One of our Western Loudoun neighbors had a tire swing on a thick branch on a walnut tree for ten years. But the kids grew, and the family started to notice dead limbs on the branch that held the swing. So mom and dad took down the swing. There were a few tears, but it was the right thing to do. Summer is a perfect time for relaxing in a hammock or having some fun with an old-fashioned tree swing. You can enjoy these summer favorites safely. Here’s how to make sure they’re stable and won’t hurt … [Read more...]
Five Things to Ask When Hiring Someone to Mow Your Lawn
When you hire someone to mow your lawn, you’re looking for a partner you can count on. It makes sense to forge a relationship for the full mowing season and beyond. This usually means better service and better prices than going with a piecemeal lawn care provider. Here are five questions to ask to make sure you’ll get high-quality, reliable service. How Often Do You Mow? Your contractor should commit to mowing once each week unless you request otherwise. In some cases, you may want to skip a … [Read more...]
Five Things to Ask When Hiring a Landscaper
When we think about hiring a landscaper, we’re usually looking to create an environment that’s beautiful and user-friendly. We want design and execution that fit in with our budget, our sense of style, and our long and short-term goals. Here are a few questions that can help you find the landscaper that’s right for you. What Landscape Style Best Fits Our Home? Most clients have ideas about a look or layout they want. A professional landscaper will provide suggestions based on the style of your … [Read more...]
How Can I Keep Weeds From Growing in Mulch?
Applying mulch every spring makes sense on several levels. It helps enrich the soil and helps retain moisture during the dry summer months. But the main reason most of us mulch is weed control. We faithfully lay down a couple of inches of mulch and cross our fingers that we’ve won the battle. But most of us aren’t so lucky: weeds almost always find a way to pop up, even in the most beautifully mulched landscaping. Why are weeds so hard to tame, and what can you do to stop them? Here are a few … [Read more...]
How Can I Make My Patio Look New Again?
Can you feel it? March means subtle hints of spring in the air as the days slowly get longer. We just can’t wait, and we know many of you feel the same. What are your favorite things about spring and summer? For us, warm weather and outdoor entertaining top the list. The very best feeling is when you have an outdoor space that makes you want to spend every possible moment outside. But let’s face it: this winter has been a damp, dreary, muddy mess. Maybe it’s taken a toll on your patio or the … [Read more...]
What Should I Know About Clearing Brush?
When you’ve got a small suburban lot with tame turf, upkeep is usually pretty straightforward. But if you’ve got a larger rural lot with some wild spaces, tough to manage brush can be a problem. It can be a huge task to clear brush on your own, whether things are badly overgrown or just in need of some maintenance. It often makes sense to call in a professional with the equipment and expertise to do the job right. And winter is an ideal time to clear brush before new growth starts. What Is … [Read more...]
How Should I Determine a Budget for Landscaping?
Whew! We’ve been busy this summer and fall keeping lawns and landscapes shipshape. Now it’s time to help our clients make some plans for next year and years to come. One big question we often get at this time of year is how to determine a landscaping budget for the upcoming year. How do you determine priorities? Do you spend less and buy smaller-- or buy larger, more established plants? We’ve worked with every kind of budget under the sun, and two key points always stand out: Think big … [Read more...]
Will Christmas Lights Hurt My Outdoor Trees?
Twinkly Christmas lights are hands down our favorite part of the holiday season. From classic white to crazy and colorful, they make exteriors look festive and welcoming. Whether your approach is more Clark Griswold or Martha Stewart, they truly add something special to every home. But clients often ask us whether outdoor lights can damage live trees and shrubs. Here are some thoughts on getting the most out of holiday lights while protecting your landscape. Are Christmas Tree Lights Dangerous … [Read more...]
How Can I Protect My Landscaping This Winter?
We thought this summer would never end here in Northern Virginia, but fall seems to have come to stay, and winter is just around the corner. The distinct and lovely seasons, each with its own special magic and beauty, are one of our favorite things about our region. While summer tends to be super busy for landscapers, there is so much we can do in late fall and early winter to make landscapes healthy and hardy. Winter is a season of quiet beauty, a time for our landscapes to rest and recover. … [Read more...]
What Should I Plant Now for Winter Color?
Here in the Mid-Atlantic, it sometimes feels like we move from a lush summer to a festive fall right into a gray and dreary winter. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are plenty of cold-hardy plants that offer bright, beautiful blooms even when the weather is gloomy. With the right mix of annuals and perennials, you can keep your winter landscape looking gorgeous. But don’t wait: fall is the time to get planting. Why Is Fall Planting So Important? Summer landscaping is all about keeping … [Read more...]
