Fall brings us shorter days, giving us the chance to connect with our neglected indoor hobbies and time with friends in the evening. We can refresh ourselves by going to bed earlier, reading a favorite book, and doing other tasks we neglected during the summer. Don’t waste your precious “me time” out in the yard raking leaves. You can schedule our team at Trout Brook Landscaping to do it for you. We offer three types of fall services: 1. Leaf Cleanup: We like to do two leaf cleanups with our backpack blowers and rakes. We do one early on to keep the lawn from suffocating while it is still growing, and one final cleanup around Thanksgiving, where we also clean all the edges, window wells, and garden beds. Do your leaves drop early or late? How many service visits do you want? Let us know so we can accurately schedule you. Our rate for leaf cleanup is $90/man per man-hour onsite, plus a leaf vacuum fee depending on the volume. We invoice for the man-spent hours onsite with backpack blowers and leaf suckers. 2. Adding to Your Garden: You can still plant a tree until the ground freezes, and most nurseries have discounts on their plants this time of year because they don’t want to overwinter leftover trees. If you’re considering more than a couple of trees or shrubs, we will connect you with our master garden designer, Matt Colebrook, for a consultation. Things to consider when planning a garden are yard drainage, sunlight availability, eventual size of the shrub or tree, and many others. A proper consultation will give you confidence that you are choosing the right plants for the right place. We are also taking clients for planning early spring installations. There are many pitfalls to installing and cultivating new shrub plantings, and the average homeowner may not be aware of the unique microclimate of their yard and how to match it with suitable new shrubs and trees. There are also watering considerations, including proximity to the competitive root systems of mature trees. A proper garden consult will save you thousands of dollars in replacement plant costs over time. 3. Gutter Cleaning: If you have trees, you probably also need gutter cleaning. Our service unclogs all downspouts and runoff extensions, checking for system problems, and we clean up afterward on walkways and bushes. Gutter cleaning is typically $200–$300 for West Hartford homes, depending on style and size. For a free gutter cleaning estimate over the phone, text (860) 888-8472. When contacting us, please include your address and an approximate date that your leaves usually finish. Sincerely, Don’t Rake Leaves on Your Weekends Confirm Your Fall Services With Trout Brook Landscaping
Apple-Cranberry Salad
Ingredients
• • • • •
6 slices of bacon 1/3 cup balsamic vinaigrette 1/3 cup olive oil 2 tbsp raw honey
rinsed and dried
• • • •
3/4 cup dried cranberries 1 Honeycrisp apple, peeled and thinly sliced 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
8 oz fresh baby spinach,
1/2 cup feta cheese
Directions 1. In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove it from the pan and set on a paper towel-lined plate to cool. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinaigrette, olive oil, and honey. Set aside. 3. In a large bowl, add spinach, cranberries, apple slices, red onion, and feta. Crumble bacon pieces over the top. Use salad forks to toss ingredients thoroughly. 4. Add dressing to the salad and toss again until well-coated.
Inspired by WanderlustAndWellness.org
TAKE A BREAK
APPLES BASKETBALL BLACK FRIDAY
ELECTION KINDNESS LEAVES NAP PARADE PIE SCORPIO TOPAZ VETERAN
–Andrew Bachman and Ian Fay
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