By Jorge Melo Planting a new shrub should feel exciting. You stand back, look at the fresh greenery, and imagine how it will fill out over the next few seasons. Then reality hits. New shrubs survive or fail based on watering. In our 35 years of business experience, we have seen shrubs thrive with the right schedule and die fast when they are ignored. So here is the answer right away: Water new shrubs every day for the first week, every other day for the next two weeks, and on

by Jorge Melo Fallen leaves look beautiful on Massachusetts streets, but once they hit your lawn, the real question shows up fast: Should you rake them, mulch them, or leave them alone?  A Michigan State University study once showed that mulching can reduce up to 18 inches of leaf buildup, but that only tells part of the story. Our region deals with heavy oak drops, stubborn pine needles, wet fall weather, unpredictable winds, and pockets of clay soil, all things that change

by, Jorge Melo Fall in Massachusetts is one of the easiest and most reliable seasons for planting. The air cools down, the soil stays warm, and new plants settle in with far less stress than they do during summer heat. That simple shift in conditions gives roots more time to grow strong before winter. So what can you plant in the fall in Massachusetts? Shrubs, perennials, spring-blooming bulbs, hydrangeas, lavender, hardy trees, and most cool-season plants handle fall extrem

By Jorge Melo Introduction A lawn can look healthy on the surface while quietly struggling underneath. That hidden layer is often thatch, and it’s one of the most misunderstood parts of lawn care. “Timing is everything” is a phrase heard often in landscaping, and it applies strongly here. Many homeowners ask the same question every year: When should you dethatch your lawn in Massachusetts? The clearest answer is this: Most lawns in Massachusetts should be dethatched in early

By Jorge Melo Introduction “Timing isn’t everything—but when it comes to lawns in Massachusetts, it’s pretty close!” After more than 35 years in business, our team at New England Tree & 4-Landscape has seen it all—burnt lawns, patchy growth, and frustrated homeowners wondering why their neighbor’s yard looks better. The truth is, even the best lawn fertilizer won’t help if you don’t apply it at the right time. So, how often should you fertilize your lawn in Massachusetts? Th

By Jorge Melo Autumn is the season of change—the air turns crisp, the leaves paint the sidewalks gold, and every homeowner in Massachusetts starts to wonder if their yard is really ready for winter. “A clean yard in the fall is a healthy yard in the spring.” That’s something we’ve learned time and again in our 35 years of business at New England Tree & Landscape. A professional fall clean-up means much more than just raking leaves. It’s a full property reset that protects you

by Jorge Melo Introduction Every great outdoor space starts with a plan. Landscape design isn’t just about picking plants or placing stones—it’s about shaping how a property looks, feels, and works over time. In simple terms, landscape design is the process of planning and building every part of the yard so that everything works together—visually, structurally, and naturally. At New England Tree & Landscape, we’ve learned over 35 years that the best results come from planning

By Jorge Melo As temperatures drop and the first frost creeps in, lawns across Massachusetts start their long winter rest. The secret to a healthy, vibrant lawn next spring isn’t luck—it’s preparation. In our 35 years of business, New England Tree & Landscape has seen that lawns given proper winter lawn treatment rebound greener, thicker, and more resilient after the thaw. The best time to begin lawn winter prep in Massachusetts is from late September through early November,

By Jorge Melo When it comes to achieving a beautiful, healthy lawn fast, few things compare to sod installation. But timing is everything. So, when is the best time to lay sod? In Massachusetts, the best time to install sod is in the fall, typically from September through early November, when the weather is cool and the soil stays moist without the stress of summer heat. In our 35 years of business at New England Tree & Landscape, we’ve seen fall installations root stronger a

by Jorge Melo Good soil is the foundation of every healthy lawn. Without it, even the best seed won’t thrive. In our 35 years of business, we’ve seen lawns struggle to grow simply because the soil underneath wasn’t right. When dirt is dry, sandy, or compacted, grass never fills in properly. That’s where loam comes in. Loam is the ideal blend of sand, silt, and clay — holding just enough water for healthy roots while draining what your lawn doesn’t need. It’s the secret behind

By Jorge Melo A lush, green lawn looks great — until you realize your dog is running across it right after fertilizing! Every year, pet owners across Massachusetts ask us the same question: how long should I keep my dog off the lawn after fertilizing? At New England Tree & Landscape , we recommend keeping pets off any freshly fertilized area for at least 48 hours . That’s the safest window for the product to absorb into the soil and dry fully. After two days — or once the law

By Jorge Melo Introduction “Water always wins if you let it.” In our 35 years of business, that line has proven true time and again. Whether it’s a driveway, patio, or walkway, sinking pavers almost always come down to what’s happening underneath the surface. The good news? You can stop it before it starts. If you’ve been wondering how to stop patio pavers from sinking, the answer lies in how you build your base, manage drainage, and maintain your hardscaping over time. A str

By Jorge Melo If you’ve ever walked outside to find goose droppings on your grass or a noisy flock taking over your property, you already know how frustrating it can be. In our 35 years of business, we’ve seen just how much goose damage to lawns can cost Massachusetts homeowners — from eroded turf to contaminated ponds. So, what can you do to deter geese from your lawn, and how can New England Tree & Landscape help? The answer starts with a mix of habitat changes, repellents,

by Jorge Melo Introduction In our 35 years of business, one lesson has never changed: water always wins if you let it. “Good grading is invisible until it fails” is the line I tell every homeowner. Landscape grading is the planned shaping of soil so water flows away from structures, preventing foundation damage, lawn disease, and erosion. It sets the base for patios, driveways, and plant beds, and it is the first step in reliable grading and drainage. This guide explains exac

By Jorge Melo Introduction Every healthy tree you see in Massachusetts tells a quiet story of care, timing, and precision. In our 35...

By Jorge Melo Snow may look beautiful falling from the sky, but it quickly turns into a hazard if it isn’t cleared fast. Every hour...

by Jorge Melo How and when to kill grubs Introduction A single square foot of lawn in Massachusetts can hide 10–15 grubs under the soil....

By Jorge Melo Introduction Ask most landscapers in Massachusetts when to mulch and you’ll hear the same answer: spring. It’s the season...

By Jorge Melo Introduction “How low should I cut my grass this fall?” The answer is simple: 2 to 2.5 inches for cool-season grasses  and slightly taller (2.5–3 inches) for warm-season grasses . The last mow of the season isn’t just cosmetic—it’s the difference between a lawn that wakes up strong in spring and one that struggles to recover. In our 35 years of business, we’ve seen lawns across New Bedford, Marion, and nearby towns thrive when homeowners make small, smart adjust

by Jorge Melo Full-sun spots in your yard don’t have to stay bare or boring. What should you plant in the full sun areas of your...