Northeast Horticultural Services offers organic land care programs that promote outstanding land stewardship based on the ecological principles of nutrient cycling, biotic regulation of pests and biodiversity.
Our organic land care programs advocate safe, healthy property management using organic and least toxic practices and products that nurture and protect the health of families, pets, wildlife and the environment from unnecessary exposure to toxic pesticides.
As a certified member of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA), we are committed to managing your property in a way that maintains environmental integrity.
We also offer complete Plant Health Care, Tree Care, and Landscape Services.
Our Organic Services
As organic accredited land care providers, the team of experts here at NEHS is dedicated to being good stewards of the earth and saving the world one property at a time. Organics is a process in which we work with mother nature, not against it. Organics is not just changing fertilizers, but a whole set of principles that when combined provide an approach that is gentle on our earth.
The following are some of the principles we follow in an organic land care program:
- Put the Right Plant in the Right Place – by planting the right plant in the right place, it will require less from us as it grows and matures in the landscape. We will not use plants that require significant or ongoing site alterations and inputs. We will have to water it less, fertilize less and use less treatments to keep it healthy. We will not use plants that require significant or ongoing site alterations and inputs. The less we pull on our precious natural resources the longer we can expect our earth to sustain us.
- DO NO HARM – we are aware that every land use decision we make will have a positive or negative effect on the land in our care
- Installing native, sustainable landscapes – planting native plants also reduces the need for natural resources. Native plants are adapted to THRIVE in their habitat niche. Native plants provide homes for native birds and insects, and that helps create a healthy micro-ecosystem right within your own property. We allow ecology and sustainability to guide our plant choices.
- Creating Diverse Landscapes – we don’t just plant plants, we plant ecosystems. We understand that plants, soils and their surroundings are interdependent living organisms. We consider all four vegetation layers.
- Nutrient Cycling – grass clippings and leaves are nature’s source of nutrients. We leave grass clippings behind as natural fertilizers for lawns and suggest composting your leaves either on your own site for future use in your gardens and lawns. We happily provide composting services for our clients and promote active composting.
- Reducing and eliminating pesticides in your landscape – we promote the elimination of pesticides in every instance we can. We provide organic approaches in disease and insect control and most every issue faced in the landscape.
- Provide the proper site analysis – we make sure we learn all we can from an existing landscape to plan properly for a successful long-term landscape strategy. Are the site characteristics assets or limitations? Only a proper analysis can determine that.
- Care of the Soil – we start with a soil analysis, this is the holy grail of organic landcare. Ignoring a soil test is like a doctor not doing bloodwork, you would only be guessing about what is to be done. One teaspoon of good soil can contain billions of beneficial bacteria, fungi and other microbes.
- Proper water management – whether its proper irrigation settings, raingardens, storm water retention or rain barrels, we will make sure to suggest and implement proper water management solutions.
Organic Lawn Care is a process. It is a process that takes time and commitment from the client and the lawn care provider. At NEHS our team of experts is committed to educating our consumers about the process of organic lawn, and then designing a customized program for every client. Our mission is to save the world by eliminating bad nitrogen sources, herbicides and pesticides one yard at a time!
The organic lawn process starts with healthy soil. Successful organic lawn programs always start with a comprehensive soil analysis. Lawn and soil are two interdependent living systems, so understanding the composition of the soil is critical in creating a healthy, thriving organic lawn.
One teaspoon of soil can contain millions of beneficial bacteria, fungi and micro-organisms that are hard at work to create a healthy soil environment. Our programs enrich and feed those beneficial organisms so they can work harder to sustain our desired crop of lawn. Our programs rely heavily on composting, aerating and seeding to promote active healthy soils. Traditional and synthetic lawn products actually work to sterilize the soil and eliminate the good guys, making your lawn dependent on products and natural resources.
Part of our approach to organic lawn is a thorough site analysis to determine what site characteristics are assets or limitations for the lawn. We apply our organic land care (these words should click them back to the organic land care page) principles in our organic lawn care programs. We also consider the total square footage of traditional turf you need. A good organic lawn program always incorporates traditional turf alternatives that can be much more sustainable. Low mow fescue meadows, wildflower meadows, moss and sustainable plantings may be much more suited to your site than a traditional blue grass lawn.
Here in Connecticut the threat of tick-borne diseases is very real and can be life shattering. We have many proven methods of controlling tick activity. We offer three different levels of control, completely organic, natural and synthetic.
Our arborists will evaluate your property, assess the level of tick activity it presents, and evaluate your needs. We then create client-specific tick control protocols based on the information gathered.
NEHS highly advocates the use of completely organic products when possible, but we also understand the judicious use of synthetic pesticides may be necessary. When confronted with situations where we must use non-organic options, we time the applications based on the life cycle of the tick for maximum effectiveness and control.
There are several cultural controls for tick activity, including deer fencing, cedar woodchip borders, and natural repellents such as crushed garlic and certain oils that can be applied. Our landscape team can help with the implementation of these controls.
Our principles to land care include:
- Do no harm – taking a precautionary approach to materials and methods that protect or restore elements important to the local ecosystem
- Grow the right plant in the right place in healthy soil appropriate to the habitat and needs of the plant
- Encourage and enhance natural biological cycles
- Use renewable resources from local sources
- Use a closed system to supply organic matter and nutrients
- Protect biological and landscape diversity
- Provide a safe working environment and consider social and ecological impacts
Excellent service. They removed a huge branch that came down in a storm, they were so quick and neat, you couldn’t even tell they were here when they were done, completely picked up all debris. Extremely reasonable prices, too. Highly recommend!
Last week I had 8 100 ft tall trees removed from my property. Northeast did a fantastic job, they cleaned up any mess there was… and to boot, they were just all around cool people! Very reasonable prices! I’ll be using them again!
Knowledgeable, professional, conscientious, highly skilled, reliable. Great team lead by Stacey Marcell. Thank you for your excellent work.
I agree with those who are pleased with how Northeast Horticultural has expertly removed trees.They have taken down several trees for me over the years. Great job and fantastic and caring crew. But it’s worth mentioning the amazing landscaping work that they do,too. Stacey and team have been working on my property for more than five years and have helped transform my yard into a beautiful, flowing relaxing garden. I’m looking forward to many more years of working with them to take care of all the trees and plantings and help us fully enjoy the outdoors.
I would highly recommend Northeast Horticultural for any kind of tree work. They were truly professional from the time we met with Stacey, to the crew of workers. They were on time and worked vigorously until the job was complete. Before leaving they walked the property to make sure that it was clean and no debris was left behind.Thank You, Stacey and your crew for a truly wonderful job.
It was my pleasure to work with Northeast Horticultural Services when my large, much loved Mulberry tree needed care. Each member of the team, from the arborist who diagnosed the tree’s condition, to those who removed a leader and the deadwood, to the person who applied a systemic injection into the root zone to improve soil biology and allow the tree to maximize soil fertility for increased health and vigor, each one answered my questions, giving me confidence that my Mulberry was getting the professional care it deserves.
We are so pleased with the work you did at our home. You were professional, courteous and took time to explain the proper course of action. We had trees pruned, shaped and cabled as well as two trees removed. Your crew worked tirelessly throughout the day – even in a steady rain. When they left there was no trace of all the work they did. Clean up was that complete. We will definitely be in touch when the need arises.