Lawn Mowing
Lawn mowing is an important part of any yard care and maintenance plan, both for the cosmetic benefits of a clean and neat appearance, as well as health benefits for the grass. Regular mowing keeps the lawn in optimal health while protecting the lawn from diseases and insect invasions.
Each mowing service includes: Edging and string trimming, mowing, blowing off the walkways, entrances and driveway, and hauling away the grass clippings or putting them into your green waste can.
Garden Maintenance
Our garden maintenance services are available all 12 months out of the year. Whether you are looking for a one time Spring or Fall cleanup or looking to have your gardens maintained on a regular basis, we have a plan to suit your needs.
It's very important to trim and prune at the correct times of the year for certain plant and shrub types. Pilkington Lawn & Landscape is experienced and knows what schedules to follow.
Our services include: weeding garden beds, clearing out leaves and debris, trimming, shaping and pruning of plants and shrubs, as well as bushes, small tree pruning (up to 15 feet in height), and hedge trimming (up to 12 feet in height). Our high attention to detail while working in your gardens ensures weeds will be pulled out including the roots, and plants shrubs and hedges trimmed according to the best operating practices.
Our garden maintenance programs can also be paired with any of our weekly lawn mowing plans. On each scheduled visit along with mowing, we can weed and clean through garden beds, trim and shape any bushes, hedges, small trees and clean any other areas of your garden needing attention.
Fertilizing
Your grass craves periodic feedings, and it's best to meet this need with “slow release” products. Because these products release their nutrients over time rather than all at once, fertilizing with these products allows grass to “eat” at its own leisure. As nutrients are released, the root system fills in any bare patches, depriving weeds of a place to germinate. Grass grows healthy, green and thick. A nice healthy lawn is the first step in preventing disease and insect infestations.
We use high grade, slow release commercial fertilizers, limes and moss controls to ensure the best results possible.
Aerating
Aerating your lawn is one of the most beneficial services you can do for optimal health. A thicker, healthier lawn will be noticeable within weeks.
Aerating the lawn is the process of removing 3 to 4 inch long “plugs” of soil. Once removed these holes relieve compacted soil, improve drainage and stimulate new root growth by allowing water, air, and nutrients deep into the root system of the lawn. In the lower mainland, there are two very good times to aerate your lawn, early Spring and early Fall.
We use some of the deepest plugging aerators on the market. We will first walk around your property marking any sprinkler heads, water pipes and obstacles so we don't damage anything. We also send out teams of two so that we can easily get up and down stairs and aerate all lawn surfaces.
Most homeowners aerate their lawns once per year, however, if you want to thicken the lawn and keep it as healthy as possible, aerating in both Spring and Fall is recommended. We also leave the soil “plugs” on the lawn as they will break down quickly and add vital nutrients right back into the soil. For added benefits, consider overseeding the lawn immediately after aeration occurs.
Power Raking
Power raking is the process of removing dead plant matter and moss from the lawn surface. This thatch and moss blocks water, air and nutrients from penetrating the soil. This will eventually cause disease to develop and a weak root system for your lawn.
We use our dethatching machine and run it over your lawn in different directions removing moss, thatch and dead plant matter. You will be amazed at how much material is removed from the typical lawn. After we have run our machine over the entire lawn, we will rake and blow the material into piles, clean it up and haul it away to a green waste dumpsite.
The lawn will be left with just healthy grass blades and bare soil. For added benefits, top dress the lawn, fertilize and overseed immediately after the power raking process is complete.
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Hedge Trimming
Hedge varieties vary and most need trimming at different times of the year. Two of the most common times to trim the hedges we see in greater Vancouver are Spring and Fall. We can trim and shape any hedges up to a height of 12 ft. Any higher and you will need a certified arborist. We keep our trimmer blades sharp and clean to prevent the spread of disease, leaving clean cuts that will heal much faster.
Trim your hedges in the Spring to repair any Winter damage due to snow, cold weather or falling branches. Spring pruning will help prepare the hedge for its upcoming growth phase.
Trim your hedges in the early Fall to get them in shape for Winter. A manicured hedge in the Fall will maintain its appearance as the growth phase slows for the months ahead. Trimming at this time will also help prevent severe Winter damage due to snow, cold and falling branches.All of our hedge trimming includes the removal and disposal of debris.
Tree Pruning
Pruning is the most common tree maintenance procedure. Landscape trees require a high level of care to maintain their health, integrity and aesthetics. Knowledge of pruning techniques with an understanding of tree biology is vital to a healthy, aesthetic result. Improper pruning can create poor tree health, disease and even tree death.
With our pruning services we will first remove any diseased, damaged,crossing and dead limbs followed by any aesthetic cuts you may want.We keep our trimmer blades sharp and clean to prevent the spread of disease, leaving clean cuts that will heal much faster.
We can trim, thin and shape any trees up to a height of 15 ft. Any higher and you will need a certified arborist. All of our tree trimming includes removal and disposal of debris.
Chafer Beetle Control
Lawn grubs are the larvae of various beetles that feed on your lawn's root system. This feeding will cause the grass to wilt, turn brown and eventually cause sections of the lawn to die. Most of the time, the main visible damage isn't caused by the grubs themselves, it is caused by raccoons, skunks and crows feeding on these grubs. The key symptoms of grub invasion are irregular brown patches that will lift up easily if tugged on (resembling drought damage).
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The grub's life cycle is very simple. The grub feeds on grassroots from mid-March to mid-May and then develops into its pupal form. The adult beetle then emerges in mid-June, mates over a two-week span and retreats back into the soil to lay its eggs. The grubs hatch and begin to feed in July to August. Raccoons, skunks, and crows feed on grubs, and these determined critters won't hesitate to rip up your lawn in search of their next meal. The grubs that survive will burrow below the frost line in the fall and stop feeding; however, if there is a thaw, they will resume feeding at any time, even during the winter.
Grub treatment applications are most effective if applied in July or August. We use two products to control grub infestations, both of which are safe for pets and humans. We will determine the best route of action for the health of your lawn
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Top Dressing
Top dressing the lawn is the process of adding a fine layer of compost soil to the lawn surface. Compost is applied at about ¼ to ½ inch thickness to the top of the lawn surface.
Essentially, compost is decomposed organic matter often used as a soil amendment to add organic matter and beneficial organisms to the soil. It is the stuff of life, teeming with microorganisms that become part of the nutrient cycle of plants.
In the lower mainland we typically top dress lawns during the Spring, but this practice can be done anytime during the growing season.
Top dressing builds up the quality of the soil, improves root development, nourishes the lawn, fills uneven areas, stimulates the grass to produce new shoots and improves the moisture-holding capacity of the soil.
Our top dressing materials are composed of 50% sand and 50% compost. The sand will help the lawn with any drainage issues along with evening out the surface. The compost will supply all the vital microbes and nutrients for a healthy, thriving lawn.
Overseeding
Over-seeding is a process that will renew the lawn with fresh grass to fill in bare patches, damaged areas, or areas where new grass is needed.
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Overseeding can happen at any time throughout the lawns growing season however, we typically apply seed in the early Spring or Fall. Temperatures are optimal for the seed to germinate at 10 degrees celsius and most germination and growth will happen at night.
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All of our overseeding plans include fertilizing with a high-quality starter fertilizer and seed-applied at a rate of 10lbs per 1000/SF.
Mulch Installation
Mulching is one of the best things you can do for your garden. It's the act of placing a layer of bark mulch or wood chips over the bare soil. Mulch gives a garden a finished look by filling in the empty spaces while being one of the easiest fillers to maintain. Grass, groundcovers, and other fillers may take extensive care. Mulch is easy to care for and never competes with your other plants.
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Mulching helps to limit the amount of weeds in your beds, helps the soil retain water, the soil from eroding, and adds nutrients into the soil. Certain types of mulch, such as cedar bark, can also deter pests due to its natural oils. Using organic material for mulching can encourage earthworms to occupy your garden soil. And as any good gardener will tell you, earthworms help improve soil structure and nutrient cycling.
Garden Soil Installation
The simplest way to add soil or compost to a perennial garden is through topdressing, which involves spreading a thin layer of the material across the garden bed's surface. With this method there is no need to incorporate the new soil or compost into the current soil, a process that can disturb plants' roots.
We have different soil mixtures to choose from: garden blend, vegetable blend and compost soil. Each will have different applications depending on what you are growing. We have the option of single or double screened varieties. We buy our soils in bulk, directly from our suppliers to get you the best soil at the best value. All soils are cooked properly to eliminate any weed spores.
