Take a look at this video about work we’ve done in and near Chevy Chase, Maryland. The video highlights the skill of our landscape designers, together with our masonry, carpentry, and planting crews.
Johnson's Landscaping Service, Inc. has provided the highest quality landscape design and service to Northwest D.C., Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Kensington, Silver Spring, Rockville, Potomac, and Olney since 1960. Call us at 301-740-8850 to learn more!
Johnson’s Landscaping, Inc. has been serving the area for over 50 years, and we take our work very seriously! We enjoy working with our clients during the entire landscape design process from start to finish, which is why we love sharing the before and after photos!
Take a look at this before and after of a landscape we did where we removed old, overgrown plantings and designed a yard “make-over” with new plantings, lawn, a walkway and a fountain.
Landscape in Northwest, DC.
Looking for a landscape makeover? Call the experts at Johnson’s Landscaping, Inc at 301-740-8850 to start planning your new landscape in Northwest, Washington, DC and Montgomery County, MD!
Many clients ask about the implementation phase of the landscape design. In the pictures below, you will note the planning phase, implementation phase, and completion phase.
After the landscape design has been approved by the clients, Johnson’s Landscaping Service, Inc. will send its implementation team, to include the landscape designer, and the production and operations managers.They work closely with the designer, who works closely with the clients, to ensure proper implementation of the landscape design.The photos below represent the initial meeting of these three components.
Of course, after the initial meeting, the foremen and crew begin their work.Typically, the hardscape (patios, walls, etc.) are completed first; after that, the crews install the plants.In the pictures below, most of the construction (save for the deck) is complete.
After the planting and night lighting are installed, the project is complete, and clients are ready to furnish and enjoy their new outdoor living space!
Attention Johnson's Landscaping customers! Our Fall Sale is here, and we have a special coupon for you!
Save 10% on jobs over $3,000.00. the coupon applies to Construction and Planting jobs only, and is not good with any other offer. It is available for new contracts only, prior sales excluded, and minimum of $3,000.00 to use the discount.
This is the perfect time to get professional landscape design by Johnson's Landscaping, so call us at 301-740-8850 to start planning your next project!
When winter weather transforms your sidewalk and driveway into a dangerous skating rink, how do you melt the ice and snow without destroying your lawn and ornamental plants?
The key is to choose an environmentally safer deicer, use it in moderation and according to instructions, and to apply it before it begins to sleet or snow.
All chemical deicers essentially work in the same manner, by lowering the freezing point of water. The most common ice melter is sodium chloride (NaCl), otherwise known as good old-fashioned rock salt. Its popularity can be attributed to its low price and wide availability. However, since salt water still freezes at 0°F (or -18°C), it is of little help when the temperature falls below this point. Rock salt can also be destructive: it can corrode your car and your concrete walkway, and it can damage or kill your lawn and ornamental plants.
A better bet is to use one of the alternative, safer salts on the market. These include Calcium Chloride (CaCl2), Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2), and Potassium Chloride (KCl). In general, these salts are more effective in reducing the freezing point of water to a lower temperature than rock salt, thus making them more effective in colder weather. Moreover, they tend to be less corrosive to metals and concrete, and are safer for lawns and ground-covers. Be sure to carefully look at the manufacturer's label for the listing of chemicals.
A newer, salt-free melting agent is calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), which is made from dolomitic limestone and acetic acid (the main compound of vinegar). This material has little impact on plants and animals, and is a good alternative for environmentally-sensitive areas. Pelleted fertilizers containing ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate are sometimes also used for melting snow and ice, but these tend to damage concrete more than the salts. For locations where chemical deicers are not appropriate, sand, kitty litter, or gravel can provide some traction, but they will not melt ice or snow.
Whatever product you choose, be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and do not over-apply. Too many people erroneously believe that if 8 ounces is good, then 16 ounces must be better. Improper use of any chemical deicer may cause plant injury, which appears as drying, stunting, dieback, or "burning" of the foliage.
(Sam Nelson is a landscape designer for Johnson’s Landscaping Service, Inc. Learn more about Sam and see his landscape design featured in the Washington Post at http://www.jlsinc.net/view-by-tag/washingtonpost/. )
By Ryan Sarvis, Johnson’s Landscaping Service, Inc.
Are you deterred from venturing outside by cold weather and annoying pests? Do you shy away from inviting friends and family over because the only gathering place is inside your cramped house? This fall, why not add value to your property and extend your living space with an outdoor fireplace?
With a return to the coolness of Autumn and the decline of the sizzling hot and humid summer evenings, many Washington, DC area residents are now returning to the outdoors from their air conditioned enclaves. To combat cold temperatures and biting insects well into the Fall season, you can install an outdoor fireplace that will warm and protect you and your family while you gather around the warmth of a glowing fire.
The options for outdoor fires are numerous, but Johnson's Landscaping Service, Inc. has many years of experience building fire pits, fire rings, fire places with chimneys. Our experienced stone masons can build any fire place that you may desire with a wide range of material options. We can provide both natural and manufactured stone to build a fireplace. You have the option of a wood or gas burning fireplace. Whearas gas is cleaner, no mess, and easier to start, wood has a great smell, prevents pests, and provides a little charm to your patio. Please contact one of our professional designers so we may design a fireplace that will suit your outdoor living needs.
The outdoor fireplace adds a centerpiece to your landscape that will last forever and will bring friends and families together for years to come. In addition to the outdoor fireplace, there are many other options to enhance our outdoor living spaces, to include landscape lighting, shade structures, patios, and seating walls.
Interested? Contact us today!
As a dog owner myself, I can attest to the frustration many homeowners feel when the primordial needs of a dog (scratching, digging, peeing, and pooping) can conflict with the desires of an outdoor landscape pleasing to behold and easy to maintain. At times, it’s easy to raise the flag of defeat and give reign over the landscape to the dog.
Fear not, landscape and dog lovers! The two can co-exist. It may require some effort or investment. In the end, it will be worth it.
Most dog owners know that the way to a dog’s heart is through food and walks, with the emphasis on walks. A happy dog (i.e. a dog who gets lots of walks) often will refrain more often from anxious behaviors such as digging and scratching on that beautifully manicured lawn or the azalea just ready to bloom.
Because of work and family obligations, many homeowners just don’t have the time to regularly walk their dogs, even though they know that’s what’s best for them. Jaime Deason, owner of Fetch! Pet Care of Silver Spring, Maryland (www.fetchsilverspring.com), says that her business is available to support dog lovers in giving the gift of a walk. Jaime completes background checks on all her sitters, and then trains them herself. Says Jaime, “Walking a dog regularly is one of the best ways to reduce anxiety, and to prevent the unwanted attacks on your landscape.”
Sam Nelson, landscape designer with Johnson’s Landscaping Service, Inc. (www.JohnsonsLandscaping.com), and a dog lover himself, says there are several things to consider when planning your landscape to accommodate dogs. First, Sam suggests “observing your dogs as they run throughout the yard. Make sure to notice where they like to go in the yard, and in your landscape plan leave this area as ‘open space’ for the dog. In this way, dogs will create a well worn path in some areas while leaving other areas to flourish.” Second, Sam observes that “dogs like to pee and run on the edging of plant beds.”
To soften the blow of this inevitable occurrence, Sam suggests lining the plant beds with low-lying liriope. This can help because the liriope is hardy enough to withstand the dog’s urine while simultaneously low enough to support larger shrubs and plants behind it. Finally, Sam reminds homeowners and dog lovers to be careful when choosing plants because some, like the Japanese Acuba, can be poisonous to dogs when chewed. Be sure to check with your local nursery before installing any plants.
As you can see, with a little effort and investment, a dog lover can enjoy both their landscape and their dogs….the two can co-exist!
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.
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.
Landscape Brighteners In lieu of summer's blazing color, many gardeners brace themselves for a winter of gray and brown, if not flat-out white. No matter if your winter is just a little chilly or bone-freezing cold, try these tips to brighten your landscape:
Install trees and shrubs that have beautiful exfoliating bark, vibrant berries, or bright evergreen foliage.
Install winter annuals or evergreens in containers near doors or windows, so you can enjoy them from indoors.
Not Your Average Pansy Every fall and spring all you see are the usual pansies in annual beds and containers. When the temperature drops and precipitation is in the forecast, those pansies look terrible and can develop gray mold. The pansy's cousin, the viola, is stronger and hardier, but has small blooms. Horticulturists have introduced the panola as a cross between the two. The panola has larger blossoms, better performance during inclement weather, and longer lasting blooms. The panola should be your new fall color standard!
Worried about your home's current value? Visit these links to learn how landscaping can help!
Lawn and Garden Equity
While studies show that you'll only recoup 80 to 90 cents on every dollar you spend to upgrade your kitchen or bath, professional landscape designers estimate that improvements to your lawn and garden can boost your home's value by 7 percent to 15 percent. Those findings have been confirmed by survey results from the Gallup Organization and the National Gardening Association, or NGA.
Value added: Consumers perceive a home with proper landscaping to be worth up to 11.3 percent more than its assessed value, according to 1999 study by Clemson University. The same study found that the return on the landscaping dollar is more than 100 percent.
"The whole trend for living outside is enormous right now" says Denis Flanagan, host of HGTV's One Garden, Two Looks and manager of membership services and PR for Landscape Ontario. "The garden has become an extension of the house."
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As a dog owner myself, I can attest to the frustration many homeowners feel when the primordial needs of a dog (scratching, digging, peeing, and pooping) can conflict with the desires of an outdoor landscape pleasing to behold and easy to maintain. At times, it’s easy to raise the flag of defeat and give reign over the landscape to the dog.
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 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. 
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. 
Not Your Average Pansy Every fall and spring all you see are the usual pansies in annual beds and containers. When the temperature drops and precipitation is in the forecast, those pansies look terrible and can develop gray mold. The pansy's cousin, the viola, is stronger and hardier, but has small blooms. Horticulturists have introduced the panola as a cross between the two. The panola has larger blossoms, better performance during inclement weather, and longer lasting blooms. The panola should be your new fall color standard!