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We often receive the question “Should I put fabric under my mulch?”

Our answer – No.

We do not recommend putting landscape fabric underneath your mulch for the simple reason that it usually causes more problems than any benefit it provides. For one, the fabric blocks the transfer of beneficial microorganisms from passing through that layer of soil. Also, earthworms which are helpful in aerating the soil and keeping it from becoming compact and unhealthy need to be able to reach the surface to survive. Secondly, if you ever want to re-plant plants in the future, you’ll have to dig through the fabric and cut it out, causing unnecessary labor and frustration for future planting projects. Thirdly, it prevents the mulch from decomposing and integrating itself into the soil like it’s designed to do consequently depriving the ground underneath of composted soil and nutrients. Lastly, and perhaps most significantly, weeds will start to germinate and grow in the mulch layer as quickly as within a few months following installation, so after only a season or two the weeds will be back in your mulch growing above the fabric coming back as quickly as they came. For these reasons, we advise against this as san ineffective method of preventing the problem you’re trying to avoid.

HOWEVER, we do lay commercial-grade weed fabric underneath our river gravel products for projects like the one you see our team member, Valeska, working on here. In this type of application we do suggest the use of fabric specifically designed to prevent future weeds from invading your yard. Weeds are much less likely to germinate in the rocks and the preferiferral fabric stunts any weeds from growing and penetrating through. Just make sure that you leave plenty of space around your plants so that they can grow properly and promote the sustainability of earthworms and other beneficial organisms. Also, it’s a good idea to add some compost soil or garden soil to your beds before covering with fabric.Therefore, laying river gravel overtop a protective layer of fabric is an excellent and low maintenance solution to weed-prevention that enhances the natural beauty of your landscape environment!

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Should I use River Gravel or Mulch in my landscape beds?

Pros and Cons of Mulch:

A fresh application of mulch looks great and can really dress up your landscaping. It comes in a variety of different colors. It’s really good for the soil and retaining moisture around your plants during dry, hot summers. It also protects your plants during the harsh cold conditions of the winter season by helping to insulate the soil by acting as a heat blanket overtop of the roots of the plants, protecting them from the frigid temperatures.

Mulch is certainly your less-expensive option per install; however, because it’s organic material is meant to break-down overtime and it will begin to fade in appearance. Therefore, a yearly re-application is typically required to refresh it each season. Mulch beds also require consistent weed maintenance. Although it does help prevent weeds and makes them easier to pull out by the root you will need to keep up on some maintenance. This is perhaps the biggest draw-back of opting for mulch as your flower bed material over river gravel.

Pros & Cons of River Gravel:

Depending on what type of river gravel you choose, the initial install cost may be 2-3xs the cost of a mulch install. However, this can be a worthwhile investment when you consider that it won’t need to be re-applied for several years, often just needing a touch up treatment. River gravel beds are much less maintenance because weeds are less likely to germinate in the rock y and soil deprived conditions. The particular type used for this client’s project is PA River Gravel purchased through Nye’s Mulch. They have quite a few different options to choose from that come in different sizes and color blends.

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Yes. Aeration can make a big difference on the health of your lawn. Aerating creates holes in the soil and removes plugs which has several benefits. First, it reduces compaction in the soil making it easier for turf roots to spread and thrive. Second, it allows water and oxygen to enter into the ground easier and at a higher rate. If your lawn is compacted the rainwater can easily have the tendency to run off the lawn before it has time to absorb. With the aerated lawn the water can absorb easily into the small holes and infiltrate the root system of your grass.

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This is one of the most common questions we get asked by customers. There are 4 main options you can choose from when it comes to styling the edge of your flower beds:

The first option is to keep a natural edge and simply re-edge your flower beds every season with an edging shovel and nicely maintain the existing surrounding edge.

The second option is to incorporate an edge that acts as a border around the beds so that it keeps river gravel stones or other beds materials from migrating into the grass. Opting for a more permanent edge border provides you with the following 3 types of edging products:

Plastic Edging

While this option is the cheapest initially, it is definitely not the most cost-effective or permanent solution in the long run; and we therefore do not recommend it. Reason being, during the winter season the ground freezes and expands, pushing the plastic edging up and out of place. Once the ground cools back down and shrinkage occurs, the plastic edging will now be sticking out of place, so after just a couple of years your edging will look very wavy and out of line, eventually needing replacement.

Metal Edging

This option is preferred to plastic edging due because the product is more resistant to shifting positions. As demonstrated, we install these by pounding sizable landscape stakes down through the sides into the ground, helping keep the edge in the position for longer. However, shifting is still a real possibility throughout the winter.

Edge Stones

This is the most permanent and our most recommended option. We use a variety of Techo-Bloc edge stones for our customers’ projects, and the one you see here is the Belgik Edge Stone. We install these stones with the bottoms several inches below grade then we glue them together with a commercial construction adhesive which bonds very tightly, holding the stones together so that even during the winter conditions of freeze-thaw cycles, your edge remains solid and instact for many years to come.

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The ASM Advanced Snow Manager certification which is obtained though the SIMA Snow and Ice Management Association is an in depth program that teaches individuals the science and theory, as well as the industry standards behind professional snow removal. The course has 4 separate courses which must be passed in order to obtain the certification.

1. Core Principles
2. Plowing Operations
3. Sidewalk Operations
4. Ice Management

This certification is for individuals and not the company as a whole. Each person must pass the course on their own in order to be recognized as an Advanced Snow Manager.

Why is ASM important?

Every property is unique as far as property lay out, hours of operation, and expectations of service levels. Additionally each snow event is different as far as timing, air temperature, ground temperature, type of precipitation, wind velocity, length of storm and accumulation rates. It is important that you work with a company who is able to see the big picture and implement all of these variables into a storm management plan which will give you the best success staying open for business or making sure you are open and ready for business the next day mean while mitigating your risk for slip and fall claims from customers and employees. ASM’s have knowledge of the equipment, man power, and materials necessary to keep up with your level of expectation on the property.

Below are the details of the course taken directly from the SIMA website

SIMA Advanced Snow Management (ASM) Courses

Program Scope, Purpose, Target Audience, Intended Learning Outcomes and Certificate Term

Certificates are for individuals only, and are non-transferable to other individuals/entities. Information published on 11/25/2014.

Advanced Snow Management – Core Principles

Scope: Immersive training for snow management and removal professionals in organizations of any size.

Purpose: To engage the learner in achieving core knowledge tied to safe and responsible operations in snow and ice management. This core knowledge will serve as the foundation for further training in the Advanced Snow Management program.

Target Audience: Snow management operations and management personnel.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

• Identify the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed to be worn by all snow operators.
• Inspect all snow vehicles, trailers and equipment for basic safety requirements.
• Identify the most common vehicle and equipment impact hazards.
• Identify the physical properties of snow that most affect snow & ice management strategies.
• Demonstrate how to measure surface temperature for an entire site.
• Recognize the three response strategies for clearing snow and the factors which influence these strategies.
• Define the term, cycle time as it relates to a snow route and to site management.
• Explain how cycle time and cycle time expectation relates to resource capacity and storm response planning.
• Identify the basic documentation procedures used in snow and ice management.

Program Requirements:

1. Completion of the online Advanced Snow Management – Core Principles course.*
2. Passing score on the Advanced Snow Management – Core Principles assessment.
3. Electronic signature and credit submission in SIMA’s Training Center for Advanced Snow Management – Core Principles.

Certificate Term: 10 years

Advanced Snow Management – Plowing Operations

Scope: Immersive training for snow management and removal professionals in organizations of any size.

Purpose: To build on Core Principles outcomes in Advanced Snow Management, coupling them with structured learning outcomes tied to safe and efficient management of snow using plows.

Target Audience: Snow management operations and management personnel.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

• The effects of moisture and temperature on snow plowing strategy.
• Preparation and maintenance of snow plow equipment.
• Safety practices for attaching, detaching, and adjusting various plows and blowers.
• Instruction on best practices for snow plowing techniques.
• Proper on- and off-site snow hauling.

Program Requirements:

1. Completion of the Advanced Snow Management – Core Principles certificate.
2. Completion of the online Advanced Snow Management – Plowing Operations course.*
3. Passing score on the Advanced Snow Management – Plowing Operations assessment.
4. Electronic signature and credit submission in SIMA’s Training Center for Advanced Snow Management – Plowing Operations.

Certificate Term: 10 years

Advanced Snow Management – Sidewalk Operations

Scope: Immersive training for snow management and removal professionals in organizations of any size.

Purpose: To build on Core Principles outcomes in Advanced Snow Management, coupling them with structured learning outcomes tied to safe and efficient sidewalk operations for snow and ice.

Target Audience: Snow management operations and management personnel.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

• Identify equipment used in sidewalk clearing and know how to prepare equipment.
• Be able to apply efficient and safe sidewalk clearing techniques.
• Identify all pedestrian areas which need to be cleared of snow.
• Recognizing how moisture and temperature affect sidewalk clearing strategies.
• Understanding the interdependence between snow plowing, sidewalk clearing, and ice management.
• Interpret a site engineering plan as it relates to sidewalk clearing.

Program Requirements:

1. Completion of the Advanced Snow Management – Core Principles certificate.
2. Completion of the online Advanced Snow Management – Sidewalk Operations course.*
3. Passing score on the Advanced Snow Management – Sidewalk Operations assessment.
4. Electronic signature and credit submission in SIMA’s Training Center for Advanced Snow Management – Sidewalk Operations.

Certificate Term: 10 years

Advanced Snow Management – Ice Management

Scope: Immersive training for snow management and removal professionals in organizations of any size.

Purpose: To build on Core Principles outcomes in Advanced Snow Management, coupling them with structured learning outcomes tied to safe and efficient management of ice and snow using chemicals and materials.

Target Audience: Snow management operations and management personnel.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

• Understanding the relationship between moisture and temperature, and their impact on ice management decisions in the field.
• Preparing ice management equipment for maximum efficiency.
• Critical insight into major deicing chemicals, especially related to changing conditions.
• Applying anti-icing and deicing techniques.
• Understanding the principles of calibration and various application rates.

Program Requirements:

1. Completion of the Advanced Snow Management – Core Principles certificate.
2. Completion of the online Advanced Snow Management – Ice Management course.*
3. Passing score on the Advanced Snow Management – Ice Management assessment.
4. Electronic signature and credit submission in SIMA’s Training Center for Advanced Snow Management – Ice Management.

Certificate Term: 10 years

*Each course has a series of ‘checkpoints’ that must be completed to continue advancing through the course. Completion of a checkpoint includes clicking/reviewing material on various slides, until the ‘Next’ slide appears. Once all course checkpoints are met, learners will be eligible to complete the assessment.

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• If you are pre-paying your landscape maintenance contract for the season to get a 5% discount we ask for a check or we will need to add a 2.5% convenience fee to the total amount.This helps us get reimbursed for what the credit card companies take from us.
• If the total amount of your payment is over $2,500 we also ask for a 2.5% convenience fee to help cover some of the costs from the credit card companies.

For bigger projects some of our clients use a home equity loan or a construction loan which are pretty easy to get and have low interest rates compared to credit cards and other revolving lines of credit.

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