Everything You Need To Know About Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits

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If you want to boost the appearance of your outdoor spaces, it might be time to add a fire pit or fireplace to these spots. These cozy components can make a great addition to any place. You can even use them to turn a yard into an inviting outdoor living room. However, there are a few things that you should know about these elements. Here are a couple of things to consider before adding them to your landscape.

How Do They Work?

For the most part, outdoor fireplaces are made with stainless steel, stucco, stone, and other fireproof materials. With that, there are multiple options for a fuel source. Some fireplaces might require wood for fuel, and others can use propane for a cleaner and reliable burn. While not common, natural gas can be used for these fireplaces.

Fire pits work in a similar way. They are designed with brick, stone, or other hardy materials. Plus, they can also be fueled by propane, wood, or other sources.

The Cost of an Outdoor Fireplace or Pit

There are many factors to consider for the price of these components. The brand, installation, and fuel types can all raise or lower the costs of these components. In many cases, it can cost about a few hundred dollars for a simple wood-burning fire pit. On the other hand, a high-quality propane fireplace can sell for several thousand dollars.

How Much Heat Do They Produce?

You can expect a significant amount of heat from a fire pit or fireplace. Some outdoor fireplaces can generate about 30,000 to 10,000 BTUs of heat. While you cannot sit outside in mid-January without a jacket, these heating elements are the perfect way to warm up a chilly evening in the fall or spring.

Now that you know some of the basics of fire pits and fireplaces, here are a few things to consider when choosing one for your outdoor space.

Functionality

How do you plan to use the fire pit or fireplace? If you are looking to create an informal setting, you might want to install a fire pit. These components are a great way to bring in elements of a camp-like setting. Fire pits are also a great way to accent your space, and you can use other elements to boost your yard’s appearance. In some cases, fire pits are mobile, and they can be placed in different areas of your landscape.

However, a fireplace is always a classic element. These heating components provide a more intimate setting to relax with friends or unwind after a busy day. Fireplaces are the perfect way to have a quiet moment. With a fireplace, you can also divide your outdoor space between a living area and dining space. Along with its walled structure, you will have additional privacy from the neighbors, shade from the sun, and a barrier against high winds.

Design

With a fire pit, the design possibilities are endless. Many fire pits include a fire table with a burner in the middle of it. You can even customize the model for your space to include stucco, stone, tile, or brick. These designs can coordinate with the look of your home’s exterior. Since they are table-height, you don’t have to worry about a fire pit blocking someone’s view or creating a distraction during a conversation. Most of the time, a fire pit is used as an accent feature, but it can be added as the centerpiece of your design plan.

Fireplaces are taller and more prominent than a fire pit. However, you have plenty of options for a suitable design. You can use brick, glass, logs, or stone to decorate around the sides of the fireplace. In addition to that, a decorative fireplace mantel would be a great touch to your outdoor space.

If you are thinking of installing a fire pit or fireplace for your outdoor space, you might want to consult with a company that handles commercial lawn care services. Many of these professionals have experienced designers on staff who can help you choose the best option for your yard.

Budget

If you are budget-conscious, you might want to stick with the fire pit. You can usually find one for a few hundred dollars. With custom finishing options and features, the prices can rise significantly. An outdoor fireplace is a more expensive option. In some places, it can cost a few hundred dollars for these outdoor components, but it is a more stunning element for your space.

Heat

When you use an open flame with a fire pit, a slight breeze will dissipate all that warmth around your space. With a fireplace, the flame is blocked from any incoming wind, and there is no heat loss. You will notice that the heat is better radiated and the space is warmer. Along with that, smoke is not a problem with a fireplace. The chimney directs it away from your sitting area, unlike the smoke with a fire pit.

Safety

With a wood fire pit, you will have to be cautious about sparks flying around the seating area. However, a screen cover can easily eliminate the risk with these pits. A gas fire pit is a great option, especially if young children will be near the component. Most fireplaces contain the flame in a firebox. These doors, grate, and screen can keep everyone safe from the fire’s embers and sparks. The framed mesh doors also provide an extra layer of protection for visitors around the area.

With that, you know some of the options available for your outdoor spaces. A fire pit or fireplace can “wow” your visitors at your property. There are plenty of options for your commercial space. You just need to find something that can fit your needs and budget.

We Can Design the Perfect Outdoor Space

If you want a fire pit or fireplace for your space, Charlestown Landscaping LLC can help. Our team will assist you with those extra features that will make your outdoor space shine. Along with our commercial lawn care service, we can help you find the right elements to dazzle your guests. Please call (610) 608-3965 to schedule a consultation.

What To Consider When Choosing Outdoor Lighting

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Many property owners are choosing to enhance their landscape with the proper lighting. There are some things you will need to know to choose the right type for your outdoor areas. With a few tips, you can light up your spaces without overwhelming the area. Let’s take a look at some of these things that you should consider for your property.

When you choose the right type of lighting, it will complement the rest of your landscape. Lighting can also highlight specific features. Along with that, it makes a safer environment for you and others to walk around your property. Here are a few ideas that you will want to incorporate into your space.

Landscape Lighting Benefits

With landscape lighting, there are plenty of benefits to enjoy. First, lighting helps to increase the visibility of the space at night. If you own a property, it can keep those visitors safe from trips and falls in the dark. These lights will give you a great view of the neighborhood, and they will deter any suspicious persons from trying to break into your buildings. Plus, additional light will bring some added attention to your outdoor areas.

With nighttime lights, you will also enjoy more of your yard after dark. You can stroll down a lighted pathway. Walking is a great stress relief, and a well-lit path can help you take a walk any time of the evening. You might not think that lights can add privacy, but they will increase your home’s protection. With a few motion-activated lights, you will feel more comfortable knowing that someone is not lurking around your property.

Lighting makes your yard look better, especially if you want to enhance the features of nature. There is no shortage of lighting options for your outdoor spaces. You can find a wide variety of styles and sizes. No matter your mood, you can find a light fixture for your needs. Some of these lighting options can come in the form of lanterns, fairy lights, artificial flowers, and bird baths.

If you want to install any type of landscape lighting in your outdoor spaces, you need to choose products designed for gardens. With that, you can increase the amount of liveable outdoor spaces, boost your property’s value, and enhance your garden areas.

Several Options for Landscape Lighting

If you want to find a lighting style that will fit with your current landscape, you are in luck. There are so many choices on the market. Solar lights are trendy, and you can mount them on a pole or wall. They also provide a nice soft glow to your outdoor areas.

Some outdoor lights are even designed as fake shrubs, statues, and plants. You can use them to highlight your yard or patio. In addition to that, these unique lights can provide some more interest to your landscape.

You might want to go the traditional route and choose pendant lights, post lights, string lights, or lanterns. These types of lights can be placed just about anywhere on your property. With these options, you can definitely find a light that will incorporate into your landscape’s current design plan.

Depending on the types of lights you need, landscape lighting fixtures are available in a wide range of prices. You can shop for wall sconces, lanterns, pendant lights, post lights, floor lamps, and string lights. Before making a purchase, be sure to check whether or not you need additional lighting. When shopping for lighting, there are plenty of options to choose for your space. You’ll also find that the prices vary quite a bit, but there are many cost-effective solutions for all of your outdoor lighting needs.

Choosing the Ideal Landscape Lighting

There are a few things that you will want to consider before selecting landscape lighting for your space. Location is always important. If you have a bigger space, you must decide where to install these lighting features. For those who own smaller spaces, you never want to overwhelm an area with too much light. These lights should be strategically placed to provide the right amount of illumination to your spaces without blocking views.

After you have figured out the location of the lights, you need to decide on the number of lights for your landscape. If you have a pathway, you should plan to have lights about every three to four feet. You want to have plenty of lights that can light up a walkway. For any areas around water, the lights should not obstruct the view of the pond or pool. However, lights are needed to provide more safety to those areas.

The type of illumination is also important. If you plan to add some features, like a water fixture, you should add lights to accentuate those areas. Lights can be used to highlight certain objects or areas in your yard. You can also consult with a company that specializes in commercial lawn care services. These professionals understand the needs of these spaces, and they can make recommendations to illuminate your landscape.

You might think that lights come in one shade of color, but that is not the case. While the most common color is white, you can always choose another color to add some drama to your landscape.

Finally, you can add lights to those areas with plants and flowers. You probably enjoy these areas in the daylight. Why not highlight them at night? Regular lamps, pendants, and ground-mounted lamps are excellent choices for these tasks. Once again, you need to make a choice based on the size of your landscape. Small gardens can benefit from pendant lighting, and those large spaces might need the help of ground-mounted lights.

Consult With a Commercial Lawn Care Company

If you want to add some decorative elements to your space, think about some lights. These features are easy to maintain, and they can change the mood of your landscape. Charlestown Landscaping LLC can help you choose the ideal lights for your space. Along with that, we offer other lawn care services, such as mowing, trimming, aerating, and more. Please call our office at (610) 608-3965 to schedule a consultation.

How to Prepare Commercial Landscape for Spring

Apartment Landscaping Ideas to Impress Renters

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When you look at your apartment complex’s landscaping, what message is it sending to prospective renters? You want to have green spaces that create a welcoming atmosphere around your apartment buildings. The right landscaping will draw people to your property. Once your tenants have moved in, you want to retain them by keeping up the maintenance of your outdoor spaces. If you are looking for a few apartment landscaping ideas to impress any potential renters, make sure to follow these helpful tips.

Create a Welcoming Atmosphere

With a combination of landscaping and hardscaping, you can create a relaxing space for your tenants. You might want to design a courtyard that centers around a water feature. Make sure to add benches and sitting areas for those tenants who wish to enjoy the area. You should also consider adding a mixture of low-maintenance plants and shrubs that flower from spring to fall. By finding the right combination of plants that bloom in succession, your property can enjoy color throughout the year. If you mix in some evergreen bushes, you can liven up your property with year-round greenish tones.

Soften Up Harsh Concrete

Concrete spaces give your property a harsh look. While most of your sidewalks are made with concrete for safety and accessibility, you might want to add wood, dirt, or natural stone to secondary pathways throughout your complex. Garden elements, such as colorful plants and fresh mulch, can complement these walkways. These landscaping features help to soften up the look of your concrete spaces.

A serene pathway can mimic a walk in the woods. If you have streams or creeks, then make sure to build an arched bridge over these water features. Any lakes and ponds will benefit from a trail that travels along these bodies of water. Ponds give you an excellent opportunity to enhance the natural beauty of your property. As another benefit, you don’t have to spend much on your budget to achieve a beautiful appearance. You can place some plants around the edges of your lake or pond. Crushed stone and shells can minimize slips and falls around these spaces. In addition to increasing the property’s aesthetics, you also add to the safety of the space. Since many people enjoy spaces with water features, you might want to build a viewing area. These features are guaranteed to attract renters who want a space to relax outside their apartments.

Add Some Shade With the Help of Trees

If you own or manage an apartment complex, you should think about adding a few trees to your space. Trees are excellent options to create a welcoming environment for your property, and they provide plenty of shade throughout the year. For those who want to attract attention, you might want to place a few trees on parking lot islands or in open areas. All these trees will create an appealing atmosphere for potential renters. Along with that, these trees are the perfect solution for those who want some shaded parking.

Provide Light Throughout Your Property

Potential renters want to feel safe in your community. For that reason, you need to provide plenty of light to your complex. If you have trails, add some landscaping lighting to those areas. You don’t need bright lights, but you should provide enough light to prevent accidents or falls on your property. All your apartment entrances and exits should have plenty of light too.

You should always be concerned about safety. For those pool areas, make sure to have plenty of light in locations around the deck and seating spaces. Decorative landscape lighting will give your space enough light by the exterior areas. However, you need brighter lights in the pool space to help protect the residents from slips or falls.

Add a Dog Park

Many renters live with pets, and they often choose complexes that have amenities for their furry friends. You should add a dog park with fenced-in trees for these pooches. If you’re going to make a great impression, it might be time to design an impressive dog-friendly addition to your property. You could install automatic waterers and water features for the dogs. Along with that, obstacles allow the dogs to play and climb in the fenced areas. These spaces are easy to maintain, and they add a valuable feature to your apartment complex. For those who want these elements for their complexes, some commercial lawn care services can help you design pet-friendly spaces.

Spruce Up Community Areas

If you want to attract more renters, it might be time to spruce up those community areas. These spaces are an excellent way for residents to congregate and enjoy their free time. You can encourage the use of these spaces by freshening up the gravel or mulch. In addition to that, make sure to update the flora around these locations. Pavers can boost the appeal of those picnic areas and benches. Fire brick can also enhance the look and keep the dangerous heat away from other landscaping elements.

You can encourage other renters to use the area by placing taller grasses and evergreens near the patios. Not only do they improve the look, but these landscaping elements offer some privacy to your tenants. For those properties with a community building, you should landscape the exterior spaces. Potted flower beds and plants mixed with benches and chairs allow your renters to enjoy the weather as they have some privacy. With all these additions, you will create a serene patio space.

Need More Landscaping Ideas?

When you create a beautiful space, it is more welcoming to potential renters. In turn, they will want to choose your property for a new home. A well-maintained complex shows that you care for your property. If you need help with your commercial lawn care, then reach out to a professional company. At Charlestown Landscaping LLC, we have the experience to make your apartment complex shine and attract renters. Don’t hesitate to call our office at (610) 608-3965. You can schedule a consultation for your commercial rental property.

Organic Mulch vs. Inorganic Mulch

Organic Mulch vs. Inorganic Mulch

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For those who want a way to make your gardening more manageable, you should consider adding mulch to your outdoor spaces. Mulch is a great way to improve the look and health of your yard and gardens. These materials can help to produce healthier plants and flowers with less maintenance on your part. There are usually two types of materials used for mulches: inorganic and organic products. If you are wondering about the type of mulch to use in your yard, here are a few things that you will want to consider.

What Are Mulches?

Mulches can be made of organic or inorganic materials. These mulches have many benefits, including moisture retention, soil insulation, erosion control, weed reduction, and beautification. For those who want to reduce weeds in your yard, mulch will work to minimize the sunlight to these harmful plants. Once sunlight is limited, the weeds do not have a chance to grow. Weeds compete for water and nutrients with your plants. These weeds can even stunt the growth of trees. By reducing them, you can have a healthier garden and yard. However, different mulches offer different benefits to your yard.

Organic mulches are made from by-products of other industries, and these materials will decompose, such as grass clippings, straw, bark chips, compost, sawdust, and rice hulls. These materials are anything that you can find in a natural setting. On the other hand, inorganic mulches are made from man-made materials, including rocks, rubber chips, or plastic sheeting. While these materials are the opposite of each other, they are both used for aesthetic reasons and have their advantages.

Benefits of Organic Mulches

Organic mulches are known to deliver more benefits than inorganic mulches. These mulches consist of materials that would have been discarded. When these materials break down, they can provide nourishment into the soil. With an inorganic material, those mulches can look nice, but as they age, they will break down into non-recyclable pieces.

Those organic mulches will help nutrients reach down to the plant’s roots, and they can nurture beneficial worms, insects, and bacteria. These organisms control pests and harmful bacteria. Organic mulch provides insulation and keeps the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. These materials reduce erosion by absorbing rainwater and soil-borne diseases that can form by the splashing rain. Organic mulch is known to eliminate soil crusting, which is a condition that can make it difficult for rain to penetrate the ground.

Roots develop better when planted in organic mulches. In addition to that, you can purchase organic mulches at a lower cost than inorganic materials. While there are many benefits, there are some drawbacks to these materials. For example, since the materials are organic, they can create a habitable environment for pests near the base of trees or plants.

Inorganic Mulch Benefits

These mulches are made from materials that do not quickly decompose in your garden. These mulches are used for different purposes than organic mulches. You can use stone, landscape fabric, plastic film, or shredded rubber as an inorganic mulch. Inorganic mulches are not appropriate for all yards, and they tend to be more costly than organic products. Depending on the material, these mulches can be hard to install.

However, like organic mulches, there are many benefits to these materials. If you want to create a barrier for weeds, you should add inorganic mulches to your yard. While they do not add any nutritional benefits, inorganic mulches have a lower need for replacement and help retain moisture. These materials are also highly versatile and can be found in many commercial garden centers.

Choose the Right Mulch for Your Yard

When choosing the right mulch for your space, you need to see which one will align with your landscaping goals. Organic mulches will provide your yard with nutrient-rich soil that can help your trees and plants thrive. Inorganic mulches will last longer and help with preventing weeds from taking up residence in your yard. Organic mulches do provide more benefits with natural materials. Inorganic mulches are man-made but not considered harmful to your yard. Before you decide on your mulch, you should consider your maintenance goals, yard health, and aesthetics of your outdoor space. Once you have done that, you can decide which one will work best for you.

Select the Right Materials

With any choice, you want to know about the source of your mulch. You should choose a material that is free from contaminants or pesticides. Fine materials, like sawdust or clippings, can stick together and prevent water from penetrating the ground. Depending on your mulch, you need to make sure that all the mulch is free from weeds. Since organic mulches are natural materials, they are known to attract bugs, such as pill bugs and earwigs. With inorganic mulches, you want to choose materials that will not pose a safety risk in your yard.

When to Apply Mulch?

Whether you choose organic or inorganic mulch, you want to apply these materials at the start of the growing season. Many people choose to use mulch in the late spring or fall so that the soil can still retain moisture. However, you should know that mulches, especially organic materials, will settle down into the ground. If you are applying these materials for the first time, you need to add more layers throughout the season. With a new layer of mulch, you can ensure that your yard will have continuous weed control as you create an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Regular mulching will help your yard to reduce water usage with fewer weeds in your garden.

Charlestown Landscaping can give you a few ideas for your outdoor space if you still cannot decide on the right mulch for your yard. Our team can help you select the best materials for your garden. We will let you know which ones will work best for your landscaping needs. To schedule a consultation for your space, please take a few minutes to fill out the contact form.

The Landscaping Benefits Of Installing Sod

The Landscaping Benefits Of Installing Sod

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You might want to consider adding sod to your outdoor space as a way to improve the appearance of your lawn. While sod does cost more than grass seeds, there are many benefits to using this product in your yard, especially if you want a lush lawn without the hassles. Before you rush out to the store and purchase some sod, here are some things that you need to consider for your yard.

Instant Lawn

With a sodded lawn, you never have to wait to achieve that well-manicured yard. Sod can turn your bare patches of soil into a grass-covered lawn in a matter of hours. There is no wait to enjoy a gorgeous green space. For those who want instant satisfaction, this is the product for you. A sodded lawn will also allow you to maximize your time for outdoor activities, such as entertaining. If you are waiting for a seeded lawn, you cannot use part of your yard until the blades have started to mature.

Sod comes to your home already grown and is ready to use once it has established on your soil. You do want to wait at least two to four weeks before heavily using the lawn. Sod does need time to adjust and grow into its new environment. After that time, you might want to conduct light activity for a few weeks.

When you seed your lawn, it may take weeks to see signs of growing grass. In some cases, it can take up to 18 months before your grass starts to fill in. For those months, your lawn will look unattractive and bare. Once it does begin to grow, your grass will have a patchy appearance. Young grass blades are susceptible to damage as they are very delicate. Some activities, such as walking on the grass or playing, can result in trampled grass. In addition to that, your lawn will be covered with straw or other materials to protect the seeds, and that can make your outdoor space look messy and unattractive. If you don’t want to wait for a lawn grown from seed, then you should consider sod as an excellent alternative for your yard.

Less Irrigation

Once you have installed the sod, you don’t need a regular watering schedule. While sod does need regular irrigation to keep the roots moist until it is fully established, it will not dry out like a grass-seeded area. With a seeded lawn, you should water it about four times a day for the necessary moisture to start seed germination. Sod only needs to be watered twice a day for the first couple of weeks. Frequent watering can be time-consuming and costly. With sod, you will not have the intense maintenance workload to keep it growing.

Get a Dense Lawn

For many people, they want that lush grass throughout their outdoor space. With a seeded lawn, you will have bare spots in areas where the seeds do not germinate, or the blades are not growing as expected. When that happens, you need to do extra work for your lawn, such as reseeding. Those pieces will fit together to give you an even and lush yard if you choose a sodded lawn.

Added Soil Protection

Since grass seeds rest on the top of your ground, they are more susceptible to the elements, such as wind. When you seed a lawn, you need to keep them protected so that they can germinate and establish into the soil. If the seeds are young, they are more likely to blow away in the wind or get washed away with rain.

Sod is a thick mat of established grass, and it can control mud, dust, and erosion. With this type of grass, your soil will be kept in place with an adequate cover. When you cover the ground, there are fewer spots for mud to build up in the yard, and that means less dirt tracking into your home.

When sod is installed on steep slopes or hills, it can help to stabilize the area. A sodded lawn also absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen in the air. As a result of that, you can enjoy cleaner air around your yard. A sodded lawn has another added benefit as it can muffle noise for a more serene environment throughout your outdoor space.

Add Value to Your Home

You know that a well-landscaped lawn can improve the look of your yard. There are other benefits to a sodded lawn, including adding value to your home. In some cases, you can add 15 to 20 percent to your home’s value. Natural grass is a soft and clean surface for your children and pets to play. You can also enjoy a more comfortable and fluffier lawn with a sodded yard. With a seeded grass yard, you always run the risk of growing in sparse and uneven blades.

Reduce Heat in Your Yard

If you are looking to reduce the heat around your outdoor space, you should consider sod for your home. On a summer day, your lawn can be 30 degrees cooler than those areas with rock or asphalt. In some cases, sod can be 15 degrees cooler than bare soil. For those who want to take advantage of these benefits, you can add sod to help keep your yard cool and comfortable throughout the summer.

Sod Is a Great Choice for You

Sod is an excellent choice for your home. Once it is installed, sod can be used in two to four weeks, and you can install it throughout the year. Sod can save on the water bills since it needs less water than seeds.

If you want to add sod to your outdoor spaces, Charlestown Landscaping can give you the lawn of your dreams. After we help select the right product for your home, we can maintain it with our lawn care services. For more information about our lawn care and maintenance services, please take a few minutes to fill out the contact form.

What's The Difference Between A Landscape Architect and A Landscape Designer?

What’s The Difference Between A Landscape Architect and A Landscape Designer?

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For those homeowners who want to tackle a big project, you might consider hiring a professional for the job. You have probably heard the terms “landscape architect” or a “landscape designer,” but is there a difference between them? These professionals handle separate areas of your project. Before you hire someone, here are some facts that you should know about landscape designing and architecture.

What Is a Landscape Architect?

A landscape architect will develop the land for your use with a practical placement of structures, walkways, and plantings. These professionals must know how to work with steep slopes, outdoor construction, irrigation systems, and varied elevations. A landscape architect will analyze, plan, design, and manage the entire project. You can see the handy work of a landscape architect in the design of a campus, commercial center, or waterfront if you walk through your local community. If you are looking to add a permanent outdoor feature to your outdoor space, you should consider hiring a landscape architect.

If you want to hire a landscape architect, they must have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in landscape architecture. Many of the college programs are accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). A landscape architect also must pass an exam that is licensed by the state. This profession is one of a few that must be licensed in all states and the District of Columbia.

An experienced and reputable landscape architect will have the experience to work in the most challenging environments for both residential and commercial sites. Steep slopes and elevation problems are common issues for landscape architects, and your professional will know how to incorporate them into your design. In addition to that, a landscape architect will understand the right spots to place essential elements, such as driveways, entries, and parking areas.

Licensed landscape architects are used primarily for the planning and design of outdoor spaces. However, they play a vital role in the design and restoration of natural areas that have been disturbed by humans, including mined areas, stream corridors, wetlands, and forested lands. For many landscape architects, they have a respect for cultural resources and historic landscapes, and you will see them working on preservation projects for local, state, and national outdoor sites and spaces. You can find a landscape architect employed with public, academic, and private organizations.

What Is a Landscape Designer?

As you can tell, a landscape architect requires a lot of education to become licensed to work in your state. Landscape designers do not require the same level of education, and they primarily work on small residential projects. Some landscape designers will have an undergraduate degree in landscape architecture, but they lack the state license required to be called a landscape architect.

These designers will focus on outdoor spaces for your home or business by taking into account hardscape and softscape elements, maintenance, and seasonal changes. Since a higher education degree is not a requirement for the job, many landscape designers learn the profession on the job or enroll in local courses for landscape design or horticulture. While you might not think they have the experience of a landscape architect, these professionals still must work hard to be called a landscape designer.

Landscape designers are not licensed through the state, but there are professional groups for these designers. The most well-known is called the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD). All the members must adhere to a code of professional standards as they actively continue their education and stay current with the latest landscape design trends. For many members, there is a certification program that is based on their completed projects. These jobs must pass a peer review program for the designer to be certified. You can search for a designer through their website if you are looking for a member of the APLD.

When you work with a landscape designer, there will be a consultation about the project. Your designer should take photos of the yard, and you will be asked about your preferences for garden maintenance and plants. Once the designer has your information, they will create a design with a drawing and plant list. Your designer might even accompany you to the local nurseries to make suggestions for your yard or help shop for furnishings and materials. The main component of a landscape designer’s job is plant placement. Your designer will often work with a contractor to excavate an existing garden or hardscape element, build decks or patios, or install plants.

Who Should You Choose?

Many landscape designers will work with smaller projects at your home, such as the placement of plants. These designers have the experience to help with hardscape elements, especially if they are located in areas with drought-prone regions. If you are looking for a more intense project that involves wall building, electrical work, or earth-moving construction, you should consider hiring a landscape architect for the job.

In general, there are a few differences between landscape architects and landscape designers. Architects have to adhere to strict licensing requirements, but designers also must meet the standards in their professional organization. You will find landscape architects working on larger, public projects throughout your town. Landscape designers will handle those smaller, residential projects. If you are looking to hire a professional for your job, you should choose one based on whether you have a simple or more complex project.

Charlestown Landscaping Can Design Your Outdoor Space

If you want an updated look to your outdoor space, you should choose the professional team at Charlestown Landscaping. We will handle all aspects of your project, including master planning and planting. Our team can take care of the design and installation phase as you focus on choosing the right features and materials to customize your space. Charlestown Landscaping wants to give you an outdoor space that you can enjoy for many years. In addition to design, we will care for your entire yard with our lawn care and landscape maintenance services. If you are ready to create a personalized space for you, make sure to fill out the contact form

The Homeowner’s Guide to Landscape Irrigation

The Homeowner’s Guide to Landscape Irrigation

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A home irrigation system can be installed to help supply water throughout your yard. However, there are other important benefits to an irrigation system, including creating a healthier landscape, providing a softer environmental footprint, and limiting runoff water from your yard. With this guide, you can learn about the additional benefits of a landscape irrigation system.

Why Choose an Irrigation System?

With an automatic irrigation system, your lawn, trees, and plants will receive the right amount of water at the best time of the day. These systems can be easily maintained and programmed. Most irrigation systems are programmable for specific site conditions and climates, such as plant and soil types, sun exposure, and sprinkler modes. You can even adjust your irrigation to deliver water at an exact pressure level to avoid damaging your sensitive plants and flowers. If you are used to watering your lawn by a hose, you could be missing several areas of your yard. With an irrigation system, your yard will have uniform coverage to provide water to your entire outdoor space. You can also choose the right drip emitters or sprinkler types to irrigate specific areas of your yard.

Your Landscape Details Are Important

If you are looking to manage your landscape and conserve water, you might want to change the way that you plant around your yard. For example, you need to choose plants and grasses that only require a low amount of water and can thrive in your local area. Depending on shade or sun, you should plan on how to use every section of your outdoor space. If you are looking at ways to improve your yard, you might want to perform a soil test. With a quick check, you can keep your soil healthy. As you begin to plant, don’t forget to cultivate the soil and add some amendments to improve the moisture. When you do this to the ground, your plants will develop a robust root system that needs less watering.

You might want to think about aerating your lawn to encourage root growth and water penetration. Mulching around shrubs, plants, and trees can also be beneficial to your outdoor space. With only a few inches of mulch, you can keep the soil warm, improve water penetration, control weeds, and decrease water evaporation.

If you want to make irrigation easier for your yard, you should consider “hydro zoning” your space. With this practice, you will want to group plants with similar moisture requirements together so that you can avoid overwatering those areas. Separate irrigation zones help you to program your landscape irrigation system to meet specific water requirements.

The seasonal planting time can make a difference. You want to avoid planting in the summer as the heat can dry out plants as they require more water. If you are adding grass to your yard, you should avoid hard-to-water spaces and steep slopes. It is best to add grass to those functional areas of your yard, such as play areas. Shade trees are vital for your yard. With natural shade, you can lower the soil and air temperatures to decrease soil erosion.

Finally, you need to keep up with the maintenance of your yard. At the very least, you should follow a maintenance schedule for your specific environment. Mowing, pruning, and weeding are all critical for any landscape. If you are looking for a way to improve your landscape irrigation, you can raise the lawnmower’s height to decrease water loss.

Irrigation Systems Are an Investment

If you want to irrigate your landscape correctly, you should think about installing an irrigation system. These systems are a great way to keep your lawn healthy throughout the year. With the right system, your irrigation methods will be more efficient than handling a hose and watering everything in your yard. When you are ready to install an irrigation system, you need to design one that will evolve with the landscape.

As you start to choose the design of your irrigation system, you need to select the right components. Your plants and trees will have different water requirements. Over time, these water needs can change. With the right parts, you can find a system that will allow you to water your yard effectively. Irrigation systems do not have to consist of a few sprinkler heads. You should think about a drip irrigation system. These systems can increase the efficiency of your water usage to keep your plants and trees healthy.

Many people are turning to smart irrigation systems. Like other smart products, you can automatically adjust your landscape’s watering frequency and water usage amounts. You can also change the irrigation schedule based on soil evaporation and rainfall schedules. There are many irrigation systems available, including those with Wi-Fi capabilities and soil sensors. You may want to choose a smart controller that can help you to make changes to the watering schedule from a phone app. If you’re going to stick to older technology, many irrigation systems have a dial or knob controller. With a turn of the dial, you can make percentage watering adjustments for every month of the year.

Considerations for Your System

When you are selecting an irrigation system, you need to check the water pressure. If you have too high or too low pressure, it can cause some issues with your irrigation’s performance. You want to choose a system that can handle the water pressure at your location. Most residential gear rotors will work best at the 40 to 50 PSI range, and some pop-up sprays operate most efficiently at 30 PSI. For those who have low water pressure, you may need to find a spray head to adapt to your location’s environment.

Zone watering is gaining in popularity. Every zone has its water requirements. When you water based on zones, you can schedule the irrigation system to water according to precipitation rate, sun exposure, slope and soil measures, and type of sprinklers. The soil type will also determine the best irrigation system in your yard. If you have a substantial water runoff area, you need a system that will not add more water to that zone.

With your irrigation system, you never want to waste any water. Your system should be watering trees, grass, and plants, but it should stay away from buildings, driveways, and patios. If you have a small space, you might consider micro-irrigation for those narrow landscaped areas. Along those lines, you should only water when you need it. You must allow your soil to dry out between irrigation sessions. When you water too frequently, it can result in weed growth, shallow roots, and disease. Some irrigation systems will allow you to add soil moisture sensors to the central controller.

For most homeowners, they may not know the right time to water their yards. You want to avoid watering during the heat of the day as it can cause water to evaporate. When the sun is low, the temperatures are cooler with calmer winds. These times are the best opportunity to water your lawn without the worry of losing water. Another efficient watering method is known as “cycle and soak.” You will want to set the system to run for five minutes at 15 minutes per cycle. With this method, you give the water adequate time to soak into the soil.

Before you install a landscape irrigation system, you need to check your local code requirements. Some towns will require you to use a backflow prevention device with any type of new watering system. These backflow devices prevent your irrigation water from mixing into the water supply for the town. Your town might even have standards for installing the system, including specific depths for the irrigation pipes. You will want to dig deep enough to protect your system from damaging lawn or aeration equipment.

While many people like the concept of mixing and matching products, you should never do this with an irrigation system. For example, gear-drive rotors can push out one-half inch of water per hour, and fixed spray nozzles will apply about three times that amount. As a result, if you mixed these products, you could be left with an oversoaked lawn.

Keep Up on Irrigation Maintenance

If you want the most efficient irrigation system, you need to perform regular maintenance on it. During the seasons, your system can be damaged from improper winterization or lawn equipment. With proper maintenance, you can spot those issues before they cause leaks or other problems.

With a monthly inspection of your system, you should check for broken sprinkler heads, water leaks, or any other problems. Screens and filters can get clogged, and you need to check them for any signs of water restriction. You should also check and adjust those sprinkler heads. If there are obstructions near the sprinklers, make sure to clear those areas for a more evenly distribution of water. These sprinklers can have their head and spray positions moved to avoid watering buildings and add clearance for water-hungry plants.

Along with maintenance, you need to prepare your system for winter. If you live in a colder climate, winterizing your system is essential. During this process, specialized equipment will blow out any leftover water that can freeze and create backflow issues with your pipes, device, valves, and sprinkler heads.

All irrigation systems need to have their pressure checked. Even after you initially checked your pressure, it can change over a period of time. With regular maintenance, you can keep your irrigation system operating at an efficient level. If you are looking for ways to regulate your water pressure, you should consider installing a micro-irrigation system for your lawn.

Upgrade Your Irrigation System

If you have narrow areas in your yard, you might want to consider micro-irrigation for gardens, trees, shrubs, and flower beds. With this type of system, you can apply water at a slower rate with a combination of bubblers and micro-sprinklers. These systems can help to reduce runoff, evaporation, and overspray. Subsurface is another consideration for your lawn and flower beds, and they can be installed near the root zone of trees and grass. When you use these products, water will be applied to the underground roots as the system is protected from surface intrusion.

Modern sensors are a great way to operate your irrigation system efficiently. You can install freeze, rain, or soil moisture sensors. When these sensors are wired to your central controller, it will send a signal so that the system can compensate for the local weather.

Finally, if you are looking to upgrade your irrigation system, you want to choose only quality products. With the right components, you will minimize any costs for future maintenance. In many cases, your products are covered under warranty so that you don’t have to worry about a defective product. Many new components also offer rebates or other savings for homeowners who use their products. Your water company might even provide a discount if you use water-efficient components on your property.

Choose a Professional Irrigation Contractor

If you want to install an irrigation system for your home, it might be tempting to tackle this as a do-it-yourself project. You need the help of an experienced irrigation installer who can professionally design and install the system. These professionals understand the latest watering techniques and technologies. An irrigation expert can also help you to choose the right plants, trees, and grasses for your climate and property. A contractor will make sure that your system complies with local building codes.

Charlestown Landscaping Can Help

At Charlestown Landscaping, we can help you choose the right irrigation for your home or business. We will assist you with the selection and design of your system. Our team will even professionally install the components and train you on operating your new system. Along with that, we can also help with all your landscaping needs, such as lawn care maintenance and outdoor space design. When you are ready to schedule a consultation, please take a few minutes to fill out the contact form.