Trends in Maryland Outdoor Dream Kitchens

Replacing your deck or patio? Now may be the time create your Maryland outdoor dream kitchen. In a good number of upscale Maryland homes, a simple grill just doesn’t cut it anymore. For some Marylanders, outdoor kitchens have moved from “nice to have” to “must have” status.

Here are the latest trends in Maryland outdoor dream kitchens:

  • Huge or “Man-Size” Grill – 4 or more burners with side burners
  • Pizza Oven – gas, electric, or wood burning
  • Refrigerator Pub – a fridge with a beer tap and other dispensers
  • Fireplace – for year round backyard family time and entertaining
  • Dining Space – a lux or cozy space to enjoy family and friends
  • Sink — a deep sink is much appreciated when you are cleaning grill equipment
  • Counter space – for easy food prep, with added barstools, and you have an eating space
  • Cabinet space – deep enough for storage, close to food prep and cooking
  • Roasting Spit – cooking for large groups is easier and tastier with a spit
  • Premium Finishes – for patio floors, counters, fireplace hearths, tables and benches
  • Wine Bar – adapted to the temperature changes with a Maryland outdoor kitchen
  • Built-in Wok – keeps your indoor kitchen cool, and adds variety to outdoor cooking
  • Herb Garden – wash and chop fresh herbs within seconds of picking them
  • Smoker – built-in or portable

For more information on Maryland outdoor kitchens, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. East Coast Landscape Design specializes in custom design and precision construction of extraordinary Maryland outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, and fire pits, with beautiful patios and stonework. We pride ourselves in attention to detail in the quality and precision craftsmanship we provide, adding not only beauty but immeasurable value to your home.

 

Maryland Homes Need Erosion Control

Did you know that 90% of the rain that falls in Maryland finds its way into the Bay? That means that the rainwater from your yard can carry fertilizers and toxic chemicals into the Bay. Just like the rain, soil from Maryland yards with poor erosion control makes its way into local streams and creates a toxic sludge that kills off local fish and wildlife.

Here are the signs in Maryland of poor erosion control:

  • Bare spots on your lawn or property
  • Exposed tree roots
  • Small rills (a narrow and shallow incision into topsoil layers) or gullies on slopes
  • Soil splashes on your windows and outside walls
  • Sediment that collects in low areas or on pavement
  • Sediment running down a driveway

Trees, shrubs and ground cover should be planted as a buffer around your yard and in bare areas to soak up nutrients, to reduce run-off, and reduce soil erosion. Other techniques, including drainage pipes and erosion blankets will help Maryland homes with erosion control.

For more information on Maryland yards that need erosion control, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. Our Senior Geotechnical Engineer specializes in drainage and erosion control engineering in Maryland. From appropriate worksite conditions to properly manicured and groomed final grade, East Coast Landscape Design installs confidence with every job. Please contact East Coast Landscape Design today for your Maryland erosion control evaluation.

Potomac Maryland Outdoor Fireplaces

Outdoor fireplaces make wonderful additions to patios in Potomac, MD. For most of the year, outdoor fireplaces allow Potomac, MD families to enjoy a “staycation” right outside their back door. Outdoor fireplaces not only add warmth to patios, they also lend a sense of that area being an outdoor great room.  Outdoor fireplaces inspire socializing among friends, and foster those sweet and deep conversations that keep families close in Potomac, MD.

With new top-tier new construction in Potomac MD, beautiful outdoor living spaces are automatically included, along with home theaters, gyms, and playrooms. On some patios, outdoor fireplaces share a chimney with indoor fireplaces.  So homeowners without these features out back are going to have to add them.

The good news is that outdoor fireplaces do add to the resale value for older homes in Potomac, MD. More and more, backyard appeal is as important as curb appeal in selling a home. Standards have been pushed higher than ever these days; a dining table with an umbrella on the patio and a few chairs on the lawn no longer make the grade – especially in Potomac, MD.

For more information about outdoor fireplaces in Potomac, MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. At East Coast Landscape Design, we build outdoor fireplace solutions for any landscape. Rest assured that the experts at East Coast Landscape Design will create a custom-made outdoor fireplace that is perfect for your Potomac, MD home.

Outdoor Lighting Adds Security to Your Montgomery County, MD Home

It’s true — a barking dog and an electronic security system may stop someone once they get into your home. But what can you do to stop the bad guys even before they hit your doors and windows? Get outdoor lighting for your Montgomery County, MD home.

Of course, you’ll still want to have outdoor lighting by the doors of your Montgomery County, MD home. Most burglaries occur by entering through a door. No burglar wants a light shining down on him as he breaks in.

Outdoor lighting can be integrated as a part of your landscaping in the front yard of your home, and will add beauty and elegance, and security to your Montgomery County, MD home. When the attention is drawn to your home with gorgeous outdoor lighting, burglars realize that they can’t approach your home without the possibility of someone seeing them, and just move on.

However, if you have a big back and side yards, you will also want to add motion detector lights to your outdoor lighting. These can be set to go off only when something really is in your yard, and not just when a neighbor walks their dog by your house.  Some motion lights can be set to go off with alarms.

For more information on gorgeous outdoor lighting for your Montgomery, MD home that will help keep your family secure, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. East Coast Landscape Design will provide everything to complete your outdoor lighting project, from engineering design to wire and fixtures. We only use the highest quality lighting manufacturers that use brass, copper, stainless steel and aircraft-quality aluminum designed to last a lifetime. Let one of our East Coast Landscape Design specialists show you how a well-designed outdoor lighting system can add to the beauty and safety of your home.

Steps to Take When Hiring Patio Contractors in Maryland

As you consider your new patio, it’s important that you hire someone from a group of qualified patio contractors doing business in Maryland.  Here are steps you can take to make sure you are hiring the best patio contractor for the job.

  1. Check the patio contractors’ license. A legitimate local patio contractor will be licensed to work in Maryland.
  2. Check the patio contractors’ proof of insurance to protect yourself against liability for any damage that occurs as a result of the work.
  3. Seek recommendations for patio contractors from Maryland friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
  4. Look for patio contractors that have been in business locally for a long time.
  5. Read online reviews.
  6. Get names and contact info for your patio contractor’s previous clients, and call them. Ask about any problems and how the patio contractor handled things.
  7. Get consistent bids based on the same scope of work from the patio contractors, and get them in writing, with details.
  8. Go with your gut. If after all of these steps, something tells you that this isn’t the patio contractor for your Maryland home, don’t move forward. The most important criteria when hiring a contractor is choosing someone you trust.

Please be careful when hiring patio contractors for your Maryland home. You need a trustworthy patio contractor that is licensed to work in Maryland, and has been in business for years. The experts at East Coast Landscape Design have satisfied Maryland customers for over 30 years. Please contact East Coast Landscape Design today.

Irrigation Systems: Important to Landscape Health in Gaithersburg, MD

Irrigation systems can be very important in keeping landscapes healthy in Gaithersburg, MD. If you are tired of a lifeless looking landscape, or the hassle of watering your Gaithersburg, MD lawn yourself, a good automatic irrigation system is the solution.

Consider these benefits:

  • Maintaining a beautifully healthy landscape all season long, with your irrigation system delivering the right amount of water according to the specific needs of your landscape. Plus, irrigation systems can be adjusted to accommodate seasonal changes in Gaithersburg, MD.
  • Conserving water – irrigation systems that are properly installed and maintained will use less water than watering by hand.
  • Save time – automatic irrigation systems will do all the watering for you, no work required on your part.
  • Save Money – since irrigation systems conserve water and keep your plants healthy, your Gaithersburg, MD water bills will be lower, and you won’t have to replace your plants due to over/under watering.

For more information on irrigation systems in Gaithersburg, MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has been Gaithersburg, 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. Please contact East Coast Landscape Design today for a consultation on irrigation systems in Gaithersburg, MD.

Don’t Forget the Driveway Design for Your Maryland Home

Driveway design is often an afterthought for homeowners in Maryland when building a new home or designing a landscape. However, the driveway occupies an important place in overall home and property design in Maryland. When planning your driveway, there are several things to consider.

Budget: In driveway design, it’s important to keep in mind initial costs and ongoing maintenance costs. For instance, gravel is the least expensive to begin with, but costs a lot to continually upkeep. While pavers are more expensive in the beginning, they end up costing very little to maintain for Maryland homes.

Curb Appeal: Driveway design can make a big impression on the look of your Maryland house. Certain materials complement certain architectural styles more than others.  A home that may look great with a driveway designed with pavers, but may look out of place with a gravel driveway.

Climate: Driveway design must take the Maryland climate into consideration. Some driveway materials may not be appropriate for the Maryland climate. Snow, humidity, rainfall and temperature changes are all factors that ought to influence your final decision.

Maintenance: Driveway design must take maintenance requirements into account. How often will the driveway need minor and major work, and is this something the Maryland homeowner can handle or are experts needed to maintain the driveway?

Durability: How long do you expect the driveway to last at your Maryland home? What kind of traffic will your driveway be getting?  Driveway durability not only depends on materials, you also need to take into consideration what kind of vehicles will use the driveway. You also need to understand what kind of maintenance is required to maximize lifespan of your driveway at your Maryland home.

Got questions about driveway design for your Maryland home? Please contact East Coast Landscape Design. We’ve been the driveway design experts in Maryland for 30 years, and we are happy discuss your driveway design options with you.

Arbor Day – Add a Tree (or Two or Three) to Your Landscaping in Bethesda, MD

Whether your plant a tree on Arbor Day – or select another beautiful day – you won’t regret adding a gorgeous tree (or two or three) to your landscaping in Landscaping in Bethesda, MD.

Trees Add Beauty and More
Besides adding to the beauty to your landscaping in Bethesda, MD, a tree also adds value to your home, filters pollutants, and adds clean oxygen.  Trees regulate the air temperature around them, through the evaporation of the water in leaves, and provide homes for song birds and other woodland creatures.

Shade trees can offer a comfortable and cool place to sit or play, and can part of a passive solar heating  and cooling plan. Deciduous trees help shade the yard and house during the hot summer months, and let the warm sunlight through when they lose their beautiful leaves in the fall and winter.  And who can beat the calming sound of the wind rustling through the trees?

Trees Help Mental and Physical Health
Speaking of a calming influence of trees, a recent study found that children who view nature from their window feel more patient and less frustrated about tasks. These children also have more enthusiasm for their school work, and feel more satisfaction with life.  A different study from the International Society of Arboriculture revealed that hospital patients recover faster when their room has a tree view.  Surgery patients who can see nature from their hospital rooms recover 10% faster and need less pain medicine than those patients who view brick walls.

Want to explore adding a tree (or two or three) to your landscaping in Bethesda, MD?  Please contact East Coast Landscape Design. Whether you want to create a sophisticated backyard landscape, a peaceful outdoor room, an English rose garden, or you want to update your existing landscaping in Bethesda, MD, the trained professional landscapers of the East Coast Landscape Design team and owner, Mark Simpson, are here to make your dreams a reality.

Five Things to Do This Spring for Water Features in Silver Spring, MD

Spring time maintenance for water features in Silver Spring, MD is not just about removing the winter weather protection, and turning on the pump. While spring time maintenance for water features in Silver Spring, MD doesn’t require a great deal of time or energy to complete, there still are some things you’re going to need to do.

  1. Remove the netting or and other mechanical devices used to protect the feature for the winter.
  2. Clean all around the feature; if you need to clean the entire pond because of a bad winter remember to remove the fish from the water before draining. Clean the entire feature with clean water and refill and replace the fish to their new home.
  3. If you have fish, start feeding them again. Do your fish look healthy? Now is the time to fix any problems or disease your fish have.
  4. Check your plants; replace plants that didn’t survive, and divide some of your plants if they have gotten too large for the area. Don’t fertilize your plants at this time; wait until after flowering.
  5. Place the filter and pumps back into place and fill the feature with the recommended amount of water and start the pump.

For more information on water feature maintenance in Silver Spring, MD – or to add water feature of your own in Silver Spring, MD – 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 landscape in Silver Spring, and throughout Maryland.

Four Things to Consider About Retaining Walls in Rockville, MD

Retaining walls hold back soil when there is a difference in earth elevation. Many retaining walls in Rockville, MD are used to terrace yards with steep slopes, to help create usable outdoor space, and to control erosion. Low retaining walls are mostly used as planting beds and can add interest to an otherwise flat yard.

It’s important to have a basic understanding of what goes into proper retaining wall design before you hire someone to build a landscape retaining wall on your property.  Here are four things to consider:

  1. Base: a retaining wall must be built on a suitable base, set below ground level. The taller a wall is, the further below ground level it should be set. In order to support the rest of the wall, a good base should consist of compacted soil and at least a six inch layer of compacted sand and gravel.
  2. Backfill: a retaining wall must have properly compacted backfill dirt behind the wall. There should be at least 12 inches of granular backfill (gravel or a similar aggregate) installed directly behind the wall in order to provide proper drainage. Compacted native soil can be used to backfill the rest of the space behind the wall. If you intend to do landscaping behind the wall, a 6+ inch layer of native soil should also be placed over the gravel fill.
  3. Drainage: efficient drainage is important, since water can’t pass through most retaining walls. Drainage problems can cause bulging or cracking in your retaining wall. How to ensure proper drainage of water from behind a retaining wall? You can require that your landscaping contractor backfills at least a foot of space behind the wall with gravel. You can also have a perforated pipe installed along the inside, or backfilled, bottom of the wall. Be sure to ask your landscaping contractor if weep holes will be needed to allow water to drain through the wall.
  4. Height: the height of a retaining wall determines the load it can bear and how much extra reinforcement will be necessary. Residential retaining walls are usually built between 3 and 4 feet high, because that height provides excellent strength without requiring additional reinforcements.

For more information on retaining walls in Rockville, MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design, the Washington D.C. area’s leading licensed landscape design company. Located in Montgomery County, Maryland since 1979, the company, under the leadership of President Mark Simpson, has designed and installed landscape projects, including patios, outdoor kitchens, driveways, and retaining walls.