Plant Care and Assurance with Bret-Mar Landscape

SodJohn Rankin2024-04-25T21:54:51+00:00

bret-mar team laying fresh sod install in backyard.

GardenJosh Stenger2024-04-25T21:50:07+00:00

GardenJosh Stenger2024-04-25T21:59:08+00:00

fresh landscaping and hardscaping in naperville illinois by bret-mar landscaping and hardscaping

GardenJosh Stenger2024-04-25T21:59:48+00:00

Custom built water feature; pond with rocks in Homer Glen, Illinois.

Outdoor LivingJosh Stenger2024-04-25T21:50:55+00:00

WalkwayJosh Stenger2024-04-25T21:51:38+00:00

Paver WalkwayJosh Stenger2024-04-25T21:53:08+00:00

winding paver stone walkway leading to brick paver retaining wall and brick pillars. Brick pavers surrounded by fresh mulch and plants

Trees and Clean Cut LawnJosh Stenger2024-04-25T21:53:43+00:00

Elevate Your Garden with Bret-Mar’s Expert Plant Care and Warranty

At Bret-Mar Landscape, we deeply appreciate the pride and joy of nurturing a thriving garden.

Recognizing this, we are dedicated to not only offering you top-tier care instructions tailored to your specific garden needs but also providing comprehensive warranty plans designed to ensure the health and longevity of your plants.

Our commitment is to partner with you every step of the way, ensuring your garden remains a source of beauty and satisfaction.

Get Started Today

Plant Care

Trees & Shrubs

To ensure your plants receive the right amount of water, carefully place a garden hose at the base of each plant. Gently turn the water on so that it trickles slowly from the hose end, ensuring a steady and controlled supply of water that reaches the roots without overwhelming them.

The specific watering needs of your tree or shrub can vary, but don’t worry—our detailed instructions will provide you with precise guidance on the optimal amount of time to leave the water running and how often you should water your plants. This method helps deeply water plants, promoting healthy growth and vitality.

Perennials & Ornamental Grasses

For taking care of perennial plants and ornamental grasses, it’s best to use the shower setting on your hose sprayer. This allows you to water by hand, gently showering the top of each plant to ensure they receive the right amount of hydration without being overwhelmed. Following our detailed instructions will guide you on the appropriate length of time and frequency for watering each type of plant, ensuring they thrive and grow beautifully in your garden.

Sod

To ensure your sod areas thrive, we highly recommend utilizing a sprinkler or irrigation system for larger expanses. This method ensures even water distribution, promoting healthy growth. For those dealing with smaller patches, opting for the shower setting on a garden hose sprayer is ideal. It mimics gentle rainfall, providing the necessary moisture without overwhelming your sod. For more comprehensive guidance, including specific recommendations on watering duration and frequency, please refer to our detailed instructions. This will help you achieve the best possible results for your lawn.

Reminder

Before watering any plants, always check the soil moisture level. This is done by removing the mulch layer and feeling the soil two inches down. If the soil is still wet, hold off on watering and check back again in a day. If the soil is dry, think about increasing the length of time you are watering. Remember, too much water can be just as harmful as not enough. Rain does not count as water for new trees and shrubs.

Detailed Plant Care Guide

Shade, Evergreen, & Ornamental Trees

Examples: Spruce, Pine, Maple, Pear, Linden, Crabapple

Watering: Newly installed trees need 1 hour of water 1 time per week for a minimum of 5 weeks. Enough water must be thoroughly soak the root ball, and plants must dry out between watering.

Care: In late November, thoroughly soak all Evergreens for 1 hour. If we have a hot and dry summer, water all trees once every 2-3 weeks.

Maintain: Apply two well-balanced fertilizer applications in April and May. Miracid fertilizer may be used on Evergreens. Evergreens & Shade trees only require selective pruning as needed. Ornamental trees can tolerate a light shape or trim after it has flowered.

At Bret Mar Landscaping, quality is not just a promise; it’s embedded in every project we undertake. Our commitment to guaranteed quality shines brightest in our custom driveway creations, where every stone, paver, and brick is meticulously selected and laid to meet our stringent standards.

We understand that a driveway is more than just a path—it’s an integral component of your outdoor space that should withstand the test of time while maintaining its aesthetic appeal.

Our team of skilled craftsmen employs precision and attention to detail in every step of the installation process, ensuring that each custom driveway is a masterpiece of durability and design.

With Bret-Mar, clients can rest assured that their custom driveway project will embody excellence, from the quality of materials to the professionalism of our workmanship, making their investment worthwhile and enduring.

Deciduous, Evergreen & Broadleaf Shrubs

Perennials, Ornamental Grasses, & Groundcover

Examples: Coneflower, Maiden Grass, Vinca, Pachysandra

Watering: Newly installed plants need water once a day for 3 weeks. For the next two weeks, water every other day. This should be done by hand so as to hit each individual plant with enough water to soak the root system.

Care: Each plant may have specific needs. Please consult our office with any specific directions. Perennials & grasses may be cut down in early spring or late fall.

Maintain: Fertilize in April, May & June. Some perennials benefit from deadheading, but it is not required for most.

When watering sod, do not allow water to overspray on plants. Water immediately upon installation. Water will overlap each section to reduce the chance of missed areas. Be sure adequate water reaches the edges and corners, as these tend to dry out quickly. Water until the sod is completely rooted. (will take about 3 weeks)

First week: Water 3 times a day, hitting each section for 30 minutes

Second week: Water 2 times a day, hitting each section for 30 minutes

Third week: Water 1 time per day, hitting each section for 30 minutes

After rooted, water heavily 1 time per week for approximately 1 hour per section. (about 2” of water)

Cut the lawn 2.5” – 3” high after the sod has been down for 10 days with push mower. Do not water on the 9th day so the ground is firm. Water heavily after mowing. Wait 5-6 weeks before using the rider mower.

New Sod

Warranty Information

We stand behind our products and want you to make an investment that grows.

Trees and shrubs are covered under a 100% guarantee for one year with one replacement.

However, perennials, groundcover, ornamental grasses, and sod are not covered under warranty.

If you encounter any issues with these plants, please consult our office.

Remember, too much water can also harm your plants. It’s crucial to monitor the soil moisture level before watering. If the soil is still wet, you might need to hold off on watering until it dries up.

Need Help with Maintenance?

Are you struggling with maintaining your landscape?

Try out our Fine Garden Maintenance Program.

We’ll customize visits throughout the season so you can focus on enjoying your beautiful landscape rather than maintaining it.

For more information or help with plant care, connect with our team at Bret-Mar Landscape. Call 708-301-2225 or email us at [email protected].

PAST PROJECTS BY BRET-MAR

Below are some of our top projects. Or you can visit our inspiration gallery. > >

hardscaping for for outdoor water features

install lighting around your hardscaped walkways

Plant Care and Warranty Bayside Landscaping 12

Plant Care and Warranty Bayside Landscaping 13

Plant Care and Warranty Bayside Landscaping 14

outdoor kitchen contractor homer glen illinois

Plant Care and Warranty Bayside Landscaping 15

Plant Care and Warranty Bayside Landscaping 16

Plant Care and Warranty Bayside Landscaping 17

Plant Care and Warranty Bayside Landscaping 18

Plant Care and Warranty Bayside Landscaping 19

Plant Care and Warranty Bayside Landscaping 20

Plant Care and Warranty Bayside Landscaping 21

TESTIMONIALS

Listen to what our raving customers have to say about working with Bret-Mar Landscaping!

“I know a guy…”
How many times have you asked for a recommendation and gotten this as a response? When it comes to landscaping work for your home, friends and family that you ask will probably be able to offer you the name of either an individual or a service.
A call to Bret-Mar is one of the best things you can for your home and for yourself. The entire team is knowledgeable, easily accessible, open to listening to your thoughts and wishes.
I have used Bret-Mar exclusively over the last 25 years. They have never disappointed me. I have had them work in both my front and back yard, designing and planting flowers, shrubs, and trees. They have put in a brick paver walkway outside the front of the house, and worked very hard and creatively to make my dream of having a waterfall and pond in my backyard become a reality. My backyard is my sanctuary and Sharon and Ashley need to take a lot of credit for this.
I cannot say enough about this family and all of the wonderful, hard-working people that on staff at Bret-Mar and help to make homes beautiful!

Dawn B.

green backyard with hardscaped paver patio. Fresh cut lawn with proper sod treatment and fertilization services from bret-mar landscaping

We have worked with Bret-Mar landscape for several of the projects in our yard and their work is top-notch. The entire team and crew at Bret-Mar goes above and beyond in their attention to detail, professionalism, communication & care throughout the project, as well as ensuring the scope (and price) of the project is honored and maintained throughout. Our yard has become a feature of our property and we are so grateful that Bret-Mar brought our vision to life.

Jenny Earnest

small backyard with excellent landscape design

Bret Mar Landscaping re-designed my entire backyard. I worked with their landscape designer Bailey and together (mostly with her input) we designed a beautiful stone patio with walkways, winding secret pathways of flagstone around the house, a beautiful fire pits, and all with creative and lovely landscaping, giving our yard privacy, peacefulness and beauty. We were also dealing with some serious drainage issues that we originally had expected to pay through the nose to fix, but at every turn Bret Mar has saved us money. The quote for the patio came under the proposal price (by over $2000) as well as our expected drainage price tag being lower. They are able to do all of this because they have experienced people running a professional business. The designer and owners are involved, and on the site making sure the job is being done the right way. At every turn I was being consulted to make sure it was being done to my satisfaction. I have dealt with landscaping companies in the past and have always come away frustrated and disappointed. Thank you Bret Mar for a wonderful experience. I will be calling soon to freshen the front yard.

Megan Waldridge

Bret-Mar just completed landscaping for our home. This is the second home they have done for us. They have the best, most hard working employees. Sharon did our design which we are very happy with. The employees who came out to do the job were very accommodating, very knowledgeable, and answered my many questions. They even encourage you to contact them with any questions that may come up in the future. I would definitely recommend them!

Susan W.

We had Bret-Mar design and plant our Landscaping in May of this year. We are absolutely thrilled with the beauty and natural look of the Landscaping.
We met with Sharon in January 2019 and decided what we would like. Sharon was very knowledgeable, professional and responsive. She suggested a wide range of plantings and trees and she came to our home to review the plans. The staff and workers were friendly, courteous, and experienced. Many of her workers have been employees for many years. Bret-Mar has a Maintenance program with many options which we plan to take advantage of this year. We highly recommend Bret-Mar for all your Landscaping needs.

Roseanne G.

We have been customers of Bret-Mar Landscaping for about 8 years now. They are a great family own and run business. We have had them build a retaining wall for our driveway, landscape the front of our house, and complete Spring Clean up for both our landscaping and my backyard herb garden including weeding, mulch, and fertilizing. They have been extremely responsive to our needs and creative with their solutions to our landscaping challenges.

Shelby C.

multi-layer paver stone retaining wall filled with fresh flowers and mulch. hardscaping service by bret-mar

I’ve been a customer of Bret-Mar Landscaping for the past 3 years and appreciate their attention to detail in all the work they do. I’ve worked with other landscapers in the past and have always had a punch list of things that weren’t done right that required them to come back out to correct them. This isn’t the case with Bret-Mar. Ashley is a pleasure to work with. We meet early in the Spring and discuss the plan for the year and have regular touch points before the crew arrives on site. I highly recommend the landscape maintenance program. It allows me to spend more time with my family by taking care of the routine landscape choirs that are done throughout the year that would have taken me several weekends to complete. It also allows me to focus on the gardening that I really enjoy doing. Thanks Ashley and the Bret-Mar team!

Raymond G.

We have used Bret-Mar Landscaping at our house in Homer Glen since moving to the area a few years ago. They do outstanding work and are incredibly helpful in walking through all the various landscaping options for areas on our property. Ashley has gone above and beyond in making sure things are done well and coordinating the work at our house. Highly recommended!

Stephen P.

fancy white paver patio in backyard with pergola and fresh but grass in homer glen illinois

We have been using Bret-mar Landscaping for the past ten years. At first it was for landscape design and then for spring and fall clean up. We are now using them for year round maintenance and we couldn’t be happier with their service and attention to detail. In the past we used different services and they fell short in one way or another. Not so with Bret-Mar. The entire team from the owners to the crew pay attention to the needs of your property as if it were their own. We couldn’t be happier.

Charlene K.

I’ve never done a landscaping project before. We’ve been in our house over 5 years and never much cared for the original landscaping and it was time for a complete overhaul. I could not be more happy with the team at Bret Mar – especially Bailey & Ashley – who helped me figure out exactly what I wanted, and then their amazing team who did the job perfectly. And it came in UNDER BUDGET!!

Victorio P.

Transform Your Home Today.