Tips on storing garden tools for the winter
Prepping you tools for the winter. Once your cleaning and cutting is done, it’s time to give some love and care to your tools. First Clean off the blades or undercarriage on lawn mowers or even shaft on weed wackers. We use a power washer as it is fast and effective. Then if the day is reasonable let them air dry. If there are grease points, grease these up after clean, this will push water out of these pivotal points. Sharpen any blades so they are ready for a precision cut first time in 2013. Can you believe it I am writing that already and its November. Next use some cooking oil or if you...
Read MoreTips for protecting your plants for the winter
Frost Heaving: Freezing temperatures in soil can subject your plants to frost heaving. This is when ice forms underneath the soil and expands upwards. Ordinarily this is just simple soil mechanics. However perennials such as Heuchera (Coral Bells) are particularly prone to frost heaving as their root system/ball is not deep to begin with. If the ground heaves it brings the roots to the surface and can cause sufficient damage to stunt or kill the plant. A preventative measure is to apply mulch around the coral Bells. Anti-Desiccant...
Read MoreNew Snow Removal Equipment
As our business name suggests we offer our Very Important People (&Property) exceptional service. Our customers are our V.I.P.’s. With this in mind we entered into snow removal methodically and strategically. We did our homework and have invested in what we believe is the best equipment for the job at hand. We purchased a new GMC Heavy Duty truck as shown below. It has the 6.0 liter vortec engine, we believe it has the gumption to get the job done. We are hoping to get it lettered in the consistent V.I.P. branding. We are excited to be offering a fresh approached to our local...
Read MoreLawn Cutting – Some final tips before the winter
We recommend that you collect the clippings for the last 2-3 cuttings. Why? Great question, it is simple, if you leave less clippings on the lawn it is less clippings on the lawn to keep critters warm through the winter. The second reason is that when you collect the clippings, you are also collecting the weed seeds that stay on your lawn and get an early jump on the Spring. If you have a bagger on your lawn mower use it for the final cut. If you lawn is a little taller cut it twice removing 1/3 of the grass blade in each cut. NEVER CUT 2/3 or more in one cutting as you caused shock to the...
Read MoreEaves trough Cleaning
We offer residential and commercial eaves trough cleaning. We have the equipment and training (Fall arrest) including elevated platforms for the most challenging premises, buildings and homes. We are an active member of the Woodstock District Chamber of Commerce and a Better Business Certified Business. Why clean out your troughs and keep them clear of debris? It can lead to gutter rusting and roof damage, not to mention the fact that decaying plant matter in your gutters can smell horrible and stain the sides of your home. Allow V.I.P. Home & Yard to take care of this for...
Read MoreIce Control – Salting – De-icing
Salt or in its chemical form is Na (sodium) Cl (Chloride) is an amazing substance. It was traded as currency, can be used to draw moisture and it turned Lots wife into a pillar of salt as soon as she looked back at Sodom. In the landscape indusry its biggest use is as a melter of ice and the prevetion and mitigation of ice and slippery conditions. We use Rock salt which is a coarse grade of salt this is not as well crushed as table salt and for good reason. Can you imagine trying to spread table salt and the kind of bridging you would get with regular table salt. It is the least expensive...
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