Over 15” of rain in July alone has meant an explosion in the tick and mosquito population! Please be sure to turn over empty buckets, wheelbarrows, and the like in your yard to cut down on areas for water to collect and create mosquito breeding grounds. Empty and clean birdbaths frequently, too, then refill for the birds. It’s…
As always, after any time outdoors, check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks! These pests are active in the landscape whenever temperatures are above 32 degrees, especially at edges of woods and cultivated areas where leaves, sticks and debris tends to collect. We recommend a personal essential oil spray of cedar for a…
Everyone is on the alert for the deadly EEE virus (Eastern Equine Encephalitis), transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito and reported in some of our service area. Here is information on aerial spraying with pesticides, already performed at night in some of our communities: Read Mass Gov File Those who have been…
Our Plant Health Care Manager, Reese Crotteau, is looking ahead to our November season of anti-desiccant and deer protection applications. We aim to prevent winter damage from scorching sun low in the sky in late winter plus potential harsh wind action on broadleafed evergreens like rhododendron, holly, and boxwood through our anti-desiccant spray program. This…
You’re not alone. Munching on daylily flowers, hosta leaves, phlox, sedum, new growth on hydrangea, weigela, viburnum, witch hazel and more has been reported as we make our rounds. The deer seem to seek moisture and tender new tips of plants at this hot time of year. Cut back damaged stems and leaves on perennials…
Leaf Cleanup Season is Here – How Can We Help? Here at Pumpkin Brook we have a different approach to fallen leaves than most landscape companies. We advocate leaving a thin layer over garden beds as winter protection. This can easily be removed in spring. But what about the 18″ deep drop from maple trees? …
Going along with our organic land care philosophy, we recommend use of an ice melt that does not contain Sodium chloride. This material can cause mortar used in walkways to degrade over time and provides toxic levels of salt to the plants in adjacent garden beds. Furthermore, those of us with dogs and cats need…