Milieu Design Home

  Landscape
Maintenance
Home

  Landscape
Maintenance
Services

Annual Pots - Beautiful
Potted Arrangements

• Turf Care



• Weed, Trim, Edge &
  Cultivating (WTEC)



• Spring & Fall Clean Up



• Plant Health Care



• Additional Services



• General Service Terms

2008 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES

TURF CARE SERVICES   (back to top)

Weekly Mowing

• This program provides the basic needs of your property and forms the heart of any maintenance plan.  Services are performed on a weekly basis and include:  Mowing and trimming of all lawn areas; removal of all grass clippings when seasonally appropriate and power blowing of all hard surfaces.  There may be a few times a year in hot, dry weather when the grass will not need cutting.  Our experience has been that cutting at these times will damage the grass therefore, it is best not to cut. The monthly charge remains the same as our pricing has accounted for this matter. There will be an extra charge when we have to pick up branches, etc. after a storm and for removing excess leaves during the grass cutting months of April - October.

Estate Program

• This program provides a comprehensive weekly maintenance program that in addition to our excellent weekly mowing service incorporates a professional assessment of the requirements of your property and provides the finest maintenance care accordingly. Weekly Weeding, Trimming, Edging and Cultivating service is included in this program as appropriate.  Time is spent on the details which enhance your surroundings.

Turf Fertilization

• This is a turf fertilization program customized for your lawn's specific needs.  We use only quality slow-release granular fertilizer with a main emphasis on proper root growth and the development of a healthy lawn. This, along with other practices, will make your lawn greener and less susceptible to damage by disease and insects. For an excellent program these applications are recommended (chemical composition can vary based on conditions, organic fertilization is also available):
  
  
  • (April / May)
    Fert 1 - Spring with Crabgrass Control: 22-0-6. This provides initial feeding for a vigorous, healthy lawn. It also contains pre-emergent weed control to stop crabgrass germination.
    
    
  • (May/ June)
    Fert 2 - Summer: 25-5-12. This service maintains the health of your lawn during the summer months.
    
    
  • (August / September)
    Fert 3 - Fall: 25-5-12. This service maintains the health of your lawn as fall begins.
    
    
  • (October / November)
    Fert 4 - Late Fall: 25-5-12. Assures a healthy root system, something the large “tank truck” companies often ignore.
    
    
  • (June / July)
    Fert with Grub Control: 14-0-14. This is an alternative to our normal summer or fall fertilization which adds grub control to the service as either a preventative step or a remedy.

Turf Weed Control

• Every lawn will eventually turn into a weed infested mess without the proper weed control.  Therefore, both pre-emergent and post-emergent weed controls should be incorporated into your lawn care program.  These herbicides, when applied properly and at the correct times of year, can control crabgrass, dandelions and other unsightly weeds.  To greatly reduce or eliminate weeds from your lawn, the following two (2) step program is recommended:
  
  
• (May / June)
  Weed Control 1 - Spring Broadleaf: Timely application will control weeds such as dandelion in turf areas.
  
  
• (July / August)
  Weed Control 2 - Fall Broadleaf: This application can greatly reduce broadleaf weed problems for the following season and recommended for that exceptional weed-free lawn.

(May, August, September)
Core Aeration

• The health of any lawn is dependent on its ability to take in water and air.  Unfortunately, our native soils have a high clay content which when compacted restricts this exchange of air and water.  Core aeration is the process by which finger-sized plugs are taken from the soil and left on top of the turf.  This leaves many small holes in the ground that allow air, water and nutrients to reach roots more readily.  It is also the most effective remedy for the prevention and cure of brown spot (fusarium, etc.) diseases. For an effective program, perform core aeration three (3) times each year - spring, summer and fall. It is the responsibility of the client to mark all wiring related to decorative (landscape) lighting and dog fences. Milieu Design is not responsible for any damage to non-utility wiring that is not marked by the client. 

Grub Control

• Grubs feed on the roots of turf as they mature.  The damage can quickly become extensive, often requiring costly renovation.  Our preventative measures keep these pests in check and guarantees no costly bills due to the repair of grub damage. An excellent preventative program performs two (2) grub control applications, one in May and a second in August (timing may vary).

WEED, TRIM, EDGE & CULTIVATING SERVICE (WTEC)   (back to top)

(Throughout Season)
Weed, Trim, Edge & Cultivate

• For a well-kept appearance we recommend this operation be performed at a minimum of four (4) times a year.  All plant beds will be weeded, edged and cultivated (if appropriate).  Trimming and pruning of ornamental trees, shrubs and groundcover is performed to maintain a well-kept look as well as eliminate any dead or broken branches which are favorite sites for insect and disease infestation.  Thinning of plants also allows needed air and sun penetration necessary for proper growth.

SPRING & FALL CLEAN UP SERVICES   (back to top)

(April)
Spring Clean-up 1 - Basic

• This is a general clean-up of leaves and debris from plantings and turf areas.  Turf areas will be mowed to a height of one and one-and-one-half inches.  The following options can be added to our spring clean up:

Spring Clean-up 2 - Light Power Rake

• Power raking removes the matted down thatch which consists of dead grass and clippings. When this is removed, water, nutrients, and air can more easily be absorbed into the soil where it becomes available to the turf.  Removal of thatch is also helpful in preventing fungal (brown spot) and insect problems.

Spring Clean-up 3 - Re-Edge & Cultivate

• Re-edging your large planting bed areas ensures a clean-cut and finished appearance to your landscape. Cultivation, where appropriate, will provide a fresh appearance while promoting better air, water and nutrient exchange with your plants.

Spring Clean-up 4 - Pre-Emergence

• re-emergence herbicide is applied to open planting areas to help control weed growth during the growing season. Pre-emergence will control a majority of weed seed germination; however, manual weeding of open planting areas will be performed on an “as-needed” basis.

(November)
Fall Clean-Up

• Fall and winter bring with them a build-up of unwanted leaves and twigs which are both unsightly and a potential threat to the health of your lawn.  The fall clean-up of leaves from the turf will be done weekly if possible beginning in early November, plus, there will be a final clean-up of planting beds and turf areas once the majority of the leaves have fallen.  For a neat appearance through the winter months, the pruning back of perennials and the removal of annual flowers is also done at this time. This service is performed in three (3) planned site visits.

PLANT HEALTH CARE SERVICES   (back to top)

(May/June)
Plant Bed Fertilization:

• Fertilization of all ornamental trees, shrubs and groundcovers (surface only) with 14-14-14 slow release organic nutrients put down in spring. This service is delivered in two planned site visits.

Integrated Pest Management:

• Many of the ornamental trees, shrubs and groundcovers in your landscape may be susceptible to damage by insects or fungal diseases.  If left unchecked, these problems can lead to unsightly or even life-threatening conditions for your plantings.  This preventative spray program schedules spray applications for the season that are specifically selected for your landscape plantings.  Based on our horticulturist’s assessment of your plantings, taking into consideration any previous problems and combining them with area trends, we propose an IPM program for you planting. Your IPM program will include combinations of the following applications or other specialized applications as appropriate to maintenance the health of your plantings:
  
  
• Fungicides: (April / May)
  IPM - Crab Spray: Three (3) spray applications.
  IPM - Rust /Fungus Spray: Three (3) spray applications.
  
  
• Insecticides:
  IPM - Aphid Spray: One (1) spray application.(Spring)
  IPM - Dormant Oil Spray: Two (2) spray applications. (April / October)
  IPM - Euonymus for Scale: Three (3) spray applications. (April, June/July, October)
  IPM - Japanese Beatle: One (1) spray application. (Summer)
  IPM - Magnolia Scale Spray: One (1) spray application. (Summer)
  IPM - Sawfly Spray: One (1) spray application. (May)
  IPM - Oyster Shell Scale Spray: One (1) spray application. (Summer)
  
  
• Specialized:
  IPM - Deep Root Feeding: One (1) spray application. (May / June)
  IPM - Transfilm: Three (3) spray applications to manage winters harsh impact on evergreen trees and shrubs. Transfilm is an inexpensive, preventive spray application that locks in the moisture of your evergreens. It protects them from the harsh winter temperatures and winds, increasing the vigor of your plants the following spring. (November / Winter)
• Note: During certain growing seasons a particular pest may become significantly greater due to weather conditions and/or unusually heavy infestations.  If this condition can be treated by additional spraying measures, we will advise you of the added cost and proceed with your approval.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES   (back to top)

To complete your annual landscape maintenance program, we provide these additional services that have been extremely popular with clients:

Shredded Bark Mulch:

• Whether mulching for the first time or adding a 'refresher layer', shredded hardwood bark mulch will help retain moisture and inhibit weed growth around plantings while providing a more tailored look.

Annuals:  (May / June)

• One of the greatest joys of landscaping is the display of color possible with annuals.  We will help you select and install plants that are best suited to your growing conditions and aesthetic desires.

Perennial Flower Divisions: (May / September)

• In order to sustain & encourage continued flowering of your perennial plantings, periodic divisions of plantings may be required.  This is also a good opportunity to expand planting areas using new divisions.

Lawn Renovation/Slit Seed: (May, August, September)

• As a result of neglect, heavy weed & pest infestation, or extreme weather conditions, your lawn may require comprehensive measures to bring it back to life.  Our lawn renovation includes removal of damaged areas, soil preparation and seeding or sodding.

Hedge Trimming:

• We offer this scheduled service to manage the look and health of your hedges.

Winter Pruning: 

• Winter is the optimum time to prune trees and shrubs for long term health & beauty.  Lack of leaves provides for a 'clearer picture' during pruning practices, while frozen ground and dormant plants mean less disturbance to surrounding areas.

Winter Mulch:

• The addition of our composted leaf mulch to plant beds serves the dual purpose of insulating plants from excessive cold and providing a rich organic source of nutrients for the upcoming growing season.

Gutter Cleaning:

• Heading into winter with your gutter full of debris can add to the harshness of the season. We can help.

GENERAL SERVICE TERMS   (back to top)

Due to the outlook for fuel prices for 2008 and beyond, Milieu Design Inc. reserves the right to implement a fuel surcharge attributed to the escalating costs of fuels utilized in the operation of service vehicles.

Please understand that the aforementioned are simply a list of available services. They do not represent your contracted list of services If you have any questions concerning the above services or any other inquiries, please feel free to call us at (847)465-1160.