Tag Archives: Landscaping

Customer Testimonials

Thank you very much for all your help with the driveway project. It came out great and we are very pleased with it! 
– Brian and Sue

Everything looks beautiful! Matt really understood our needs and gave us a great design. We will definitely recommend your company to our friends. 
– The Lehman’s

Thank you very much to Ciminelli’s Landscape Services for repairing our fire pit; what a fabulous job. The fire pit has brought our family much enjoyment with many evenings fires. It’s so pleasing to receive a compliment on our retaining wall and to know that I can confidently refer my family and friends to Ciminelli’s Landscape Services for an exceptional product with service and support after the purchase.
– Dave and Kathie

Just a short note to tell you how happy we are with our new front yard. Your crew were courteous and excellent workers. I was so impressed by their initiative. They all took pride in their work. Thank you so much!
– Carol and Arnie

MATT’S APRIL TIP

Spring is here and I’m sure you have been out in your yard surveying and planning for a beautiful season.  The trees and bulbs are blooming…and the weed seeds are sprouting.  Now is the best time to control weeds in your planting beds.  All perennial and annual weeds should be removed – we recommend only mechanical removal – not the use of harsh weed killing herbicides.  Most annual weeds are easily removed at this time of year before they have had a chance to develop strong root systems and most critically – create THOUSANDS of seeds.  Perennial (returns every year), weeds need their entire root system to be removed or they will come back.  Clean and rake your beds and then apply at least a two to three inch layer of mulch – preferably shredded hardwood, cedar or pine.  These mulches stay in place and shade the ground to prevent weed seeds from sprouting. 

Lawn weeds are a little tougher to control naturally, but there is a product called WOW made from corn gluten that is a natural pre-emergent weed control product for lawns.  It will also stop any lawn seed from sprouting, so it should only be used if your lawn is established

10 Ways to Achieve a Healthy Home Landscape Without Harming the Chesapeake Bay

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 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

MATT’S MARCH TIP

To fertilize or not to fertilize – that is the question

You would think that with all the marketing of fertilizers in the Spring,  that it is impossible to grow anything without chemical intervention. Well, just go in time  before the advent of big Agriculture companies and realize that most plants survived and thrived without our chemical assistance. Many plants, shrubs, and trees are able to absorb exactly what they need from the soil, air and water and do not need additional Nitrogen, Phosphorous or Potassium. One of our major problems in our Watershed is that many of the fertilizers that are applied actually “run-off” into our water system instead of remaining in the soil for the plants to uptake. This causes issues for our water quality as the chemicals  leach into the aquifers and also run into the Bay and increases algae blooms and reduces water quality.

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.  Please visit the Maryland Cooperative Extension’s web site at the link below for more information on fertilizing and soil testing. Also, please visit our link to the GROWING GREEN PLEDGE concerning lawn care.

Maryland Cooperative Extension

Growing Green Pledge

Landscaping Makes the Difference

No matter what a yard needs, professional landscaping makes all the difference in the world. Is there a low-lying area in the yard that stays muddy, why not add a water feature? If someone wants a low-maintenance patio, artistic, practical stone masonry works wonders. Professionals can create affordable masterpieces sure to impress neighbors and to invite people inside the home to get outside in the outdoor property. If the front area demands more curb appeal, or if someone desires a garden in the back of the house, any outdoor space can improve with expert loving care and attention.

When the house is new and the land around is bare, it is as if landscapers have a blank canvas before them, but an overworked, tired, or forgotten piece of property, overgrown and in disrepair is also full of possibilities. Proficient landscapers can provide any needed service for lawn and garden. They can set up outdoor lighting, install desired drainage systems, do mulching around plants and trees, prune trees and shrubbery. Additionally, they can do all necessary maintenance to keep the yard looking in top condition.

Now, when landscapers add new elements, native plants are perfect choices for attractive low-maintenance spaces. The nurseries have many fabulous native and low-care options. Home and business owners can always choose the types of plants included in the landscape, but professionals can advise them on the best plants to fit what the owners want to achieve for their outdoor space. Simple or elaborate, outdoor designs can be spectacular. A healthy lawn and a few choice plants or trees may be just right for the area, but the owner may want to install some walkways, raised beds, a grill pit and more. Landscape artists not only help with design, but they install and manage all upkeep for reasonable rates. The positive change landscaping brings is very effective for outdoor properties.

Going Green with Eco Scaping

Whether it be to save water, save the environment or save money, eco-scaping offers a lot of options for garden-lovers. By using new technology as well as reusing resources, it possible to improve the look of a yard and use less tap water without causing detrimental damage to the environment. Think all of those lush lawns and gardens with fountains pay an arm and a leg for that beauty? Think they are all harming the environment? Think again.

Here are some simple ways you can change your garden. Instead of “landscaping,” try some of these suggestions to turn your yard into a beautiful “eco-scaped” scene:

Hard-scaping– Try using detailed tiles and neutral pavers to build beautiful opportunities for patios to rest on, paths to explore and driveways for spacious parking. By changing up your outside utopia to include these features, it not only makes your home more attractive and interesting, it can also save resources and money by reducing the need for expensive landscaping. This means that there is less water, fertilizer, pesticide and other chemical additives being used on those spaces. This keeps money in your wallet as well as reduces the impact of chemicals on the environment.

Retaining Walls– Add soil barriers that keep the ground soil in place as a way to reduce leaching, run-off and erosion. This can create beautiful, intricate scenes built at various levels around your yard as well as reduce the amount of topsoil leaving your yard. This helps reduce erosion, meaning your plants stay healthier and you do not have to replace the nutrient-rich topsoil as often.

Rainwater Collecting – Save the water that naturally comes into your yard during rain. This water can be used to water plants, fill ponds and fountains, wash cars, keep bird baths filled and complete other tasks around the yard without coming from your tap or undergoing expensive water treatment processes.

For a sample of all of these suggestions as well as other ways to work eco-scaping into your landscape, check out: https://www.ciminellislandscape.com/services/ Here, they offer a variety of services and options to increase the appearance and cost-efficiency of your yard while saving the environment.

A Happy Customer from Ciminelli’s Landscape Services

What the Bergman’s had to say about a landscaping and hardscaping project done by Cinminelli’s this year.

Dear Matt, Raphael and all,

It’s absolutely BEAUTIFUL even though it’s currently under 2 feet of snow. We still love it.

The walkway, patio and lighting completely transformed the front of the house. Raphael’s walls are gorgeous! His attention to detail, thoughtful consideration and level of professionalism are top notch. Both you and your crew have been a pleasure to work with on both of our projects this year.

So… thank you, thank you, thank you for our beautiful new entrance. We can’t help but smile when we pull into the driveway.

The Bergman’s