Blog

  • How to Mulch a Tree Incorrectly

    How to Mulch a Tree Incorrectly

    Every spring I cringe when I see freshly mulched landscapes.  The more is better principle gets beaten silly and mulch spread with reckless abandon. This isn’t the first time I’ve discussed how to mulch and it won’t be the last.  How to mulch correctly is a topic worth repeating. Volcano mulching is when a mound…

  • Farmall Cub Tractor

    Farmall Cub Tractor

    This morning I woke up early and went for a walk.  The sun was shining through the window and the day called for me to join. Half a mile from my house I passed a couple of old farm tractors. The first tractor I saw was the Farmall Cub above.  I wish the tractor was in…

  • Another Day at the Office

    Another Day at the Office

    I’ve been working on Lake Zoar in Monroe CT the last couple days.  The weather this week has been beautiful.  High 50’s to low 60’s and sunny.  Last week I worked in a drizzle mixed with snowflakes. The improved weather is a welcome change. The picture at the top of this post is a fire…

  • My New Favorite Park

    My New Favorite Park

    For the last week and a half I’ve visited a small park in town.  The park starts level by the road but quickly drops off to a small rolling river below. I’ve gotten in the habit of getting a bacon, egg and cheese and stopping at the park to eat my breakfast.  It’s on the…

  • Some Mistakes We Have to Make

    Some Mistakes We Have to Make

    I spent most of the day replacing a shock absorber on my truck.  It took me from 9 to 6 to replace one shock absorber.  One shock absorber! I quickly learned there’s a lot of rust on suspension parts which ‘welds’ them together.  Suspension parts are also in awkward places.  Finally, it took two trips…

  • Do The Right Thing

    Do The Right Thing

    It’s 8:30 at night on Labor Day as I write this post.  I just got off the phone with a prospective client who needed some masonry work done to get the CO for their new deck. After asking questions about the job it became clear what they needed more than a landscape designer was a…

  • What a Bunch of Turkeys

    What a Bunch of Turkeys

    Last week I started working at a home with several bird feeders.  It’s amazing the birds a good feeder will attract.

  • It’s Monday Morning and I’m Ready to Work

    It’s Monday Morning and I’m Ready to Work

    One of my rituals on office days is to clean the office before starting work.  I can’t decide if cleaning is a stalling tactic or productivity tweak. Clutter is a huge productivity killer for me.  My brain can’t start solving problems or being creative in clutter. Everything in it’s place and a place for everything.…

  • Lawn Mowing Tips

    Lawn Mowing Tips

    The lawn mowing tips below will make a huge difference in the health and appearance of your lawn. Lawn Mowing Tips 1. Mow often.  In the spring mow your lawn twice a week to keep up with growth. 2. Remove 1/3 or less of the grass-blade when mowing.  Removing 1/3 or less of the grass-blade minimizes…