Your yard may become muddy on a regular basis if you live in a wet location. Keep in mind that you cannot ignore your yard and expect it to remain lovely and green on its own. You must get your hands muddy once in a while if you want a lush green yard that boosts the curb appeal of your property. Do you want to know how to fix a soggy, muddy Silver Spring MD yard? If that’s the case, as industry experts, we can help. Continue reading to find out how to repair a messed-up yard.

How to Fix a Soggy, Muddy Silver Spring MD Yard?

You may clean up your muddy yard in a variety of ways. Some of the more basic and effective techniques are provided here.

Install a French Drain in Your Yard

This is one of the most basic ways to clean up a muddy yard. A French drain is a ditch filled with stones and gravel. It will also include a perforated pipe with holes on the bottom to help drain water from your yard to a distant place so that your grass does not look muddy and messy.

Make Sure Your Drainage System is Faultless

Until there is significant rain, everyone believes that their drainage system is faultless. A clogged drainage system is usually the most apparent cause of a muddy yard. So, make sure that any water in your yard drains completely into a separate drain pipe.

Use Lawn Gravel

Lawn gravel is an excellent alternative for rebuilding a muddy, wet yard. Simply scatter grass gravel on your lawn to improve drainage and protect it from getting wet or dirty.

Dethatch Your Yard

When it’s not raining, a thatch isn’t a huge problem because it will dry off quickly. However, when it rains, a thatch prevents water from draining and causes flooding in your yard. Simply dethatch your grass to avoid this problem. Mechanical equipment may be used for dethatching.

Use Lime to Dry Up Your Soggy Yard

A tried-and-true method for drying up a muddy yard is to spread lime over it. When lime is added, it begins to react with the moist mud and quickly dries it. There are several lime types available on the market. Hydrated lime, commonly available, is the most outstanding alternative for fast drying off your dirty-looking lawn.

To summarize, repairing a muddy lawn is a simple operation that you can complete on your own, provided you have the appropriate knowledge. If you are experiencing trouble or do not have the time, please get in touch with East Coast Landscape Design. To contact us, simply fill out the contact form on our website, and a trained specialist will contact you as soon as possible.

After big storms, homeowners in Gaithersburg, MD, ask, “When do I need a retaining wall?” In several situations, a wall can give you peace of mind and increase your usable living space. Deciding when a wall will help your situation is a job for an expert, like the Senior Geotechnical Engineer we have on staff here at East Coast Landscape Design.

Here are 5 situations that are often improved with a retaining wall.

• When you live at the bottom of a hill. If the slope above you is steep, you might be in the path of slicing soil after a big storm. A retaining wall can reduce worries about major damage to your house and provide more functional living space outdoors.
• If your front yard or back yard is a hill. It’s hard to use your property for socializing and relaxing, for gardening and for playing if it’s all uphill or downhill. When you install a series of retaining walls, it creates terraces that are easy to use. You expand your usable space, which makes your home more attractive to homebuyers. In this case, a retaining wall often pays for itself by increasing the value of your property.
• You are worried about the effects of runoff and erosion. A retaining wall holds back soil and stabilizes the area. Erosion is reduced and your yard looks far more attractive. You also have more land to enjoy and use for gardening and relaxing.
• Soil fault lines. If your home is in the path of a soil fault line, a retaining wall can reduce the chance of damage to your home after a major storm.
• Unstable soil close to your home’s foundation. After a big storm, you don’t want soil sliding into your foundation, which can cause problems with the structural integrity of your house. A wall can minimize or prevent damage.

If you’re wondering do I need a retaining wall in Gaithersburg, MD, to fix a major problem in your yard, you need to know first that it isn’t a do-it-yourself project you can handle in a weekend. It requires precise design, careful engineering and professional installation. That’s the only way you can be sure it will actually fix your exact problem and that it will last for years to come.

That’s why we rely on the skill and expertise of our Senior Geotechnical Engineer. He has years of hands-on experience with local soil and weather conditions. He works closely with the other professionals at East Coast to create a retaining wall that has both beauty and functionality. We do it all—design, excavating, grading, slope stabilization and erosion control.

Call East Coast Landscape Design today to find out when do I need a retaining wall in Gaithersburg, MD.

Are you dealing with basement flooding in your Bethesda, MD home? We sure hope not – that’s one of the worst, most problematic things that could happen to your home. The reality is that few things are more destructive than water, and the damage even moderate basement flooding in your Bethesda, MD home can be catastrophic, with damages running into the thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars.

Before we can fix it though, we’ve got to understand what the underlying problem is. Where basement flooding in your Bethesda, MD home is concerned, there are two possibilities. The first and most obvious is a busted pipe. Easy to spot, and easy to fix, although the cleanup will still take some time. Still, if this is the issue, count yourself lucky. It can be (fairly) quickly resolved.

The other possibility is a drainage issue, or to be more specific, the lack of drainage around your home.

If your house was built on a low-lying area of your property, then it’s almost certain to have drainage issues, which the builders should have been aware of before they started building. What should have happened is that during the early stages of construction, they should have installed a French drain, which would have diverted water safely away from your house.

They may have done that, but in the intervening years, something could have happened to the drain to clog or damage it to the point that it’s no longer doing its job. If that’s the case, the problem is bad, but not as bad as it could be. We just find the problem with the drain, fix it, waterproof your basement, then fix the damage in your basement and you’re all set.

The worst case scenario is that, for whatever reason, no drain was ever installed. In that case, the problem is still fixable, but it’s a much larger project. We’ll need to do some serious excavation, exposing your entire foundation. This will enable us to install a French drain retroactively, waterproof your basement, then move to the interior to attend to the damages there.

The first thing we’ll do, of course, is come out and assess your situation so we can get a handle on the root cause of the flooding. Once we know that, we’ll give you a no-obligation estimate so you’ll know exactly what it will take to fix the problem once and for all. Then, assuming you’re comfortable with our estimate, we’ll get to work, and before you know it, the issue will be solved and you’ll have one less thing to worry about and tremendous peace of mind.

Problems like these are never fun to deal with, but you don’t have to go it alone. Call us today. We’ll be there when you need us.

Outdoor living spaces are evolving from simple areas with a few chairs and a grill. Now property owners can add an array of features and amenities. Along with customized seating and decorative built-in planters, fire pits are becoming popular additions on Silver Springs, MD properties. A fire pit can provide warmth on cool evenings and create an inviting place for family and friends to gather. The size and design of a fire pit can also vary, making it easy for property owners to find one that is perfect for them.

Since 1979, Mark Simpson and his team at East Coast Landscape Design have been helping their clients realize their dreams for their properties. Their three decades of experience has made them uniquely qualified to take on any landscaping project, including the design and construction of fire pits on Silver Springs, MD properties. They will work closely with their clients to ensure that the finished project meets and exceeds their expectations. It is this commitment to their customers’ complete satisfaction that has made them one of the premier licensed landscaping companies in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

When clients are interested in adding fire pits to their Silver Springs, MD properties, the professionals at East Coast Landscape Design know the right questions to ask. They know that their customers’ view their properties as investments. They will take the time to ensure that the fire pit is not only functional, but also adds beauty and value to the property. Some of the design options East Coast Landscape Design offers to their clients include,

• Type of fuel burned.
• Size and location
• Materials used
• Added features

East Coast Landscape Design is proud to be able to offer their clients the choice of wood, gas or duel fuel burning fire pits on their Silver Springs, MD properties. The size of the fire pit can also vary, depending on location. The licensed landscaping contractor will carefully evaluate the property to ensure that the fire pit not only fits the location, but that it also meets all safety requirements. The safety and satisfaction of their customers is important, and this has helped them earn the trust and respect of their clients. East Coast Landscape Design can also incorporate a variety of features into the final design of the fire pit, depending on the client’s needs.

There is only one goal at East Coast Landscape Design, to create functional and beautiful outdoor spaces that their clients will enjoy for years. They believe that any new structures should complement the existing environment, and will use natural materials whenever possible. When it is time to add a fire pit to a property, trust the experts at East Coast Landscape Design.

Outdoor living spaces are no longer simple areas with a few chairs and possibly a grill. Now these areas can come with an amazing array of features and amenities. Customized seating and decorative planters are popular options, along with fire pits on Columbia, MD properties. A skillfully designed and installed fire pit can provide warmth on cool evenings and create an inviting place for family and friends to gather. Since the size and design of a fire pit can also vary, it’s easy for clients to find one that is perfect for their property and their budgets.

When clients are interested in having fire pits built on their Columbia, MD properties, the staff at East Coast Landscape Design knows the right questions to ask. They realize that their customers’ view their properties as investments. This is one of the reasons they take the time to ensure that the fire pit is functional, and adds value to the property. Some of the design options East Coast Landscape Design offers to their clients include,

• Type of fuel burned
• Size and location
• Materials used
• Additional features and amenities

East Coast Landscape Design has over thirty years of experience, and this makes them well qualified to design and construct fire pits for their Columbia, MD clients. Their vast knowledge allows them the opportunity to offer their clients the choice of wood, gas or duel fuel burning fire pits. The landscaping contractor is licensed and will carefully evaluate the property to ensure that the fire pit fits the suggested location, and meets all safety requirements. East Coast Landscape Design can also incorporate a variety of features into the final design of the fire pit, depending on the needs of the client.

Since 1979, Mark Simpson and his team at East Coast Landscape Design have been helping their clients turn their dreams for their properties into reality. Their vast years of experience ensures that they can take on any landscaping project, including the design and construction of fire pits on Columbia, MD properties. East Coast Landscape Design will work closely with their clients to ensure that the finished project meets and exceeds their dreams for the property. It is this commitment to their customers’ complete satisfaction that has made them one of the premier licensed landscaping companies in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

There is only one goal at East Coast Landscape Design, to create and install functional and beautiful outdoor spaces that can be enjoyed for years. They firmly believe that any additions on the property should complement the existing environment, and they strive to use natural materials whenever possible. With their record of excellence, property owners know that they can depend on East Coast Landscape Design.

You may have heard that Tall Fescue is the best cool-season turf grass for landscaping in Rockville, MD. Cool-season turf grasses have their maximum growth during cool spring and fall weather, and may become semi-dormant during hot and/or dry periods of summer.

What makes Tall Fescue grass the better than other cool-season grasses? In general, Tall Fescue grass requires less maintenance (mowing, fertilizer, and watering) and is more environmentally-friendly than other cool-season grasses used in landscaping in Rockville, MD. (Please note that each fescue grass variety will require it’s own maintenance schedule, according to the variety that is used, and the conditions under which the grass is grown.)

Watering Tall Fescue Grass
During most of the year, Tall Fescue needs 1 to 1 1⁄4 inches of water every week (and it’s better to spread this out, and not provide all of that water at one time.) Using a screwdriver, you’ll want to check that you are watering enough so that the soil is wet to to a depth of 4 to 6 inches.

How you water will depend on your soil type. Sandy soils require more frequent watering (about 1⁄2 inch of water every third day). Clay soils accept water slowly; therefore you just want to water until runoff occurs, wait until the water has been absorbed, and begin watering again. Continue until the desired depth or amount is applied. Proper irrigation may prevent or reduce problems later in the summer. Watering between 2 and 8 a.m. decreases the incidence of certain diseases.

In the summer, either water as needed to prevent drought stress or allow the lawn to go dormant. Dormant lawns must be watered once every 3 weeks during a drought. A dark bluish-gray color and wilted, folded, or curled leaves indicate that it is time to water.

Aeration of Tall Fescue
Tall Fescue should be aerated in the fall, but usually does not require thatch removal. This is especially important if you have clay soil.

Overseeding Tall Fescue
Tall fescue should be overseeded as needed in the fall or spring for thicker sod formation and to repair thinning areas. (If aerating, aerate first, then put down seed.) Heat stress, insect damage, diseases, or other factors play a role in the lawn becoming thinner over the course of the year.

Mowing Tall Fescue
From March – May, you will want to mow to 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches. From June – August, you will need to mow to 3 ½ inches, before the grass gets taller than 5 inches. September – November, mow to 2 ½ – 3 inches, and remove leaves and other debris. December – February, mow to 3 inches, and remove leaves and other debris.

For more information about Tall Fescue for your landscaping in Rockville, MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has designed and installed beautiful landscape and hardscape projects around Rockville, MD, and surrounding communities.

You might have heard that home landscaping can improve your home’s value, and can even be fun, but maybe you have been afraid to try it because you don’t have the skills to do home landscaping. The most crucial part of landscape design is understanding the proper techniques. With some pointers, you could quickly make a Silver Spring MD landscape that you are proud of.

Try to use native plants when landscaping in Silver Spring MD. This involves incorporating flowers, trees, and bushes that are local. Native plants have the best chance of surviving in the toughest of weather conditions.

Before you begin your landscaping work, be sure to plan your goals and assess your budget. This will ensure that you have a solid plan in place so that you do not run out of materials before the job is completed. It will also give you a better idea of your design needs.

Make sure you plan thoroughly before you begin landscaping. It is a great idea to sketch out your landscaping design when it’s still a plan, so you can get a good mental idea of what it is going to look like. Make notes of the plants, flowers, shrubs, etc. that you plan on using to improve your landscape.

A great landscaping tip is to make use of the available spaces that you have. One particular helpful tip is to place bushes in areas where outside noise is a problem as the bushes will help drown out any unwanted sounds. Just make sure that you plan out your spacing carefully.

Now that you’ve learned more about Silver Spring MD home landscaping, hopefully, it doesn’t seem so complicated. If you ever do feel stuck – just give East Coast Landscape Design a call When your neighbors ask who did your landscaping, you’ll be able to proudly tell them that you did yourself (with a little help from East Coast Landscape Design).