Blog

Originally published August 23, 2016. Updated August 25, 2025. Fall is just around the corner already, much to the chagrin of many of our kids! Here at Connecticut Green, autumn is all about aerating and…

Who doesn’t love daisies? Those familiar, sunny white and yellow blooms are cheerful and summery, and a familiar sight in meadows and wildflower gardens. If you’ve planted a wildflower garden of your own, there’s a…

If you love gardening but struggle with deer destroying your plants, you’re not alone. Many homeowners in the northeast face the challenge of keeping their landscapes beautiful while deterring hungry deer. The good news? There…

The recent wildfires in California were horrific and devastating to homeowners and the economy. Many of the factors leading to this tragedy were beyond prevention: Climate change likely led to an unusually dry season, and…

Nobody likes mosquitoes. They’re kind of the worst, aren’t they? Besides the annoying, itchy bites, they can also carry diseases like Dengue and Zika. But toxic sprays and fogs that can harm pollinators - or…

We've had a great summer here at Connecticut Green. We've been so busy, we've barely had time to post - but we did take the time to snap some photos! Here are some of our…

An attempt to answer the age-old question, “Why do mosquitoes even exist?” There are over 3,000 species of mosquitoes on earth, and only a few hundred of these actually bite humans. And still, nobody likes…

When asked what the year’s tick season might be like in April 2019, Theodore G. Andreadis, Director of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station replied, “It’s always bad.” Biting, nearly-invisible ticks are a big headache for…

Growing a healthy lawn may seem like a lot of work, but at the end of the day, is there anything like a yard full of beautiful green grass? While you may not enjoy the…

The boxwood is almost ubiquitous in Connecticut – nearly every garden seems to have at least a few. They’re so versatile and attractive, it’s easy to see why they’re so popular. Boxwoods can be used…

It may sound like something out of a low-budget horror movie or the latest Netflix series, but Zombie Deer Disease is real – and possibly coming to a town near you. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD),…

The Asian longhorned tick is an invasive species that only recently made its way to the US. Thousands of the insects were discovered on a sheep in NJ in 2017, and it has been spotted…

New Concerns About Tick-Borne Illnesses Lyme disease, a debilitating illness carried by infected black-legged and deer ticks, has been a concern of Connecticut residents for decades now. The disease delivers flu-like symptoms including fever, aches,…

The Best Way to Keep Deer at Bay There are many people who find deer are beautiful, majestic animals. But those of us who live in Connecticut see them for what they really are: Complete…

With a mild winter now behind us, Connecticut faces a spring and summer with a higher population of ticks than we’ve seen in decades. The warmer weather is blamed for a greater survival rate of…

With Zika virus all over the headlines and Lyme Disease an ongoing concern, more and more Connecticut residents are thinking about how to protect their families this summer. Mosquitoes and ticks have always been local…

Weeds are the worst. Whether they’re sprouting up across your lawn or invading your flower beds, they’re an awful pest. Some people obsess about them, going outside every day to pull the dandelions out from…

There are so many reasons to love viburnum! A member of the honeysuckle family, this pretty flowering shrub is easy to grow in almost any zone, and it can be trained to grow as either…

It’s that time of year – time to seed the lawn and cross your fingers, hoping for a lush, green lawn. There are many factors that affect seed germination, the process during which the seeds…

Forsythias often get a bad rap, and I’ve never been sure why! With their brilliant yellow blooms, forsythias are – next to crocuses – among the first colors of the season, and a welcome sight…

When spring gardeners begin their happy work this year, they may notice some browning on their hardy evergreen plants. Rhododendrons may have dry, brown leaves. Needles on conifers may look rust or brown-colored.  Shiny holly…

When you think of hedges, what do you think of? Tall, natural privacy screens? Mazes? English gardens? There are so many uses for hedges! They can divide your garden into discrete sections. They can replace…

Among the many gifts we give and receive over the holidays, my favorites are always the living ones: The poinsettias, the Christmas cacti, the fragrant paperwhite narcissus. The one I’ve always loved best though is…

There are many factors to consider when making the choice, from convenience to appearance to environmental impact. Below, we’ve broken them all down in our nifty infographic to help you decide. (Scroll to the bottom…

Ornamental trees make our properties beautiful. Cherry and apple blossoms in the spring, the deep purple leaves of plum trees in the summer and fall, the delicate white bark of birch trees - these all…

If you’re looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance tree for your property, pear trees seem to fare particularly well in Connecticut.  Pear trees bloom in spring with pretty white blossoms that often yield edible fruit in…

It’s time to start thinking about aeration again! To get you as excited as we are about aerating, we’ve compiled our Top Ten Reasons to Aerate! Before we get into our list, here are a…

You'll be on the edge of your seat as you watch our team race around the building at speeds that turtles and snails simply cannot match! Grab your popcorn, and watch the guys take aerating…

This time of year, the Connecticut Green crew is typically treating lawns for destructive pests like grubs and chinch bugs. We do this proactively and safely, with products that are safe for both humans and…

It wasn’t long ago that roses were reserved for only the most experienced and committed gardening enthusiasts. These high-maintenance beauties required special pruning, just the right soil, and special supplemental treatments to stay healthy and…

Nobody likes weeds. Apart from the fact that they’re unpleasant in appearance, they can cause harm to your other plants, competing with them for nutrients, water and sunlight. Rather than dedicating all our time to…

Horticultural oils are oil-based products that are used to control pests and diseases on plants, especially trees and shrubs. These oils are typically mineral oil-based, although organic alternatives are widely available. The oils are refined…

Blooms of  Magnolia, Forsythia and Viburnum are Sure Signs that Winter is Over! Nothing says spring like the first leaves of a crocus poking up through the earth. It’s a heartening sign that the short,…

We wish you all the joys of the holiday season, and a happy and healthy 2017!  — From Dan, the Hageney Family and everyone at Connecticut Green

Miss the summer already? After months of being outside enjoying nature, winter can be tough. I mean, I love a fireplace and a mug of cocoa as much as the next guy, but nothing beats…

Desiccation, or dehydration, is the main culprit when it comes to winter damage to your broadleaf evergreen trees and shrubs. Because they keep their foliage all year round, these plants need moisture throughout the winter…

Fall Fertilization of Ornamental Trees Ornamental trees like maples, dogwoods and cherries are a lovely addition to any property – but they do require special care to keep their good looks. One of the best…

If there’s one thing we really believe in at Connecticut Green, it’s the importance of good, healthy soil. Without nutrient-rich, living soil, you can’t have a thriving lawn or garden. This time of year, one…

Got that one spot in your garden that needs…something? Maybe it’s a spot that doesn’t get much sun, but you’re sick of hosta? Liriope might be exactly what you need! Liriope, also known as “lilyturf,”…

Will My Hydrangeas Bloom? At Connecticut Green, one of the most common questions we hear is, “will my hydrangeas bloom this year?” Hydrangeas are a favorite in our area because they tend to be resistant…

In the hot, dry, dog days of summer, we’re always asked for the best ways to keep lawns green and lush. While we do have a few tips, trust me – there’s no secret sauce…

If there’s one single, solitary thing you should do for your garden each year, it’s shrub fertilization. In my opinion, it’s the most important service Connecticut Green offers. That’s because in only one application, we…