Category: Maryland

Plan Your Low Maintenance Maryland Landscape

A lot of people have taken an interest in landscaping, and many have learned that they enjoy working in the yard. Others have also discovered that they hate working in the yard. Just because you don’t like working in the yard does not mean you cannot have a great looking landscape.

Planning the best landscape for your home will take into consideration the amount of maintenance that can be provided. Doing some of the maintenance work yourself may save some money, but there is a time cost involved.

Hiring someone to do all the maintenance on a high maintenance landscape design can be expensive. Finding the perfect balance is what an experienced landscape designer does.

The landscape designer can help you make choices of plants and shrubs that look great and fit the maintenance you want to offer. Maybe you have allergies and want a yard that will require fewer mowings or has less tree pollen. Be sure to discuss this with the landscape designer.

If you need to talk with an experienced landscape designer to see what is possible, be sure to call the Maryland landscape design experts at East Coast Landscape Design.

Posted on Author adminCategories landscape design, Maryland, MD

Where To Start When Landscaping Your Maryland Home

If you are just starting with the landscaping at your Maryland home, be sure examine the older trees on your property to ensure they are safe and are not in danger of falling down. If you are unsure of the condition of your trees, you may want to contact us here at East Coast Landscape Design, so that can you ensure the safety of the property.

Once the safety concerns are taken care of the next item to consider is the overall design of the landscape and what use you want out of it. Want grassy areas to entertain guests? You will need a grass that can stand lots of foot traffic. Want an outdoor kitchen, or an area free from the pesky insects? This is what needs to be addressed during the initial planning stages.

If the project seems overwhelming to you, landscaping can be done in stages. The planning of the project is even more important when done in stages. You don’t want to put new grass in, and then need to drive a heavy truck across the new grass to deliver a load of stone for an outdoor kitchen and patio.

If you need help with the planning of your new landscape in Maryland, contact the landscape design experts at East Coast Landscape Design, we can help you get the yard of your dreams.

Posted on Author adminCategories landscape design, Maryland

Make A Great First Impression With Your Maryland Landscaping

Many people put most of their landscaping efforts into their front yard. A front yard is noticed by more people, and it gives people their first impression of both the home, and the home’s owners.

A well-designed front yard landscape will not only showcase your home, it can also enhance the physical appearance of your home. Depending on the design and choice of plants, landscaping can be either high or low maintenance.

If you would like lots of color, but want as little maintenance work as possible, consider wildflowers for your yard or garden. You can purchase wildflower seeds at home improvement stores then scatter them over a large area or where planting other items might be difficult. This strategy results in many different colors and types of beautiful flowers. Additionally, you can turn them into delightful bouquets.

Your choice of which grass to use is dependent on the climate. In Maryland, some areas are very shady, some are very sunny. Also, some areas seem to collect water and be damp most of the time, while other areas are quite dry. Be sure to choose the right grass for the conditions at your property.

Want some help deciding which plants or what grass to use at your property? Contact the Maryland Landscaping experts at East Coast Landscape Design, we can help you plan the best landscaping for your home.

Posted on Author adminCategories landscape contractor, landscape design, landscaping, Maryland

Maryland Commercial Landscaping: Make A Great First Impression With Your Business Appearance

Landscaping is an art form that requires a balance of artistic flair and technical know-how to do well. The canvas is the area around your business. Knowing what plants complement each other – not only with color but also bloom times and environmental needs. The way your business looks is the first impression you can make on your clients – be sure to make the best impression possible.

Here are some tips for you to consider when planning your businesses’ landscaping

Plant companion plants. These plants naturally work together to help each other repel pests and diseases. This can help you to have a healthier garden without the use of pesticides.

Use balance, not symmetry. A balanced distribution of plants creates a focal point, but the landscaping should never be symmetrical. For example, a large tree to the left of the garden can be balanced by two smaller trees to the right. This creates a much more desirable effect in the garden, whereas a symmetrical look appears completely unnatural.

Using peat moss is an excellent way to ensure your plants survive. This allows you to give nutrients to your plants that they potentially lack. Peat moss, when used as mulch, contrasts beautifully against the foliage of your plants.

Unsure if you want to chance the look of your business? Contact the landscaping experts at East Coast Landscape Design. We know Maryland’s climate, we know the plants that work best here in Maryland, and we are experts in helping you design the perfect look for your Maryland Commercial Landscaping.

Posted on Author adminCategories commercial landscaping, landscape contractor, landscape design, Maryland

Irrigation Systems in MD: Better for Your Yard and Wallet

Homeowners: irrigation systems for Maryland homes are better for your yards and wallets. How many times have you under watered or over watered your yard with a hose or old fashioned sprinkler? Probably too many times to count — and your yard and wallet have suffered because of it.

Under or over watering damages your lawn and other landscaping, and increases the likelihood that you will have to replace sod or plants every year. Also, when you over water, you are spending much more on water than you need to, and are wasting water. And that wasted water gets washed right down into the Chesapeake, damaging the environment.

Irrigation systems help MD homeowners to vary the amount of water used, when the water is used, and where it is used on their landscape. Adjusting for current weather and seasons, irrigations systems in MD provide the right amount of water according to the specific needs of your landscaping.

For more information on irrigation systems in suburban Maryland, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has been suburban MD’s leading licensed landscape design company. Located in Montgomery County, Maryland since 1979, the company has designed and installed irrigation systems and other landscape projects for many happy customers. Please contact East Coast Landscape Design today for a consultation on irrigation systems.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories irrigation systems, Maryland, MD

Flagstone Patios in MD: Performance in Heat and Humidity

Flagstone patios are becoming more popular in MD; they can be a beautiful and natural alternative to brick or cement patios. But how do they perform in the heat and humidity in Maryland?

Flagstones reflect the sun, and can be quite hot to walk on with bare feet. However, flagstone patios in MD can handle our state’s various climates, and they don’t expand and contract when the temperature or humidity changes.

So the good news is that – when installed correctly – flagstone patios can be extremely durable, and last for decades in the MD heat and humidity. However, installing flagstone patios in MD correctly is not really a DIY project. It’s a back-breaking and time intensive job, which requires experience with ensuring a level outcome, and an eye for fitting those stones beautifully together.

For more information about flagstone patios in MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. The East Coast Landscape Design team has over a quarter century of experience in the design, installation, and care of practical and beautiful flagstone patios, walkways, and driveways in suburban MD.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories flagstone patios, Maryland, MD

Walkway Design in Silver Spring MD: Which Materials Best Suit Your Needs?

Walkway design in Silver Spring MD is dependent on which materials you select for your walkway. When deciding on the materials, you must consider style, cost, and maintenance. Here are some good options for your walkway:

  • Stone is a great option for the walkway design at your Silver Spring MD home. Stone is durable and versatile. Depending on the stone you choose, your walkway design could be very precise or look more natural when you choose uncut stones. Stone also can make the walkway design for your Silver Spring MD home pretty affordable.
  • Brick is a safe choice, because it goes well with just about any home architecture. Brick is easily accessible, and it presents a clean looking finish. Bricks are maintenance free, and their uniform allow for precise walkway design for your Maryland home.
  • Concrete is another option for the walkway design for your Silver Spring MD home. Poured concrete is available in a variety of colors as it can be dyed, textured or tumbled to lend the appearance of natural stone. The size and shape of poured concrete is only limited by the walkway design for your Silver Spring MD home.

For more information on walkway design for your Silver Spring MD home, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. The East Coast Landscape Design team has over a quarter century of experience in the design and installation of practical and beautiful walkways and pathways. Our design philosophy incorporates walkways seamlessly into the natural landscape of your Silver Spring MD home. We work with you to select the best materials to meet your needs, and offer an assortment of low-maintenance, recycled and natural stone materials.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories Maryland, MD, walkway design

Irrigation Systems in MD: Are you Overwatering or Under watering?

During a long, hot summer irrigation systems can overwater or underwater Maryland homes. How do you know when you are overwatering or under watering? While some signs are easy – like dry crunchy brown grass – while with others like wilting plants, it’s hard to tell the difference.

Here are some signs of over or under watering:

  • Leaves turn brown and wilt: under watering will result in crispy leaves; too much water and the leaves will feel soft and limp in your hand. Overwatering will cause slow growth and yellowing leaves. If you have yellowing leaves, old leaves, and new leaves falling at the same accelerated rate, you are overwatering.
  • Soil moisture and softness: stick a finger a couple of inches down into the soil – if the soil is moist, and you have some of the conditions above, you will want to reduce your water. Another way to tell soil moisture, and whether it’s uniform throughout your property: press a long screwdriver into the ground. When the soil is moist, the screwdriver should penetrate the soil easily. The depth of penetration will vary by the soil type, size of screwdriver, and your strength. As the soil dries up, the screwdriver will be harder and harder to push into the soil.
  • Slowed in growth is a sign a plant is not receiving enough water. This can be a temporary or permanent situation. If the plant experiences a temporary decrease in water supply, the growth may just slow for a short period. If the challenge is more permanent you may see new leaf growth being smaller than normal.
  • Foot prints remain visible on the grass: walk across your lawn late in the day, and look for your footprints. If the grass blades don’t bounce back after walking on them, the grass is being under watered.

For more information on overwatering and under watering using irrigation systems in Maryland, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has been a leading licensed landscape design company in Maryland. Located in Montgomery County, Maryland since 1979, the company has designed and installed irrigation systems and other landscape projects. Please contact East Coast Landscape Design today for a consultation on irrigation systems in suburban Maryland.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories irrigation systems, Maryland, MD

Creating More Privacy for Flagstone Patios in MD

Flagstone patios are a popular with MD homeowners – but how can you make your flagstone patio feel more private? The solution is to use a combination of hardscape and landscape design techniques. Here’s how:

  • Plant hedges and ornamental grasses that grow lush and tall around your flagstone patio
  • Install a privacy fence around your flagstone patio
  • Add some latticework to your flagstone patio
  • Obscure the view by creating a curved pathway leading to your flagstone patio
  • Build a simple pergola and plant climbing vines around your flagstone patio
  • Create a wall of planters
  • Add a canopy over the flagstone patio
  • Build retaining walls to enclose your flagstone patio

Need more ideas about creating more privacy for flagstone patios in MD? Please contact East Coast Landscape Design. The East Coast Landscape Design team has over a quarter century of experience in the design, installation, and care of beautifully private flagstone patios in MD.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories flagstone patios, Maryland, MD

Maryland Landscaping Water Features: Cleaning Water Fountains

Maryland water features, like water fountains, need to be cleaned to enhance the appearance of any fountain and keep fountain waters sparkling. Water fountains come in many different materials, which require different cleaning solutions. Here are some tips:

  • Ceramic fountains may be cleaned with warm soapy water and a cloth or sponge, and a thorough rinse. Slime or mineral deposits may require a light scrubbing with a non-abrasive pad.
  • Resin and fiberglass fountains require careful cleaning, because they scratch easily. Use a soft cloth and warm soapy water or with special fiberglass cleaning products.
  • Copper fountains have a protective powder coast or clear finish coat to retard tarnish/greening; others are natural copper. Clean copper fountains with Pledge or another good quality furniture cleaner and a soft cloth. Apply a light coat of car wax/turtle wax and buff every few months to maintain the gleam. Never use a strong commercial copper cleaner on natural or powder copper fountains. Copper cleaners actually damage copper finishes by removing the coating and natural patina.
  • Stainless steel fountains should be cleaned with a wet or dry cloth and stainless steel cleaner. Never use abrasive cleaners or pads that scratch the shiny surface. Avoid bleaches and chemicals that discolor or damage the finish.
  • Always follow explicit manufacturer’s recommendations on how to clean a fountain.

Installing a water feature, like a fountain, can add so much to a Maryland landscape. Adding a water feature to your Maryland yard, large or small, is easier than you think. For more information on Maryland water features, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. The East Coast Landscape Design team utilizes 3 decades of experience along with safety- tested protocols to create natural water features in various types of Maryland landscapes.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories landscaping, Maryland, water features