Landscaping Ideas and Updates

A plant that causes many problems in our landscapes and with our neighbors is bamboo. This grass grows in two forms clump and spreading.
 
The spreading bamboo is the most troublesome because of its new shoots that pop up in our lawn or planting beds. It is a common misconception that these new shoots come from seeds. The new shoots that you see are actually sprouting from the rhizome roots.
 
If you are interested in installing bamboo, there is a way to contain it. The ideal way to install bamboo is to install a 60 mil thick, 24" deep plastic bamboo barrier with 2" exposed above the soil that completely surrounds your intended planting area. This will ensure that the roots do not spread beyond the desired area. This barrier must be maintained be cutting roots that try to jump over the exposed barrier.
 
If you already have out of control bamboo you can use several methods to keep the bamboo in check. One possible control is to cut the exposed roots that are moving away from the existing bamboo. Once a root is cut it will not grow beyond that point but will branch out behind the cut, so you must be diligent in cutting the roots. You can also control new shoots that are just sprouting by stepping on or kicking over the shoot while it is still tender. If the new shoots are over 3 feet tall, you can treat with Round up to burn the stalk back.
 
If you can no longer stand the bamboo, you can eradicate it. This is very difficult because of its aggressive nature. Cutting all of the bamboo down will only provide temporary relief. The stalks and roots must be completely removed manually or with machinery. It is impossible to remove every root initially; you must continue over several months to watch for and remove roots and new shoots. Additionally, you cannot kill the bamboo by only treating it with herbicides, as they are not yet a proven method of treating bamboo.
 
Johnson's Landscaping is ready and able to install, control, or remove any bamboo for you. Please contact us if we can assist you with your bamboo needs.

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When deciding which contractor will install your paver patio, driveway, or walkway, consider a number of factors.

Be sure to ask the contractor’s representative about the past performance of the company with regard pavers, and ask for client referrals as well.  Make certain that the pictures provided are pictures resulting from the actual work of the contractor.  Every contractor has catalogues of EP Henry or Belgard installed pavers, and those are very necessary for clients to decide type and color of their pavers.  However, ensure that on their website and in their portfolios they provide pictures of actual work.

Another differentiating factor is whether or not the contractor is “certified” through the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute.  The paver installers at Johnson’s Landscaping Service, Inc. went through days of classroom and hands-on training at the institute, culminating in an assessment at the end of the class.  Depending on the results of this assessment, the installers are certified through the institute.  The company then chooses to become part of the institute, thereby ensuring that any future paver installations will be according to the code and standards set by the institute.

By ensuring your contractor is a certified paver installer, you are ensuring that your patio, driveway, and walkway will be built right, and built to last.

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By Ryan Sarvis

So you want to build a retaining wall in your yard?  There are many things to consider, including the type of stone, size of the wall, size of the footings, drainage, and the need for permitting, to name a few.   Here are the steps homeowners and contractors can take together to build a long lasting, aesthetically pleasing retaining wall.

There are a variety of materials to choose from when deciding to build a retaining wall. We in Maryland have an advantage because some of the best natural stone available is quarried in our own back yard.  Carderock is quarried and processed locally in Potomac, MD near River Road and Seven Locks Road.

                The advantage of using our native stone is that the color, texture, and size vary and no two stones are the same. The blues, grays, browns, and greens in the Carderock ages gracefully in any setting.  The classic appeal of Carderock conveys strength and beauty unmatched by none.

                There are two types of retaining walls that can be built with Carderock, dry stack and veneered walls.  A dry stack wall is one where we do not use mortar to adhere the stones together. The stone used is usually flat so it stacks better.  However, many of our customers' favorite walls are built with veneer stone.

The process for building a veneer wall starts with excavation for a "footing" or base of the wall. The size of the footing will grow depending on the height of the wall; however, it is important to check local building codes and permitting requirements prior to building the footers.   At Johnson's, we always expect our walls to meet or exceed local codes and regulations.  Our footings, for example, typically are reinforced concrete with rebar to tie the wall and footing together.  

Next we build an 8" cinderblock wall on top of the footing. At the time of the block wall's construction we install 1-2" pvc pipe passing through the wall for the drainage system. We then take the veneer stone and our expertly trained stonemasons "work the stone" for the best face and corners of the stone. High strength mortar is used to adhere the stone to the block wall. The purpose of working the stone is to have a final product that has small joints between the stone for a seamless appearance.

The top of the wall can be given a natural cap. A natural cap is a finished cap that matches the face of the wall, only with larger stones. By far our customer's favorite type of cap is flagstone. For the best appearance a thick Pennsylvania Blue Flagstone can be installed.  These caps will hang the wall's face by an inch, and add a great finish to the wall.

                The biggest enemy of retaining walls no matter the material is the natural elements. Water is the most destructive of them all. Hydrostatic pressure is the force exerted by water behind a wall that pushes on it. A properly constructed wall with correct "back filling" is a wall will last many generations. When the construction of the wall is near completion, a drainage system is installed behind it. This system has three main components - a perforated pipe, gravel back fill, and landscaping fabric.

 

The pipe is used to collect and direct water away from the wall. The gravel offers free movement of water behind the wall, therefore reducing the hydrostatic pressure. The landscape fabric is used to isolate the gravel from the existing soil and ensure that the drain pipe runs clear and does not become choked with silt in the future.  Also, any excess water that does not enter the pipe travels down and passes through the pvc weep holes and exits at ground level in the front of the wall.     

 

 

 

 

Through training and experience of our stonemasonry crews bring a passion for the highest quality product to your project. Our crews' produce some of the most enduring and beautiful walls in the area.

 

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How to Choose a Landscape Contractor
by Jamie Newell

         A landscape company that has a design staff is the best way to approach any landscape project. If you need something small like drainage and grading or a larger project such as an outdoor entertainment area, it is always a good idea to talk to a designer first. By consulting with an experienced designer, you will have the advantage of seeing the big picture. This will ensure that the completed task will fit nicely with the rest of your garden.

         A design/build company will provide strong communication between the designer who made the arrangements and the workers who will install the project. If something unforeseen should arise, the designer can make on site changes to the project without delaying the job. There is nothing more frustrating than having two different companies blaming each other for something that was overlooked.

         The first challenge is to find a good designer with a solid company to back them up. You might start by asking a friend or neighbor with a nice garden whom they would recommend. After you have chosen a well established company, it would be wise to see examples of their work and check their references. Stay away from a salesperson that is high pressure or doesn't spend time exploring different options with you. Choose someone who listens to your needs, asks the right questions, and understands the problem. Look for a designer that can communicate their ideas well.

         The next step depends on the nature of the project. If it's a small or simple job a well written proposal is important to be sure everything discussed is included. If the job is large or complicated have a design prepared. A professional drawing may add cost but it can save a lot of headaches down the road. Whether you get a full scale rendering or a quick sketch, make sure the plan solves the problem and will look nice from season to season.

         Once you have a qualified designer backed up by a reputable company with a good design, make sure the proposal is broken down in a way that you can see how much each task will cost. This will help you decide how to move forward in a budget conscious way and get the most for your investment. Be sure the agreement spells out a timetable for completion, payment schedule, specific walTanties, and the right to cancel.

        Landscaping is a great investment for your property.  When you decide to renovate your garden, make sure you choose the right company.  Make sure the company is licensed, in good standing with the Better Business Bureau, and has good references.  Before the project begins, have a good plan and a clearly written contract.  Make sure the designer will be on the job to supervise the installation team.  Be thorough before the job starts and you will end up with a garden that will grow nicely and stand up to the test of time.

 

Related posts in other blogs:

• Seeking a Landscape Contractor in Orlando? Arm yourself With Information

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These easy tips will help you prepare your landscape for the winter months: 

Pull mulch back from the base of young trees, particularly if mice are a problem in your area; they can chew on the bark.

Mulch after the first freeze to insulate plants against freezing temperatures, especially those that are marginally hardy.

Spray trees that are prone to insect and disease problems with dormant oil, provided temperatures are above 40 degrees F.

Turn the compost pile one last time, and cover with a tarp to preserve heat and keep heavy rain from leaching nutrients.

Remove leaves from water gardens; when they decompose they can release chemicals harmful to fish.

Clean your tools and apply a coat of oil to metal surfaces to prevent rust.

Disconnect and drain hoses to keep freezing water from bursting hoses or pipes.

Remove dead plants and potting soil from clay pots to keep them from cracking. Store the pots in a garage or shed.

 

 

vole damage

 Source: HGtv.com

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