Thread takes its name from the antler like structures produced by a fungus (Laetisaria fuciformis) on the tips of its blade.  Generally, it is most severe and may cause significant damage to both perennial ryegrass and creeping red fescue. Red thread usually presents itself during warm summer temperatures. We see it most often when there is prolonged high relative humidity, dense fog or overcast skies which commonly occurs this time of year.

Symptoms of Red Thread

The infected grass will firstly be ‘bleached’ in color; the grass will turn pale cream/white. Not all grass blades will be affected, as non-infected blades may exist next to infected blades. In these circumstances the grass will appear visibly messy. In moist conditions the fungus will form the pink branching threads. Once the threads are well developed the lawn will have reddish/pinkish tinge to it in small patches, these patches may join together to form larger patches.

Treating Red Thread

First you should have your lawn evaluated and diagnosed by a professional who will identify and address your lawnâ€s needs. If your lawn has become infected with a fungus, there are two major ways to treat.

The first method is to allow your lawn, and the fungus, to grow out. We apply Triple 19 (19-19-19 – basic lawn fertilizer) to help the lawn with the process. This method is easier, but it takes a considerable amount of time for the lawn to grow out.

The second method is more intense, but it is quicker and more effective. Fungicide, a type of chemical, is applied to the infected area. A good approach to controlling or eliminating Red thread is having your lawn treated with the proper Fungicide. Often times it takes 2 applications of fungicide per year to help your lawn get through the season. Once your lawn has been treated, water deeply and consistently twice weekly.

When to Water your Lawn

Itâ€s best to water your lawn early in the morning or early evening. Never water at night – it makes grass susceptible to disease.

Red Thread Lawn Fungus on the move!

The thing you need to remember is that most turf fungus is NOT a major concern. It will go away on its own with proper care. The first line of defense is aeration with compost top-dressing and broadcast seeding to rejuvenate and add missing nutrients to your soil. Secondly, timely fertilizer and fungicide applications will ensure the health of your lawn throughout the entire growing season. The third component to ensure a lush lawn is keeping up with weekly maintenance, such as a regular irrigation schedule and consistent mowing.

If you are seeing anything that looks like Red Thread on your turf, and you are not currently on our fertilization program, please let us know!   The sooner the lawn is treated the better the outcome.

The post Is Red Thread Ruining Your Lawn? appeared first on Cole Landscaping.

“Go outside for some fresh air!” How many times have we heard our parents say that to us? Maybe it’s not such bad advice… Everyone can benefit from being outside. Besides the benefit of breathing fresh air with fewer germs, being outside – whether you’re working, walking or just putzing around – has a calming effect.

As our company responds to COVID-19, the health and safety of our employees and customers remains our top priority. All of us here at Cole Landscaping, Inc. are following the guidelines set forth by the CDC, FDA, and State of Massachusetts regarding COVD-19.

Spring is our busiest time of year and weâ€re committed to being there when our customers and colleagues need us most.

Our offices will remain open for employees who need to work onsite, but we ask that employees take the necessary preventative measures to help limit the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing and preventative personal hygiene.

Cole Is Keeping It Real

Outside Spring Cleanups have begun and, weather permitting, will continue to run through the end of April. We have trained all our field crews to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines. Here are some safeguards that we put in place to protect everyone’s health and safety.

Precautions In Place

• We will continue to provide outside property visits, but will communicate via phone/email/communication app of your choice.
• We still provide quotes and estimates easily – you can send requests through our website: colelandscaping.com
• Our crew will avoid handshakes and limit close contact with individuals outside their work team during the workday.
• We have restructured start times to limit employees’ close contact at the beginning and end of each day.
• We implemented cleaning and sanitizing schedules for all our trucks and equipment.
• Our crew members have an adequate supply of gloves, hand sanitizer and cleaning items to use before and after touching doorknobs, gate latches or handrails as they work from property to property.
• All these new procedures flow through all our departments as well as our outside vendors, vendor sites, and delivery sites.

Benefits From Being Outside

Stay Healthy and Safe

We recognize that these are uncertain times. At Cole, one thing we know is that for our clients and community being outdoors is a force for good. We are excited about the upcoming season and we will continue to provide you with exceptional service and design.

The post Go Outside For Some Fresh Air appeared first on Cole Landscaping.

Preseason is upon us! Just as pitchers and catchers are packing up their gear for Spring Training, Team Cole is preparing to get your property in shape for your home opener. Here at Cole Landscaping, we understand the importance of your landscape. We are wholeheartedly committed to clients’ needs. We’re talking about Major League Landscaping. With our Signature Services you will never have to worry about your landscape. Our Core Values motivate us to ensure a winning season for your property. Making your property our priority drives our team. This is the reason for our continued growth.

A Day in the Park – We Make Work Fun!

When you do what you love every day, it’s never a chore. Whether installing a new hardscape or tackling Spring Cleanup, you can be assured that the Cole Crew will have all hands on deck to make you look good. We believe in having fun at work. We especially take pride in making your property stand out from the rest. Preseason is a great time for us to get our players in scoring position.

Staying Ahead in the Count

Perhaps you may have noticed our new trucks on the road. We are proud our state-of-the-art fleet. The right equipment gets the job done. From our 3-D design models to our powerful Bark Mulch Blower, the newest technology enables us to work cohesively and efficiently, like a well-oiled machine.

More importantly, we spend preseason “sharpening our blades of knowledge.” Our Spring Training includes breakout sessions for our team and seminars to keep up with what’s “cutting edge” in the industry. We have certifications from ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Paving Institute), NCMA (National Concrete Masonry Association), CLT (NALP-Certified Landscape Technician) and Techo Bloc – Pro installation, just to name a few. Our staff is made up of experts in landscape design, construction, tree and plant care, lighting/electrical, irrigation, mechanics/welding and more.

Preseason Lineup

Team Cole

Meet our team of professionals. We have a passion for our brand that enables us to put our clients’ needs first –always. Our spring lineup assures that you are getting the best service possible.

• Greg Cole – our Ace. As President and CEO of Cole Landscaping, Greg’s focus is creating, communicating, and implementing the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction.

• Barbara Cole, VP of Business Development. Barbara works closely with the administrative aspect of the company, allowing her to maintain a balance between clients, staff, and managers. Being involved in marketing allows her to use her creative side to help grow the business and the team.

• Shaun Powers –MVP, Senior Account Manager. Shaun works with his squad to develop new service approaches and processes that streamline operations to ensure a win for the team.

• Jackie Guyotte, Office Manager. Jackie is busy running the bases handling all the day-to-day needs to run the Front Office.

Our Starters

• Ken Burke, LHC/PHC Manager. He is a certified arborist with deep knowledge of plants and turf grass, their environments and growth habits. Ken’s responsibilities include overseeing all lawn renovation work, conducting service calls, and more!

• Shawn Fenerty, Account Manager DB Construction.  Shawn organizes production schedules for all landscape construction clients, assesses projects and provides clients with estimates.

• Chris Sidebottom, Account Manager for Maintenance. Chris monitors the activity of our crews, working closely with the production team regarding training, scheduling, quality control, and customer service.

• James McInnis, Irrigation Manager. James maintains, and installs irrigation and lighting equipment and systems for clients.

Go Team!

• Kacey Anderson, Project Administrator.  Kacey runs the clubhouse. She’s your go-to person for project administration, construction communications, client liaison and material purchasing.

• John Tassinari, Commercial Sales Manager. John has the best RBI in our sales department – he’s always hitting homeruns. He is the point of contact for commercial clients and handles all transactions from the initial contact through the project completion. John goes beyond the scope of the project/contract by proactively presenting site enhancement ideas.

• Joel Tyack, Field Operations Manager DB Construction. Joel handles both residential and commercial jobs for the team. He is our jack-of-all trades with certifications in refrigeration, auto & diesel mechanical equipment, and structural welding.

The post Gear Up For Preseason appeared first on Cole Landscaping.

Ready or not, it’s fall! Here’s a checklist to follow in autumn for a great-looking yard in the spring!

Fall is one of the best times to improve your lawn, trees, shrubs, and garden. The basic maintenance you do now will pay off in healthier growth and fewer problems next spring and summer. And because soils are still warm despite the falling temperatures, the weeks ahead are an ideal time to put many plants into the ground, no matter where you live.

You might think the checklist seems overwhelming but the good news is we are here to help! We have everything you need to get these tasks done!

Fertilize

Fall fertilizing helps keep lawns vigorous and healthy where growing seasons are long and reduces the length of a dormant period during which the lawn is an unattractive brown. We recommend two applications-the first soon afterLabor Day, the second around the last time you mow for the year.

Fall Lawn Aeration – Don’t forget Cole’s Black Gold Compost Top-dressing

Aerating involves extracting small cores of soil and perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. This helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn. Our signature compost top-dressing, lovingly called ‘Black Gold’ replenishes your soil with highly organic nutrients.

Seed or Overseed

Fall is also a good time to repair bare spots in an old lawn, or to overseed a dormant summer lawn. Seeding in fall ensures your lawn gets a head start in the spring.

Plant Fall Evergreens

Early fall planting gives new plants enough time to get their roots established before winter.

Divide and Cut Back Perennials

Fall is the perfect time to get out, enjoy the cool weather and maintain your Perennial Garden  Whether you’re cutting perennials back, dividing varieties that have grown substantially, or digging up and moving plants that didn’t do well this past season – fall is the time to do it.

Get Bulbs in the Ground

Plant your favorite bulbs now for colorful springtime blooms.

Plant Fall Annuals

Once your summer blooms fade, add color to your garden with fall annuals, such as colorful mums.

Fall Ornamental Tree and Shrub Pruning

Cut back deciduous shrubs and trees after they have dropped their foliage. New growth that starts after late-season pruning won’t harden off properly before winter. If you want to do major pruning, it’s best to cut the shrub back when it is dormant in winter.

Protect Cold Sensitive Plants

Shrubs, roses, and perennials that might succumb to blasts of cold should be protected with burlap or having them tied to protect from trees being damaged.

Fall Clean up

Prior to the first snowfall, make sure to schedule a thorough fall clean up! This fall cleanup is important for your yard so as to protect against the fallen leaves from choking your yard. Cleanup in the lawn and the property is an essential evil this time of the year.

Irrigation Winterization

Be sure to schedule Winterization of Irrigation of Irrigation Systems, Fountains, and Drip-Irrigation before the temperatures drop.

Ensure any standing water is removed from your watering equipment; store items in a dry place.

Get Help with your Fall Checklist

Between the “Back to School” rush, sports and weekend activities, there is so much to do with so little time! Don’t get overwhelmed – let Cole Landscaping  tackle that checklist.

The post Checklist for Fall Lawn and Yard Maintenance appeared first on Cole Landscaping.

If your lawn is looking a little tired, consider a top-dressing of Black Gold, Cole’s highly organic compost. As the hot summer winds down and we move through August into the fall, it is important to start thinking ahead to the next season. There are many benefits to using compost and applying organic matter to your property. Cole Landscaping is proud to offer this all-natural top-dressing service.

The Process

First we will core aerate the complete property. Then we will broadcast this highly organic matter throughout the area along with seed. This gives you a much greener lawn through the fall and it will come back in the spring lush and beautiful.

What is compost and why should you use it?

Compost is the product resulting from the controlled biological decomposition of organic material that has been sanitized through the generation of heat and stabilized to the point that it is beneficial to plant growth. Above all, organic matter is vital to productive soils and healthy plant growth. Compost is certainly an excellent source of organic matter that promotes biologically active soil by adding beneficial microorganisms.

What else can compost do for your lawn?

• Incorporates slow release nutrients in an organic form
• Leaves pore spaces behind for roots to colonize as it breaks down
• Improves soil moisture retention
• Adds life and organic matter to the soil
• Allows micro-organisms to thrive and multiply to fight many soil-borne diseases

The Power of the Bark Blower

Our Cole crew alongside our powerful  Finn Bark Blower can service your property in no time at all. The Finn Blower is designed specifically to convey considerable volumes of heavy material (loam, stone etc.) as well as lighter materials (bark mulch, compost, playground chips) to large areas very quickly. Therefore, it is perfect for all size areas, including hillsides, tough terrain, and hard to reach places!

Contact Cole if your lawn is looking tired and could use some TLC.

The post Black Gold – Cole’s Compost Top-Dressing appeared first on Cole Landscaping.

Our Approach

Instead of using traditional cobble we decided to do something a little different.  Therefore we installed a reclaimed Gloucester chunk stone for a classy old estate look.  The chunk stone planter edges complement the house as well as define the beds. The chunk stone edges also tie together nicely with the existing granite at the entry of the driveway.

The Plantings

Working with a few of their existing specimen plants such as Butterfly Bush and Endless Summer Blue Hydrangea, we added a stellar plant palate fit for the beach. We chose Lime Light Hydrangeas, classic white Beach Roses, Sedum, Lavender, Iberis, Dianthus, Alliums, and Morning Light Ornamental Grass and Fountain Grass.  We also installed Baby Blue Eyes Blue Spruce for privacy and a specimen Japanese Stewartia tree for its showy summer flowers and intense fall color.  For the final touch, we added a stone mulch to keep in context with the beach theme as well as  to prevent curious pups from digging in the garden!

If you need a fresh new look for your landscape and you don’t know where to begin, Cole design experts will be happy to come up with a plan that works for you. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

The post “Beachy” Scheme for Gloucester Home appeared first on Cole Landscaping.

Our Manchester-By-The Sea client was in desperate need of a patio makeover. Their original walkway and patio consisted of rough cobble. The area was showing its age and it was time for an upgrade. For instance, the walking surface was very uneven. Some areas of the masonry were deteriorating. Since they were planning an addition of a new three season room, it was obvious that the old patio had to go.

Prepping for the Patio Makeover

First we had to remove all of the old cobble and stone walls to make room for the addition.

The Plan

Our client wanted a fresh new look that would complement their new addition. From a design standpoint, we wanted the patio makeover to seamlessly blend in with its surroundings. Therefore, we used natural stone for all surfaces. First we laid bluestone for the patio and walkways – the back patio includes a reclaimed granite inlay. The natural colors in the bluestone reflect hues of the sky and the earth. Then we used granite for the steps, walls and caps. The durability of granite will stand the test of time.

The Execution

Once the new hardscape was set in place, it was time get to work on the softscape to complete our project. In addition to installing new plants, we relocated a Japanese stewartia from the corner of the house to the corner of the driveway. This proved to be quite a task, but our skilled crew got it done in no time at all. Our plantings include: white shrub roses, Russian sage, butterfly bushes, endless summer hydrangeas, overdam grasses, deutzia, geranium, dianthus and ground cover sedum.

If you have an area of you landscape that could use a little TLC and you don’t know where to begin, Cole design experts can lead you in the right direction. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

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