From the Maryland Cooperative Extension: 1. Take a soil test every 3 to 4 years. Fertilize according to soil test recommendations. Use less than the recommended amounts listed on fertilizer packages. 2. Leave grass clippings on your lawn (grasscycling.) They are a source of nitrogen for your lawn and will not contribute to thatch build-up [...]
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Do you want to set your landscape apart from the landscapes around it with unique and beautiful foliage that will give your yard a unique and inviting look? If so, you should be thinking about green roofs and walls. Right now, you might be thinking, “That’s crazy! Why would I paint my home walls and [...]
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If you have not been to the Meadows Farms Nursery on Central Avenue in Prince George’s County in a while, you’re in for a surprise. The nursery, located just a few miles west of the Patuxent River Bridge, is now home to Ecoasis Garden Center, a venture of Matt and Donna Ciminelli, owners of Ciminellis [...]
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Matt Ciminelli, President and owner of Ciminelli’s Landscape Services, Inc. is one of an inaugural group of professionals to achieve the Green Roof Professional Accreditation developed by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, a not for profit organization of the Green Roof experts. Their mission is to increase the awareness of the economic, social and environmental [...]
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Rain gardens do more than please the eye and delight the senses. They offer many environmental benefits for the sustainable gardener. During a thunderstorm or even a gentle shower, rain falls from rooftops and gutters to paved surfaces, where it collects pollutants before running off into storm sewers and drains. The drains empty into our [...]
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A green wall or a green roof may have little to do with paint color but it has a lot to do with the aesthetics of your home. The green concept is derived from its integration of plants and living foliage into the design and structure of the wall and roof itself. In essence, nature [...]
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A dirty secret surrounding landscaping is that while the process can make a lawn look stunning, it also has a negative impact on the environment. A lot of landscapers use harsh chemicals and equipment that is anything but energy efficient. If you want to improve the appearance of your yard without harming Mother Nature, you [...]
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When planning your eco-friendly garden it is important to consider the essential role insects play in protecting your plants. While all gardens have insects, it is important to remember that not all insects are harmful predators looking to eat your plants and flowers and that many insects serve as garden protectors by feasting on the [...]
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Spring is the time for showers and it is also the time to consider catching and storing water for summer. Gardens, flowers and lawns often suffer during the hot months and are vulnerable to perishing without a sufficient water supply. Extra water can also come in handy for chores such as car washing. Now is [...]
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Local homeowners from Annapolis and beyond check out everything from environmentally safe landscaping to more efficient insulation. The show continues next weekend. Scott Smith, owner of the home expo, has been bringing the home show to Annapolis for six years. He said he’s seen people start embracing more environmentally friendly design for the practicality and [...]
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