Consumer Alert: What you need to know when paying for stump removal or stump grinding

First, these two terms, stump removal and stump grinding, are used interchangeably. There are two ways to get rid of a stump. The first is to dig it out. This can be done by hand or a mini excavator, a backhoe or a full size excavator, based on the size of the stump. The downside of digging vs grinding is there will be more damage to the surrounding areas. Also, there will probably be more work and cost to repair the hole left behind after the stump is removed by digging.

The second way is stump grinding. This is done with a machine called a stump grinder. The grinding process is a bit more surgical in that the wood is chipped away by a cutting wheel. A little of the stump is removed, at a time, with each pass of the cutting wheel, this will allow for less damage.

Important Notes:
1. Make sure you get a written contract with the price stated.
2. Make sure you know who is responsible for waste removal.

Since most people have never dealt with removing tree stumps. You may not know what questions to ask. The true professional will guide you through the process. Shopping for home projects by price is not the best way to determine which contractor will do the best job. Far too often, a large pile of wood chips is left behind by the contractor with the cheaper price. This will leave the home owner to deal with the mess. I will never forget the lady that said, “That burns me up. They left this big pile for me. How am I supposed to get rid of this?” She was very angry and thought she got something different than what she paid for and expected.

At Keep It Green Landscaping, we provide stump grinding with fair pricing. We would be happy to give you a quote, just give us a call at 201-445-4646.

Heavy Snow Friend or Foe

Snow and ice generally do not harm plants.  Snow on the ground acts as a blanket of insulation to keep ground temperature from fluctuating.  Snow on a plant’s leaves or bark does not hurt either provided it is not more of a load than the plant’s structure can handle. 

Generally speaking the snow can stay in place until the sun melts it or the wind blows it away.  Snow is winter moisture for your plants and is actually a very good thing.  However very heavy snows and wet snows can damage plants by breaking them.  If your plant, shrub, or tree is bowed over or heavily laden down with snow, the snow should be removed. Again, plants do need moisture in the winter, so you do not need to remove every little bit of snow. You just need to remove most of the snow so that the weight does not bend or break the branches.

If the branches are severely bent from the weight of the snow and they remain that way for a long period of time, weeks or months, they can develop a memory for that position. A good example would be a hose that is wound up the same way all the time retains a memory. Multi trunked plant material such as arborvitae or birch trees would be good examples of the types of plants that can exhibit this problem.

You can use your hand or any long handled broom.  As long as the device you use is not sharp you should be OK.  Please be gentle, plants are more brittle in the cold than they are in the summer.  Think of plastic in the winter as opposed to plastic in the summer months. Ice is a little different, never try to break ice off a plant.  Breaking ice off a plant will most likely produce damage.  The sun will do its job at some point, be patient.  Ice on a plant can cause burning to the tissue but usually not.  It usually acts as protection against the wind, kind of like lip balm would protect your lips.

Of course, if you need help with your shrub care we are always here to be of service. For more information about our Tree Care and Shrub Care and Landscape Maintenance services, please see our pages or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation.

When Does Mosquito Season Start in Bergen County

Around this time of year folks call us and ask, when does mosquito season start in Ridgewood, Glen Rock, or wherever they happen to live in Bergen county? I tell them, in Bergen county, it’s usually about late April or early May. Then almost always the second question is, when does it end? That answer is usually October. However, Bergen county and New Jersey in general, can have, on occasion, a very warm fall period. So mosquito season may extend later into the year. Mosquitoes don’t really go away until the temperatures are below 50°F on a regular basis.

Mosquitoes and mosquito problems are basically around and active, just when we are. May through October is the time when most of us use the outdoors and our backyards the most. So why not do the most you can to enjoy them. Please check our Mosquito Control page, on this site, for tips on how to limit mosquito breeding areas at your home.

Keep It Green Landscaping is here to help you should you require additional mosquito spraying and control. We have been providing organic mosquito control management since 1981. Our mosquito spraying programs are safe, effective, reasonably priced, and based on your individual property.

Thank you - Stay safe and enjoy your summer.

For more information about our Mosquito Control and Gnat Control services please see our page or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation.

Deer Control in Bergen County

With more and more deer in Bergen county, there are more and more problems caused by deer to deal with. Auto accidents with deer are up and increasing all the time. The white-tailed deer don’t check to see the crossing sign or if they are in the cross walks. The deer just dart out.

I was driving on Liberty Street in Little Ferry just the other day when five deer ran across the new CVS parking lot. All five deer ran to the sidewalk when they abruptly turned and ran back to the edge of the property to browse on some shrubs. From a gallop to a stop, turn, and feed. Kind of interesting. Fortunately, the light was turning red and I was already slowing to a stop. As I sat at the light, I watched as the deer browsed on the shrubs at the property’s edge. I thought to myself, I am glad I have good brakes as the five deer would have been in the road in another second or two.

While I was stopped I watched the deer eating and I thought that it is unfortunate that plants don’t have brakes to avert danger. What I mean is that few plants or shrubs have the toxins necessary to stop deer from feeding on them. So sadly, just about all shrubs, perennials, and flowers are able to be eaten by the white-tailed deer. They do, of course, have some plants that they prefer. But even plants that are listed as deer resistant will be subject to deer browsing and deer feeding when plant food supply  becomes scarce in the fall and winter time. This is why it is so important to provide protection against deer feeding.

The great news is that at Keep It Green Landscaping may have your solution. We have been very successful at deer control in Bergen county. Our deer spraying program is very effective at keeping deer away. Our all natural 100% organic treatment program is safe and effective in reducing damage to your trees, shrubs, and perennials.

Keep It Green Landscaping is a full service landscape contracting company established in Bergen county in 1981 so we have been in the deer control business for a long time. We have seen how the white-tailed deer have caused so much damage to the beautiful landscapes of Bergen county homes and we want to help you. We have been very successful in controlling deer damage. We have been helping our clients in Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Midland Park, Waldwick, Fair Lawn, Paramus, and many other towns in Bergen County. We would like to help protect your home’s landscape too.

For more information about our Deer Control and Tick Control services please see our page or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation.

5 Reason to Prune Trees and Shrubs in Late Winter or Early Spring

1. To remove dead wood

2. To remove broken or damage branches

3. To remove unwanted growth

4. To reduce or maintain the size of the landscape plants

5. To rejuvenate old plants (helping to produce better flowers, fruit, or foliage)

Now is the time for tree and shrub care. Late winter or early spring is one of the best times to prune trees and shrubs. OK, there certainly are some do’s and don’ts, all of which cannot be covered in this blog. However, here is some great information to guide you.

IMPORTANT LANDSCAPE TIP: You don’t necessarily want to prune every tree or shrub on your property on the same day, just because you have the time, or equipment out. It is best not to prune early flowering trees and shrubs now, common to our area, dogwood, pear, forsythia, for example. You will want to wait until the blooms have faded away, about a month or slightly longer. You don’t want to take away the buds before they bloom.

With new landscape plantings, there should be very little need for shrub care. However, do look for any broken or damaged branches. With new shrubs you will want the shrub to develop on its own so that the plant has a natural shape.

With overgrown shrubs or trees the opposite is true for proper tree and shrub care. You will need to reduce the size of the shrub with a more severe cutting back technique. This is called heading back. This pruning technique is the process of shortening branches or stems back to a much lower point.

IMPORTANT PRUNING TIP: Make sure to prune to just above an outward facing bud or branch. You will also need to be very careful not to cut the bud or branch collar. Make your pruning cut on a slight angle, about one quarter inch above the bud. Evergreen trees (trees with needles, pines, spruce, firs) should not be pruned as described above. I’ll try to cover that topic later in spring.

I saved the best for last, trimming or shearing. I personally am not a fan. If you want balls, squares, and triangles, please think about this. If you ask a child to draw a picture with trees, shrubs and plants, what you usually will get are balls, squares, and triangles. If you ask an artist to do the same task, well…. you get the picture. So throw away your electric trimmer and get a pair of pruners and a lopper.

Of course, if you need help with your shrub care we are always here to be of service. For more information about our Tree Care and Shrub Care and Landscape Maintenance services, please see our pages or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation.

Why I Didn't Clean Up My Leaves This Fall

Sounds kind of like, What I Did on my Summer Vacation; it was too cold, too wet, no time or whatever. Well it doesn’t really matter. If you still have leaves on the lawn and in your beds, that’s not a good thing. Heavy leaf accumulation on lawn areas can suffocate and kill the lawn. There are also insects that like to overwinter in leaf piles too.

There is some good news. We are still receiving calls for leaf cleanups. The weather, while not perfect, is pretty good for January. So if you need help with your final leaf cleanup, please don’t wait any longer. Call us before the snow covers the leaves and then you have to wait until spring.

At Keep It Green Landscaping, we are still performing leaf clean ups as calls are still coming in to our office even at this late point in January. Please keep in mind our winter services also include tree service, dormant shrub pruning, stump grinding, root grinding, firewood splitting, and junk and rubbish removal services.

We are an award winning, fully insured, full service landscape contractor and we are currently taking on new landscape clients for the 2020 landscaping season. If there is anyway we can help you, please call ASAP.

For more information about our Landscape Maintenance or our Leaf Cleanups services please see our pages or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation.

Fall Landscaping-Not Just Leaf Clean Ups

Around this time of year, the days are getting shorter and the temperature is getting colder. Some might think that the landscaping season is over. The fall landscaping season is in full swing. While it is getting close to winter for Bergen county, there are still many landscaping chores that can be performed. Of course the fall leaf season is currently upon us.

My personal thoughts on fall leaf cleanups is to clean leaves frequently, weekly leaf cleanups are the best. Why? First, cleaning leaves frequently will mean less leaves to clean each time you do your leaf clean up. Secondly, if you allow the leaves to build up on your lawn, you may find that when you go out to do your leaf clean up that the leaf build up may have killed some areas of grass due to suffocation.

Lawns need to breathe. This is especially true of newly seeded lawns. Fall is the best time to re-seed a lawn and it is still not too late. If you have bare spots go for it! It is still better now than in early spring. Please don’t wait!

It is also not too late for core aeration and fall fertilization. We get a lot of calls around this fall period from folks that have moved into their new home over the summer. They were too busy with the move or had to do the inside fix up first. This is quite understandable. You have to live inside, so the question comes, “Am I too late?”

I think not, for the most part. Weeds can still be killed in the fall. Most plant material can be pruned in the fall. Planting beds can be reshaped and mulched, many plants can also be installed. Most people I come across think it is too cold. I answer, “Plants and trees live outside.” Fall is not too late for planting as long as you can find the plants that you want.

So, it is not too late, put on your sweater, get outside and rake and do your leaf clean ups. Put some mulch in your beds to protect your trees and shrubs. Please see my blog on mulch All About Mulch, Do I Need It May 3, 2019. Of course Keep It Green Landscaping is always here to help you if you need us. Fall is for landscaping and it is certainly not too late to get an early start on spring.

For more information about our Landscape Maintenance or our Leaf Cleanups services please see our pages or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation.

Snow Plowing on Halloween

Who remembers the Halloween snow storm a few years ago. A few inches of snow created a real trick for all the children that wanted a treat, that was on October 31st. Today is October 14th, so if you are a property manager or the person in charge of hiring a snow removal contractor for your business commercial parking lot, now is the time. We specialize in commercial snow plowing of professional office buildings, retail, warehouses, and industrial sites.

All you need for a snow event is precipitation and 32 degrees or lower and you have snow or ice. Temperatures just north of our service area will be dipping into the mid or lower 30’s this evening. So like it or not snow is on the way, it is just a matter of time. At Keep It Green Landscaping, we provide professional commercial snow and ice management, snow plowing, snow removal, and salting services.

I highly recommend that you secure a written contract and a firm commitment from a snow and ice management professional. Keep It Green Landscaping has been in business since 1981, with close to four decades of experience in the commercial snow removal industry, far too many times, we receive a call, “we had someone and I don’t know what happened but they didn’t show up.” Managing snow and ice event, even for seasoned professionals, is challenging. You will want to know that the company you hire has what it takes to meet your needs. The lowest price should not be your highest priority or only consideration.

For more information about our Snow & Ice Management (Commercial Only) Snow Plowing / Snow Removal / Salting Service services please see our page or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation.

All About Mulch-Do I Need It?

First, what is mulch? Generally speaking, most would answer that question as a ground or shredded wood product. However, it could be a covering of crushed stone, pine bark nuggets, straw, or even shredded rubber. Some of these products will work well in certain situations such as crushed stone in a utilitarian area, like the area behind the garage or an area in the landscape where there is a lot of water movement. For most homeowners, when we talk about mulch we are using mulch in a planting bed in the residential landscape. For this purpose, the wood mulch would always be your best option.

Why do you need mulch? Here are the positive benefits of using much in you landscape.
1. Mulch will add beauty to any residential or commercial landscape.
2. Mulch will help retain water at the surface. So shrubs, trees, and flowers will benefit and you could save money by not needing to water as often.
3. Mulch will help to suppress weeds in your planting beds.
4. As the natural wood mulch breaks down, it adds nutrients to the soil.
5. Mulch will also provide benefits to your landscape in the colder winter months, acting as a insulator for the roots of the trees and shrubs.

How much mulch to buy? This is a great question because the answer is not always the same. What? Let’s start with what is the proper amount of mulch to use in planting beds. You should establish 2-3 inches spread uniformly over the surface. Some homeowners and even some landscape contractors spread mulch every year. I believe, for the most part, this is not necessary.

There is some loss of mulch in the leaf clean up season; however, if you start with 2-3 inches of mulch, you should only need to top dress or add a little on top of the existing mulch layer every other year. The goal is to maintain the 2-3 inch layer and only add when needed not just because.

IMPORTANT NOTE - This is critical to your success.
DO NOT pile mulch up against trees and shrubs. Taper the level of the mulch as you get close to the plants. Shrubs and trees do not want mulch piled up against their bark. Please don’t do it!

Lastly, I would like to say that the color of the mulch has nothing to do with how the mulch performs. Some mulch is dyed. This is usually the jet black and bright red muches. Personally, I am not a fan. Dyed mulch can stain surfaces such as concrete walks and foundations. In my opinion, it does not look as nice as natural mulch. At Keep It Green Landscaping, we use natural mulch. Hardwood mulch is a rich brown, cedar mulch is a golden brown, and hemlock mulch is a reddish brown. All natural all beautiful additions to your residential or commercial landscaping. Properly pruned trees and shrubs in correctly mulched planting beds, along with a healthy lawn, is what will set your landscape apart from others.

At Keep It Green Landscaping, we strive to do our best so that your property will look its best. There are a lot of folks out there from which to chose and it may seem like they are all the same. Landscape maintenance and lawn care are based in horticultural science and we at Keep It Green Landscaping understand this and put it into practice. We welcome the opportunity to help you with your residential or commercial landscape maintenance.

For more information about our Landscape Maintenance services please see our page or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation.

Lawn Mowing- Are All Contractors the Same? Update

This is an update to a blog that I wrote in May of 2018. The information in the post was good and made sense then and it still makes sense now. I would like to add to this line of thinking. If you are looking for a landscape contractor to provide services such as lawn mowing, lawn treatments, shrub pruning, etc, why would you say, just put an estimate in my mailbox? The answer to that must be that you are shopping for your landscape contractor solely on price.

I believe that when searching for a service, such as landscape work, that price is the worst way to find the best service. When you don’t meet with someone to discuss your landscaping, you remove your ability to get a sense of how they will perform for you. You have probably hear it said in many different forms, such as, cheap is cheap, buy cheap buy twice, third rate quality, or probably best said as you get what you pay for.

As it is spring and the grass is growing,  we are receiving a lot of phone calls for lawn mowing service. With some people asking " Do you cut lawns every other week," as opposed to weekly,. Our answer to that is no.  While lawn mowing is not the most complex service that we provide in our landscape business, there certainly are best practices that are followed by professionals. 

I suggest, when searching for a landscape maintenance contractor that provides mowing service, you shop for value, not price. In my opinion, the best contractors do not mow lawns on an every other week basis. Lawns are made up of many individual grass plants. Each grass plant is made up of a root, stem and leaf (blade). When lawns are mowed every other week or infrequently The grass gets taller and in doing so the stem elongates, which means that when you do the next mowing, you are actually cutting off more of the leaf surface and leaving behind a plant that has more stem than leaf.

This is the opposite of what you should be doing which is removing the smallest amount of leaf surface so that the blade of the grass plant is available to take in the sun. Your lawn will respond positively and be healthier when mowed weekly because of this and not as well, when mowed every other week. True professionals also use edgers to provide straight edges on walkways and curbs. not a string trimmer (weed whacker), turned sideways, which can create a wide groove next to the walkway which is unsightly. 

So when searching for your lawn mowing contractor, you may want to ask a couple of questions that relate to value and not just price.
Questions such as
Do you carry liability insurance?
Are your employees covered by Worker's Compensation?
Do you have a NJ Home Improvement Contractor's License?
Because it really is true, you get what you pay for.

For more information about our Landscape Maintenance services please see our page or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation.

It's Time to Think Spring

Is it time to think spring? We just turned the clocks forward, spring ahead. There is no snow forecast in the upcoming five day forecast. The average temperature is rising. Looks like it might be time to think about spring.

Prepping your lawn and garden in spring is a must. The to do list is extensive. First a thorough spring leaf clean up is necessary. For a homeowner this might mean cleaning leaves and possibly the first lawn mowing of the year. To landscape contractors who are required to show better results, or why would you hire us, spring clean up is more likely thought of as a time of year to really prepare a home’s lawn and garden for a full year of success. So for landscape contractors, in addition to spring leaf cleaning, there is re-establishing bed edges, mulching flower beds, and tending to perennials. Spring lawn care might also include a pH test. Even for landscape professional, keeping the pH levels correct is a challenge. Lawn treatments to control weeds, especially crabgrass, are necessary and best performed in spring.

Spring can also be a time to do power raking. De-thatching (power raking) can be vital. However, some contractors provide this service every spring “just because.” I personally do not believe every lawn requires de-thatching every single year. De-thatching, when necessary, as opposed to “just because,” might save you money that could be better use elsewhere, such as annual flowers or perennials to provide color for a your enjoyment and a better presentation of your home. Who doesn’t like colorful flowers? They always add beauty to any home. For landscape contractors the list can go on and on.

If you need professional help with your lawn and garden, please feel free to contact us. We have been helping folks with their landscape needs and landscape problems for 38 years. We would love to help find solutions for you too. For more information about our Landscape Maintenance services please see our page or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation. Please feel free to share this blog with your friends and family.

Got Stumps?

Often times, people ask me what kind of work do you do in the winter? That response is easy, commercial snow and ice management. But, in years like this one, the lack of snow usually leads to a second question. What happens if it doesn’t snow? Well, I let them know that at Keep It Green Landscaping we do provide other landscape services that can be completed in the winter months like tree stump grinding and root grinding.

Stump removal can be successfully accomplished during the winter. Winter is also an excellent time to do shrub pruning or tree pruning, known as dormant pruning. We also provide firewood splitting during all four seasons.

You can go to our  Tree Care and Shrub Care page to print a coupon for 10% off stump grinding good until March 31, 2019 or for more information about our other services please see our Tree Care and Shrub Care page or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation.

We Dodged A Bullet

It looks like we dodged a bullet with respect to this winter storm, January 19 & 20, 2019. This particular winter event has changed and morphed many times in just the last 24 hours. Looks like now much of our area will be spared the heaviest snow and many of us see a long period of rain. Icing will be a concern as ice can bring down branches and power lines.

Ice does, however, encapsulate branches and plant material which protects them from extreme cold and wind, both of which can be damaging to plant material. With respect to wet heavy snow, you can look back to my blog, Heavy Snow Can Damage Plants March 10, 2018.

Ticks ... Ick

Now that it is fall, and the fall color is starting to appear, a lot of people like to go hiking through the woods or just in a local park. Getting back to nature and going for long walks is a great idea. Brisk fresh air and exercise with the bonus of seeing colorful trees in autumn. What could possibly ruin this beautiful day?

TICKS!! Adult ticks are very active in the fall months of October, November, and December. They are still looking for a blood meal. So what can you do? There are many tick repellents on the market that provide excellent tick control. Please make sure to read the label for the correct application procedure, as they are highly effective when used properly.

Another important aspect of reducing tick bites, when enjoying your nature walks is to avoid brushing up against branches and foliage. When walking, stay int he center of the path to avoid brushing up against tall grasses and foliage. Upon returning home, shower as soon as possible and do a thorough body check for ticks.

Hear is a most interesting fact. Despite the possibility of getting a tick bite while enjoying the woods for camping, hunting, and dirt biking, most tick bites occur on our own properties. Border areas with shrubs or woods are hot spots for ticks as mammals such as mice or deer deposit them as they fall off after feeding. Children and pets are at greater risk as they tend to run and play in hot spot areas. more so than adults. Fortunately, Keep It Green Landscaping can help. With the right measures tick control and prevention is achievable. If you or someone you know is having a problem with ticks please feel free to share this blog with them.

For more information about our Deer Control and Tick Control services please see our page or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation.

What Happened to Fall?

You wouldn’t be able to tell by the temperatures. Not too long ago it was 80°F feeling like August, today starting out in the mid 30’s feeling like December. Somehow it seems we have skipped over the 60°F and 70°F normally associated with fall season.

Despite the finicky weather, there are still many fall chores that can be accomplished at this time of year. As frost and freeze warnings will soon become the norm, many sensitive plants will have to be taken inside or removed. If you still would like some fall color you can plant mums, cabbages, or kales.

Fertilizing lawns in the fall is extremely beneficial and I highly recommend it. If you have an ant or grub problem, those treatments may still be able to be made but are probably best left to a professional applicator. If you are going to do your own lawn treatments, no matter what the product is or the time of year, you must always read the label to make sure that you are making the application correctly. It may sound silly, but reading the label two or even three times is better than just once. You might be surprised what you get in the second or third read that you glanced over in the first. What’s that old carpenter’s adage? Measure twice, cut once.

Of course, fall leaf clean ups are going to be necessary. I highly recommend
that you do you fall leaf clean ups on a weekly basis. This may sound like a lot of work but there are some advantages to doing your fall leaf clean ups on a frequent basis as opposed to just when you find the energy.

Just like shoveling snow, cleaning leaves can be hard work. If you had a foot of snow, and shoveled it only at the end of the snow storm you would be lifting and pushing 12” of snow. if you went out twice, 6”, or 3 times only 4” of snow per shoveling. So if you are hand raking or even with modern equipment, there is still an advantage to frequent leaf cleaning.

Another important factor is that if leaves remain on the lawn area long enough, they reduce the grass plants ability to breathe. Leaves that remain on the lawn for very long periods of time can start to lower the pH of the soil which is not healthy for your lawn.

I believe this is some good general information about fall landscaping for your to do list. Please feel free to share this blog with your friends and family. Of course if you feel you need some additional help we at Keep It Green Landscaping are here for you.

For more information about our Leaf Cleanups services please see our page or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation.

Snow Is Getting Closer to Home

This past week, many locations in Bergen county hit or exceeded 80° in temperature. Today, temperatures will struggle to reach 60°. Tomorrow morning’s lows will be about 47°. The Catskills meteorologically speaking, are just a stone’s throw away, to our north, and will probably see wet snow tomorrow morning.

So why the weather report? Because, it is mid October and the weather only gets colder from this point forward. The first snow storm does not have to wait until December or January. The time to prepare for winter’s worst snow and ice events is now before they occur.

At Keep It Green Landscaping we are currently accepting snow and ice management contracts for the upcoming 2018-2019 snow plowing season. We specialize in commercial snow plowing, snow removal, and salting service. If you are located in Carlstadt, Moonachie, East Rutherford, Rutherford, Lyndhurst, Wood-Ridge, Wallington, Hasbrouck Heights, Teterboro, Little Ferry, South Hackensack, Secaucus or other Bergen county, Hudson county and Passaic county locations, please do not wait. Call us now to discuss how we can help you with your snow and ice management.

For more information about our Snow & Ice Management (Commercial Only) Snow Plowing / Snow Removal / Salting Service services please see our page or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation.

Snow Today

Snow today, that is, if you live in Minnesota. Some people are waking up today to snow. It won’t be very long before Bergen county residents will be waking up to snow as well. Soon we will all be paying more attention to weather forecasts as the possibility of snowfall is not that far away.

Recent temperatures have been averaging 5-10°F above normal so far this fall season. This has allowed for most folks to leave the sweater behind. But don’t be fooled. Cooler weather will arrive as it always does. All it takes is temperatures of 32°F or lower which changes rain to snow.

Professional snow management contractors are and have been gearing up for the 2018-2019 snow removal season since the end of last snow season. For us, we are always thinking of snow plowing and salting operations year round. However, now is certainly the time for you to be thinking about snow and ice management for your commercial property.

For more information about our Snow & Ice Management (Commercial Only) Snow Plowing / Snow Removal / Salting Service services please see our page or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation.

30 Inches of Snow. WHAT?!?

In the last few days we have had a little over 3 inches of rain. That would be about 30 inches of snow if the temperature was below freezing. 30 inches of snow. If you are a skier your eyes have just opened up wide to the possibilities of 30 inches of fresh powdery snowfall. BUT, if you are like most of us, the thought of 30 inches of snow might just be a bit scary.

With October just a few days from now, the snow season is not all that far off. Our area has seen snow in October. more than once. Even though you don’t want to think about snow and ice, now is exactly the time for commercial properties to be securing your snow plowing and salting contracts.

Snow and ice management professionals think about snow removal all year round. Really, we do. I would advise you not to wait to find your snow and ice management professional. When it comes to 30 inches of snow on you parking lot, you’ll find comfort in knowing that your needs are covered by a professional snow and ice management contractor.

For more information about our Snow & Ice Management (Commercial Only) Snow Plowing / Snow Removal / Salting Service services please see our page or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation.

West Nile Virus Kills Two in Bergen County, NJ

On September 21, 2018, the news reported that a Lodi man died from West Nile virus. Today, another Bergen county resident is reported to have died from West Nile virus. This year’s hot and wet weather has produced the most cases of West Nile virus in New Jersey since 2012, with Bergen county currently recording the most cases.

Currently there is no vaccine for West Nile virus. If bitten by a mosquito infected with West Nile virus, humans have about a 20% chance of developing fever, headaches, body aches, rash, and fatigue. These symptoms can last weeks or even months.

Mosquito season runs through October or even into November if it is warm enough. Don’t let the cooler weather fool you. Mosquitoes are still active, especially at dawn or dusk. I have been blogging about mosquitoes all year and the dangers that they present. Now with two recent deaths in Bergen county, it is obvious how important it is to do your part to remove any standing water around your home to reduce the breeding sites for mosquitoes. At Keep It Green Landscaping, we have been doing our part helping our clients with our Mosquito Control Programs.

For more information about our Mosquito Control and Gnat Control services please see our page or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation.

Rain and Mosquitoes, Perfect Together

We should all be quite thankful that this summer season has had plentiful rainfall. However, after each rain event, you need to be diligent about dumping and emptying anything that can hold water. These are the breeding places for mosquitoes. Mosquito season is not over and runs through October. It is still warm enough for mosquitoes to lay their eggs successfully in small amounts of water.

Late summer and early fall are great times to be outside in your backyard. Our organic insect controls can target mosquitoes, gnats, and ticks. The days may be getting a little shorter as we move further into fall, but outdoor fun is still on the schedule with our organic insect control programs.

For more information about our Mosquito Control and Gnat Control services please see our page or give us a call at 201-445-4646 to set up a free consultation.