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...]
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...]
Is it Worth it to Have Someone Mow My Lawn?
If you’re an energetic individual with a zero turn mower who loves to be out there, you probably want to mow your lawn yourself. But when we really think about it, most of us would rather be doing something else. In Loudoun and Clarke Counties, houses (and yards) are getting bigger. When you factor in the time involved and the cost of purchasing and maintaining equipment, it makes sense to hire a lawn care professional on a number of levels. Why Should I Hire a Pro to Mow My Lawn? Here are a … [Read more...]
Fruit Trees That Grow Well in Northern Virginia
Fruit trees are a beautiful (and delicious) addition to a yard – and spring is the perfect time to plant them. But not all fruit trees grow perfectly everywhere, so it’s important to know which trees to choose based on the climate and soil conditions in Northern Virginia. We recommend three trees that are perfect for NOVA. Apple trees One of the most popular fruit trees to grow in Virginia, apple trees are ideal because of our long summers and mild fall weather. The most successful … [Read more...]
What Kind of Mulch Do I Need?
Spring has sprung! (We can tell because we can’t stop sneezing.) After a not-so-wonderful winter, we’re all excited to get back outside and make our landscaping beautiful again. With yard beautification comes so many choices: bushes or flowers? Annuals or perennials? Mulch or no mulch? If you’re not sure about your mulch needs and desires, we can help! Why Use Mulch? Many people prefer using some kind of mulch to help suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, keep the soil cool, improve the … [Read more...]
Develop Your Landscaping Plan
It’s cold outside, and most of our landscapes are quiet and at rest at this time of year. But like many,, you probably always have landscaping plans in your head. Winter is the perfect time to do some dreaming and planning and put those thoughts on paper. It’s also a great time to start making plans with your landscaping company. Well-thought landscaping plans can help achieve successful results and save money. How Can I Put Together a Landscaping Plan? Start with a … [Read more...]
Do I Really Have to Rake My Leaves?
It’s been an unusually warm, wet summer here in Northern Virginia, but at some point, we all know those leaves are going to fall. Fall leaves can feel like a big landscaping nuisance, but they don’t have to be. You can decide to rake them and take them or (with the right equipment) leave them alone. Let’s take a look at some of the best leaf management options. Why Do We Remove Leaves? Fall leaves can look pretty for a while, but if they’re left on the ground, they can form a thick layer and … [Read more...]
Does Hiring a Landscaper Save Me Money?
Do it yourself (DIY) is big these days, and a lot of us think DIY landscaping and lawn care are money savers. However, the truth is, hiring a lawn maintenance company is incredibly cost effective. When you factor equipment, supplies, costly mistakes and the most valuable commodity of all--your time--hiring a landscaper makes a ton of financial sense. DIY Lawn Maintenance vs. Epling Lawn Lawn Maintenance In an era of big yards and busy schedules, taking care of lawn maintenance and landscaping … [Read more...]
How Can I Prepare for Winterization?
Winter is coming, and it could spell disaster for your lawn or landscape. You spend the other months of the year cultivating a beautiful yard and garden, so don’t let a Virginia winter spoil it for you. A process called winterization can help you protect against a brutal winter and come through with a healthy outdoor space. Preparing for the Winter Months The winter season causes plants to die or go dormant, and preparing is an essential part of winterizing. Simply put, to winterize your … [Read more...]
Getting Year-Round Color in Your Landscape
No matter the season, color in your landscape can be easy with a simple plan. Incorporate annuals, perennials and shrubs with different bloom times for continuous bursts of color within your landscape. Planting and Bloom Times The best suggested times to plant are during the spring and fall, when the weather is cooler. The new plants and bulbs have time to adjust to the new environment before extreme temperatures of summer or winter begin. Specific plantings, such as summer annuals, can be … [Read more...]
