We’re proud to share that Back to Nature Landscaping & Construction has once again been recognized in Virginia Living’s Best of Virginia 2025 awards! 🌿
Chosen by more than 50,000 readers statewide, Back to Nature was voted Best Landscape Design in Southwest Virginia. This incredible honor reflects not only the quality and creativity of our work but also the strong support of our amazing clients and community.
From outdoor living spaces and patios to custom landscape design and maintenance, every project we take on is built with care, craftsmanship, and a deep love for the natural beauty of Virginia. Winning this award year after year reinforces our mission — to help homeowners and businesses create outdoor spaces they love to live in.
To everyone who voted for us — thank you. Your continued trust inspires us to keep digging deeper, designing smarter, and growing together.
🌸 Ready to transform your outdoor space? Contact us today to start your next project: www.backtonaturelandscaping.com or call 540-739-3947.
A lush, green lawn doesn’t just happen on its own—it needs the right care at the right time. Two of the best ways to give your grass the boost it needs are core aeration and slit seeding. At Back to Nature Landscaping, we use specialized equipment and proven techniques to keep lawns in the New River Valley looking healthy, vibrant, and resilient year after year.
What is Core Aeration?
Over time, your lawn’s soil can become compacted from foot traffic, heavy rain, and even just everyday use. Compacted soil makes it harder for air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass. That’s where core aeration comes in.
We use a professional-grade aeration machine to pull out small plugs of soil—called cores—across your lawn. This reduces compaction and opens up natural pathways for water, air, and nutrients to reach deep into the root zone.
After aeration, a simple watering helps the soil cores break down and recycle back into the ground, enriching your turf naturally.
Why Aeration Helps:
Loosens compacted soil so roots can grow deeper and stronger
Improves movement of air, water, and nutrients into the root zone
Breaks up the thatch layer that can suffocate healthy growth
Encourages a thicker, greener, and more resilient lawn
What is Slit Seeding?
If your yard has thin patches or bare spots, slit seeding is one of the most effective ways to bring it back to life. We use a slit seeder, a machine that cuts small grooves into the soil and places grass seed directly below the surface.
Unlike simply spreading seed on top of the ground, slit seeding ensures excellent soil-to-seed contact. This allows for faster germination, better protection of the seed, and stronger establishment of new grass.
Why Slit Seeding is Effective:
Plants seed beneath the surface where it’s protected and more likely to grow
Fills in bare spots and evens out your lawn
Adds density and rich color, helping crowd out weeds naturally
Improves overall turf health so your lawn stays fresh, full, and green season after season
The Perfect Pair: Aeration + Slit Seeding
When combined, core aeration and slit seeding deliver the ultimate lawn upgrade. Aeration prepares the soil by opening it up, while slit seeding plants fresh seed directly into the ground. Together, they rejuvenate your turf, boost its resilience, and create a healthier, thicker lawn you’ll enjoy all year long.
At Back to Nature Landscaping, we’re proud to provide professional aeration and slit seeding services to keep your lawn looking its best. Whether you want to strengthen your existing turf or fill in thin areas for a fuller, greener look, our team has you covered.
Ready to give your lawn new life? Contact Back to Nature Landscaping & Construction today and let’s get your yard thriving.
Football season is here along with beautiful fall weather. It’s great to have friends over to enjoy watching a game together, but imagine what that could be like if you moved the party outside? Crisp clear evenings, a fire in the firepit, snacks available on the bar, and plenty of seating from which to enjoy the game on an outdoor TV. Let’s look at each of these elements in turn.
A generous patio with comfortable seating Gone are the days of hard metal outdoor seating! You can choose from a broad selection of comfortable couches and arm chairs in many different styles, including modular systems that can be arranged in a way that suits your gathering best. Complete your space with side and coffee tables to set drinks and food. Size your patio to accommodate the groups you expect to host, making sure to add plenty of room for guests to move around the different areas of the patio and to pass one another comfortably.
A warm glow on chilly nights As the nights grow cooler, a firepit extends the season for outdoor gatherings. You can choose a movable firepit or built-in, gas or wood burning. Some coffee tables come with a built in gas firepit, allowing you to stay warm and roast a few marshmallows while enjoying the game in your outdoor living room.
Outdoor TVs Did your parents ever tell you to stop watching TV and get out for some fresh air? Now you can have both! There are many makes and models of outdoor TVs designed to withstand the elements. Some still need to be in a covered space, while others can be more exposed. Models are also designed to produce a clear image in shady to full sun locations. Check the manufacturer’s specifications to see where each model can be used. ou will also need to consider what mounting system best supports the weight of the TV and if you will want a separate outdoor sound system. Sizes can commonly range from 43-75″, but specialty manufacturers can produce TVs that are 20′ or wider.
Halftime Hors d’oeveurs Game day snacks are an important part of any tailgate. A simple outdoor kitchen consisting of a grill and some bar space to prep and lay out the food makes it easier to serve up food hot and keep it available for your guests. You can also add elements like a refrigerator for drinks and a sink to make clean up easier.
Friday night lights For evening games, lighting can help make your outdoor space more enjoyable, and safer to navigate. Path and step lights can be unobtrusive, but help prevent tripping. Wall lights, patio string lights and artistic accent lights can add ambiance and interest to your space.
Putting it all together We hope this list of game day improvements has given you some ideas of one or more improvements for your outdoor space to make tailgating at home more fun for you and your family. However, blending all of these elements together is best done with some skilled planning to make sure you have a space where everyone can watch the game, but which still feels spacious, comfortable, and easy to move around in. If you would like to transform your existing space or build a completely new outdoor living space, we would be happy to help you think through what elements would best serve your vision and how to combine them well for the perfect place to cheer on your team.
Japanese beetles can quickly turn a beautiful summer landscape into a patchwork of skeletonized leaves, damaged flowers, and patchy turf. Knowing how these pests live and the control methods available will help protect your plants while maintaining a healthy landscape.
Life Cycle of Japanese Beetles
Japanese beetles have a one-year life cycle:
Late May – Early June: Adult beetles emerge from the soil, feeding on foliage, flowers, and fruit.
Mid-July to Mid- August: Females lay eggs in turf and these hatch into grubs that feed on turf roots
Late Summer–Fall: Eggs hatch into white grubs that feed on turf roots, sometimes causing dead patches in lawns.
Late Fall – Winter: As the soil cools, grubs move deeper into the soil to overwinter.
Spring: Grubs move back up and continue feeding before pupating into adults.
Control Methods
Manual Removal On smaller plants or in manageable areas, hand-picking beetles in the early morning and dropping them into soapy water can reduce populations and minimize damage.
Traps (Use With Caution) Japanese beetle traps are available but often attract more beetles than they catch, potentially increasing damage. If used, place traps at least 30 feet away from garden areas.
Chemical Control
For Adults: Insecticides labeled for Japanese beetle control can reduce feeding damage but may need repeated applications during heavy infestations. Always follow label directions and consider the impact on pollinators when choosing treatment timing.
For Grubs: Treating turf with grub control products in late summer can help reduce the next season’s adult population.
Cultural Practices
Keep your lawn healthy to reduce grub damage, as healthy turf can often tolerate some feeding without significant harm.
Water deeply and less frequently to discourage egg-laying.
Biological Control Beneficial nematodes are biological options for grub control, although they can take time to establish and are most effective when used as part of a long-term management plan.
A Layered Approach
Because Japanese beetles are persistent pests, an integrated approach combining monitoring, cultural practices, and targeted control measures is most effective for your landscape. If you are seeing extensive damage or would like help managing Japanese beetles in your landscape, our team is ready to assist you in protecting your investment and maintaining your outdoor spaces through the summer season.
New plantings need special care to get established during the heat of summer. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall. Check the soil a couple of inches down around your plants; if it feels dry, it’s time to water.
If your plants start to wilt, check the soil moisture first. If it’s dry, water thoroughly. If it’s still fairly wet, you may be watering too much. Soil that stays too wet prevents roots from functioning properly and may lead to root rot. Plants in this condition can wilt, have stunted growth, yellowing leaves, leaf spots, or crown rot.
When watering, aim for deep watering at the base of the plant so the soil around the roots gets fully moistened. It isn’t necessary to water the leaves..
If you’re using sprinklers, remember that it’s best to spread 1 inch of water over two to three waterings each week. This allows water to soak in without running off. To measure, place a small dish or rain gauge in your yard to see how long it takes your sprinklers to deliver about ⅓ to ½ inch of water.
Watering in the morning is ideal so leaves can dry before cooler evening temperatures, reducing the risk of fungal issues.
With consistent, careful watering, your new plants will have the best chance to thrive through the summer heat and establish strong, healthy roots for seasons to come.
Summer is the season to soak in the outdoors—and with the right structure in your yard, you can do just that in comfort and style. Whether you’re looking for a shaded reading nook, a bug-free dinner spot, or a stunning garden focal point, options like screened porches, gazebos, and pergolas can help you enjoy your landscape all season long.
Screened Porches: Bringing the Outdoors In
Screened porches create a smooth transition between indoor comfort and outdoor living. They’re perfect for relaxing on a summer evening without the bother of bugs or unpredictable weather. Whether sipping coffee in the morning or hosting dinner with friends, a screened porch lets you enjoy fresh air and backyard views in comfort. Add ceiling fans, lighting, or even a fireplace, and this space can easily become a three-season room you’ll use spring through fall.
Best for: Outdoor dining, reading, relaxing, or enjoying summer nights without mosquitoes.
Gazebos: A Garden Retreat with Timeless Charm
Gazebos offer a beautiful, freestanding shelter nestled anywhere in your landscape. Their solid roofs provide reliable shade and a cozy place to gather—ideal for summer celebrations, quiet morning coffees, or an afternoon nap with the sound of birds around you. Placed thoughtfully, a gazebo becomes a destination within your yard—encouraging you to explore and use more of your outdoor space.
Best for: Creating a romantic retreat, hosting small gatherings, or anchoring a garden with a classic centerpiece.
Pergolas: Open-Air Style and Versatility
Pergolas add definition and charm to outdoor spaces while still feeling open and airy. Their overhead structure offers partial shade—perfect for hot days—and they pair beautifully with string lights, climbing vines, or retractable canopies. Pergolas can be built over patios, outdoor kitchens, walkways, or seating areas to frame your landscape and create natural gathering spots. They’re a flexible, stylish way to encourage more time outside.
Best for: Entertaining, outdoor dining, or adding a custom touch of elegance to patios and gardens.
Find the Right Fit for Your Landscape
Each of these structures adds something special to a yard. A screened porch becomes an all-weather extension of your home. A gazebo invites you into the garden. A pergola sets the scene for summer living with light, shade, and beauty.
When thoughtfully designed and placed, these features not only enhance the look of your property—they make it easier to spend more time outdoors, making memories with family and friends.
Let us help you choose the right structure to bring more comfort, beauty, and function to your yard this summer.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
