Make the Most Out Of Your Landscape Design in Bethesda MD

When you think of your dream home – doesn’t it always include beautiful landscaping? Here are some ways to make the most of your landscape design in Bethesda MD.

  • Don’t settle for a cheap patio or a deck or deck design. These are two cases where you get what you pay for. It’s definitely worth it to pay a professional designer to help you create the kind of space and design you will use and enjoy throughout different seasons.
  • Always go for quality over cheap products. It is easy to find products in many home improvement stores that are reduced cost but low quality. Shop at specialty stores to find the best equipment and advice from qualified professionals. Paying extra money will be worth it due to the fact that you’ll get better products as well as great advice.
  • Be wary of how new plants and trees will affect your home. There are a lot of things to consider such as pipes, gutters, and roofing materials that you have to worry about whenever you are landscaping. Make sure you are prepared to deal with these things – now, and in the future.
  • Regular maintenance is the easiest way to keep your landscaping looking great. Trim your bushes and hedges regularly. If you trim a hedge, or a bush when it is just starting to become over grown, it will be a quick and easy process. If you wait until the bush is completely over grown, you can expect the project to take all day.
  • When planning a landscaping project for your house, consider breaking your entire project down into much smaller jobs. This is important if you are not able to afford the entire project at one time. Doing so will let you tackle your project bit by bit, and not have your yard look like a mess in the meantime.

For more information on landscape design in Bethesda MD, please contact the expert landscapers at East Coast Landscape Design. We understand that a professionally designed, properly installed and maintained landscape adds beauty and function to your home. It also adds immense value and curb appeal to your Bethesda MD home.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories Bethesda MD, landscape design

Landscaping in Bethesda MD: Trees You Should Avoid

They may look beautiful and provide a lot of shade, but there are certain trees that you should avoid in the landscaping of your Bethesda MD home. These are:

  • Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) – these trees have weak, brittle wood, that may break during bog storms. Their roots are shallow and invade sewage and sprinkler pipes. They are also known for cracking driveways and walkways.
  • Ash (Fraxinus) – These are sturdy and tough trees; unfortunately, they won’t be around long term. They are vulnerable to the emerald ash borer, and that little beetle is going to be wiping out this species of trees. So, if you’re looking for a long-term tree for the landscaping at your Bethesda MD home, you should look elsewhere.
  • Hybrid Poplars (Populus) – These grow fast and look good, but don’t last long-term. These Poplars are susceptible to diseases, and most won’t last more than 15 years.
  • Willow (Salix) – Beautiful but have water-hungry root systems that invade and clog drain fields, sewer lines, and irrigation pipes. The wood is weak and prone to cracking, and the tree is relatively short-lived, lasting only about 30 years.
  • Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana) – These became a suburban favorite, until everyone realized that they are highly prone to splitting and cracking when it reached maturity.
  • Mountain cedar (Juniperus ashei) – For anyone that is allergy prone, these trees release massive amounts of pollen in the late winter, and can cause severe reactions.
  • Black walnut (Juglans nigra) – These trees produce a significant amount of pollen and nuts you will have to clean up in the fall. Worst of all, these trees secrete growth-inhibiting toxins that kill nearby plants, wreaking havoc on flower beds and vegetable gardens.

For more information on trees you should avoid in the landscaping of your Bethesda MD home, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. Successful landscaping begins with a solid design that includes a balanced choice of plants, shrubs, and trees for your Bethesda MD property. Every East Coast landscaping installation is completed with the utmost care and attention that you expect from a professional landscape company like East Coast Landscape Design.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories Bethesda MD, landscaping

Landscaping Companies in Silver Spring MD: Know Who You Are Hiring

How do you know which of the landscaping companies in Silver Spring MD do the best work and are reliable? And which of the landscaping companies in Silver Spring MD have great customer service?

Quite frankly, there are some landscaping companies that do business in Silver Spring MD that aren’t licensed and certified. They have bad reputations, and change their names frequently. Here are some ways to determine which of the landscaping companies in Silver Spring MD you should hire.

  • Licensing – Do they have the proper licenses from the State of MD, such as a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) License
  • Certifications – Have they gone through training and obtained certifications to complete the work you need?
  • Years in business – Just started last year? The year before? Have they gone through name changes?
  • Professional associations – Legitimate landscaping companies in Silver Spring MD participate in professional associations that share information and support best practices in their industry.
  • Reputation – Recommendations from experts and other consumers, online and off. Remember to ask friends and neighbors who they use, and ask for client referrals.

East Coast Landscape Design is one of a very few landscaping companies in Silver Spring MD that meets and exceeds these requirements. They are licensed through the Maryland Home Improvement Commission, are certified interlocking paver installers, certified landscape technicians, and certified pond installers. The folks at East Coast Landscape Design have created amazing beauty in yards and properties dotting the Washington, DC area for over 25 years, and are members of the Landscape Contractors Association. East Coast Landscape Design has a Better Business Bureau A+ Rating, is a Recommended Landscape Contractor from the “Washington Checkbook,” and has received the Angie’s List Super Service Award. For more information on landscaping companies in Silver Spring MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories landscaping companies, Silver Spring MD

Patios in North Potomac MD: Pros and Cons of Natural Gas Fire Pits

Natural gas fire pits are becoming a popular choice for patios in North Potomac MD – and for good reason. When done well, natural gas fire pits are beautiful, convenient, and safe – and can be turned on with a key or a flip of a switch.
Here are some pros and cons to help you decide if a natural gas fireplace is the right good choice for you.
Pros:

  • Lights easily
  • No smoke
  • No sparks or embers
  • No ash to clean up
  • Provides ambiance
  • No hauling wood
  • No ash to clean up

Cons:

  • Requires a gas line to be run to the pit (which is more complicated for an existing patio)
  • Not ideal for cooking or roasting
  • Provides less warmth as wood
  • No homey fire scent
  • Fire rings may clog

For more information on natural gas fire pits for patios in North Potomac MD, please contact the experts at East Coast Landscape Design. The East Coast Landscape Design team has over a quarter century of experience in the design, installation, and care of patios in North Potomac MD.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories North Potomac MD, patios

Outdoor lighting in Silver Spring MD: LED VS Halogen

Which is better for outdoor lighting in Silver Spring MD – LED or Halogen?

When done well, both high quality low voltage LED and Halogen lights produce fabulous results in outdoor lighting for homes in Silver Spring MD.

LED lights have some distinct advantages over Halogen for outdoor lighting in Silver Spring MD. LED lights are more energy efficient and last years longer than Halogen lights. For instance, if you are placing a bulb in a hard to reach area, you want to use an LED bulb, so you don’t have to replace it as often.

The initial cost of Halogen bulbs is much less than LEDs. An LED bulb can cost 5-6 times more than a Halogen bulb, and that will be a significant difference in the initial cost of your outdoor lighting in Silver Spring MD. However, unless you have purchased fixtures that are made to take the heat given off from Halogen bulbs, there can be cracking and discoloration of the fixtures.

For more information on outdoor lighting in Silver Spring MD, call the experts at 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 Silver Spring MD home.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories outdoor lighing, Silver Spring MD

Spring Tune-Ups of Irrigation Systems in Silver Spring MD

Spring tune-ups of irrigation systems in Silver Spring MD prolong the life of irrigation systems in Silver Spring Maryland and save water, time, and money. Performing a tune-up on irrigation systems in Solver Spring MD are not really a DIY project. There are multiple tasks to undertake – however, if you’re not an expert, a mistake could cost you.

The following steps should be included in a spring tune-up of your irrigation system:

  1. Open the system main water valve slowly to allow pipes to fill with water gradually. (Valves opened under too much pressure could cause sprinkler mainlines to crack.)
  2. Confirm that each station valve is working by manually activating all zones from the controller.
  3. Walk through each station on the controller, checking for proper operation of the zone. Check operating pressure, proper rotation, and ensure sprinkler heads provide adequate watering coverage.
  4. Check and clean filters on poorly performing sprinklers; fix or replace parts as needed. Adjust heads to grade if necessary.
  5. Reprogram the controller for automatic watering.
  6. Replace the controller back-up battery if necessary.
  7. Uncover and clean the system weather sensor, if applicable.

For more information, please contact East Coast Landscape Design, the irrigation systems experts in Silver Spring MD. These qualified professionals understand hydraulic pressure, sprinkler system layout, soil concerns, and the watering requirements of your home’s landscape.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories irrigation systems, Silver Spring 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

Not All Landscaping Companies Offer French Drains in Rockville MD

You may have heard that a “French drain” can prevent ground and surface water from penetrating or damaging your home’s foundation. You should be aware that not all landscaping companies offer French drains; and depending on where you live in Maryland, a permit must be obtained by a licensed contractor like East Coast Landscape Design, before digging begins.

A French drain is a trench that is filled with gravel or rock or containing a perforated pipe that redirects surface water and groundwater away from an area. (Sometimes, a lightweight gravel substitute is used to wrap around the perforated corrugated pipe and covered with filter fabric.)

Landscaping companies in Rockville MD install French drains around a home foundation in two different ways: installed underneath the basement floor on the inside perimeter of the basement, or buried around the foundation wall on the external side of the foundation. French drains are also used to relieve ground water pressure behind retaining walls in your landscape.

For more information on French drains and other ways to manage drainage and erosion, please contact the experts among landscaping companies in Rockville MD, East Coast Landscape Design. Our Senior Geotechnical Engineer provides consultations and specializes in drainage and erosion control engineering, in accordance with the requirement of the local government and the state of Maryland. Please contact East Coast Landscape Design today.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories landscaping companies

Landscape Design to Prevent Flooding at Bethesda MD Homes

Flooding – it’s a huge problem for many homeowners – but did you know that great landscape design can prevent flooding in Bethesda MD?

Flooding in your home happens when your landscape can’t handle the water through proper drainage. This occurs due to having the wrong soil, soil erosion, a yard that slopes toward the home, plants that don’t capture the water, and a lack of water drainage through hardscaping.

If at all possible, flood prevention systems should be installed during the construction process. Unfortunately, water drainage is often overlooked, because many drainage problems don’t present themselves until after the home is built. So what landscape design changes can be done after construction in Bethesda MD?

  • Plants: plant flower beds in areas where the water tends to collect.
  • Catch basins: a drainage system that collects the water runoff at the edge of the landscape feature, such as the patio, driveway, or lawn and brings the water to a collection point through the use of underground drain pipe.
  • Dry streambeds: create a path for the water, directing it away from your house.
  • Retention ponds: this drainage system is located at the lowest point of the property to collect the storm water runoff.
  • Regular inspections: it’s important to have your landscape inspected by a qualified landscaper, such as East Coast Landscape Design, anytime you see a pattern of flooding.

For more information on landscape design in Bethesda, MD, that prevents home flooding, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. Our consultation will outline how to protect your home and create lasting beauty and value. We use erosion control applications to Maryland state specifications.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories Bethesda MD, landscape design

Brick Patio Design Options for Gaithersburg MD

If you are considering a brick patio, you should know that there are more than a few options for your Gaithersburg MD home. For instance:

  • Basket Weave Pattern – also known as checkerboard pavers – this pattern is laid in the form of a checkerboard.
  • Herringbone Pattern – each course of paving bricks are laid at an angle of 45 or 90-degrees, and the angle rotates with each sequence.
  • Circle Design – a very popular, but difficult patio design to install.
  • Stack Bond – bricks placed on top of each other in a straight line – they can also be placed at a 45 degree angle.
  • 1/3 Running Bond – each subsequently each row of pavers overlaps its predecessor by one-third its length, creating a slightly staggered look.
  • Half Running Bond (also known as Running Bond) – each row of pavers overlaps the last row by half its length (or width).

For more information on brick patio design options for Gaithersburg MD, please contact the experts at East Coast Landscape Design. The experienced professionals at East Coast Landscape Design will work with you to design the brick patio that best compliments the style of your Gaithersburg MD home.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories Gaithersburg MD, patio, patio design