Flowers, trees and shrubs are classified as landscaping; stone patios, retaining walls and stone steps are called hardscaping. Hardscaping offers a strong focal point for an outdoor area. Adding stone to existing features such as steps and walls is a good alternative when the existing layout of the area should be preserved.

Patios
A traditional patio can be taken to the next level with the addition of stone. Stone patios have a strong Mediterranean and European vibe which instantly beautifies and adds value to the home. A stone patio is stronger than wood and doesn’t require the care and upkeep of wood; stone is water resistant, unlike wood.

Walkways
Having clearly defined walkways makes the outdoors pleasant to roam around in. With stone walkways the elements are not an issue and the stone work retains its beauty for years to come. Stone walkways are weed-proof and waterproof reducing time and maintenance costs.

Stone Water Features
Fountains and ponds are a multi-sensory experience that creates a luxurious and tranquil atmosphere. The air around the pond or fountain is cooled by the water and they attract various species of birds. A water feature is a one time investment that lasts for decades.

Retaining Walls
Instead of having unsightly concrete retaining walls in plain view why not cover it up and make it a focal point by going the stone route instead. The quality stone work is eye catching and attractive.

Hardscaping and Landscaping Combined
Stone features are easily accented with landscaping touches like decorative shrubs, flowers and foliage. The stone work provides the backbone and structure of the exterior space allowing for greater creativity with fewer plants which means that each and every plant in the yard can be a carefully selected favorite.

Stone hardscaping makes a beautiful addition to the exterior of a home that is elegant and maintenance free for years to come.

Rain gardens can be a perfect way to use a spot in the landscape that may be lower than the rest of the surrounding grounds. This is because the depression in the ground can be used to collect the rainwater. Rain gardens are one way to reduce the amount of pollutants in the local water supply. Ciminelli’s, a long-standing provider of Maryland landscape services, is proud to help customers create one for their own home for landscape design Annapolis.

Rain gardens are vital to the local economy because they can help retain a greater quantity of water, which helps to keep the aquifers replenished. There are also draining and flooding problems that can be headed off by rain gardens. Many people in need of landscaping Annapolis who have a rain garden created find that they increase the beauty in their yard through their use of this kind of garden.

Rain gardens are good for eco-landscaping. They are excellent habitats for many different kinds of animal life. Birds and other kinds of animals may be drawn to the rain garden. Butterflies and other kinds of insects that benefit the health of the yard will be attracted by this eco-friendly installment.

It is important that rain gardens that are installed have the correct distance from the septic system of the house, in addition to being able to receive adequate light from the sun. Ciminelli’s also enhances all of their rain gardens in Annapolis with local plants. For the very best rain gardens in Annapolis, choose Ciminelli’s, a landscaper that has made mastering the creation of these landscapes a priority.

Some of the important tasks involved in securing landscaping during the winter months include pruning shrubs and trees, mowing the grass, raking up the leaves and other debris, and fertilizing and watering the lawn. Ciminelli’s can help with all of these tasks, especially with their lawn service and lawn service contracts. For those who are in need of landscaping Annapolis, it is important to be aware of the services your lawn needs, but seeking help from the right professionals will make it easier, because they can often tell you what your lawn will need to remain healthy.

It is important to prune shrubs and trees so that you know which branches of the trees are damaged. If they are damaged, they may break when heavy snow falls on them, and because of this possibility, they need to be removed before the weather turns cold.

Mowing of the grass should be continued until the grass stops growing for the season. It is also important to remove the dead leaves that accumulate because they can damage the grass. In order to keep the lawn healthy, it is vital to continue fertilizing it. And watering the lawn is very important, too, if you want it to ward off excess dryness during the fall season. For the best in Maryland landscape services including winterizing your lawn, Ciminelli’s is a great choice.

A rain barrel in Annapolis is basically a tank that catches rainfall and runoff from roofs and gutters. It can be as small as 30 gallons or as large as 300 and comes with a screen that filters out undesirable debris such as insects, leaves and dirt. The stored water can be obtained through a tap, hose or spigot and directed right to the garden or lawn. Using a rainwater yield table can be helpful in determining what size barrel is needed. One good rainy day may produce many gallons of usable water.

An alternative to the collection barrel is a rain garden. These gardens are constructed in low areas, which then collect natural runoff from roadways and rooftops and other sources. While this water is not collected and saved as with a rain barrel, it is a quick and simple way to keep a garden properly watered.

When deciding between a rain garden or barrel, it can be useful to consult with a landscaper. Your Annapolis landscaper at Ciminelli’s will assess the garden and determine what method will best suit its water needs and then install or create it. Rain gardens are complex in design and climate dependent regarding the types of plants and rainfall per season so its best to ask a professional’s advice before starting out to get the best results.

Rain barrels and gardens are also a great way to help the environment by not depleting municipal water supplies that are already too low in many areas. It’s easy to go green.

Timely preparation and planning is vital for successful spring planting and a beautiful summer show. A reliable landscaping company can work with homeowners to provide advice, make suggestions and undertake the necessary work. Preparations might include:

- Soil Analysis: This will determine if soil amendments are needed to provide optimal growing conditions for perennials and annuals. Compost may need to be added to enrich the existing soil.

- Mulching: Early mulching conserves the moisture in the ground and suppresses weed growth. Depriving weed seeds of light inhibits their germination.

- Plant Division: Some plants may have reached a size that warrants division. This prevents overcrowding and opens up space for adding annual plants for summer-long color. Some plants may need to be removed altogether.

- Trimming Trees and Shrubs: Some trees and shrubs may need to be trimmed and to have dead wood removed. Providing structure to the garden, they should accentuate the flowers – not detract from them with untidy appearances.

- Landscaping Lights: A special tree or shrub could be up-lighted for a spectacular effect.

- Retaining Walls: Old walls might need replacing. Signs of soil erosion or water run-off could indicate the need for new retaining walls, some of which could be created to provide raised flower beds.

- Edgings: Flower beds are the canvasses upon which the garden will be painted with flowers, and edgings are the frames. undefined edgings will take away from the most-lovingly tended plants.

- Lawns: These should not be overlooked. Repairs and pest control should be undertaken before problems become worse.

For  beautiful landscaping services in Annapolis and successful gardening, a trusted landscaper is a gardener’s best friend.

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 in fescue or bluegrass lawns.

3. Home gardeners tend to over-fertilize flower and vegetable gardens. Reduce or eliminate fertilizer applications in well-established beds if organic matter is being added each year.

4. Don’t fertilize trees and shrubs if they appear healthy and are making adequate shoot and leaf growth.

5. Compost plant residues or incorporate them directly into soil. Discard plants with serious disease problems.

6. When appropriate, substitute slow-release fertilizers for those that are highly soluble and substitute locally available organic fertilizers (well-decomposed farmyard manure, backyard compost and municipal leaf compost) for manufactured chemical fertilizers.

7. Keep fertilizers off hard surfaces. Rain water will carry fertilizer salts into storm drains and surface waters and contribute to nutrient pollution of our waterways.

8. Over time, rainfall causes bare soil to erode and become compacted. Keep bare soil covered with a mulch and plant ground covers in areas where turf won’t grow. Plant winter cover crops in vegetable gardens – like oats, winter rye and crimson clover.

9. Avoid excessive foot or equipment traffic to prevent soil compaction, especially when the soil is wet. Construct terraces for beds on sloped ground. Keep soil in raised beds framed with solid sides.

10. To melt winter ice, use calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), potassium chloride (KCl), sodium chloride (NaCl) or calcium chloride (CaCl2). Do not use urea, potassium nitrate, or other chemical fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorous. The salts in these fertilizers may burn the foliage and roots of adjacent plants and wash into and pollute waterways.

Authors : Jon Traunfeld, Regional Specialist, Home and Garden Information Center, Maryland Cooperative Extension

Reviewers: Patricia Steinhilber, Ph.D., Nutrient Management Coordinator, Maryland Cooperative Extension and Judy McGowan, Nutrient Management Specialist, Maryland Department of Agriculture
12/03; revised 9/05; 2/09

The first step before fertilizing is to have a soil test to determine your soil quality.  Once you know your soil quality and the PH of your soil, you can determine what type of fertilizers and how much should be applied onto your lawn, garden or plants.  When choosing the fertilizer – try to use SLOW RELEASE, ORGANIC fertilizer.  And always think about improving your soil quality by applying compost, organic matter and controlling the Ph.  These actions will help your plants thrive.

Ciminelli’s Landscaping Services in Annapolis listens to the owner’s ideas of their dream garden. They have the knowledge and experience to transform dreams into reality. They know exactly which native plants will thrive in the environment and can create rain gardens for the soothing and cooling ambience of running water. For difficult areas where drainage is a problem, they have the expertise to solve drainage issues.

Ciminelli’s Landscaping Services will also take on the difficult, time consuming tasks such as mulching, lawn care, pruning, leaf removal and winter cleanup. Their customers can enjoy their gardens and be proud of them without the extra work and the time taken from their busy schedules.

For those very fond of their gardens, landscaping services can also upgrade the plants for different seasons, so the yard looks beautiful even if it is covered with snow. Ciminelli’s Landscape Service professionals can add winter-appropriate plants as well as install a greenhouse where spring and summer plants can thrive until it is time to put them in the garden. There are also ways to attract birds to the garden in any season.

Ciminelli’s Landscape Services is one of the premier Annapolis Landscape Design companies for hardscaping services. This includes the permanent, non-living structures of the garden such as paver or flagstone patios, fire pits, retaining walls, walkways and paths, driveways, pool decks, stone steps, fountains, waterfalls and ponds. These features are often difficult to maintain looking fresh and clean and are important for a comfortable outdoor living space. They may become weather stained and crooked and need a professional to make them look good as new.

It is a good idea to combine landscaping and hardscaping services to maintain an attractive garden as well as some of the permanent features of the home. This will not only give pleasure to the residents, but also add value to the property.

The professionals at Ciminelli’s Landscape Services know that snow can be a great insulator and even a great mulch, as it protects plants from freezing winds. However, snow that’s shoveled onto a plant can be damaging. Also, some evergreen trees should have snow gently brushed off of their boughs lest the weight of the snow cause the bughs to break. Rose bushes should be mulched up to their stems and if necessary protected by burlap. Salt de-icers should also be used judiciously or avoided all together. Ciminelli’s offers nonsalt de-icers for their customers.

The bulbs of canna lilies and gladiola should be taken up, stored in paper bags and brought indoors before the frost, but daffodils can be planted during the late fall and early winter to blossom in the spring and summer.

Lawns also need care during the winter. Winterizing the lawn in Annapolis should ideally begin in the late summer or fall. Thatch should be removed and the lawn should be aerated. During the fall, the lawn should have its last application of fertilizer for the year so it will have nutrients before the law goes dormant. The customer should take care not to allow salt to fall on the grass.

Tools, also should be put up for the winter. They should be cleaned and some, like pruners, should be oiled to stay sharp. Gas should be drained from lawn mowers and the blades should also be cleared of dead grass and debris. Ciminelli’s can see to all of their customer’s winterizing needs.

Residential or commercial customers who need their landscapes winterized shouldn’t hesitate to call Ciminelli’s Landscape Services, Inc. New customers call 410 734-2493, while current customers should call 410 741-9683.

To create a winter landscape, it is ideal to lift landscaping ideas from other seasons. Many people want to work with flourishing plants and do not see the potential in a winter yard. Plants and flowers that have grown through the warmer seasons will be able to thrive in a colder background.

Landscaping Annapolis professionals know about the different winter-appropriate plants, like hollies, evergreens and eucalyptus plants that are available. In places with freezing temperatures, the area can be enlivened with a greenhouse that houses various plants and flowers. These perennials are taken out right after winter passes.

Including birds in the landscape is another suggestion. The few birds that do stick around will liven up the area. Heated baths and colorful feeders can be placed out in the open. In a snowy area, it is still possible to view birds as they move around. During the winter, snow removal makes it easier for animals. The most disappointing aspect is the way that the plants become damaged over time.

Evergreen trees are usually viewed as holiday decorative items. Evergreens are made to resist cold temperatures and add life. Tall trees provide protection against strong winds. Trees should be planted a few feet from the windows. Blocking wind and other elements will decrease the energy bills. There are many beneficial reasons to add a landscape in the early winter. With the seasons passing by quickly, it is crucial to contact a landscape design Annapolis service provider that manages property during the cold and warm months.