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!

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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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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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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:

1. Install trees and shrubs that have beautiful exfoliating bark, vibrant berries, or bright evergreen foliage.
2. Install winter annuals or evergreens in containers near doors or windows, so you can enjoy them from indoors.

Examples:    

Pink Icicle Camellia

Japanese stewartia

Witch Hazel

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 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!

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