Merry Christmas to All!

Integrity Landscape Services wishes everybody a very, Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year!

We've enjoyed a busy 2014 and look forward to the beautiful landscaping to be done in 2015!

Calcium Chloride Is Our Choice

Calcium chloride is excellent for melting ice and snow and is better for your surfaces than rock salt.  It is more expensive, but delivers several advantages over rock salt.  Calcium chloride can be effective at temperatures as low as -25 F, while rock salt works loses its effectiveness at temperatures below 15 F.

Rock salt can poison soil and can also be damaging to trees and other vegetation. 

Rock salt can damage concrete. 

Rock salt can also be harmful to pets.  Pets will lick their the irritated paws to remove salt, possibly ingesting the salt.

For the reasons above, Integrity Landscape Services always recommends calcium chloride to reduce slippery driveways and walkways.

Pruning in Winter

The best time for pruning varies with the type of tree but it is generally accepted that early winter is a good time to prune deciduous trees, as long as it is not frozen!  If there is no freezing yet, the leaves are gone and you can easily inspect the branches and tree structure for any signs of weakness.

For Evergreen trees and shrubs, you should wait until after the last winter freeze before pruning.  Early Spring is best.

After a heavy snow, your trees and bushes might be icy and covered with snow.  It is best to wait until everything thaws before trying to assess damage.  Shaking snow or ice off a plant can cause even more damage to it. 

Protecting Arborvitae Through Winter

Although Arborvitae are frost-tolerant, they are easily damaged by snow and wind storms.  This can leave frustrating bare spots.  Some people cover their shrubs in burlap, but that isn’t very visually appealing.  Some experts recommend using thick rope or rubber straps.  Don't use wire as it can scar the plant.

The best approach is to wrap the twine around the outside of the plant like the stripes on a candy cane, starting at the bottom and working your way up.  Pull it snug but not so tight that it breaks branches and deforms the shape of the plant.

Remember to remove the rope or straps early in the spring so the tree will grow and move naturally.

Fall Aeration

To aerate your lawn means to remove small plugs of thatch and soil to improve the soil aeration.  This process helps to improve the health and vigor of your established lawn. 

Lawns can become compacted by traffic and mowing.  Rain and other watering can also compact the soil, reducing air to the roots, preventing proper growth.

The benefits of aeration are improved water and fertilizer uptake, air exchange into the soil, turf grass rooting, and thatch breakdown.  It also reduces soil compaction, damage from a heavy thatch, water runoff, puddling and soil layering.

Look for the holes to be filled with white, actively growing roots after about 7-10 days.  This is an indication of a successful aeration.

Though Integrity Landscape Services does not provide this service, we highly recommend it for the healthy longevity of lawns we've installed over the years.

Fall Yard Tips

Here are some Fall landscaping tips for your yard from Integrity Landscaping:

• Shrub and Tree Planting – Fall is the perfect time to plant and encourage good root development.  Fall planting helps the plants establish themselves before Spring.
• Trim those yew bushes.  Now is the perfect time to shape and trim those yew bushes that grew wild during July and August.
• Lawn Problems?  Now is a right time to sod or spot-seed barren or damaged areas.
• It is still a good time for aeration and fertilization. 
• Grub problems?  Fall is the right time to take control of the situation long term.
• Weed until a freeze.  Failing to continue weeding will cause your weeds to spread and could make next season even worse.
• No pruning for Spring shrubs!  Azaleas, Rhododendrons, and other flowering, spring shrubs have already set their buds for the following year; pruning them now will sacrifice next year’s spring flowers.
• If you want to add a lovely autumn look to your exterior, plant your hardy mums now.

Brick Pavers

Integrity Landscape Services, LLC primarily uses Paveloc pavers with an upgrade option to Unilock Brussels Block. 

Paveloc pavers are uniform in shape and texture while Unilock Brussels Block offers different size pavers and a natural, tumbled-stone look.

With a nice variety of colors to choose from Paveloc or Unilock Brussels Block are excellent choices for your patio or walkway.  The pavers for both styles offer a mixed variegation in color.  Paveloc also offers solid colors of brick.

With the foundation base that Integrity Landscape Services creates and the quality pavers we use, the longevity and enjoyment of your project will make your yard your new favorite room!

Below, a finished Unilock Brussels Block project and below that, a few Paveloc Solid and Paveloc Variegated options.

New Office, New Yard - Part 4

Our new sign is finished and our building is getting a new paint job.  It's a great look!  For the sign, we used Olde Quarry Stone with a Copthorne inlay.  This is a great representation of the style of work we do.  Once again, there is more to come.  Our yard is going to be a stunning showroom of all the types of projects we are capable of doing.  Stay tuned...

Property Improvement - Arborvitae Wall

We are working to improve the look and the drainage on our South property line. 

Arborvitae is a popular evergreen choice for hedges because of its tall, narrow growth habit. Arborvitae grows best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade and prefer fertile, moist, well-drained soil.

 

We’re installing catch basins between the newly planted Arborvitaes and then trenching a drainage pipe along the backside of the tree line all the way to the street.  This is to improve the environment for the Arborvitae, as they cannot survive in extremely wet conditions.  This also improves the drainage situation for our South neighbor, who was periodically experiencing basement water.

New Office, New Yard - Part 3

Time to change our sign and elevate the look as we continue to renovate and remodel our new building and yard.  This week we demolished the old sign and are building a new sign using Olde Quarry Stone, Copthorne inlays and Ledgestone.  Truly impressive work by our very skilled crew!

Patios and Fireplaces and Walls, Oh My!

Integrity Landscape Services installs patios, fireplaces, firepits, freestanding walls and seating walls using the best quality stone and brick available.  We believe your yard should be as beautiful as your home but also function in a way that protects your home's foundation.  Integrity Landscape believes in looking below the surface to make sure that the beautiful work you choose also gives you a stable foundation for long-lasting enjoyment.

New Office, New Landscaping - Part 3

Our grass is looking lush and healthy.  Biodegradable erosion control blankets are extremely helpful in keeping seed where you place it.  Watering well and keeping nitrogen levels up, using Milorganite, really helped the process as well.  Growing grass is much easier when you apply the right amount of materials and attention.

   

The Scoop on Milorganite

Milorganite is rich in nitrogen and helps replenish the nutrients your grass needs. While watering is essential for your grass, it can wash away those necessary nutrients that Milorganite provides.

The name Milorganite is a made from the phrase MILwaukee ORGAnic NITrogEn.

"Milorganite’s history began with Milwaukee’s goal to clean up its rivers and Lake Michigan. Rather than land filling sludge or microorganisms, they were used in a pioneering effort to make, distribute and sell fertilizer. Its production is among the largest recycling programs in the world."

New Office, New Landscaping - Part 2

In just 2 weeks, we have new grass coming in!  The plans for this front yard are far from finished.  Stay tuned as we continue to post on the continual changes as we eventually create a spectacular outdoor showroom for Integrity Landscape Services.   

New Office, New Landscaping!

We've started the work on the exterior at our new office.  Our crew is working quickly and efficiently (even with all of the rain we've had) to prep the yard for the new landscaping we are planning.  Stay tuned as the process goes on to see what will be a beautiful outdoor showroom for Integrity Landscape Services, LLC.

Memorial Day Special!

In honor of Memorial Day, all veterans will receive a $200 discount on any work signed and completed during the month of May. For those of you who are not veterans, receive a $100 discount. You must mention this post at the time of scheduling your free on-site consultation & "Like" us on Facebook to receive this discount.

Landscape Lighting

Integrity Landscape Services uses a commercial grade, cast aluminum landscape lighting system that provides a dramatic and distinctive landscape effect.  We are proud to offer stainless steel transformers with a manufacturer's lifetime warranty as well as a wide variety of attractive styles and finishes for the lights themselves.

To add security and make your home stand out and shine, ask for a quote from our designers today!

Get Your Creative Update

During your free consultation and site analysis, our experienced and creative designers at Integrity Landscape Services will help you create a vision for an updated yard.  Our designers and project managers work closely together on your project to ensure quality and strive for complete satisfaction from start to finish.

Decorative Retaining Walls

At Integrity Landscape Services, select materials can be used to create a patio wall or entrance area to obtain a rich, upscale appearance.  To further improve your entertainment area, additional features such as seat walls, steps and decorative pillars. 

Brick Patios & Pathways

Our designers create beautiful patios and pathways using various materials that create a unique atmosphere.  Brick pavers and natural stone add a practical touch of elegance to any landscape area.  Select custom borders or inlays for timeless beauty.  Complement all your selections with a free-standing seat wall or fire pit.

 

Why Choose Integrity

We are a leading, full service landscape design and construction company that offers superior service and results!  Our experienced team has been creating custom landscape projects of all types and sizes for many years.

A cornerstone of our business is to provide our customers exceptional service beginning with the design and extending throughout and after the installation process.  Out team takes pride in our professionalism, quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.

On-site management, detailed proposals, guaranteed start and complete dates and being fully insured are just a few additional reasons to select Integrity Landscape Services, LLC, recipient of Angie's List Super Service Award in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.