Landscape Design Trends 2015

According to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ALSA), going green is a trend for 2015. Some of the projects that are expected to be in highest demand are:

Native plants (85 percent)

Native/adapted drought-tolerant plants (83 percent)

Food/vegetable gardens (79 percent)

Fire pits/fireplaces (78 percent)

Low-maintenance landscapes (78 percent)

Permeable paving (77 percent)

Drip/water-efficient irrigation (74 percent)

Rain gardens (74 percent)

Lighting (72 percent)

Rainwater/graywater harvesting (71 percent)

(http://www.asla.org/NewsReleaseDetails.aspx?id=46048)

Clearly people are looking for more eco-friendly options in their landscape. Using native plants and drought-tolert plants is a low cost way to make your yard more environmentally friendly.  Permeable pavers are great for creating a hardscape space that doesn't compromise drainage.

Still, the trends report from ASLA sites that the classic outdoor structures are still highly popular. Outdoor structures were ranked in order of popularity:

• Pergolas – 51.0% 
• Decks – 45.0% 
• Fencing – 42.0% 
• Arbors – 41.0% 
• Porches – 38.0% 
• ADA accessible structures (ramps, bars, shelving, etc.) – 31.0%
• Pavilions – 31.0% 
• Utility sheds (tool sheds, garden sheds) – 29.0%
• Play structures (treehouses, swing sets, etc.) – 25.0% 
• Gazebos – 19.0%

(http://www.asla.org/NewsReleaseDetails.aspx?id=46048)

Pergolas ranked number one! If you are interested in installing a pergola, check out our showroom in Laurel, MD where we have 2 on display. Decks are number two on the list and we offer great decking solutions too! 

If you are interested in finding out more about landscape design trends in 2015, call 301-603-1080 for a complementary consultation.

5 Potted Plants for Valentine's Day

Looking for a way to sweep your sweetie off his or her feet this Valentine's day?

Instead of traditional bouquets, check out these potted plants that will brighten your home for years to come!

1. Chrysanthemum- Mums are popular in the fall. They come back yearly and provide a pop of color in cooler weather!

2. Flowering Kale and Cabbage- For your health nut, Colorful, flowering versions of their favorite veggies.

3. Heuchera- Colorful leaves that stay bright through the winter. They come in a variety of colors so you can choose his or her favorites.

4. Orchid- The elegant orchid makes a great gift.

5. Bonsai- For a true tree lover a bonsai makes a great gift. These miniature arbor sculptures also look beautiful.

How to make your Yard "Green" for Spring

There are many ways you can improve your yard for spring, and incorporating a little "green" into your landscape is a great place to start.  Here are some tips and ideas on how to make your yard more eco-friendly: Fix Drainage- If you have flooding or erosion install a drainage system. Helping to disperse water prevents run-off and erosion which can damage ecosystems.  Mulch- Mulching also helps prevent run-off and erosion. In addition, it is a great natural way to help nourish and protect your trees and shrubs.  Buy in Bulk- Why waste all that packaging when bulk mulch and gravel is usually cheaper anyway. We now sell bulk items at our store in Laurel, MD.  Think Permeable- Permeable pavers and concrete are great options for hardscaping that are more environmentally friendly because they help to filter water naturally, preventing erosion and run-off.  Go Native- Use native plants, which are better adapted to your environment and thus require less maintenance, water and chemical fertilizer. If you try any of these or other tips for having a "greener" yard please let us know how it works for you!

Beautiful Winter Landscape

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Its freezing outside. As you snuggle up by the fire, your yard is covered in a soft blanket of snow, and your now protruding belly is covered in a soft blanket of cookie crumbs. While we can't help you with your eating habits, we can give you tips on how to make your yard look great four seasons out of the year. Here are 4 simple techniques to get the most out of your yard in these frigid temps:

1. Evergreens- Probably the most obvious tip. Nothing makes your yard look more festive than a lush green spruce. But think outside the box! Evergreens come in different varieties and shades (some are yellow). Nellie Stevens and Leyland Cypresses are good choices that don't get too large. The American Holly and Magnolia are two native flat leaved evergreens that can add texture to your landscape.

2. Add color with winter flowers and berries- Your winter landscape doesn't have to be all brown and green. Some trees and shrubs produce bright colored flowers and berries in the winter. The aforementioned holly, produces festive red berries. Camellia, wintersweet and flowering quince are all winter flowering species that can brighten up your yard.

3. Mix in deciduous textures- Even though they may not be green, the texture and shape of unique deciduous trees can add interest to your yard. Trees like beech wood and birch have papery peeling bark that can create visual contrast to the lush evergreens and smooth white snow. 

4. Accessorize- Hardscapes, planters and unique non-plant features can give your yard a unique character. A striking pergola or trellis can create an interesting focal point. A firepit or outdoor fireplace can be a great place to roast marshmallows for an outdoor gathering while also enhancing the appearance of your winter yard. If you are on a tight budget a few accessories like planters or a wheelbarrow can spruce of the look of your outdoor space.

I hope these tips help you enjoy your yard all year long!

Winter Landscaping Checklist

Wondering how to prepare your yard for the cold?

Here is a simple checklist to make sure you are prepared for winter weather:

• Clean Gutters
• Check roof for leaks or missing shingles or flashing
• Trim shrubs and trees
• Leaf clean-up
• Mulch flower beds and trees  
• Remove dead trees
• Move unseasonable potted plants indoors.

Happy Holidays!

Mediterranean Landscaping

Unfortunately or Fortunately I can never quite unplug from work when I'm on vacation, and on our last trip to Spain the landscaping really inspired me. Seeing the history of Mediterranean culture incorporated into the picturesque Spanish landscape gave me the idea me to post a blog about some of the features I encountered that you could incorporate into your own yard to make your outdoor space feel like a private Mediterranean get away.

The beauty of the south of Spain is really indescribable: Mountains embracing the sea, crisp blue sky merging into the aquamarine waters, tropical plants, a sense of history and opulence. The food is delicious too! If you have time and money I seriously recommend taking a trip to southern Spain to experience the breathtaking aesthetics for yourself, but if you still want the feel of a Mediterranean paradise while remaining in the comfort of your own home I have some tips for that too! Below are some themes I noticed in the Spanish gardens that you could use in your own yard to create the same Mediterranean feel.

1. Tropical Plants: Cactus, fruit trees, palms -- incorporate some exotic plants into your landscape. Talk with your landscaper to find plants that will work with your climate, but still produce a Mediterranean feel.

Fresh Limes!

2. Hedges: sculpted boxwood-- A great way to add structure and form to your garden. The line of the hedges helps lead the viewer to a focal point in the yard. These were a big theme in the Spanish gardens we visited.

 3. Pergola: Another nice feature. In Spain, they provide shade from the hot Mediterranean sun while still allowing for airflow. Pergolas have the magical ability of transforming an outdoor space into a romantic garden.

4. Mosaics: Mosaics can be incorporated into any type of hardscape and really give it an opulent and exotic feel. These were very common in many of the outdoor spaces we visited and many of them were very old.

 5. Stone work: Natural stone was used in many of the gardens and castles, both new and old. The stonework resonated with history but also echoed the majestic mountains that bordered the sea.

 6. Character Trees: I saw lots of interesting trees that spoke of the history and of the climate. By featuring an exotic or interesting tree in your yard you can capture that Mediterranean feel.

7. Bull ring: Hey, if you really want to be authentic, how about installing a bull ring? --- just watch out for the bulls! Yikes!

Twisted Cistern!

Couldn't resist a little 'heavy metal' pun in the title. But all bad jokes aside, cisterns and rain barrels are a great solution for anyone looking to reduce water costs, landscape sustainably and help reduce water overflow and run-off.

Cisterns and rain barrels are essentially the same thing. Cisterns are large rain barrels. They are both large tanks that capture water from a collection area (i.e. downspout). These tanks can be used to capture, store and reuse rain water. The tanks can be installed either below or above ground, but require a proper base since a full tank can weigh a few hundred pounds and may sink if not installed correctly.

Rain water from most roofs can be considered "gray water" and can be used for processes such as watering plants and flushing toilets. In addition, using a cistern or rain barrel reduces the load of storm water and helps prevent run-off. It also helps reduce the use of potable water for irrigation.

For a relatively low cost, you can install a cistern with some accessories to water your plants and help reduce your water costs. Cisterns and Rain barrels are low maintenance but typically require a cleaning once a year and regular inspection to ensure seals are functional and that there are no clogs in the system.

If you are interested in this or other great green landscaping/construction solutions please give us a call 301-603-1080.

Maryland Native Plants

Great! You're interested in going native! Native plants, that is. Just in time for spring, you want to re-do your garden to be as sustainable as possible. And hey, the fact that native plants require less maintenance is just a natural bonus, right?

Here are a list of some common native Maryland Plants that are great to use in your garden:

Rudbeckia (Black eyed Susan): Add a pop of color with this hardy state flower.

Vibirnum: Nice looking, sturdy shrubs

Rhododendron: Shrubs with big pom-pom like flowers

Cercis canadensis (Redbud): Pretty small tree


Aquilegia canadensis (eastern or wild columbine): Interesting looking flowers


Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchman’s breeches): One of my favorites! A pretty heart shaped flower.

Those are a few of my favorites, but the list goes on and on. For a more comprehensive list check out this free pdf: http://www.nativeplantcenter.net/guides/chesapeakenatives.pdf  provided by the native plants center.

Happy Planting!

Swales are Swell!

Spotlight on Bioswales

If you have a mud run in your yard a bioswale might be a perfect option. Swales are ditches lined with rip-rap (rough stones), compost or vegetation to help direct and filter water. In general a bioswale is made by creating a wide gently sloped ditch and filling it with a natural filtration device such as those previously mentioned. Swales are a great way to naturally and sustainably prevent erosion and run-off. Swales work by filtering out pollutants and distributing the flow of water. The construction of a swale can be quite specific from the grade of the slope to the amount and type of materials used, or it can be more informal. To find out more about swales, give us a call to arrange an appointment 301-603-1080.

Earth Month

A lot of people make New Years resolutions but what about making a "green resolution" for Earth Day? In honor of Earth Day, which is this month, I thought it would be nice to try to find ways to incorporate a little more "green" into our lives. I got inspiration from another blog to cut down on using paper towels, which we seem to use like water at our house. For the company, my goal is to encourage our employees to be more energy efficient in their operations.

If you are looking for simple ways to be a little more environmentally friendly in honor of Earth Day here are some ideas:

1. Turn out the lights and turn off/ unplug appliances when not in use
2. Walk, bike or take public transportation instead of driving
3. Recycle!
4. Donate old clothes or electronics instead of throwing them away.
5. Program your thermostat to use less energy when you are asleep or away from home.

Here are some ideas on how to be greener in your yard:

1. Use native plants
2. Solve drainage problems to prevent run-off and erosion
3. Use permeable pavers and concrete for hardscaped surfaces.
4. Mulch to help prevent run-off and erosion
5. Use materials with a high SRI (lighter color) to prevent the heat island effect.

I hope that these ideas can inspire you to change something this month!

Enjoy your yard more!

Ever stepped into your backyard and thought "Ugh this place is a mess: weeds, mosquitoes, grass as high as my knees and when did that ditch in the middle of my yard turn into a swap." Yes, keeping your yard up is a lot of work, and unless you love gardening, heading out in the scorching summer heat to mow, weed and fertilize after a long day at work is NOT exactly what I'd call "enjoying your yard."

That's why I've come up with these simple tips to help you start enjoying your own personal outdoor space more.

1. Hire Professionals: Think about how much your time is worth. Do you really want to spend your beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon hunched over a patch of dirt? Our lawn maintenance packages are affordable, and you can't beat the feeling of coming home to a gorgeous yard full of green grass and beautiful flowers. Plus, professionals know what they are doing and can arguably do a better job than you could on your own. Look for an all inclusive package that includes a spring and fall clean-up, fertilizer applications, core aeration and leaf clean-up in the fall. Soon you'll have more free time to spend with family and friends!

2. Get the Edge: Edging helps create a defined and finished look to your mulched trees and flowerbeds. For a long lasting, and more refined looking edge, we often create small retaining walls using interlocking concrete blocks.

3. Install a Patio or Deck: Creating a defined place to enjoy gatherings with family and friends will give you a new reason to celebrate. And if you read our post on how to "Pimp your Patio" you can create an outdoor oasis.

4. Plant some Trees: It is officially summer and you know that means 100 degree days under the blazing sun. Forget expensive awnings! There is no better or greener way to give your yard the shade you crave than by planting trees. As a bonus, large trees shading your house can help you to cut your A/C bills in the summer.

5. Solve Drainage Issues: Hate Mosquitoes? Mosquitoes love water and water pools when you have drainage issues. We can solve your drainage issues with waterproofing, french drains, pop-up emitters and swales. Less standing water means less places for bugs to breed. It also means more yard to enjoy and less swamp!

Try implementing some of these ideas and let me know if you are able to better enjoy your yard. This is the first official weekend in summer so there is no better time to start enjoying your yard than now!

P.S. If your kids are home for the summer, a great backyard is a wonderful way to kill some time and burn off some energy!

How does your Garden grow?

Do you like vegetables?

As a kid I hated them. I vividly remember spitting them out into napkins, surreptitiously scooping them into the trash, or using any other number of tactics to avoid eating them.

As an adult, I have learned that there are some vegetables that are not so abominable, dare I say even delicious.

Recently I have been reading a lot of recipe blogs. One of the roles I have tried to take on as a new mom is making delicious and healthy meals and what could be healthier than home grown organic vegetables. (Sure, my baby hasn't started solids yet, but all this practice can't hurt.)

If you have ever thought about making a vegetable garden, we can help with that. We can even put a nifty concrete block border around it to give it a sophisticated look and help prevent the erosion of the soil.

And what should you plant?

The possibilities are endless. Tomatoes, herbs, squash, and peppers are all pretty easy to grow.

Once you've got your garden going try using the vegetables in some healthy recipes.

Here is one of my favorite: ZACUSCA

This is my healthier take on a traditional Romanian dish (which is usually loaded with oil):

Ingredients:

1 large eggplant

2 red peppers

1 large red onion

1 can of stewed tomatoes, drained (or tomato paste)

2 cloves of garlic

1tablespoon of oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Peel eggplant.

2. Chop all vegetables in to small cubes and place in a glass (9x13) pan.

3. Mince garlic and add it to the pan

4. Add stewed tomatoes and drizzle oil on top

5. Bake at 375 for 25 min. then stir

6. Bake at 375 for another 20-30 min.

7. Let cool, then blend in a food processor or blender (consistency should be chunky like salsa)

8. Add salt and pepper to taste

9. Enjoy!

You can use the zacusca as a spread, side dish and sometimes I even eat it as my main dish.

Try it and let me know if you enjoy it!

Mo' Money Mo' Problems

When you think green what comes to mind? The environment? Money? St. Patrick's Day?
Lately "green" and environmentally friendly have become synonymous with expensive. You see it  everywhere: At the grocery store organic milk costs almost twice as much as regular milk, green cleaning products are sure to cost a pretty penny more than their toxic counterparts and in landscaping and construction green always seems to add a few thousand dollars to the bill.

Today, a man walked into the Discovery Channel Building, appearing to have a bomb strapped to his chest, and taking hostages. The suspect is reported to have a long history of dissatisfaction with the Discovery channel, arguing that it's focus was not on the environment, as it claimed, but instead on products and making money.

It seems like the"green" industry has shifted from environmentalism to capitalist gains, but that is not all bad and consumers can use that to their advantage. The fact that sustainable design has gained awareness and that consumers are more willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products means that investors are more interested in creating these eco-options. The fact that there are so many "eco-options" means more choices for consumers and thus more competitive pricing. Even generic brands have come out with their own sustainable variety of products.

But even if you are not willing to pony up the extra bucks, green options, especially in landscaping can be cost neutral or even save you money. Green solutions especially for storm water management can save a lot of money: planting a rain garden is a relatively low cost option to solve potential flooding and other drainage issues. In addition, french drains can also be used to help solve drainage issues for a low cost.

Another way to help promote a clean environment and reduce the heat island effect is to choose pavement with a high SRI. By choosing hardscaping with a lighter color, you reduce the heat island effect, and help promote the native environment. The lighter color options should not add any costs on to your project. In addition, selecting native plants and local resources helps promote the native environment, and may be less costly, since the shipping costs for materials is not as high. Choosing native plants also reduces the need for irrigation, which can also save money.

In addition to all these low cost options, the government also offers rebates for green construction. In some areas you can pay for permeable pavers, and reduce the costs of solar or green roofing. By taking advantage of these government funded financial aids, consumers can afford construction that will have a more significant impact on reducing damage to the environment.

Although many see "green" as a higher cost alternative, the reality is that there are many low cost or no cost ways to promote sustainability. With the addition of government aid, eco-friendly options are well within budget-conscious consumers' reach.

Sustainable Materials

Since I was in high school and learned that you could make fuel out of corn, I wondered why more people didn't jump at this idea to improve our environment, our economy and our environment by taking advantage of this technology. I was always passionate about the environment but I felt powerless against the government and big corporations, which I felt would never take me seriously.

Today, I saw a commercial on TV promoting Ethanol (corn produced fuel) use, just as I had envisioned in high school. I think that we can all agree that after the oil spill in the Gulf and the diplomacy problems that have resulted from our dependence on foreign oil, finding a safer and more local solution for our energy needs would be ideal.

However, the point I want to emphasize is that no one should ever feel like they are to small or green (little pun :-) ) to make a difference. Everyone can do little things to help decrease their carbon footprint and live more sustainably. As a landscaping and construction company, I feel that few of our kind really try to promote these values when we could really have a large impact.

Small choices like using hybrid cars to do estimates, using sustainable product choices like low VOC paint, wood with a short harvesting life span, or materials made from recycled goods can all help the environment. Landscape designers can also help by educating consumers on green building techniques and ways to incorporate sustainability into the design.

If you work in the landscaping and construction industry try to educate yourself on the latest technologies and if you are a homeowner in need of services educate yourself or ask your provider what they know.

Empowering yourself with knowledge is the first step to a cleaner, greener earth!

How to Make Your Landscape Green!

At Green Future Construction our goal is to beautify your house, while at the same time minimizing negative impacts on the environment. There are several ways that you can help reduce damage to our environment while still getting the gorgeous yard that you desire. Here are some great ideas that you should consider when redesigning your landscape to make you yard more eco-conscious and in some cases save you money in the long run.

1. Plant shade trees which will help keep your house cool in the summer, reducing the cost of air conditioning for more information click here.

2. Develop a smart irrigation system that is efficient and uses less water, choose low-water use plants, and create water-wise garden designs.

3. Choose your plants wisely. Stick with native vegetation, which require less maintenance and are more beneficial to the other inhabitants of our environment.

4. Plant large pine trees in the north and west, which help reduce heating costs by blocking cold winter winds.

5. Use solar powered landscaping lights when illuminating your outdoor space to cut back on energy costs.

6. Ask your landscaper about organic and natural landscaping products, compost service and organic pesticides can be used to reduce toxic waste in our environment.

7. Reduce your lawn area. Lawns use a large amount of water and energy to maintain, not to mention the time it takes to mow them. Contact us to find out options that reduce your lawn area while maintaining your yard’s beauty.

8. Include plants that enhance the wildlife habitat and provide homes for native birds and beneficial insects.. Select native trees with flowers, fruits or berries. Hummingbirds love trumpet vines and other plants will attract butterflies and ladybugs.

9. Plant a natural vegetable garden as a way to reduce grocery costs and create a sustainable landscape. Ask about our garden planning services.

10. Use sustainable materials such as weed trees for construction and permeable pathways to allow for natural water flow and better irrigation.