R & K NURSERY INC

I had a couple of bushes taken out and couple replaced because they were either beat up over the winter or a couple that I just didn’t like. I had like four bushes that they had to take out and replace. The reason I did use them is because I went to three or four nurseries and several will sell you the bushes shrubbery, whatever, but they say oh well if you want to have somebody take the bushes and put them all of our people do it on their own time so, you know, go negotiate a deal with somebody. I was like, alright R&K does that and I’m not going to go find an 18-year-old kid and ask him when he’s free. R&K was very convenient, it was like within a week, which this time of year was like I had gone to another landscape company and they were like, we’ll sell you the bush but we don’t have time to go put four bushes in your house.

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Matt was a very nice man to deal with.  His men were very punctual and courteous.  I was a bit put off because he did not offer a formal detailed contract.  Since completing his work, I have had a few plants that don't look like they are going to survive.  The final decision regarding the entire project remains fully undecided until I am confident that he will make good on his verbal promises to replace those plants and shrubs that don't survive within a year of planting time.

We had "phone tag" issues initially, but crew showed up on planned time and accomplished their mission in a friendly, cheerful manner.  They cleaned up all the job residue and removed from site.

Over the past 14 years, I have contacted, hired and spent a lot of money on landscapers that ultimately did not care to work on small residential property, have actual design skills or knowledge about the life of plants. Over the same time frame, I could NOT find a paver that would do small jobs such as a walkway or expansion of a patio. Took a chance with R&K Nursery & Landscape found on Angie's list and OMG, I struck gold! What I liked most was that R&K is a family business that actually cares about their work and owner Matt Melnick is one of those quiet but incredibly intelligent people who loves what he does.   

In October of 2013, Matt came to my house within a week of calling, LISTENED to what I wanted, gave me a design and pricing on the spot which was exceptionally affordable, considering what I had spent in the past. About two weeks later the front of my house was transformed with healthy, sustainable plants and shrubs that weren't your typical suburban landscape while older plantings were moved to more appropriate areas. Matt and his crew were absolutely professional and punctual.

In 2014, I returned to Matt to replace some dead hemlocks from a prior nursery and paving work. Again, he came to my house within a week of my calling, brought sample books and design ideas, incorporated my current pavers with the new material and created a renewed exterior living space. Again the price was right, the crew was reliable and the work was beyond my expectations.   

   

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Trees are still healthy and growing big.  They came out a few weeks later and staked them all since the wind blew them over. No charge.  We buy all our plants there now, even though we do the planting.

Everything went well. In the initial contact I talked to a really nice person who set up an appointment for an estimate. No voice mail h***, just a human being on the other end of the phone. Matt arrived at the exact time scheduled, we developed a plan, and set a date for installation. The crew arrived on the date specified, installed the plants as specified, cleaned up,excellent work. I could not ask for better service from a contractor.

The area looks beautiful!

He and his workers were pleasant and professional.

We recently moved into a new home that had numerous old, overgrown, and decaying shrubbery and small trees that needed to be removed and replaced with suitable items.  R&K nursery provided a very competitive quote for their removal and replacement with beautiful and quality items from their nursery.  The work was done as promised, on time, and within budget.  Care was taken to select and plant appropriate shrubs and flowers for the location, not just what looks good at the store.  The owner came by to get things started and to direct all activities and to go over everything with us on the first day that work began.  He took note of where the sunlight hits the various flower beds at different times of the day. The workers were very professional and knowledgeable  Americans.  They cleaned up the work site when they were done.  Our yard was transformed from scary to gorgeous.  We will definitely be working with R&K Nursery again.

We are very pleased with the company's promptness--Matt came out the same day I called for a bid--and there was only 2 weeks until he was able to come out to start the work.  There were several styles and colors of patio stone to choose from and a range of prices on the stone.  Work went quickly, the team was professional and friendly and they cleaned up everything both days.  When they first started I requested they add an extra foot in width, and they easily accommodated me.  We are very happy with the workmanship, promptness, price and professionalism, and will contact R & K's Nursery if we want other hardscaping done.

On the morning of my appointment the work crew showed up early, followed shortly by Matt.  He spoke with me and went over with his crew just what was to be done.  He then left and the crew got to work immediately.  The burning bush was severely pruned (and to my eye looked dead - but in just 2 days new leaves and shoots had begun to grow).  They gathered up the stones (and the plastic weed barrier) and asked if it would be alright to dispose of the stones in the woods behind the house.  That was fine because it's a forever wild area and would not be in the way.  Every rock in the wall was removed and a trench was dug where the rocks had been.  8-10 inches of crushed rock were laid in the trench to provide extra stability for the wall and improve drainage.  Mulch was laid where the stone had been and a couple of hundred myrtle plants were put in place.  Fertilizer was added to each and was also put around the peony and other plantings I had in place.  Everything was watered in. There was leftover mulch and the crew asked if there was somewhere else it could be used and they placed it on either side of the walkway which leads to my front steps.  They also took care to rearrange the few yard ornaments I had, (as well as the bistro set)  in a more pleasing arrangement, which was definitely unexpected and a very welcome bonus!  The wooded area was tidied up, leaving leaves and pine needles for a naturalized appearance.They worked straight through, finishing up just before 2:00PM and just as the threatened rain started to fall.  They were hard working and efficient (and I'm a little embarrassed that I didn't get their names).  It would have taken me forever just to remove the rocks, much less know what to do with the other areas.  That's why I hired professionals...and professional they were, in every sense of the word!
The following day we had major thunderstorms and rain, causing pine needles and other small tree debris to litter the mulch, but it looks great.  A number of the myrtle plants have already produced small purple flowers.  I've added some lavender and a hosta to the area and now that the roses and lilies are blooming, it's wonderful .

R&K personnel helped us decide how to attack the problem of erosion in our back yard.  They made suggestions and gave us estimates for those suggestions.  When we decided what we wanted, they were able to schedule delivery promptly, and kept their appointment.

The plants they brought were excellent in appearance and health, and have thrived for the past two years, just as we had hoped they would.  We felt that the care taken to protect our property while bringing the plants across the lawn to the back yard was exceptional and that the services rendered were exemplary.  We would use them again, any time we need this type of service.

After getting 5 estimates, over a period of about 6 weeks, I chose R&K Nursery, and very glad I did. The reason for the delay was the tardiness, incomplete nature of the bids (plant material, when could be done etc), of 3 of the other estimates.Normally I get about 3 estimates, but not knowing even if I would get this number, went for the 5. From the start, it was apparent that Matt knew his business. He did a draft of a proposed project on the day of estimate, after a half hour discussion, together with price breakdown. He knew which plants would do well on my small lot, which ones needed to go, how the sun would impact the plants, something with which I have had difficulty before, and was clear as to when the work might be done and the approximate cost. Because they have a full nursery, I was also able to go and see the kinds of plants he recommended and see if they were to my liking, which I did. This was not possible with 2 of the other possible contractors, because they needed to purchase their materials from other sources. As a result, these contractors could not provide me with some of the plants I was interested in, and in one instance, tried to talk me out of my idea, and afterward admitted they would not be able to get the plant at this time of the year. By the time I chose them, my idea for the railroad ties had changed. Matt was very amiable, suggested a possible other look, but said that not going with them might be even better than our initial discussed plan. They came, did the work and I'm reaping the compliments. When asked if he wanted a sign put on my front lawn, he declined, stating he receives almost all of his referrals from either Angie's List or past customers. I can see why. As I paid by credit card, he will be sending me my paid receipt, a listing/diagram of what plants are where, and the care needed for them, together with watering, fertilizing needs within the week. I am already contemplating having them back in the spring to do another area of my yard.

I asked them to send me a list of what they had planted and they have never responded. I have called a couple times.

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Great, except the boys took our my holly bush which was doing quite nice and threw it away. Also threw out two fine white birch trees, about 15 feet tall, which we had agreed that I'd transplant in the spring. I miss those. The walkway looks great and it looks like an easy to maintain walkway too. They left enough myrtle and pachysandra so that it will eventually replace the mulch so I don't have to continually replace it.

Great!!

They did it quickly and efficiently. They did everything I wanted. I would highly recommend them. They were here on time. They did good. They were friendly also.

We were very happy with the shrubbery installation. All of the shrubs are growing well. It went smoothly and was done professionally. I really think it has stopped some of the erosion problems we were having back there.

Very professional and creative work. Matt takes pride in doing outstanding work.

Very professional and creative work. Matt takes pride in doing outstanding work.

Matt is extremely knowledgeable and pleasant too! He has an excellent sense of design and creates very attractive landscaping that require very little maintenance. I have received many, many compliments about his work.