CLICK HERE FOR OUR LUSH ALIVE PROGRAMS
Feel free to call us: Nanaimo: 250-585-4248 Duncan: 250-597-0408 Victoria: 778-265-5874 | TEXT US
  • Home
  • About
    • Careers
    • Blog
  • Services
    • TOTAL PROPERTY CARE
    • Seasonal Cleanups
    • Lawn & Garden Maintenance
    • Hedge & Fruit Tree Care
    • Lush Holiday Lighting
    • Programs
  • Contact
  • Home
We fix lawns.
Posted by: john@lushecolawns.com In: Lawn Care 22 Mar 2016 0 comments Tags: lawn care, lawn reno

 

Bandaid1

 

We easily do dozens of lawn consults a week. Sometimes dozens a day. The calls/emails/lawns are always the same. “The moss has never been this bad”  “My lawn always looked decent until last summer’s drought” “My lawn was just put in last year and now look at this mess, it’s embarrassing”. Can you help??? Of course we can. But we start with a story.

Once upon a time somebody took a short cut.  The End.

That somebody is often a professional using economical methods.  Here’s the thing. Although lawn care is a science, it’s not rocket science.  It comes down to one thing.  Soil.  And the soil under your lawn is either good or bad. No amount of moss killer (band-aid), weed killer (toxic band-aid), fertilizer (band-aid) or eco chemical (what is that even) will change that.  The fact is, if your lawns receive adequate light (5+hrs daily) and have good drainage (no pooling) yet they are still full of moss and weeds its because you have terrible soil. The solution to your problem is literally staring you right in the face. Everybody now….”fix the soil.”

This is usually the moment in the consultation when the customer says, “we use to have a guy who’d come around and spray stuff….but it’s obviously not working.”  Ya think? If only we could just spray all life’s problems away.  Of course I don’t say that, I empathize with you, the customer, because how are you supposed to know?  It’s the professional’s job to educate you.  Not sell you a bandaid.

We’ve been educating our customers for 7 years – often losing out on jobs because we only sell a fix.  In fact, we often deter customer’s from doing business with us because we’re not prepared to make a buck off a bandaid. A lot of people want bandaids and a lot of companies are happy to sell them. We are not that company.  We’ve made a good living off fixing lawns. If this interests you, we’d love to talk.

 

Professional Holiday Lighting
Posted by: john@lushecolawns.com In: Christmas Lighting, Christmas Lights, Holidays 02 Nov 2015 0 comments Tags: christmas lighting, christmas lights, duncan, install christmas lights, nanaimo, professional christmas lighting, victoria, xmas lights

If you haven’t seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, you’re missing out.  I’ve probably watched it every Christmas for 20 years and have continued the tradition with my own kids.  There are many classic scenes but few exceed the fun of watching Clark Griswald (Chevy Chase) attempt to install 20,000 Christmas lights on his house. He succeeds (spoiler), kinda. As inept as Clark is as an installer, his passion for Christmas lighting equals ours which is why I started this popular program in the first place.

When I started our Holiday Lighting Program in 2010 it was founded on these core values…

  1. Passion for Christmas must always guide the process
  2. The bulbs must only be the highest quality grade LED.
  3. The service must encompass a program including design, set up, installation, takedown and storage.
  4. The work must be completed by passionate, fully insured professionals with an eye for detail.
  5. Customer satisfaction is paramount.

It is our adherence to these values that has been the secret to our program’s exponential growth as we now install Christmas lights for clients in Qualicum, Nanaimo, Cedar, Ladysmith, Chemainus, Crofton, Duncan, Maple Bay, Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake, Victoria and Oak Bay.  Every customer receives a guarantee that should even 1 bulb fail to light we will make it right. We’re still waiting for that bulb to fail:)  Most recently our lights caught the attention of Hollywood and have been featured in this film!  Talk about a cool experience! We have also partnered with the Downtown Victoria Business Association using our lights to beautify Victoria’s alleyways.

If you love Christmas as much as we do, let us enlighten you further… *nice one John :). We have multiple colour options for your home, business, shrubs and trees. Bottom line, you own everything including a full warranty for 3 years as long as you stick with the program.

We highly recommend connecting with us soon…we’re booking up quickly for 2017!

Talk to you soon!

John
Christmas Lighting by the ProsPro Christmas Lighting - Happy Lush Clients

Why Is It Important To Prune Your Plants?
Posted by: john@lushecolawns.com In: Pruning 08 Jan 2015 0 comments Tags: pruning, pruning plants

Pruning is the physical act of trimming branches, leaves or dead matter from a plant. Typically this is done to make the plant look more attractive or to help keep it healthy. Horticultural experts and landscapers generally agree that pruning is carried out for one (or more) of four different reasons: Training the Plant, Maintaining the Plant’s Health, Improving Flower / Fruit Quality and to Restrict Growth. With this entry we’ll take a brief look at each of these reasons.

Training the Plant: To keep a tree or shrub to a specific size or shape, it must be regularly pruned. The initial pruning of young trees or shrubs normally consists of removing broken, crossing, or any pest-infested branches. When pruning trees, the rule of thumb is to cut away 1/3 of the top growth during transplanting. This will compensate for root loss, a technique which is not necessary for properly pruned, nursery-grown plants. Excessive pruning at transplanting, according to research, reduces ultimate plant size and does not aid in plant survival. As a rule, the central leader of a tree should not be pruned unless a leader is not wanted, as is the case with some naturally low-branched trees or where multiple-stemmed plants are desired. Some pruning may be necessary to maintain desired shape and shorten extra-vigorous shoots.

Maintaining Plant Health: To prune a plant for health reasons first consider sanitation, which includes the pruning plants helps keep them healthyelimination of all dead, dying, or diseased wood. Any dying branch or stub can be the entry point or build-up chamber for insects or disease that could spread to other parts of the plant, with devastating results. When removing diseased wood such as a fungal canker or fire blight, it is important that the cut be made in healthy wood, beyond the point of infection and always with a sterile blade. The development of a sound framework through proper thinning will help prevent disease and loss of vigor while maintaining good form. Even evergreen shrubs will usually benefit from an occasional thinning of foliage. This thinning will allow penetration of light and air throughout the shrub, resulting in an even growth of the foliage.

Quality of Flowers/Fruit: The more flowers and fruit a plant produces, the smaller they become, as can be seen on a rose bush or fruit tree that has been left to its own natural devices. Pruning reduces the amount of wood and so diverts energy into the production of larger, though possibly fewer, flowers and/or fruit. Most flowering shrubs will bloom either on one-year old growth or on new growth. Properly timed pruning will increase the production of wood that will bear flowers. Some deciduous shrubs have colored barks which are especially delightful in winter. The best color is produced on young stems; the greatest stem length and most intense color results from hard pruning.

Restricting Growth: Over time, trees and shrubs will often grow to sizes that exceed the space allowed for them. Where space is limited, regular pruning becomes necessary to keep plants in bounds. Regular pruning is necessary on formal hedges to maintain a uniform growth rate. To reduce labor, select plants that will not exceed allotted space. A subjective thing, the gardener will maintain plant growth (such as with a hedge) to the size and shape best suited to their individual tastes or to the character of the lot. An extreme example of pruning to restrict size would be the traditional Japanese Bonsai Tree. Examples of these living art forms can remain in diminutive pots, yet are literally hundreds of years old. These elegant trees are testament to the skills and dedication of the artists who devoted so much energy and creativity to their appearance over the years.

If uncertain about your pruning requirements or needs, it’s always advisable to check with professional landscapers, such Lush Eco Lawns, to ensure the maximum benefit is achieved for your efforts.

Fall is best?
Posted by: john@lushecolawns.com In: Lawn Care 16 Aug 2014 0 comments Tags: fall lawn care
Check out the dark lush colour! This is without fertilizer :)

September is the best month of the year to grow a Lush lawn!

Fall is best for many reasons.  1.NHL  2.NFL  3.CFL  4.MLB playoffs – there may be other reasons too… In all seriousness, Fall and its cooler temperatures and increased rains are just some of the reasons why when it come to growing lush lawns and gardens, it is definitely best!.

1. Coolness

If you read our post on Seeding you’ll know that all grass on Vancouver Island – even Canada, is cool season grass. Kentucky Blue, Perennial Rye, Fescues..they all prefer a milder (cooler), wetter climate which is exactly why lawns look their best in April, May, September and October and struggle in June, July and August.  This is also why Spring and Fall are the best times to a plant new lawn or renovate an existing one.  Your garden is no different.

2. Water

You can’t avoid this. Grass is a plant and needs water to stay healthy. Taking months off, while unavoidable does take its toll.  The great thing about Fall is the sky just brings the rain which makes September the best month of the year to feed, grow, replace or renovate your lawn and garden.

3.  Weeds 

Most of the weeds we love to hate – buttercup, dandelions, clover etc grow in cycles.  The best way to disrupt their cycles and slow their growth are cooler temperatures and growing a thick strand of turf (lawn).  This is why fall is the best time for you to focus on growing a thick healthy lawn.  You are going after weeds at their most vulnerable and by planting a healthy lawn or garden now, you will be greatly reducing your chances of a weed invasion the following spring.

4. Budget

Yes, money matters!  It’s expensive to replace or renovate a lawn but by doing it in the fall you are choosing a time of increased cash flow.  Not only that, there are even some companies that will allow you to pay over the winter!  Actually, we only know of one.  We suggest you talk to them.

 

“John rescued our property in every sense of the word. An inexperienced landscaper left over 20,000 sqft of our land in a sand covered disaster that wouldn’t even grow weeds. An email to LushEco changed all that. John had our lawn resurfaced and covered in rich soil that grew beautiful lush grass and now 1 year later it looks like a different lawn.  LushEco worked quickly and efficiently, my husband and I were so pleased. We both love the fact that no chemicals are used at all.  LushEco does a majority of the maintenance on our property now from pruning to putting down bark mulch to putting up gorgeous Christmas lights.  Every week that grey truck pulls up our driveway with filled friendly hardworking people and I always know my yard will look amazing each time they are done. We get multiple compliments on our property now and are asked who does our maintenance and I tell them LushEco.

If anyone needs their lawn to look amazing they need John and his team of experts!”

Vanita, Shawnigan Lake

Seeding Lawns on Vancouver Island
Posted by: john@lushecolawns.com In: Lawn Care 25 Mar 2014 0 comments Tags: new lawns, seeding lawns

Seeding

kentucky blue grass lawnSunny seed mix, Shade mix, Front lawn mix, Backyard Mix, Eco lawn mix, Drought resistant mix, blah blah blah. This is marketing at it’s worst. How is it possible for the seed companies to know how much sun, shade or even water your particular lawn gets? They’re guessing, of course, so why invest in a stranger’s best guess when you can intentionally buy the seeds that are right for you?

Generally there are 3 main types of seed varieties used in most mixes. Kentucky Bluegrass is found in Sunny or Front yard mixes and is a fan favorite for its thick blade of grass and beautiful bluish tinge. Perennial Rye is the best all around seed and is found in most if not all mixes as it has a medium blade with a nice uniform green that holds up well under most conditions (see above). Fescues are found in shade or backyard mixes as their extremely thin blades thrive in the shade, or so they say.

For the wet and sun deprived Vancouver Island, we recommend a mix predominantly Perennial Rye with a few Kentucky Blue mixed in for fun. This type of mix is traditionally called an Over-seeding mix or sometimes the bag will say the seed content on it. Perennial Rye is the best all around seed for our conditions and lifestyle. It’s the seed most common in parks and sports fields as it wears well (unlike Fescues) and doesn’t gorge itself or need as much as light as Kentucky Blue.

If you don’t have the patience or irrigation to seed your lawn, you can also hire a company to Hydro Seed your lawn. Utilizing the same seed varieties but covering them in a mixture of wet mulch for increased germination, the seeds will literally be sprayed on your lawn appearing as a green sludge. Before you know, that sludge will be a lawn. Finally, if you need a lawn right now, you can’t go wrong with sod. Sod is mature grass ready right now. All it needs is some good soil and a professional’s touch. As far as pricing goes, Sod is the most expensive, followed by Hydro-seeding and seeding.

Best time to plant any kind of grass is May and September but remember, all seed needs to remain perpetually moist until germination – that includes sod so it can establish.

Aerating
Posted by: john@lushecolawns.com In: Lawn Care 25 Mar 2014 0 comments Tags: aerating, aeration, lawn care

Aerating

Aerating Lawns on Vancouver IslandAll soil needs air, water and nutrients for its plants to thrive. In the case of a lawn, when its soil is compacted, these resources become trapped and its grass roots are unable to access them. The result is always the same; crabgrass, weeds and moss take advantage of the lawn’s weakened state and gradually establish themselves. Aerating is the process of releasing the compaction so these vital resources are made available and the lawn can continue to grow lush and healthy. Aerating should ALWAYS follow power raking. There’s no point in trying to aerate through moss.

Not all aerating is created equal. Those spikes on the bottom of your shoes, for instance, add to your compaction problem rather than solve it. If you are going to aerate you must rent a Core Aerator from your neighbourhood rental shop. A typical Aerator weighs in excess of 400lbs and makes operating your lawn mower seem like that plastic toy you bought your grandson. Plus you have to transport it…and anchor it to your trailer….yes, you need a trailer. In the end, its much easier to hire someone and only marginally more expensive.

Once the entire lawn has been aerated, (hopefully you marked your sprinkler heads first) there will be thousands of holes with corresponding soil plugs. Just leave the plugs to decompose. Your lawn is now literally open to the possibilities of new growth. Best time to aerate is early spring and fall. If you’re aerating as part of a lawn renovation, you have just finished the tough phase 1! Congratulations! Phase 2 involves the much more fulfilling topdressing, seeding and fertilizing!

Power-raking
Posted by: john@lushecolawns.com In: Lawn Care 25 Mar 2014 0 comments Tags: lawn care, power raking

Power-raking

Thatching Vancouver IslandIf your lawn is currently covered in moss and it meets the two conditions for renovation (adequate sun, good drainage), it all starts with a vicious power raking (some call it de-thatching). We say vicious because most homeowners and even landscapers fail in this regard. The point of power raking is to remove all the moss (not some, or quite a bit). If patches of moss remain on your lawn, grass will not be able to establish in those spots so you’re best off to go vicious. Warning: Your lawn will look like a sandbox when you’re done 🙂 This is normal, it will have to get worse before it gets better.

Power-rakers/De-thatchers can be rented from your local rental store or Home Depot/Rona. They weigh a few hundred pounds and you’ll definitely need a trailer to transport them. Once you have managed to get them home, they are fairly easy to operate. Similar to a lawn mower, you walk behind them and they self propel forward ripping out large amounts of moss (and grass) as they go. Remember, this is all normal you need to get it all. Once you’ve gone over the lawn once, you’ll need to begin the process of manually raking it up and transporting it to a local farmer who may kiss you on the mouth for this great gift of compostable materials. If there is still moss visible in the lawn, you’ll need to go over it again and continue until all the moss is removed. Believe me, this is a weekend you’ll likely wish you had back so this is a service that is probably worth hiring a (Lush) professional 🙂

Once all the moss is removed, you’ll be shocked at the amount that came up plus your lawn will look terrible. Before you collapse into the fetal position, remind yourself that John said this is normal. Don’t stay down for too long though, aerating is next.

Moss Doesn’t Care
Posted by: john@lushecolawns.com In: Lawn Care 15 Jan 2014 0 comments Tags: lawns duncan, lawns nanaimo, moss removal duncan, moss removal nanaimo

Moss Doesn’t Care

Moss removal Depending on your tolerance level, moss is either lawn that you don’t have to mow, water or fertilize (yippee) OR… the bain of your existence. For most of you living on Vancouver Island it’s probably the latter. It’s the same every spring…the rain slows the sun starts to peak out and the yellow fuzz monster returns on your lawn – again! Why me, you cry! I’m a good person, I pay my taxes, I floss occasionally…

Here’s the thing …Moss doesn’t care if you floss. It simply likes what it likes; shade and waterlogged acidic soils – aka the West Coast. Unless you plan to sacrifice a goat to appease the sun god or cut down all those beautiful trees lining your property, moss is likely to remain a constant pain in your grass. (nice one John). There is hope, but it hinges on the answer to one question, ok 2.

1. Does your moss-covered section of lawn receive more than 4 hours of sunlight a day?

2. Is that same section well drained? i.e. no water pooling

If the answer is no, you need to forget trying to grow lush grass there and instead plant something that wants to grow there (like moss 🙂 or shade loving plants) or forget planting altogether and instead cover the area with gravel, mulch, cedar chips, pavers or another low maintenance alternative.

If the answer is yes, the lawn does have adequate light and good drainage, its time to renovate, and it all starts with a vigorous power raking!

  • 1
  • 2

Recent Posts

  • How I Came To See The Light
  • Trust me
  • In Support of Grass Stains
  • To Renovate or Replace? That is the question.
  • 2020: A Perfect Vision for your Yard

Archives

Categories

  • Christmas Lighting
  • Christmas Lights
  • Garden Care
  • Holidays
  • Lawn Care
  • Pruning
Best Lawn care services in Nanaimo

My lawn could not be greener

John is an expert in the field

Christine

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-16T05:18:07+00:00

Christine

John is an expert in the field
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/my-lawn-could-not-be-greener/

Great service and great crew

I would have them back from my next project for sure. 

Wendy, Sidney

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-17T03:42:45+00:00

Wendy, Sidney

I would have them back from my next project for sure. 
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/great-service-and-great-crew/

Wonderful job mowing

I just LOVE the way they edge my borders

Kathi, Ladysmith

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-16T05:24:19+00:00

Kathi, Ladysmith

I just LOVE the way they edge my borders
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/wonderful-job-mowing/

Friendly and Respectful

The work is completed in an efficient manner.

Cal Kaiser, Maple Bay

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-17T03:46:04+00:00

Cal Kaiser, Maple Bay

The work is completed in an efficient manner.
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/friendly-and-respectful/

Professional high quality service

Left the work site cleaner than when they started

Sandy, Maple Bay

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-16T06:24:52+00:00

Sandy, Maple Bay

Left the work site cleaner than when they started
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/professional-high-quality-service/

Great company to work with

Reliable and does and excellent job

Vincent, Nanaimo

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-17T03:55:05+00:00

Vincent, Nanaimo

Reliable and does and excellent job
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/great-company-to-work-with/

Yard looks fantastic all of the time

I never have to worry about scheduling

Trish, Chemainus

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-16T20:11:18+00:00

Trish, Chemainus

I never have to worry about scheduling
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/yard-looks-fantastic-all-of-the-time/

Recommend without hesitation

Recommend without hesitation

Iris, Chemainus

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2021-02-10T01:26:37+00:00

Iris, Chemainus

Recommend without hesitation
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/recommend-without-hesitation/

Best hedge trimming ever

10/10

Catherine, Duncan

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-16T20:16:47+00:00

Catherine, Duncan

10/10
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/best-hedge-trimming-ever/

You guys rock!

Great people! Great service. Great work!

Courtney, Cobble Hill

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-16T20:18:47+00:00

Courtney, Cobble Hill

Great people! Great service. Great work!
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/you-guys-rock/

They’re our go to for any landscaping work

The calibre of work is always outstanding

Drum-roaster, Cobble Hill

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-16T20:22:14+00:00

Drum-roaster, Cobble Hill

The calibre of work is always outstanding
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/theyre-our-go-to-for-any-landscaping-work/

Excellent, quick & tidy work

Excellent, quick & tidy work

Derek, Cedar

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-13T20:02:32+00:00

Derek, Cedar

Excellent, quick & tidy work
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/excellent-quick-tidy-work/

True to their word

I was absolutely thrilled with the result

Christina, Maple Bay

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-16T20:26:27+00:00

Christina, Maple Bay

I was absolutely thrilled with the result
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/true-to-their-word/

Hardworking, pleasant and patient

Hardworking, pleasant and patient

Joanne - Ladysmith

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-13T20:03:43+00:00

Joanne - Ladysmith

Hardworking, pleasant and patient
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/hardworking-pleasant-and-patient/

Polite, friendly, hardworking and careful.

They did a great job and knew what they were doing.

Sandra, North Saanich

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-16T20:31:18+00:00

Sandra, North Saanich

They did a great job and knew what they were doing.
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/polite-friendly-hardworking-and-careful/

Outstanding service, quality, teamwork

“Outstanding service, consistent quality, good teamwork."

Irene Hawkins

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-16T03:17:07+00:00

Irene Hawkins

“Outstanding service, consistent quality, good teamwork."
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/outstanding-service-quality-teamwork/

They are the best

I recommend them to everyone

Lynne, Chemainus

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-16T20:32:48+00:00

Lynne, Chemainus

I recommend them to everyone
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/they-are-the-best/

Great People

They do a wonderful job

Joan Brooks

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-16T03:20:34+00:00

Joan Brooks

They do a wonderful job
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/great-people/

Totally reliable and thorough

They are fantastic!

Valerie, Oak Bay

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-16T20:34:11+00:00

Valerie, Oak Bay

They are fantastic!
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/totally-reliable-and-thorough/

Best at what they do

No job too big or too small

Kathi White

Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
5
2020-02-16T03:26:48+00:00

Kathi White

No job too big or too small
https://lushecolawns.com/testimonials/best-at-what-they-do/
5
20
Lush Eco Lawns & Gardens Ltd
©2020 Lush Eco Lawns Ltd. All Rights Reserved

SEO & Marketing by MAC5

  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Contact