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O'Dell Landscape Services blog

Landscaping Tips & Notes

FROM THE CREW

Written by Garrett.

Why We Use Sweet Peet Mulch on Fairfield and Westchester County Properties
Mulch

Why We Use Sweet Peet Mulch on Fairfield and Westchester County Properties

Sweet Peet is a premium, all-natural mulch made from composted organic materials - and it does more than just look good.

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What Good Landscape Design Actually Does For Your Property
Landscape Design

What Good Landscape Design Actually Does For Your Property

A quality landscape design is an investment that pays dividends long after the installation is complete.

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How Landscaping Affects Your Home's Resale Value
Home Value

How Landscaping Affects Your Home's Resale Value

Landscaping doesn't just add beauty - it creates perceived value. Buyers often decide what a home is worth before they walk through the front door.

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Why Fall Is the Best Time to Establish a New Lawn
Lawn Care

Why Fall Is the Best Time to Establish a New Lawn

Cooler soil, far less weed competition, and steady rainfall make fall the ideal window for grass seed to root.

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Landscaping as an Investment in Fairfield and Westchester Counties
Investment

Landscaping as an Investment in Fairfield and Westchester Counties

In one of Connecticut's most prestigious communities, quality landscaping protects property value while making a home stand out.

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Holly Bushes: A Versatile Choice for Privacy and Year-Round Color
Plant Spotlight

Holly Bushes: A Versatile Choice for Privacy and Year-Round Color

Dense evergreen foliage, bright winter berries, and low maintenance make holly one of the most dependable plants in the landscape.

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The Best Uses for Woodchip Mulch (and How Carbon Helps Your Soil)
Mulch

The Best Uses for Woodchip Mulch (and How Carbon Helps Your Soil)

Woodchips do a lot more than sit on top of soil - used the right way, they build healthier beds over time.

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Repairing Bare Spots by Transplanting Grass
Lawn Care

Repairing Bare Spots by Transplanting Grass

Moving healthy turf from one spot to another is a cost-effective way to fix bare patches without reseeding.

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Tree & Shrub Transplanting: Root Balls, Timing, and Summer Moves
Planting

Tree & Shrub Transplanting: Root Balls, Timing, and Summer Moves

A larger root ball and the right timing are usually the difference between a plant that thrives after transplanting and one that declines.

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Why Weekly Mowing Matters for a Healthy Lawn
Lawn Care

Why Weekly Mowing Matters for a Healthy Lawn

Cutting on a consistent schedule encourages stronger roots and naturally crowds out weeds.

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New Lawn Care: The First Few Weeks After Seeding
Lawn Care

New Lawn Care: The First Few Weeks After Seeding

Proper watering and limiting traffic in the first few weeks have the biggest impact on whether new seed takes.

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Sod vs. Seed: Which Is Right for Your New Lawn?
Lawn Care

Sod vs. Seed: Which Is Right for Your New Lawn?

Seeding takes a season. Sod takes a day. Here's when each makes sense.

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The Benefits of Lawn Aeration
Lawn Care

The Benefits of Lawn Aeration

Compacted soil is one of the most common reasons a lawn thins out - aeration is the fix.

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What Is Landscape Design? Understanding the Process
Landscape Design

What Is Landscape Design? Understanding the Process

Good design blends architecture, drainage, lighting, and lifestyle needs into one cohesive plan.

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Why the Right Nursery (and Designer) Matters
Landscape Design

Why the Right Nursery (and Designer) Matters

Cutting corners on plant material or design often costs more down the road than doing it right the first time.

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Fall Bulb Planting Guide for Fairfield and Westchester Counties
Seasonal

Fall Bulb Planting Guide for Fairfield and Westchester Counties

A little planning this fall makes a big difference when your landscape comes back to life next spring.

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The Complete Hydrangea Care Guide
Plant Spotlight

The Complete Hydrangea Care Guide

Hydrangeas look delicate but are remarkably tough - as long as you know when (and when not) to prune them.

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Why We Use Drip Irrigation in Garden Beds
Irrigation

Why We Use Drip Irrigation in Garden Beds

Targeted watering means less waste, healthier plants, and fewer disease problems from wet foliage.

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Watering Guide: New Plantings vs. Established Landscapes
Plant Care

Watering Guide: New Plantings vs. Established Landscapes

New plantings need frequent deep watering to establish; mature plants need deep, infrequent watering to stay resilient.

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What Is a Berm and Why Use One in Your Landscape?
Design

What Is a Berm and Why Use One in Your Landscape?

A well-built berm blends beauty and function, making a flat yard feel more custom and dynamic.

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How Much Sun Do Rhododendrons Need?
Plant Care

How Much Sun Do Rhododendrons Need?

Too much sun scorches the leaves; too much shade means fewer blooms. Here's the sweet spot.

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How to Identify and Control Lesser Celandine (Fig Buttercup)
Weed Control

How to Identify and Control Lesser Celandine (Fig Buttercup)

This early-spring invader spreads through tiny underground tubers, which makes it notoriously hard to fully remove.

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Why Boxwoods Struggle in Connecticut & the Northeast
Plant Care

Why Boxwoods Struggle in Connecticut & the Northeast

Humid summers, road salt, and tight planting all stack the odds against boxwoods here - but healthier setups exist.

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The Complete Guide to Pruning and Hedge Trimming
Trimming

The Complete Guide to Pruning and Hedge Trimming

The right shape, the right timing, and the right tool make the difference between a hedge that thrives and one that thins out.

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Why Clean Edges Make Your Landscape Look Professional
Design

Why Clean Edges Make Your Landscape Look Professional

A sharp, defined edge is one of the simplest ways to make a basic yard look professionally designed.

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Why We Recommend Native Plants for CT & NY Landscapes
Plant Selection

Why We Recommend Native Plants for CT & NY Landscapes

Native plants need less water and maintenance once established, and support the pollinators and wildlife that depend on them.

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Why Hardscaping Too Close to Plants Can Cause Problems
Design

Why Hardscaping Too Close to Plants Can Cause Problems

Hard surfaces absorb and radiate heat, which can quietly stress the plants growing right next to them.

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The Hidden Dangers of English Ivy
Weed Control

The Hidden Dangers of English Ivy

Left unchecked, ivy can smother shrubs, choke out young trees, and add dangerous weight to mature canopies.

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Why Annual Flowers Are the Easiest Way to Add Color
Seasonal

Why Annual Flowers Are the Easiest Way to Add Color

Unlike many perennials, annuals bloom all season and give you a fresh look every single year.

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How to Layer a Garden Bed for Depth and Structure
Design

How to Layer a Garden Bed for Depth and Structure

A balance of vertical and horizontal elements is what separates a flat-looking bed from one with real depth.

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Your Spring Cleanup Checklist: Gutters, Beds, and Curb Appeal
Seasonal

Your Spring Cleanup Checklist: Gutters, Beds, and Curb Appeal

Bringing a property back to life after winter starts with clearing debris and getting gutters flowing again.

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Designing a Poolscape: Landscaping Around Your Pool or Spa
Design

Designing a Poolscape: Landscaping Around Your Pool or Spa

A luxury pool or spa deserves a landscape that complements its beauty and elevates the entire outdoor living experience.

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Why Ornamental Grasses Thrive in Northeast Landscapes
Plant Spotlight

Why Ornamental Grasses Thrive in Northeast Landscapes

Cold-hardy, drought-tolerant once established, and full of movement and texture year-round.

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