Over the last several weeks, the Landscape Committee has been working closely with Ruppert Landscape to develop an affordable turf beautification renovation plan for our community. On April 5, 2023, Ruppert’s WSG Area Manager, Field Manager, and the Landscape Committee surveyed each Close to determine if, and how much, each main Common Area and areas near/around private property, needed turf renovation.  That survey indicated that while many of the Common Areas, as well as sections around private property, did not need renovation due to the spring rains and warmer weather, other areas did need some kind of renovation.  Ruppert then submitted an initial proposal for work to start toward the middle of April, but that proposal was costly and somewhat incomplete. The Landscape Committee felt that the proposal needed a second review before contracting the work.

On April 17, the Landscape Committee met with the Regional Manager and another senior Area Manager to review the initial proposal.  After a thorough review and a walk around several Closes, Ruppert’s strong recommendation was to put off the turf renovation (especially seeding and fertilizing) until fall due to the following:

1. One turf treatment of pre-emergent for weeds had occurred already and a second one is scheduled to be done soon. Doing turf renovation now would negate 100% success with seed germination while doing it in the spring would reduce the success rate due to vagaries in the weather over the summer, especially the heat. Ruppert does not recommend foregoing these early turf applications since they are critical in order to control the weeds, especially broadleaf.
2. The lime application, however, would be beneficial at any time to work towards balancing the pH in soil conditions.

Since these compelling and cost-conscious recommendations make a great deal of sense, Turf Renovation will occur this fall.

April — Throughout WSG -TBD

• Application of pelletized dolomite lime to all areas.

This step is needed to prepare the soil for the fall application of Tall Fescue seed and fertilizer to all areas to be surveyed in the fall.

Fall – Late September – Early October – TBD: 

NOTE: While lime will be applied to all areas in WSG in April, not all areas will require aeration and seeding in the fall.  Prior to these applications, the Landscape Committee and Ruppert will conduct a Close-by-Close survey to determine which Common Areas and areas around residences need the following two applications of all surveyed areas.

• Double aeration to pulverize the soil by machine and create a medium for the application of the seed and fertilizer.
• Tall Fescue seed and fertilizer will be applied as needed. Fertilizer will be applied a second time approximately 30 days later. Aeration will also occur at that time to enhance the germination of seeding which has taken place.

NOTE:   A Notice with specific Closes and/or residences will be sent out announcing these interventions prior to the work being done.

This will be an expensive undertaking since turf renovation consists of double aeration of the affected areas, the application of lime, reseeding, fertilizer, and initial watering upon installation.   The Ruppert proposal further states: “All newly installed plant material shall be covered by a one-time, six-month replacement warranty … and is contingent upon proper watering and maintenance being provided by the owner.”  Since this project will be very expensive and will consume a good portion of the Landscape budget for 2023, the Landscape Committee appeals to residents in each Close for assistance, if possible, after the work has been done in the Fall. The watering and maintenance of your areas will help ensure that our funds have been well spent and that the rejuvenation of these areas will proceed as planned.  Ruppert would charge from $60.00 to $100.00 per hour to water depending upon how subsequent watering would be done, which would substantially increase the cost of this project.

Thank you for your understanding and for your continuing collective efforts to keep WSG beautiful.

David Piet, Landscape Committee Chair

P.S. I will be out of town from April 19 – May 9, 2023, so there will be no “Maintenance” signs put out on the two “What’s Happening in WSG” stands along Weathersfield and Swim and Croquet.  Regular maintenance will be every Wednesday, weather permitting.

Subject:  Ruppert Landscape in Weathersfield

1. Regular maintenance will take place on Tuesday, March 21, next week rather than Wednesday since mulching will be done the following two days. This is the last day for Ruppert’s 2x per month fall/winter schedule.
2. Mulching will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, March 22 and 23.
3. Ruppert will begin their regular 4x per month routine maintenance the first week of April. They will be in WSG each Wednesday, weather permitting.

Reminders:

• Please place your leaf bags and yard debris in the designate place in your Close for pickup by the Ruppert crew.
• Please do not use plastic bags for yard refuse.

Let’s keep up the great work of keeping WSG clean and beautiful.