Many people ask the question: What's better... concrete or brick?While concrete is very common, especially for driveways and sidewalks, there are many benefits to using brick pavers. Brick pavers are more durable and resistant to cracking,...
Boxwood also known as 'Genus Buxus' make a great addition to any landscape for many reasons. Boxwoods are functional plants. They are low maintenance, meaning taking care of them is easy and they can thrive in partial shade or...
As the camping and bonfire season begins please remember to leave firewood at home. Buy firewood near your camp site or bonfire destination. Do not buy or pack wood from one area and bring it to another.
Moving firewood puts you at...
Strong root systems: The roots are deeper and able to reach nutrients further down in the soil.
They bloom at different times of the year: With planning you can stagger the blooming and have color from early spring until the first...
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) more cases of Lyme disease are being reported across Michigan. Lyme disease is spread through infected blacklegged ticks (Deer ticks). Ticks are found in shady,...
During the spring season many big box stores now sell shrubs. The price of the shrubs can look attractive, however be aware that these are not the same quality as local nursery grown plants. Often these plants are surplus materials...
Sunshine and warmer weather are finally here. However, it's not quite Spring yet. These milder temperatures have plants and lawns confused. You may see plants blooming and grass turning green but even if you get some growth...
Winter is here and we will see snow for the next couple of months. Please remember to shake your trees. Smaller evergreens and bushes, such as Arborvitae, will get sagging branches from large snow amounts or wet, heavy snow. It is...
With the recent popularity of polymeric sand, many home owners are trying to improve their patio or sidewalk. It is important that high quality polymeric sand is used. Many of the big box stores sell inexpensive polymeric sand that has...
We are now into fall. The weather has changed from warm and sunny to chilly and damp. Now is the time to do a few important things to keep your landscaping healthy and protected.
1. Winterize your sprinkler system. It is...
Many customers ask: How late in the season do we continue to install landscape jobs?
The answer is based on two weather conditions:
1. First significant snow.
2. When the ground freezes.
Once one of these occurs we will shut...
Due to recent detections of box tree moth the quarantine has been expanded. This pest is highly invasive. The recent sightings have been in Oakland and Eaton counties. The expansion of the quarantine will now include the following counties:...
Trees are an essential part of a new home or re-landscaping project. Trees add beauty and often shade to any yard. Trees last a lifetime if cared for correctly. There are several factors to consider when planting a tree.
The...
It is very important, especially when the weather is fluctuating as it is this year, to adjust your sprinklers. The amount of water you need is based on the amount of rain and heat we get. It needs to be balanced based on those...
Spring is here and summer is right around the corner. With warmer temperatures come those pesky mosquitos.
While using commercial bug sprays can help keep mosquitos away they have chemicals that can be harmful to people and the...
Ornamental grasses are used for aesthetic purposes to enhance a landscape. They range in size from 3 inches to 10 feet tall. The colors they display are quite a site to see. During the winter months, the leaves poke through the snow...
A new trend in the financial world is using digital payments. Popular types of these payments are Zelle, Venmo, and Cashapp. While these are an easier way to transfer money for payment, buyer beware! If there is a problem with the...
Today most home owners have gutters to catch roof run off water. That water then travels into horizontal downspouts and discharges along the foundation of the house. Often landscapers extend the downspouts underground to get the...
Many times we think of landscaping as a way to accent your home. What can we add to accent our landscaping? One option is a hot tub. Hot tubs have become very popular during COVID. They come is wide variety of sizes,...
Now that the weather has turned colder the leaves are falling. It is important to keep fallen leaves off your lawn.
While raking your lawn is a tedious task, it's important to maintain a healthy lawn. Keeping leaves off the lawn...
In August, The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the detection of spotted laternfly in Pontiac, Michigan. Early detection allows containment which is vital to prevent the spread.
What to look for:
Eggs of the spotted laternfly...
Recently the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed a case of invasive beech leaf disease in St. Clair County.
The disease has not been present in Michigan before. It is associated with the microscopic worm,...
There is a new trend for homeowners. Installing synthetic grass at their homes instead of natural grass. There are pros and cons to consider when making this decision.
Pros:
Pet Friendly
Good for water conservation.
Free of...
It looks like warmer weather is finally here! With sunny days, warm temperatures, and drier air you need to make sure your sprinkler system is turned on and working properly. Irrigation companies are busy so be sure to call...
Bulk trees and plants at low prices, so tempting but buyer beware. Finally, the temps are rising and the sun is shining! It's time to get your yard in order. While out shopping at some of the big box stores you'll often see...
Over the last few years we have seen a strong shift in brick paving and hardscape design trends. In the past, curves and radiuses were often the focal point and highlight of patios and walkways. The construction process was fairly simple...
Happy New Year to all our new and current customers! We are hoping 2022 brings some normalcy! We hope you are all staying healthy.
We are receiving updates from many, if not all of our vendors regarding shortages and price...
A friendly reminder that this is the time to begin winterizing your sprinkler system! This is standard maintenance and needs to be done to protect your sprinkler system during the freezing temperatures in the winter months. This...
Customers often request to have landscape fabric installed under mulch to help prevent weeds. This is not an acceptable industry weed prevention method for mulch beds.
Mulch is a wood product that will deteriorate and decompose. ...
Knockout Roses are one of the easiest plants to grow and provide color to your landscape. Their bloom cycle is approximately every 5-6 weeks. You can almost plant them and forget them. They are known as the self-cleaning rose, so there...
When choosing a new landscape project that includes plant material, there are many common terms that sound similar but have different meanings. Here is a list of the most common words you'll likely hear while planning your...
When creating a new landscape project mulch is commonly used to complete the look around trees and in beds. Mulch is beneficial because when placed over soil it maintains moisture and improves soil conditions. It is important to install...
It's hard to believe that we are all still experiencing restrictions from COVID-19. Thankfully, all of us here at Squeals Landscaping Inc. are healthy and production is in full swing! We are taking all recommended precautions to...
Oak Wilt is an exotic, invasive, lethal, fungal disease that effects Red and White Oak trees. It clogs the water conducting vessels of the Oak trees that are infected. They then wilt and die.
Red Oaks are more susceptible...
When the temperatures rise into the 80's plants require extra water because the ground moisture evaporates quickly. Any type of flowering plant will quickly begin showing signs of stress in very warm conditions. If there is little to...
The credit card world has changed for vendors because of all the perks credit card companies must give customers to stay competitive. This industry movement has resulted in skyrocketing merchant fees. The brutal gas station market began...
Customers often ask us what type of fertilizer they should buy for their new home landscape we installed. The answer is always the same. At Squeals Landscaping Inc. we recommend all homeowners use a local professional lawn fertilization...
Every season we get daily calls for brick repair projects. While there is a huge demand for existing hardscape corrections, it is mot a service we offer. There are several reasons we have this policy. In the past we have fixed...
Through these tough times we are following protocol and practicing social distancing to the fullest. . Due to the recent "Stay Home Stay Safe" executive order by Governor Whitmer we have temporarily closed our facility. The...
Today most new homes in subdivision type neighborhoods built by 1-3 different builders belong to a homeowners association. Similar to a condominium HOA they can have some control of your outdoor living space. Often homeowners...
Astronomical timers are a great way to control your outdoor lights (or anything that operates based on constantly changing daylight) because you can enjoy the "set it and forget it" method. With everyone's busy lifestyle easier...
To some people the best invention since the light bulb is the LED light bulb. In the low voltage landscape lighting world LED's have changed the industry. LED fixtures provide 2 major lighting improvements in the areas installers and...
Outdoor living spaces often include kitchen areas to make entertaining more convenient and enjoyable.
1. After the design has been completed the appliances will need to be purchased and on site before any construction can...
Today 19 out of 20 new home landscapes get a lawn installed without topsoil. Customers sometimes ask if topsoil is necessary. The answer at Squeals Landscaping Inc. is no. According to Gretchen Voyle, from Michigan State...
Hidden fees are starting to pop up everywhere. Hotels add resort fees, repair facilities add shop supply fees, trash removal companies add environmental fees, car dealerships add DOC fees, many companies charge administrative fees and now...
Not all warranties are created equal. Warranty work greatly varies in length of time as well as what is covered. It is important to review all warranty information before you sign a contract. Warranties are different for plant...
Your new plants, shrubs, and trees have been installed. Now what? How do you keep them looking green and vibrant? Customers often want to know how often, and how much water should be given to new plants. Here are some basic...
Customers often want to know when we will begin work for the season. Weather is the main factor in this answer. Besides dry ground, and warmer temperatures, the frost laws play a role in when we begin job installation.
Every year the...
Recently, polymeric sand has been a hot topic of discussion. Polymeric sand is a new item that has been incorporated in the brick paving industry. It is a high tech mixture of sand and cement additives. It is an ideal option for...
A professional landscape design is an important tool for your landscape project. If a design is scaled properly, and works on paper, it will work in the field. When elevations and cross sections are added to a landscape design the...
Who needs them and why?
Permits are an important topic of discussion. Recently some cities, townships and villages have begun requiring permits for basic landscape projects. Building, Zoning, Soil Erosion, & Grading...
Customers often ask about sales tax on our jobs. Some landscape companies charge sales tax on top of the contract price. We do not, and here is why.
Our previous Attorney General, Mike Cox, provided a legal opinion that sales tax should not...
Benefits of Fall Plantings
Football season, falling leaves, pumpkins, and crisp cool air are all telltale signs that fall has arrived. Many people don't realize the many benefits of planting during the fall months. It is an ideal...
A Shortage of "Green": Trees and Sod
Why has the price of trees and sod increased?
As the economy continues to improve, so has the demand for new landscaping or the repairing of or adding to existing landscapes. This is great...
