There are several striking visual elements to this design. The firepit’s circular layout uses a seating wall and steps to emphasize the shape and provide plenty of room for guests. In this large, open yard, the beautiful structure of the pergola frames the outdoor living room, anchoring the space in the yard and providing a sense of shelter. In addition to these spaces, solid paver steps and plenty of room to circulate between areas provides good access, and extra patio space beyond the pergola accommodates the client’s grill and griddle. This project was a delight to design and build, and won Best Outdoor Living Space from the New River Valley Home Builders Association.
We love being able to provide our clients with ways to enjoy being outdoors with friends. In addition to pergolas, sunrooms and screened-in porches we can provide clients with other options to suit their needs and wishes.
Our lawns can suffer from heat and drought. Most of the lawns in this area are cool season grasses like tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass, which can be allowed to go dormant during dry periods if the turf is mature.You can also choose to water your lawn to maintain it’s fresh, green color using the guidelines below.
New or establishing lawns do not have the ability to survive dry periods. Apply supplemental water following the guidelines below.
Mature lawns can be allowed to go dormant. If your dormant turf doesn’t spring back after you walk across it, it’s time to start watering.
When watering your lawn:
Water turf deeply and infrequently to encourage deep roots in the soil.
Morning is the best time to water.
Apply 1″ of water a week, spread over 2-3 waterings.
Set mower height at 4″+ to promote deeper roots and help grass compete against weeds.
Here are other things you can do to help your lawn in the summertime.
Grub control – Controls early larval stage of grubs, keeping them from degrading turf root systems. Because moles and voles seek out grubs in turf, this application also reduces the damage they cause. More mature stages of this pest that are present can be controlled with other products.
Summer pruning – Continue to shape shrubs to keep them neat and healthy through the summer.
Weed control – It’s easier to pull and dispose of weeds when they are small, so scout your beds every 7-10 days to keep on top of this task. In larger areas you can use scuffle hoes to make this job quicker.
Deer repellent – A topical and foliar spray to prevent deer, as well as some other small animals, from damaging plants throughout your landscape.
Pests and Diseases – Application of a foliar spray to prevent common pests and fungal diseases on ornamental trees and shrubs in the landscape, keeping them healthy and beautiful. (See article below for more info)
Round 3 Turf application – Application of organic fertilizer adds nutrients to help strengthen turf and maintain a healthy green color into summer months. If you maintain your own lawn, you can follow this program, but it’s a good idea to get your soil tested to see how much fertilizer you need before applying it.
Mowing – During dry periods, we raise the heights of our mower decks to 4″+ to promote deeper roots which helps the grass survive the reduced rainfall and gives turf an advantage over weeds. Turf grows more slowly during these times, so it may not need mowing as often. (See more tips below)
Summer is a season of growth and beauty in the yard, but it may also include a host of pests and diseases that can harm plants, lawns, and even structures. Understanding some common summer pests and diseases can help you know what to watch for when monitoring the health of a landscape.
Several Pests to be aware of include:
Mosquitoes, Ticks & Japanese Beetles are pests which can transmit diseases or cause damage to landscape plants
Eliminate standing water and plant mosquito-repellent plants like citronella and lavender; Keep grass and shrubs trimmed, Create barriers with wood chips or gravel; Handpick beetles and drop them into soapy water, use traps, or apply neem oil or insecticidal sprays.
Grubs, White, C-shaped larvae of various beetles found in the soil, feed on grass roots causing brown patches and spongy turf that can be easily pulled up
Apply beneficial nematodes or grub-control products, and maintain healthy lawn care practices to reduce grub infestations
Cinch Bugs, small, black bugs with white wings which feed on grass, causing yellow or brown patches that can die off in severe infestations
Maintain proper lawn care, use insecticidal soap or appropriate insecticides, and water the lawn adequately.
Common Summer Yard Diseases include:
Powdery Mildew, white, powdery fungal growth on leaves, stems, and flowers, causes leaves to yellow, curl and drop prematurely reducing plant vigor
Ensure good air circulation, water plants at the base, and apply fungicides if necessary.
Lawn Rust, orange or yellow powdery spores on grass blades, causes grass to weaken and turn yellow or brown, reducing overall lawn health
Water and fertilize the lawn properly, mow regularly, and apply fungicides if needed
Leaf Spot, small, dark spots on leaves that can merge and cause significant damage, can lead to leaf drop and weakened plants, particularly in ornamental trees and shrubs
Remove and destroy affected leaves, water at the base, and apply fungicides as needed.
Root Rot, plants exhibit stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and wilting despite adequate water. Roots appear brown and mushy; plants weaken and will lead to death if not managed
Improve soil drainage, avoid overwatering, and use fungicides to treat affected plants
Anthracnose, dark, sunken lesions on leaves, stems, and fruits of various plants, can cause leaf drop, stem cankers, and fruit rot, particularly in trees like sycamores and oaks
Prune and dispose of infected plant parts, water plants at the base, and apply fungicides if necessary
If pests or diseases are already present a few DIY remedies include handpicking pests, using insecticidal soap or neem oil sprays, and using beneficial insects to naturally control pests. Using homemade compost tea or other fertilizer can strengthen plants’ resistance to pests and diseases and increase their overall health.
If additional support in your yard is needed, our maintenance and turf care programs can help control or eliminate many common issues for your summer landscape; contact to set up an appointment.
It’s often said the kitchen is the heart of the home and creating an outdoor kitchen can expand living space that provides a perfect blend of functionality, entertainment, and style. There are many elements to consider when planning a new outdoor kitchen space and we can help you bring your vision to life.
On trend are modular designs & portable elements which allow homeowners to mix and match different components such as grills, sinks, refrigerators, and storage units to fit their specific needs. Several manufacturers have also introduced pre-made outdoor kitchen units. Both of these options are quicker to install and less expensive than kitchens built on site. Also popular are sleek, modern cabinetry, with features like soft close doors typically seen in indoor kitchens. In addition to built-in components, mobile kitchen islands, rolling bar carts, and movable prep stations offer versatility and ease of rearrangement.
High-end grills with multiple functions, including gas, charcoal, and wood-burning options, as well as built-in smokers and rotisseries offer options to meet your needs. Pizza ovens, wood-fired or gas, are becoming increasingly popular for their ability to make authentic, restaurant-quality pizzas at home.
Aesthetic appeal is a major focus, with an emphasis on durability and luxury. Natural Stone, concrete or quartz countertops offer both beauty and resilience, withstanding outdoor elements while providing a sleek, modern look. For cabinetry and appliances, stainless steel remains a top choice due to its durability and contemporary appearance.
We can assist with bringing your dream outdoor kitchen to life. We’ll begin with the basics of helping you determine the type and style of kitchen you want whether its to accommodate a simple grill or full kitchen. Options for integrating into your site and styles to match your home help guide choices of appropriate materials and ways to match your budget.
Whether you need to start from the ground up with a new patio or deck to accommodate your new kitchen or if you just need to upgrade an already existing space, we can bring together a stylish space that extends the comfort and convenience of indoor living to the outdoors.
A rainy day can be a perfect time to curl up with a cup of coffee and a good book, but if you have drainage issues, it becomes a worrying time of checking gutters, downspouts, and low spots, wondering if water is getting into your home and causing damage. Moldy crawlspaces can pose a thread to our personal health and the integrity of our home’s structure. Soil erosion is unsightly and can undermine the health of our plantings, or damage our lawns.
A client asked us to help her with drainage issues in her backyard. Her back lawn slopes to a low spot among some shade trees that also receives drainage from surrounding properties, with no easy outlet. When it rained, her backyard would erode, the mulch under her shade trees washed out, and the low spot would become water-logged, even pooling. This made it difficult to grow healthy turf and maintain an attractive area under the shade trees. As part of this project, she wanted to reuse the perennials she had planted under the shade trees, adding to them with natives whenever possible. She also had a back entrance with uneven pavers and poor drainage under her deck. To solve these issues, we proposed:
several dry stream beds to catch and direct water from her yard and the surrounding properties
a dry well at the end of the stream beds to store a certain amount of rainwater, allowing it to infiltrate in to the soil below surface level
surface drains and swales under her deck to reroute water into her yard and the streambed/dry well system
a new, solid, level patio at the back entrance that would tie into her existing walkway
extending downpours at least 15′ away from her house
lifting her existing plants, storing them during construction and replanting them, adding a good selection of new plantings to the restored beds under her shade trees and around the new patio
The beds under the shade trees now offer a lovely planting area that can be enjoyed from the new patio. The drainage system under her deck, the dry stream beds and dry well all seem to be working well. It’s important to have a back up plan for particularly heavy rains. This system does overflow into the surrounding low lawn areas, but the mulch and plantings under the trees stay in good condition, and now she is ready to further develop that planting area.
Developing a comprehensive drainage system for your property needs to begin with careful consideration of the topography, soil, and your goals for your property. The system may include elements like dry stream beds, dry wells, surface drains, and downspout extensions, but can also utilize regrading, french drains, and other infiltration strategies like rain gardens. Water is an important resource, and can help our yards flourish or cause damage, depending on how we shape our landscapes.
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