Jersey Landscaping - The Best Landscaping Projects for Winter

The temperatures may be dropping but that doesn’t mean you can’t take on some landscaping projects. The fact is, it’s actually best to undertake landscaping planning and projects during the winter months. You’re not using your outdoor space as much, if at all, during the colder months, so you’ll have more access and availability of areas in your yard. So what projects should you do this winter? From residential landscape lighting design to working with a patio builder, there’s plenty of landscaping projects for you to tackle.

Winter Landscape Planning

When doing your winter landscape planning, consider what type of things you could use in the colder months, as well as the warmer ones. Check out a few landscaping projects to focus on

• Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits. While these items may not get as much use in the colder months, they’re perfect for spring and fall. Having some heat outdoors provides a cozy place to relax with family and friends.

• Patios and Pool Decks. Since you’re not swimming in the winter, it’s a great idea to hire a patio builder to install a new pool deck or patio.

• Outdoor Kitchens. Who doesn’t love a fun summer cookout? Winter is the perfect time to build a fully functional outdoor kitchen for the ultimate space to entertain.

• Residential Landscape Lighting Design. You can do a great deal with a residential landscape lighting design professional to light up key features of your yard or just to brighten dark areas.

• Add architecture. You can improve the look of your winter landscape with architectural elements. Work with a patio builder or landscaper who can install brick and stone walkways along with some residential landscape lighting design.

Keep in mind, it’s important to preserve your existing landscaping, too. Replacing plants in the winter is no easy task, so you’ll want to protect it. Here are some tips to ensure your current landscaping survives the colder months:

• Prune plants in the fall. Pruning your plants or adding new plants are great landscaping projects to prepare for winter. Just go ahead and cut back any summer growth from evergreen shrubs as well as perennials. If you don’t have a green thumb, work with your patio builder or other landscaping company to help.

• Prepare for snow. Don’t learn the hard way how badly a snowstorm can damage the health of your plants. The weight of heavy snow can crush plants. Use any type of string to tie up your plants when you know a storm is coming. But don’t keep them tied up all season.

• Care for your lawn. Feed your lawn during the fall. You’ll find it helps to create a strong root system, developing a fuller lawn in the spring.

If you’re like most homeowners, you love enjoying your outdoor space in the spring and summer, but now you can enjoy it in the winter too! Any landscape designer or patio builder will tell you that more and more people are taking on landscaping projects and landscape planning in the fall. And now, you should too!

Don’t Neglect Your Landscaping in the Winter

Chances are you’re one of the many homeowners that enjoys your outdoor space in the spring and summer, but what about when the temperatures start to drop? Any landscape designer will tell you that many people turn their backs on their landscaping in the winter.  While you may think it’s difficult to surround your home with colorful flowers and greenery in the winter, your landscape designer can recommend ways to improve the appeal of your outdoor space even when it’s covered with frost.

Tips From a Landscape Designer

 ·         Plant for the season in advance. Create a landscape that doesn’t disappear for half the year by considering all four seasons and all 12 months. It may be tempting to just decorate your yard with a few pansies to brighten things up, but the truth is, it’s much better to have evergreen plants, which will become more visible after other plants lose their leaves, such as camellias, hollies and laurels.

·         Add texture. Plant trees with needles like spruce and pine, along with those with leaves like hollies, magnolias and rhododendrons. Add ground cover and perennials that last like vinca and ajuga.

·         Use pots. When it comes to landscaping in the winter, pots are easier to take care of, allowing you to move them into the sunlight or closer to the house for extra warmth.

·         Light up the landscape. You can do a great deal with an outdoor lighting installation by a landscape lighting company to illuminate key features of your yard or just to brighten dark areas. The outdoor lighting installation can help to create interesting shadows from tree branches that can truly add movement and life to your yard. A landscape lighting company can show you the possibilities.  

·         Fire it up. Outdoor fireplaces offer a cozy natural gathering place where friends and family can roast marshmallows, drink nightcaps or simply enjoy a quiet night. A landscape designer can build an outdoor fireplace at the edge of your patio or next to the wall of your house – or anywhere on the property that will accommodate a large hardscape feature with a chimney.  Whether you’re looking for a traditional wood-burning fireplace or a more eco-friendly gas-burning unit, your outdoor fireplace can be made of stone, brick, stucco or concrete, even prefabricated for lower budgets.

·         Add architecture. In addition to choosing the right plants, you can improve the look of your outdoor space with architectural elements. Stone and brick walkways are important parts of landscaping in the winter because they are more visible. Plus, it’s pleasing to look out your window and see a winding path with evergreen plants.

·         Bring the birds. Birds can be the heroes of a winter landscape. The bare stems of your usual lush-growing plants no longer hide their beautiful songs in the winter.  To invite them, leave dormant perennials like coneflower, ornamental grasses and others over the winter. Their seed heads provide structural interest and birds can enjoy scratching for the seeds all winter long.

With a little planning and the help a landscape designer and landscape lighting company, you can create the right landscaping in the winter that not only boasts beauty, but actually truly demands attention. So, get ready to bundle up and get out there!

Go Green By Using Natural Materials for Your Patio

What could be greener than a custom-designed patio that allows you to reconnect with nature by spending more time outside? If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, long-lasting, environmentally friendly outdoor living space, the best place to start is with a natural patio. Working with one of your local landscape contractors and natural landscaping materials, you’ll be able to beautify your environment and protect it at the same time.

The Value of Natural Materials in Landscaping

Utilizing green design philosophies, environmentally friendly building practices and natural landscaping materials, your patio can be more enjoyable and affordable than going the more traditional route. That’s because they require less maintenance, last longer, are healthier for your family and are better for the environment as a whole. To get started using natural materials for your patio, search “landscapers near me” online and find one of your local landscape contractors to partner with. Here are some things to consider.

Building a Green Patio

Many patios are made from cement, concrete or asphalt, with chemically treated lumber for borders and steps. The production practices used to create these landscaping materials are environmentally destructive. Hard, nonporous cement and asphalt may provide durability, but they also add toxins to your environment during installation. Building a patio with natural materials is a much greener alternative.

Instead of building a deck or porch, design a patio using landscaping stones, brick or ceramic tile. Besides being beautiful and locally obtainable in most areas, they’re durable and re-usable. Patios are not only greener than decks and porches, but landscaping stones, brick and ceramic tile patios last longer and require less maintenance than wood porches and decks. Here are some natural materials to consider:

• Aggregates (gravel, crushed rock, pebbles) are best for covering a medium to large space, provide good drainage, are easy to install and are low-maintenance landscaping materials.

• Landscaping stones are great for pathways, terraces, borders and steps between patio levels. They’re nontoxic, natural materials   available in a wide selection of earth-toned colors and are reusable.
  
  
• Brick is best for pathways, surface areas and steps between patio levels. It’s nontoxic, durable, reusable and come in several color options.

• Recycled-content pavers, bricks, timbers are good for edgings, borders, paths and flat areas. They’re natural materials that are long lasting, nontoxic, easy to install for landscape contractors and splinter-free.

It’s important to ensure the grade slopes away from your home when your patio is finished being installed. Water will run away from your foundation instead of toward it, which can result in moisture issues in your basement and foundation problems and failure in the long run.

While committing to the use of natural materials in the scope of your remodeling project can feel overwhelming, don't let that scare you away. Many of the landscape contractors you find in your “landscapers near me” search specialize in architectural salvage, giving you an easy, one-stop option for using recycled bricks, landscaping stones or paving materials. And the truth is that any step toward environmentally friendly landscape design is a step in the right direction for you and your family, your new outdoor space and the environment as a whole.

Do You Need a Landscape Makeover?

Life can get hectic. As we try to knock out all the things on our to-do lists, it’s easy to forget the effect our home’s surroundings have on our health and well-being. It’s also easy to neglect your backyard in particular, seeing upkeep as a chore, and letting it become overgrown and unsightly. But it’s time to realize the potential your outdoor environment holds! With a little bit of time and the help of one of your local landscaping companies, your weed-ridden brush can be transformed into a tranquil paradise.

A To-Do List For You and Your Professional Landscaper

You don’t have to take an expensive vacation to deal with your stressful life. Instead, consider a landscape makeover to help you unwind and escape from the hectic hustle and bustle. Working with one of your local landscaping companies, all you will have to do is step out the door of your home to enjoy a beautiful respite. So, where do you begin?

1. Plan

Do some research online, drive around your town, get ideas and envision your end goal. What features about your landscape would you like to keep, and which ones do you want to get rid of? Would you like flowering plants, lighted walkways and a beautiful stone patio? Have your children outgrown the need for a play area? Could you transform that space into an area for entertaining with a fire pit and lovely outdoor furniture? The possibilities are endless and your professional landscaper can help you uncover them.

2. Think about color.

Color plays a huge role in relaxation. For your landscape makeover, consider accenting your lush green backdrop with bright flowers. Choose multi-colored flowers or would a theme with just a couple. Take your current colorscape into consideration, including your house. What would blend nicely with it? Next, think of your outdoor furniture. Could you use an update or are they still in good shape?

3.  Listen up.

Nothing sets a mood quite like sound. Landscaping companies know what it takes to reinforce your connection with nature and stimulate your senses by adding an aquatic soundtrack to your landscape makeover. Water features add life, movement and sound to your landscape like no other element can.  Depending on the design, they can provide drama and excitement or serenity and tranquility. Whether it’s the energized gush of a waterfall, a gently bubbling stone fountain tucked in a quiet corner, or a koi pond and moving stream along the edge of your garden, there are water features adaptable to every type of outdoor space.

4. Get wild.

Plants can be used to encourage the natural world to take residence in your backyard. Entice songbirds with bird feeders or fruit-bearing shrubs. Hummingbirds and butterflies are drawn to bright nectar-bearing flowers. Your professional landscaper will know just what to plant to bring out the wildlife.

5. Go with aroma.

Imagine walking outside and being enveloped by fresh scents and intoxicating aromas. Landscaping companies know how to place plants strategically to create a noticeable scentscape. From basil and thyme to jasmine and lavender, your outdoor environment can be a source of aromatherapy to take your cares away.  

A small investment with a professional landscaper does big things for your lifestyle. With the right infusions of beauty and relaxation, your landscape makeover will help you feel more at ease and able to handle the stress of your fast-paced world.

Jersey Landscaping: Lighting Installation and Maintenance are Essential Commercial Landscape Services

Business owners who invest in commercial landscape services with a professional, licensed company often turn a bigger profit than those who don’t. A crucial element to any design is outdoor lighting. Companies often emphasize the beauty of well-designed lights, but the benefits of installing those lights are myriad.  For the best possible return on your investment, and to keep your customers both happy and safe, put lighting at the top of your commercial landscape services wish list.

How Professional Outdoor Lighting Companies Can Grow Your Business

Just how important are the right lights? According to most landscape contractors, they can make or break your business.

1.       They protect your property. Aside from the aesthetics, commercial landscape lighting helps guide foot traffic at any time of day or year. Like day lights in a car, lit paths and walkways make walking on your property safer.  This indirectly influences people to stay away from the grass, and will unconsciously guide them to the door.

2.       They keep your clients and building safe. Security lights have come a long way from blinding spotlights. Landscape contractors can build those security lights into the overall design of your landscape, making them less conspicuous while still being effective. This protects your clientele from potential criminals, and will deter people from vandalizing your property.

3.       The increase your desirability. Commercial landscape services increase your curb appeal. That increase in appeal, however, has been directly linked to an increase in clientele. Much like people are drawn to restaurants with attractive décor, people are also drawn to properties that are beautiful. Depending on the type of property you have, outdoor lighting companies can create illumination spots designed to draw people into your space.

4.       They may increase productivity. Beautiful landscape does wonders for your employees, too. It can keep them calm, and can encourage them to linger on the property. Commercial landscape lighting can create safe havens outdoors for your employees to enjoy during breaks. It also makes them feel safer when they’re locking up for the night and walking out to their cars or to a bus.

Speak to Landscape Contractors about Different Lighting Options

Once you make the smart decision to use lights as part of your landscape, you should work with your outdoor lighting companies to choose the best types of lights for your needs. You options include:

·         Up lights along pathways, for increased visibility

·         Low lights along your shrubbery or trees

·         Modern LED lights in an array of colors

·         Old-fashioned street lights for a more traditional feel

·         Lighting water features or sculptures designed to draw the eye

·         Solar lights for more eco-conscious designs

Regardless of which commercial landscape services you need for your company, make sure a lighting design is part of them. Choose a contractor who can not only install the lights, but who is skilled enough to incorporate them into the overall feel of the landscape. Your clients – and your employees – will thank you.

Jersey Landscaping: Deciding Which Commercial Property Maintenance Services You Need

Whether you own or rent your commercial property, maintenance services are crucial all year ‘round – not just in the warmer months. Without proper maintenance, you could find your property irreparably damaged by the elements; not only do these damages take a long time to fix, but they can be costly as well. To get the best commercial property maintenance services for your space, make note of the following:

1.       The size of the property. Not all commercial landscapers will services smaller lots, and not all of the companies out there can handle a lot of acreage. You want to choose contractors who are willing, able and happy to work with you based on the amount of land you have.

2.       The applicable laws. In New Jersey, commercial property owners must clear out their parking lots and curbs within 48 hours after a snowstorm. If you have parking available at your commercial property, maintenance services after a storm are a necessity. Make sure you fully understand the laws regarding your responsibilities before you hire any company.

3.       Your sprinkler system. See how many sprinkler heads you have, where they’re placed, and whether or not any of them have had problems in the past (such as leaking, or being stuck underground). It’s a good idea to speak with a company who has a licensed irrigation contractor on staff to discuss your options. Ultimately, you’ll need to winterize your sprinkler system, but it helps you understand what that means.

4.       The likelihood of flooding. Speak with an irrigation contractor about preparing your property for potential flooding. If your business doesn’t have flood insurance, it’s a good idea to look into purchasing some. After Super Storm Sandy, we all learned that it’s better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.

5.       Your final budget. While no one likes to discuss money, your commercial landscapers need to know exactly how much you can spend – and whether there’s any wiggle room for contingencies, such as broken lines (gas or water), electrical shortages (by cut power lines or by aging electrical systems) or acts of nature. Consider purchasing additional insurance for your commercial property, so maintenance services will be covered no matter what happens.

The Benefits of Hiring Professional Commercial Landscapers

It may be tempting to hire a lawn care company or a residential contractor to handle your needs, as many of those companies charge less. But in these cases, a penny saved is rarely a penny earned. Commercial properties require different kinds of services and knowledge than residential properties do, and you want a landscaper who knows what they are. In NJ, all commercial landscapers must be licensed, whereas some lawn service companies may not be. Furthermore, commercial property maintenance services incorporate:

• An understanding of how accessibility impacts your business 
•  Having proper insurance and licensing required for working on commercial properties 
• The amount of “man hours” necessary to fulfill your needs into their calculations for the price of those services

To protect your property this winter, speak to a landscape and irrigation contractor who specializes in commercial properties. You’re ensuring the best possible care for your company when you choose commercial landscapers for the job as opposed to anyone else.