Ecological Landscaping

At John Jay, we are passionate about ecological landscaping. Our commitment to preservation and conservation has placed us in the forefront of the green movement.

Through ecological landscaping, we design healthier living environments. By using native plants, eliminating pesticides and working with a property's natural landforms and existing contours, we create beautiful and self-sustaining habitats and reduce property maintenance needs.

Click on the image to the right to view "Sound Ecological Practices," a PowerPoint presentation of our approach to ecological landscaping.

Organic Land Care Tips

John Jay Landscape Development provides these organic lawn care guidelines free of charge to the public in an effort to promote the widespread adoption of organic lawns.

SOIL TEST

- Preform a soil test to assess the health of your soil.
This will give us the best scientific basis to determine proper care for all plantings. Plant health depends primarily on the health of the soil. A soil test may identify the need for other soil amendments, such as rock dust or lime.

FEED THE SOIL

- Rake an inch or so of compost into your lawn each spring and fall.
- Add microbial innoculants to accelerate soil biology.
- Leave grass clippings on the lawn.
The addition of compost to the surface of the lawn, known as topdressing, provides beneficial bacteria and fungi to support microbes essential to the growth of healthy turf.

GRASS CLIPPINGS

provide nitrogen and reduce the amount of fertilizer needed. Organic weed control application provides additional nitrogen for Spring green-up, setting off a chain of beneficial effects including;
- increased water retention - increased microbial activity - increases turf density, limiting weed seed germination

MOWING

- Cut grass at 3-3 1/2 inches.
- Keep blades sharp
- Rotate mowing patterns
Cutting grass high allows it to shade its own roots, conserve moisture and keep out weeds. Dull blades tear grass, making it susceptible to disease. Rotating the mowing pattern, like rotating tires, distributes the wear and tear on the lawn.

WATERING

- water less often
- water longer, in early morning
Watering longer encourages deeper rooting, increasing drought and stress tolerance. A thick turf is one of the best ways to control weeds.

AERATE

- reduce compaction through core or slice aeration
- increase water absorption
- increase airspace in root zone CONTROL WEEDS
- Spot control weeds in lawns, driveways and walks;use vinegar based products.
- Use corn gluten as a pre-emergent for lawns.
- Mechanical removal of stubborn perennial weeds.

RE-SEED ANNUALLY

- Seed in late Summer or Early Fall.
- Use a mix of indigenous grasses that are drought and disease resistant.
- Increase turf density and vigor to control weeds.

CONTROL PESTS WITHOUT CHEMICALS

- In healthy soil, beneficials out-compete unwanted pests.
- Use these organisms to control common pests.
- Apply compost tea for fungal diseases.

Our service area

In Westchester County and Putnam County, NY: Armonk, Bedford, Brewster, Briarcliff Manor, Bronxville, Chappaqua, Cortlandt Manor, Croton Falls, Croton-on-Hudson, Elmsford, Greenburgh, Harrison, Hartsdale, Hawthorne, Katonah, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Mohegan Lake, Mount Kisco, North Salem, North White Plains, Pleasantville, Pound Ridge, Purchase, Purdys, Rye, Scarsdale, Somers, Thornwood, West Harrison, White Plains, Yorktown Heights.

In Fairfield County, CT: Brookfield, Danbury, Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, New Canaan, Noroton, Norwalk, Redding, Ridgefield, Southport, Stamford, Westport, Wilton.

We also offer landscape design development services throughout the Hudson Valley in and around the areas of Millbrook, New Paltz and Woodstock, NY.

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