Maintenance Instructions for New Installations

We always recommend new seed at the end of summer or early fall, but sometimes you miss that opportunity and seeding takes place when it needs to be done. It's important to water new seeds, you will want to water new seeds ideally once a day evening or morning(skip if it rains) until seeds have germinated (when you see green). After germination you will ween off watering over the next 10 days and ideally after that rainfall will suffice but if it's during a dry period you may be required to water for longer. The idea is to keep seedlings wet while germinating for best results, depending on the weather it could be more or less watering than recommended above.

After germination your first lawn cut should be once grass is about 5-6 inches tall and only use a light lawn mower or a weed whacker. You will want to do the first cut around 4 inches high. The first few cuts be careful not to rip out the new grass, roots have not been fully established. Always mow at 3 inches or higher and routinely fertilize grass and use pre-emergent weed control in the early spring.  We fertilize at installation so wait at least one month before applying any fertilizer. Most new seed require patch seeding a couple months after planting. We recommend aeration and overseeding one year later.

Fescue Sod is best to be installed in the cooler months, March to May and September to December. Where Zoysia sod is best during the warmer months, May-September.  It's very important to water sod after it's been installed. Sod needs to be kept wet until its established but not soggy. If you step on the sod and feel your feet sinking into mud underneath, then it's too much water. If you can see the corners drying and turning lighter green to brown, then it's not enough water. Ideally water morning and evening every day for the first 10 days or so and then ween off watering from there.  Your first lawn cut should be once grass is about 4-5 inches tall and only use a light lawn mower or a weed whacker. You will want to do the first cut around 4 inches high. The first few cuts be careful not to rip out the sod, roots have not been fully established. Always mow at 3 inches or higher and routinely fertilize grass and use pre-emergent weed control in the early spring. We fertilize at installation so wait at least one month before applying any fertilizer. We recommend aeration and overseeding one year later. You must keep your pets from urinating on new sod or you will see urine stains. When we install sod we will do our best to scrape out extra where existing urine stains are but we cannot guarantee that the soil will not still be contaminated and cause brown spot on sod. 

After installing plants it's important to water. When watering trees and shrubs you will want to water at the base of the plant, there is no need to spray the foliage and for some plants this can be harmful. Perennials/annuals you will follow the same rule, if possible, most perennials/annuals are planted in clumps and will require sprinkler watering. The larger the tree or shrubs root ball the more water it will require. Trees, Shrubs, annuals and perennials will want to water daily for the first 2 weeks in the evening or night, 3 times a week for the following 3 weeks, and then 1 to 2 times a week for the following 3 weeks. The following summer after installing new plants it's very important to water during dry periods, younger plants roots are not as established and can dry out and die easier during drought conditions. It's also important not to over water plants for this could cause root rot and could damage or kill the plant. There are different plant species ranging differently in how much moisture they will tolerate; we recommend doing a quick google search on the specific plants you had installed to get more detailed information. Quick rule of thumb, if it's been dry and your plant doesn't look too good most likely it is drying out. Fertilize trees, shrubs, and cool season perennials during cooler seasons, Warm season perennials and annuals fertilize during summer months. Practice proper pruning techniques with clean sharp pruners, cutting at a 45-degree angle when possible. Shear hedges and shrubs also with clean sharp shears or hedge trimmers for a more uniform look. Proper dead head perennials when appropriated and prune deciduous shrubs typically right after blooming. We recommend a quick google search for proper pruning of your specific plants.

We set our patios on gravel base with polymeric joints. After patio is installed you will want to keep traffic to minimum for the following 48 hours and keep dry. After one week you can apply water with pressure, we will typically wash off as part of the job. After that there is minimal maintenance just keep the patio clean and in about 10 years you may need to repair polymeric joints in some sections. 

There is little to no maintenance for retaining walls. Lumber walls are set and good to go at completion, block walls take about 24 to 48 hours for adhesive to cure, so keep traffic to minimum during that time. This includes steps built from retaining wall block.

Ponds and streams will need to be filled up on occasion, mainly during dry periods, especially with large water fall features because of the splash. It should only be about 1 inch of water to fill per week, depending on rain fall and heat. To prevent algae, build up we recommend tadpoles, snails, fish and water plants. You can also use products to help keep water clear and algae free, follow instructions from products. Keep leaves and debris out of water, a net can be set up during fall and spring or a rake can be used to scoop leaves out of the water, it's easier to do right after leaves have fallen. Keep pond pump clean and free of debris, check pump on occasion and wipe off or rinse filter. During winter months if you do not wish to operate the pump you must drain pond of water to keep ice from damaging pipes or pump. You can run pumps during winter months even during freeze periods. If you notice a drastic decrease in water over a short period of time, check outer ridge of liner to make sure water is not spilling over in an area. 

All trees and shrubs are warrantied to the following May 31st. We do not warranty shurbs planted between May 31st and August 15th. This warranty covers plant material that half or more of the plant materiel is dying. The following list qualifies to void the warranty if plant materiel shows signs of: drying out, covered in weeds or vines, Animal, insect, or disease damage, wind or storm damage, planting in an area that we suggest not too(ex: under drip line of existing tree), root rot due too over watering or irrigation issues. Unfortunately these issues are outside of our control after installing plants and we can not guarantee the prevention of these scenarios. 

All hardscaping come with a 2 year warranty. The warranty covers any patio/wall shifting, patio joint repair, Paver, block or stone unusual excessive wear(Chipping or flaking), loose wall cap stones. The following list qualifies to void the warranty if hardscaping show signs of: Use of harmful chemicals(salt, rust from furniture, ect.), physical damage from vehicle, trees, toys, ect., Heavy machinery use or vehicle use on patios not built for parking. 

We do not warranty sod, perennials, seed. New seed typically will come in a little patchy at first and requires an additional seeding, and almost always requires the balance of the soil, which can be done over the course of a year or more with a consistent lawn care program.