Landscape Articles | Maintenance and Care

Zach Rubin | March, 2024

Grass Alternatives: How Hardscape Can Reduce Your Lawn and Increase Your Enjoyment

With a large lawn comes a huge amount of upkeep. Between mowing, weeding, fertilizing and other lawn care chores, you can spend hours each week caring for a large swathe of grass. A huge grassy area may seem ...

green fall cleanup: tips to keep your yard looking great

Judith Lipson- Rubin | October, 2023

Green Fall Lawn Cleanup: Tips to Keep Your Yard Looking Great in a Sustainable Way

When most people think of a fall yard cleanup, they envision transforming their yard into a spotless lawn and garden beds full of perfectly manicured grass, without a single leaf in sight. This may be a nice image for a ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2023

The Crucial Steps to a Lawn Renovation in the Fall

Spring and summer are by far the busiest times in the garden, but just because the weather has turned cooler doesn’t mean it’s time to hang up those gardening gloves just yet. There are a lot of tasks that can be ...

ancient techniques in the modern garden

Judith Lipson- Rubin | January, 2023

Ancient Techniques for the Modern Garden

Before the mass adoption of chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and mechanized farming equipment in the early 20th century, people had to rely on more natural methods of cultivating plants. Prior to these changes, ...

Helping Plants Survive Times of Drought and Extreme Heat

Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2022

Helping Plants Survive Times of Drought and Extreme Heat

For an environmentally conscious gardener, managing your garden during a drought is a constant battle between needing to conserve water and keeping your parched plants alive. Drought is often paired with heat waves ...

what's great to know about sustainable lawns and lawn care

Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2022

What's great to know about sustainable lawns and lawn care

Home lawn care has been a subject of human interest since around the 11th century, with the Japanese sodding areas around their gardens with turf grasses taken from livestock fields. Since then, with the introduction of ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | April, 2022

The Best Garden Landscaping Tips Every Homeowner Wants to Know

There are few better feelings than getting outside and getting lost in your garden. No matter what the task at hand involves, from pruning and weeding to ensure your beds look beautiful, it’s an amazing feeling to ...

ecological fall cleanups

Judith Lipson- Rubin | October, 2020

The Difference between Traditional and Ecological Fall Cleanup Part 3

In part one of our series comparing ecological cleanups with traditional ones, we discussed the differences between ecological and conventional landscaping. In the second part, we reviewed some of the specific processes ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | August, 2019

What's the difference between organic and conventional landscaping?

We live in a time when humans have a tremendous impact on the environment with agriculture and industry. This is especially true in developed countries – according to research by the University of Michigan, we would ...

front yard landscape pruning

Judith Lipson- Rubin | August, 2019

How to Prune Plants so They Thrive

Pruning is one of those gardening techniques that many people overcomplicate. While pruning does help a plant grow strong, healthy, and in the proper direction, that doesn’t mean it has to be a complex undertaking that ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | July, 2019

Expert Advice for Creating an Easy & Enjoyable Landscape

A common misconception we see among homeowners is that it takes tons of time and effort to build and then maintain a yard that provides enjoyment. Many people mistakenly believe that they don’t have enough spare time to ...

hardscape patio landscaping

Judith Lipson- Rubin | June, 2019

5 Super Easy Ways to Fix a Bad Home Builder Landscape Job

A skilled builder can add features like decks, hardscaping, and other attractive structures that make your home better both aesthetically and functionally. Ideally, you want your home’s construction features to ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | June, 2019

Common Pruning Mistakes & How to Fix Them

With the warmer weather of summer now here to stay in Massachusetts, homeowners will soon start seeing sprouts and seedlings from their early season plantings, if they haven’t already. As your yard grows, it’s important ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | June, 2019

The 4 Best Organic Weed Control Tips Gardeners Love

Everyone loves having a healthy yard that is capable of growing many types of interesting, vibrant shrubs and trees. Unfortunately, the presence of unsightly weeds is one of the drawbacks of having a yard that can ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | June, 2019

Why Won't My Garden Grow? 3 Mistakes According to Mary

Now that we’re into June and the summer solstice is only a few weeks away, it’s time for the Earth to show us its natural beauty in the form of colorful, vibrant shrubs and trees. Yet we’ve found that this is also a ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | May, 2019

The Top 3 Summer Flowers to Beautify Your Landscape

After battling the forces of winter into the early part of May, it appears to finally be time for consistent warm weather here in Massachusetts! We’ve been dealing with the cold longer than normal this year, which can ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | November, 2018

The Monsanto Lawsuit - Is Roundup (glyphosate) Safe to Use in Your Yard?

Using organic methods to take care of your lawn isn’t just better for the environment - it may also be safer for human health. This past summer, a terminally ill former groundskeeper in San Francisco was awarded a $250 ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | October, 2018

Redoing Your Lawn for Fall in Massachusetts

In the fall, changing leaves bring the year’s last few splashes of color as flowers, shrubs, and other plants start to become dormant for winter. Even though spring and summer are the main bloom times, there are many ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2018

3 Vegetable Garden Tips for Fall in Massachusetts

Growing vegetables and other edible plants is one of the most rewarding forms of gardening. You get to enjoy the fruits of your labor - literally - with fresh food, spices, and herbs that can be used in delicious meals. ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2018

Extending Your Fall Bloom Time for An Attractive Yard - Even in Cold Weather

Now is the time of year when cold weather approaches and spring blooms are mostly gone. But just because it’s not the beginning of the season doesn’t mean you have no interest in your yard to look forward to. With some ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2018

3 Tips for Fall Season Planting in Massachusetts

With Labor Day now behind us, it’s time to wrap up summer and start preparing for autumn. Though the hot weather is still hanging around right now, before you know it the temperatures will drop and you’ll need a jacket ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2018

Reducing Waste and Harm to the Environment Part 2

In our previous blog post, we touched on methods to choose, arrange, and support healthy shrubs and trees in your yard. For this post, we will be talking about ways to maintain your yard over the long run. We’ll also ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | July, 2018

3 Tips for Conserving Water in Your Home Landscape Design

In a July 2018 meeting, the Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force declared that the state of Massachusetts was free of drought conditions. This is a sigh of relief for residents of the state who remember the ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | June, 2018

The Top 6 Organic Pest Control Methods for Massachusetts Landscaping

Every yard will eventually face pest problems. Caterpillars stripping leaves in your new vegetable garden and fungus that causes root rot in flowers and shrubs are only a couple of examples of the extensive damage that ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | May, 2018

The Organic Gardening Guide to Summer Yard Maintenance

Once summer hits and you’ve finished all of the work you had planned for spring, it can be tempting to spend your free time enjoying the sun and letting your yard do its own thing. While your yard doesn’t need as much ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | May, 2018

Choosing and Caring For Organic Gardening Tools

Soil, seeds, and sunlight may be the foundation for a healthy and fruitful garden, but without proper care and attention, you won’t be able to grow the beautiful shrubs and flowers you want. With the right tools for ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | April, 2018

Top 5 Landscape Maintenance Tips

Landscapes that have been properly and professionally designed, installed, and maintained have a pleasing and consistent appearance. Of course the visual will change with the seasons, but it will always be inviting, ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | March, 2018

A Beginner's Guide to a Massachusetts Vegetable Garden in 2024

Growing your own food is healthy, reduces your environmental footprint, and can even reduce stress and improve your mood. But before you jump into buying supplies for a vegetable garden, you’ll want to do some planning. ...

spring gardening

Judith Lipson- Rubin | March, 2018

Spring is Coming: 4 Tips for the Beginning of Gardening Season

The arrival of March means we are just weeks away from consistently warm weather here in the Massachusetts area. While we’ll certainly see some colder days, it’s also time to start preparing for the spring season. ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | February, 2018

4 Tips to Prepare Your Yard for Warmer Weather (While It's Still Cold)

4 Tips to Prepare Your Garden for Warmer Weather Think you can’t garden just because it’s cold outside? Think again! While you may not be able to put in the long, peaceful afternoons in the yard like you can in the ...

gardening soil care

Judith Lipson- Rubin | February, 2018

Soil Guide for Organic Gardening: How to Ensure Your Soil is Ready for Growth

Soil is the foundation for a great yard. Without the right soil, you’ll never be able to create a thriving outdoor environment that gives you relaxation, attracts beautiful wildlife, and supports the local habitat. Yet ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | January, 2018

What is Ecological Gardening? 3 Simple Ways to Create Environmentally Friendly Landscaping

If you’re in the process of creating a new landscaping plan and want a garden that is not only beautiful but good for the environment, you may be thinking about organic methods. There’s an entire movement focused on ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | January, 2018

4 Most Valuable Tips for Installing Drip Irrigation System

Water conservation is important: it helps preserve limited natural resources, conserves energy, and saves you money. A properly engineered drip irrigation system can give your plants the exact amount of water that they ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | December, 2017

Organic Gardening 101: Things Every Homeowner Should Know Before Day 1

Perhaps you just bought a new house and want to be sure you maintain your yard sustainably, or you want to transition to organic landscaping to reduce your environmental footprint. Before you start, read this guide to ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | November, 2017

How Safe is Your Lawn? Comparing Chemical & Non-Chemical Organic Lawn Products

Organic lawn care is not only better for your yard, it improves the environment and human health. But what are the differences between chemical and organic lawn care products? Is there ever a time to use chemical ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | November, 2017

6 Best Practices of Organic Landscaping

We all know how important it is to take care of the planet, but you may be wondering what you can do to improve your practices. One easy step is to use organic landscaping methods. Adopting these habits is much simpler ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | October, 2017

Doctor’s Orders: 6 Little Known Health Benefits of Gardening

Being outside, interacting with nature, and actively gardening are beneficial for both emotional and physical health. Simply being in nature can enliven your well-being, and is a welcome break from a sedentary workplace ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | March, 2016

Winter Safety Tip: How to Choose an Ice Melt?

Being from New England I have seen many snow and ice storms come through. It’s important to keep in mind both personal and public safety with winter weather. State workers and highway departments take care of snow ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | April, 2015

What do Landscape Maintenance Services do?

Anyone who has installed an impressive landscape of any size knows how much work it can be to keep it up properly. The fact of the matter is that few of us have enough time to get the work done and then have time to ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | December, 2014

5 Benefits of Using Moss in Your Garden and Lawn

When it comes to relaxing in an environment that you find peaceful and inviting, few places can hold a candle to being on your own property and in your own home. Even if you travel to exotic locations and have seen ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | April, 2013

The importance of a soil test in Massachusetts

WHAT IS A SOIL TEST?

Anne Marie DiMatteo | December, 2011

The Importance of Wrapping Plants for Winter

Winter sun, wind, and cold temperatures can damage bark, injure or kill branches, flower buds, and roots. Snow and ice can break branches and ruin entire trees. Winter food shortages force some rodents and deer to feed ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | February, 2011

Look for the Early Signs of Spring in New England

February is halfway over!! This means it's time to start looking for early signs of spring! There is nothing I love more than looking out from my home office window and seeing a glimmer of hope for warm weather ...