Call For A Free Consultation 631-467-7999
Blog Archive

Blog Archive

Browse our complete collection of 147 articles on horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscaping

147 articles
Hay Bale Gardening
February 15, 2021

Hay Bale Gardening

Hay bale gardening, or straw bale gardening—as it should be called—is a great way to make your growing season easy and plentiful.

Read More →
Planning a Spring Garden
January 18, 2021

Planning a Spring Garden

Planning a spring garden is a great way to help you get through the dreary winter months. While the cold is still here, start your plan for early spring.

Read More →
Cutting Decorative Grasses
December 21, 2020

Cutting Decorative Grasses

While you can leave ornamental grasses without care all year, they will look more attractive if you cut them in late fall or early spring.

Read More →
Winterizing Strawberry Pots
December 7, 2020

Winterizing Strawberry Pots

Strawberries are one of the more hardy fruits you can plant; but they still benefit from winterizing if you want to be sure of a full crop come spring.

Read More →
Making Pumpkins Last
November 2, 2020

Making Pumpkins Last

You spent time picking out your pumpkin, now now can you keep them lasting through Thanksgiving and beyond without it succumbing to rot and decay?

Read More →
How to Overwinter Mums
October 13, 2020

How to Overwinter Mums

Mums are one of the most popular flowers you’ll see this time of year. Here's how to keep them alive through the winter for year.

Read More →
Keeping Ticks Out of the Yard
October 5, 2020

Keeping Ticks Out of the Yard

With the fall weather here your family is likely to spend a lot of time outdoors. It’s still warm enough to barbecue and the kids love jumping in piles of leaves. What you don’t want to happen is for them to become victims of tick bites. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention »

Read More →
When to Harvest Vegetables
August 3, 2020

When to Harvest Vegetables

We’re just about in the middle of summer and that means that some of your vegetables are ready to harvest. But how do you know exactly when harvest time is?

Read More →
Avoiding Mosquito Bites
July 7, 2020

Avoiding Mosquito Bites

Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide that we exhale when we breathe. Learn how to avoid getting bitten and becoming lunch for these bloodsuckers.

Read More →
Summer Fruit Tree Pruning
June 1, 2020

Summer Fruit Tree Pruning

Summer pruning of fruit trees is done both to increase year’s crop and improve this year’s harvest. Here are a few tips on how to do it right.

Read More →
Lawn Weed Control
May 18, 2020

Lawn Weed Control

Having a lush, weed-free lawn doesn't happen by accident. these tips to ensure that your lawn is a sea of green this summer.

Read More →
How to Remove Tick Bites
May 4, 2020

How to Remove Tick Bites

There are many myths surrounding methods for tick removal. This will separate fact from fiction and help you to remove a tick safely.

Read More →
Ticks: Know the Facts
April 23, 2020

Ticks: Know the Facts

Ticks live in almost every environment on earth. Find out how to deal with the ticks of New York and Long Island and what you can do to avoid them.

Read More →
Planting Fruit Trees
March 16, 2020

Planting Fruit Trees

Growing fruit trees can be an extremely rewarding experience. these tips to learn to plant and keep happy and healthy trees.

Read More →
Fall 2019
November 5, 2019

Fall 2019

Fall 2019 Featured in this article: Tropical Plants- Colocasia, Xanthosoma and Alocasia

Read More →
Time to Think About Planning Your Holiday Lighting!
October 30, 2019

Time to Think About Planning Your Holiday Lighting!

It may seem early—after all, fall has just arrived—but the time to plan your holiday lighting is now. If you’re going for a professional display slots book quickly, so you should call the pros now to schedule. If you’re more of a DIY person you can still start planning now so you’re ready for a »

Read More →
Tips for Growing Pumpkins
October 28, 2019

Tips for Growing Pumpkins

It’s almost pumpkin season, and while they’re already showing up in supermarkets, if you’re growing your own pumpkins it’s likely that they’re not quite ready yet. Whether you’re a pumpkin pro or want to research how to grow your own for year, these tips can help you grow pumpkins for pie, Jack-O’-lanterns, or just »

Read More →
Prepare Your Property for Spring
February 27, 2019

Prepare Your Property for Spring

Believe it or not, spring is coming, and it’ll be here sooner than you think. For some, you’ll want to prepare your property for those real estate hunters by boosting curb appeal; for others, you just want to make sure that your garden looks its best once the blooms appear. Whatever your reason, a bit »

Read More →
Winter Spray. When Do I Start?
November 8, 2018

Winter Spray. When Do I Start?

Were your plants looking ragged this year? Whether it be from pests, disease, or insects, shrubs and trees can benefit from dormant spray treatments...

Read More →
How to Attract Birds To Your Yard!
June 26, 2018

How to Attract Birds To Your Yard!

Gardens can be visually stunning and—if you are using the right plants—will provide a wonderful bouquet; they can create lovely arrangements for your home and emit a welcoming scent! Sitting outside, surrounded by nature you might feel something is missing: birds! Birds can provide a variety of benefits to your yard and a »

Read More →
Why It Is Important To Fertilize
April 20, 2018

Why It Is Important To Fertilize

A professional lawn care service knows the importance of proper fertilization to extend the lifespan of healthy trees. Fertilization will help ensure the correct nutrients are applied to allow a tree to reach maturity. What is Fertilizer? Fertilizer is any natural or chemical substance added to the soil to increase the parcel of »

Read More →
Safe Solutions For Insect Control
March 26, 2018

Safe Solutions For Insect Control

Most of us on Long Island, the East End, in particular, are looking forward to enjoying the outdoors now that the warmer season is upon us. But along with the arrival of flowers and greenery in the garden come dreaded pests, including ticks and mosquitos. These critters are not only pesky, but they often carry »

Read More →
Protecting Your Plants From The Cold
January 19, 2018

Protecting Your Plants From The Cold

This has been a particularly cold and harsh winter. While we haven’t been buried in a ton of snow, the cold can also take its toll on even the heartiest of winter plants such as Rhododendrons, Hollies and Evergreens. These plants are designed to survive a harsh winter with their thick waxy coverings on their »

Read More →
Protecting Your Trees From Winter Storm Damage
December 15, 2017

Protecting Your Trees From Winter Storm Damage

Winter is not even here yet and Long Island has had two snowfalls. While some people revel in a winter wonderland, snow and ice can have damaging effects on your trees and shrubs. This year we had a very late fall—there are still some leaves hanging on to the trees. When you add snow and »

Read More →
Protect Your Trees During the Holiday Season
November 10, 2017

Protect Your Trees During the Holiday Season

As the days get darker and the nights colder, we are reminded that the holidays are just around the corner. While the festive lights of the season bring warmth to many, when setting up your outdoor light displays you should take extra care of your trees and plants. Here are some excellent tree and plant-friendly »

Read More →
Warm fall means late-season ticks
October 11, 2017

Warm fall means late-season ticks

It is already mid-October and we are still in the grips of summer it seems. While to many this may be a time to rejoice, there are some downsides to this warm fall (and not just to those who are eager to break out their fall boots and sweaters). The warm weather also extends »

Read More →
Prevent Tree Damage During a Hurricane
September 10, 2017

Prevent Tree Damage During a Hurricane

With hurricane season upon us, we need to start thinking seriously about the damage these storms can bring, especially on our trees and property. Some trees are more prone to storm damage than others. A shallow-rooted tree growing in soft soil, for instance, can easily topple onto a house or car. Roots can come up »

Read More →
Think you're almost rid of ticks and mosquitoes? Think again.
August 9, 2017

Think you're almost rid of ticks and mosquitoes? Think again.

Now that summer is starting to die down it’s time to think about getting that last bit of beach time and forget about ticks and mosquitoes, right?  Not exactly.  Ticks and mosquitoes are active throughout the summer and well into the fall. Cold weather will kill off a few species, but most mosquitoes will simply »

Read More →
Tree Killing Bugs
July 7, 2017

Tree Killing Bugs

Trees are often known for their strength; however, even the strongest tree can be taken down by these tree killing pests. Here are just a few of the bugs that can destroy whole yards.   Hemlock Woolly Adelgid The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is an insect native to East Asia, now infesting hemlock trees from New »

Read More →
Getting Your Lawn It's Greenest
April 28, 2017

Getting Your Lawn It's Greenest

Nothing says summer a lush, inviting, green lawn. Proper lawn care not only looks good, it may add value to your home; especially if you maintain the rest of your home’s curb appeal. Keeping your grass green can take some work. Here are some tips to help you out.   Choose a variety »

Read More →
Warm Winter Brings More Ticks
March 29, 2017

Warm Winter Brings More Ticks

While we had a few cold snaps this winter, the season has been relatively mild over all. This sounds a plus, we avoided devastating storms and icy temperatures, but a warm winter can bring on big problems pests. Tick populations tend to explode in seasons following mild winters when long stretches of freezing »

Read More →
All About Roots
February 17, 2017

All About Roots

Healthy roots make for healthy trees. They absorb water and minerals, food and water storage, and anchorage. Fostering root growth will build strong, hearty trees. Roots are predominantly located in the top to 24 inches of the soil and occasionally can grow deeper to feet if soil conditions allow. They tend to »

Read More →
Tree Shapes
January 11, 2017

Tree Shapes

Landscape designs can be as unique as the individual themselves. There are many types of trees to fit any style or aesthetic.  Just as important as finding the right type of tree for your climate, choosing the right shape of tree can make all the difference. Here is a basic guide to tree shapes.   »

Read More →
All is Merry & Bright: A Brief History of Christmas Lights
November 30, 2016

All is Merry & Bright: A Brief History of Christmas Lights

Light has always been an important part of the holiday season. For centuries people would decorate their Christmas trees with lit candles. As you can imagine, fire on a dry pine tree is just a massive fire waiting to happen and they did often. In 1900, eight years after General Electric purchased the patent rights »

Read More →
Just When You Thought You Were Safe From Ticks
October 19, 2016

Just When You Thought You Were Safe From Ticks

As the weather gets cooler, summer pests mosquitos and wasps begin to disappear and most people think that ticks also disappear along with the risk for disease transmission once there is a frost and the weather turns cooler, but they couldn’t be more wrong. While some species, American dog tick and Lone »

Read More →
Tree Boring Insects: What You Need to Know
July 15, 2016

Tree Boring Insects: What You Need to Know

Landscape trees burst to life in the spring, sprouting flowers in almost every color and young, tender leaves that soon expand to create puddles of shade on the lawn. But what does it mean when it’s mid summer and your trees look it’s still early spring? You might have a problem with tree »

Read More →
When to call an Arborist
June 15, 2016

When to call an Arborist

A mature tree can account for as much as % of your assessed property value, depending on your market, but sometimes a valuable tree uproots. It may seem these things happen without warning, but your trees often tell you when there is a problem. If you think your trees are changing, or you see »

Read More →
Zika Tips
May 16, 2016

Zika Tips

Is Zika on your mind? We’ve got some helpful information. According to the CDC, outbreaks of Zika have been reported in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and most recently in the Americas. Because the mosquitoes that spread Zika virus are found throughout the world, it is likely that outbreaks will continue to spread. »

Read More →
Zika Virus in New York
April 20, 2016

Zika Virus in New York

There are a lot of dangerous infections that can be spread by mosquitoes, but currently, the Zika virus is causing serious concern up and down the East Coast. According to the CDC Zika virus is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, »

Read More →
March 23, 2016

Spring Garden Tips

Looking for Spring gardening tips? As we see the last of the frost we need to start thinking about early spring planting!

Read More →
How to Spot a Problem Tree
February 9, 2016

How to Spot a Problem Tree

Fallen trees can cause serious damage to property. Here are some tips to help you spot potential problematic trees that are at a greater risk for falling branches or even the entire tree itself.   Start from the Bottom Check the tree’s base, take notice for hollow cavities or the presence of mushrooms could »

Read More →
Winterizing Your Garden
December 28, 2015

Winterizing Your Garden

Winterizing your garden will pay off. This winter may seem nonexistent, but it is coming and here are some tips to prepare for the coming frost.

Read More →
Fun Facts about Christmas Light Displays
November 13, 2015

Fun Facts about Christmas Light Displays

One of the best parts about the Christmas and Holiday season is how wonderfully decorated the neighborhood gets.  Whether it is a simple, traditional display or a set up that would make Clark Griswold jealous,  it seems that it just wouldnt be the same if this »

Read More →
September 9, 2015

Growing Mums

Growing mums can be a bit tricky. Mums are a great fall flower and will add color to your garden well into the season. Here are some tips to grow mums.

Read More →
The Hampton Classic Horse Show
August 4, 2015

The Hampton Classic Horse Show

This year's Hampton Classic horse show will take place on August 23rd through the 30th. Every summer it is one of the largest outdoor horse shows in the US.

Read More →
These Bugs are Tree Killers
July 1, 2015

These Bugs are Tree Killers

There are many insects that attack hardwood trees which ultimately cause death or devalue a tree in the urban landscape and rural forest to the point where they need to be cut.  These are the five most common and destructive tree killers. # – Gypsy Moth: The moth was introduced into the United States in »

Read More →
Preventing Late Frost From Damaging Your Plants
March 23, 2015

Preventing Late Frost From Damaging Your Plants

This winter has been particularly brutal and seemingly never ending, but as it gets warmer in spring there is still risk for another cold snap that can undo all your hard early planting work. With the warm weather allowing plants to bud earlier this year, these tips to keep your plants flourishing even when »

Read More →
Protecting your Garden in the Snow
January 28, 2015

Protecting your Garden in the Snow

This winter, be careful when shoveling, plowing, or blowing snow. If you can’t remember where plantings are located, place s with reflectors to the plants. In addition to clearing off sidewalks and driveways, snow should be cleared off of trees and delicate shrubs, either with a broom or a hand held blower. This will »

Read More →
Brighten up your winter garden.
November 20, 2014

Brighten up your winter garden.

Winter traditionally means the end of your garden, but these are some plants that you can grow to bring color and life to the cold months.   Heather This plant blooms all year and offers beautiful flowers in summer and fall. In winter the thick foliage makes an appealing contrast to the more delicate »

Read More →
Trends in Holiday Lighting
October 17, 2014

Trends in Holiday Lighting

With Christmas just a few weeks away it’s time to start thinking about holiday lighting. Whether you intend to have a house that can be seen from space, or are planning a more modest display, the holiday lighting trends for 2014 are sure to have something for everyone.   #Bigger is Better Giant »

Read More →
Goodnight, Garden! How to put your garden to bed for winter.
September 15, 2014

Goodnight, Garden! How to put your garden to bed for winter.

Putting Your Vegetable Garden to Bed You can pone the inevitable (that is, winter) for a while by covering your vegetables with old sheets or bedspreads on cold nights, but the declining light and chilly daytime temperatures will naturally bring plant growth to a halt. See how to predict a frost. •        Leave carrots, »

Read More →
Container gardening tips
August 14, 2014

Container gardening tips

Growing plants in containers can be the perfect solution for gardeners with limited space, and on Long Island, where we can have HOT summers, but super cold winters, it can even allow you to enjoy the beauty of tropical plants year round.   Type of container   Most nurseries offer a huge selection of »

Read More →
When Less is More: Handling an Inchworm Infestation
July 2, 2014

When Less is More: Handling an Inchworm Infestation

Every summer, they arrive. Little green worms, dropping from threads and spinning in the breeze. While one or two of these little insects can seem cute, when they multiply, they can cause real damage to our trees and shrubs. Inchworms go by many different names, including cankerworms, spanworms, loopers, and measuring worms. Generally reaching one »

Read More →
March 4, 2014

Organic Living Calendar

January Tips: Check on dahlia, canna, and gladiolus bulbs for rotting and/or drying out Prune away storm-damaged branches promptly to prevent tearing of the bark Prune forsythia, pussy willow, quince, etc. for forcing indoors Determine types and quantities of plants/seeds to order February Tips: Prune summer and fall blooming shrubs On frigid nights continue to »

Read More →
Winter 2013
December 7, 2013

Winter 2013

Winter 2013 Featured in this article: Forcing Branches of Spring Flowering Trees & Shrubs

Read More →
Spring 2013
March 19, 2013

Spring 2013

Spring 2013 Featured in this article: Downy Mildew of Impatiens; New Sections- Plants for Spring & Nurturing Nutrition with Karen Sullivan

Read More →
631-467-7999

Contact Us

Fill out the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Thank You!

Your message has been received successfully.

We'll get back to you as soon as possible.