Snow Removal in Fredericksburg Virginia

Tips for Snow Plowing and Snow Removal in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Virginia

Visit us at www.legendarylandscape.com or Call (540) 379-8930 to request Snow removal in Fredericksburg or Spotsylvania Virginia.

Helpful Advice For Plowing With Your Truck/SUV
For Your Driveway Snow Removal:

To ensure easy maintenance of driveways throughout the winter season, plow your drive ways as wide as possible during the first snowfall.

Here’s how:

Set the plow on an angle and proceed down the lane close to the edge where the snow will be piled. Be careful to stay clear of ditches, trees, buildings and any other obstacles that may run parallel with the laneway.
At the end of the driveway, turn the vehicle around and without changing the angle of the plow, return on the other side of the driveway to accumulate a second pile of snow. Repeat this action to push the snow pile back further.

For Your Small Business Parking Lot:

To ensure easy maintenance of your small business parking lot, plow parking areas as widely as possible and as deep as possible during the first snowfall.

Here’s how:

Generally, work from the center to one side and then from the center again to the other side. Do this by setting the plow on an angle and proceed down the center of the parking lot until you reach the far edge.

Lift the plow and back up to the position that you started from. Now, plow a parallel and slighting overlapping path. After you have plowed half the parking lot, exit the vehicle, adjust the plow to the opposite angle and starting from the center again, work progressively in a lateral direction, towards the outer edge of the parking lot.

When approaching the end of the lot, reduce your speed and stop before the blade slams the snow pile. Your plow should not be used to stack the snow.

Helpful Advice For Plowing With Your ATV

Source: Below is an excerpt from the article “Moving Snow – Tips & Tricks For Plowing Snow With Your Quad” that appeared in ATV Magazine’s 2007 Buyer’s Guide. For more information about this magazine, please visit www.atvmagonline.com.

One way to determine you are plowing your driveway correctly is to watch someone who has experience doing it. Of course, you could learn by the seat of your pants, but watching someone else do it could pay off. Watching snow plowing could mean watching that diesel truck push snow across the bank parking lot, or it could mean watching your neighbor use his ATV. The goal is to learn what not to do.

Don’t plow fast! This can be dangerous because the blade could catch on an edge or rock or curb and force the ATV to a jarring halt. Typically, you’ll want to drive at a pace that both pushes snow effectively, yet is not so fast it damages the blade or any of its parts. Practice makes perfect. Plus, your quad’s speed will be determined by the amount of traction it’s getting and the type of snow you are trying to move.

Don’t tear up your lawn. A smart move is to push the snow further than to the edge of your driveway, if possible. That way, when the temperature warms up, the snow won’t melt on your driveway and form patchy ice. The theory is, if you push it far enough away from your driveway, it will melt into the ground and not on the driveway.

Don’t push all the snow in your driveway to the end of the drive, especially if it’s a wet, sticky snow. All this will do is create one large, firmly packed wall of white stuff. Your ATV is not powerful enough to move it and that means you’ll have to bust out a shovel.

We’ve tried several methods over the years and a down and back method seems to work for us. It creates less snow build up or deep spots. We’ve also pushed one direction to the edge of a driveway and then stopped, reversed the quad and created a new path in the same direction. However, you must lift the blade off the ground before you back up, unless the manufacturer says it’s not necessary.

Some professional snowplow operators have learned the skill of lifting the plow blade as they approach the pile. This has a couple advantages. The first is it lifts the snow to new heights and helps you push it farther off your driveway or open lot. The second is it prevents you from smashing into the wall of snow and possibly damaging the blade or its parts.

Don’t assume your plow will always work perfectly. Regardless of which system you select, you must examine it before, during and after each usage. Look at it before you plow for loose parts for example. Inspect it while you plow to prevent ice build up, which can make pushing snow more difficult. Finally, examine after you plow so you know it will be ready to go the next time you need it. Plus, if you find any damage, you may have time to order new parts before the next massive snow storm hits.

Call 540-379-8930

Snow Removal Services Fredericksburg Virginia

While snow can be pretty and make children’s wishes of no school in the morning come true, it can also be a messy hassle for homeowners. Depending on where you live and how much snow you are used to getting, your needs for hiring snow removal might vary. Some people may do just fine breaking out the old snow shovel themselves or paying the kid down the street a few bucks to do the job, but there are many situations where neither of these options is convenient. If your area typically gets a lot of snow or even if your area gets a few heavy snowfalls per year, you may want to consider calling for professional snow removal.

Professional Snow Removal Fredericksburg Virginia
As with hiring any service, professional snow removal is only worth the cost if you cannot do the job adequately or conveniently on your own. Homeowners in cities and towns who simply have a sidewalk to shovel might find that it’s simply less of a problem (and less expensive) to do the job themselves.

Those who have a large driveway or live in an out-of-the-way area might find that the time saved by hiring a professional snow removal service is a lifesaver when it comes to getting to work on time or simply staying out of the cold for hours on end. Even with a snow-blower, the results you’ll get doing the job yourself may not be as impressive as what a pro can do with a plow they are trained to use well.

Another big reason to hire a snow removal service comes about when you own rental properties. Whether it is an apartment complex or a few houses around town, having a professional snow removal service working for you will ensure that your tenants are happy and safe.

When to Call for Professional Snow Removal
Think about snow removal especially during the holidays. With guests coming and going frequently throughout the season, hiring a snow removal service would be worth your investment. It will make your life easier and provide you with more time to spend with loved ones. Especially if you’re expecting visitors who are elderly or who have very small children, removing snow and ice from your property will make their stay a safer one.

Most snow removal services will offer several different kinds of plans. You’ll be able to decide if you want an on-going service that shows up every time it snows or if you want to call on an as-needed basis. It’s a good idea, however, to have some sort of understanding set up before the snow begins to fly, because once the roads get bad, scheduling becomes a big issue for these companies.

If you’ve never hired (or even considered hiring) a professional snow removal service, there are a few things you should think about before you call. If your main concern after a big snowfall is simply getting your car out of your driveway and onto a state maintained road, you might do a little shopping around to see if you can find a company that will dig out your car as well as plow your driveway. Prices and services will vary by company, and if you have a good idea of what you need, you’ll be more likely to find a place that can meet your criteria at a reasonable price.

Contact Legendary Landscape for snow removal and plowing services in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Virginia. 540-379-8930

Landscape Contractor Ideas for Hardscaping Winter Prep

Winter is quickly approaching, and it’s a great time to get out in the Virginia landscape and look at the hardscaping in your garden. Below we will discuss how to care for pavers, stepping stones, arbors, trellises, and also shows how to prepare them for winter months. Planning now will have you set and ready for Springtime. If a new patio, retaining wall or outdoor rooms are of interest then consider installing now as we will offer a 20%  landscape winter discount through January 30th 2010. As always our visit and estimates are at no cost. We appreciate the opportunity to work with you!

Materials and Tools

* stepping stones
* landscape fabric
* mulch
* pea gravel
* flagstones
* bark chips
* wood trellis

Pavers and Groundcovers

* Stepping stones make a great addition to the lawn and garden by allowing access to perennials and areas that require weeding.
* Pavers come in several varieties–cobblestone, concrete, wooden rings, etc.
* Installing pavers is an easy way to discourage weeds; for extra weed control, place landscape fabric beneath the pavers.
* To install groundcovers, simply make slits in the landscape fabric and plant right through the openings.
* When adding mulch, use pea gravel or crushed rock that complements the pavers, then pour the gravel or rock around the pavers to cover the desired area.
* Bark chips work well with wooden ring pavers, and they also have an attractive natural look.
* Before planting a “living mulch,” lift pavers up and level the soil. Next, remove plants from the containers and gently tease the roots. Then, space the plants every four to six inches between the pavers and water thoroughly.
* Think about live ground cover, there are plenty of plant varieties!

Landscape fabric is available at most home centers, hardware stores and landscape supply stores. The lighter gray variety is more tightly spun than other types, allowing water–but not weeds–to pass through.

When inspecting a hardscape, repair any loose slats on lattices using a hammer, nails or stapler; touch up with paint if necessary. If vines are too loose, secure them properly in place to ensure they have adequate support. Paint and touch up benches as needed.

Consider calling your local Landscape Contractor who can prepare your landscaping for winter. Legendary Landscape is happy to discuss your landscape design and build needs in the Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Orange and Northern Virginia Areas.

 

Defining OutDoor Spaces

Segmental retaining walls are a great way to define separate spaces within one landscape. Separating the sitting area from the pool with a low block wall provides seating opportunities and is installed without mortar. Remember, when designing a soil-reinforced wall keep in mind factors such as site, soil, weight loads and the height of the wall.

Landscape architects often select construction materials based on their ability to satisfy aesthetic constraints. Structural facades, geometry, and plantings often work together to provide an inviting setting that is both pleasing to the owner and user of a facility. Segmental retaining wall systems are often the product of choice when it comes to merging landscape and structural building features.

Our preferred choice of paver systems for our clients is Eagle Bay. Eagle Bay Systems create beautiful and functional outdoor living spaces.  With Eagle Bay Pavers we can customize a clients project for retaining walls, seat walls, columns, pavers and more as it  offers hundreds of color, texture and size options.

We completed a landscape project in the Fredericksburg Virginia area and teh customer could not be more pleased at the outcome. They were amazed at how the system worked, the durability and how easily it was to make it a custom and not “cookie cutter” landscape project.

Project Image:

Landscape Contractor Fredericksburg Virginia

Fall is right around the corner and you can not beat the wonderful smell of the autumn air especially outside on a patio roasting marshmallows with friends or family. It is an investment of enjoyment, peace and it sure adds beauty to anyone’s yard!

Patio Pavers Design Tips

Landscaping pavers are prominent components of most residential and commercial developments.  With such endless possibilities in any application, patio pavers and concrete pavers are a unique element to outdoor spaces.  Eagle Bay’s variety of patio pavers and concrete pavers enables the installer to create a range of looks.

Adding a path, walkway, or small wall helps guide people to their destination. If the mood calls for a calming, relaxing setting, then quiet colors, smooth textures, and a curved design will do the trick.  When you want to keep people moving in public spaces, straight lines and patterns suggest a forward movement. 

Placement of patio pavers and stones can change your look.  When used horizontally, pavers can elongate the look of a walkway or make a small space look larger.  On the other hand, when used vertically, patio pavers and concrete pavers make a walkway look accessible or made a large space more inviting. 

Make sure to take into account the colors of the bricks or siding of a residence or building when selecting colors for patio pavers or walls.  Matching the original materials creates a more harmonious look while using contrasting colors can create dynamic curb appeal.  Consider mixing finishes as well to give a more custom look. 

Patios can be used for many different activities, including dining, recreation, and quiet time.  To make the right statement for you patio, consider the site, style and materials.  If you want an intimate feeling for a conversation area, smaller patio pavers or concrete pavers might do the trick.  A bolder statement for a more expansive space can be achieved with larger stones and contrasting colors.  Adding steps and patterns put a crowning touch to the design. 

When confronted with a large area, try breaking it up into smaller sections.  For example, create one area for informal seating and conversation, while another can be reserved for grilling and food preparation.  Color, texture, and size can help indicate purpose and transitions of the areas. 

If you are working with a pool area, keep in mind that you should reflect the nature and shape of the pool, as well as how the space will be used.  Landscaping pavers should help anchor the area and make a smooth, inviting transition from the home to the pool. 

When you want to add style and substance to a patio, walkway, pool surround or driveway, Eagle Bay pavers are a great way to get the look you want.  Choose from a variety of patterns, finishes, and colors, then let you imagination take you from there. 

Source: Eagle Bay

Dreaming of a cool pool? Call an expert.

When clients start their search for a pool installer, they really need to consult a landscape designer before they sign any contracts. The design and build process for the pool should really be seen as a start to finish process that includes the tie-in of the whole landscape plan. All too often, I am called out to a clients home where they were surprised that the 40 thousand dollar investment they made was still 10 thousand dollars from being an actual completed design. Most pool contractors think in terms of getting their next pool in the ground whatever the cost. Details like needing a three- foot wall to make it really finished is all too often  a surprise to the client!!!

 The advantage to consulting an experienced landscape designer is obvious but very often overlooked in the frenzy to get a pool in the ground with water before the big party. Very rarely are you done with the pool when the water truck pulls out of your driveway.  A smarter way to invest in your home improvement is to look at the installed pool with the walls, floors, fire-pits, river-stone, plants, mulch, etc. factored into the entire investment, so as to make informed decisions on finishes and extras to stay within budget and still get all the important elements in the total design.

If you are in the Fredericksburg, Va region, call Legendary Landscape to help you with the whole pool design process. If you are in another region, call an experienced landscape designer to help generate a full landscape-pool plan so there aren’t any surprises!!

 

 

 

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Paver Patios and walks need to have proper base.

Ok, so why do I care about base?  Well if you want your project to look good and last you better care. That goes for driveways, too whether pavers,asphalt or concrete. Base is the term used to describe the aggregate mixtures used to give a solid footing or to hold the load of whatever is treading on top. Patios and walks need four or so inches of base. Driveways need a foot or so of base. This base needs to be compacted in layers or incremental lifts of two inches at a time. These are generalities of course, each soil and aggregate and piece of equipment ,etc is different.

My crew uses a vibratory plate compactor, and most residential jobs will call for this type of equipment. The plate compresses the base aggregate to achieve good compaction so the pavers don’t develop dips sags or rolls.

Base…its basic. Use the right base for your job….or it will need to be done again…..I’ve been hired many times to re-do a project where the landscaper or homeowner didn’t do the basic base, basically

 

 

 

 

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Twenty Ideas for Four-Season Patios

We spend a lot of time on our patios, reading, resting, watching the birds, cooking and entertaining. Enjoy it more by taking it from bland to cheery throughout the year with these easy ideas.

 

1. Add colorful pots in a variety of shapes and sizes. Ensure they can be wintered outdoors. Fill with a variety of annuals for color from spring to fall.

 

2. Make a herb corner for the kitchen with clay pots and fill them with various culinary herbs for easy reach.

 

3. Fill some larger pots with small evergreens. Alberta spruce or mungho pines are good examples. Consider your gardening zone to determine if the plants can safely get through the winter in pots.

 

4. Pots of miniature roses make a pretty scented statement on the patio. They are inexpensive and you can bring them inside in the winter to decorate your home.

 

5. Plant a rose standard in a large urn for style.  In colder zones, lift and transplant to the  garden bed in autumn with protection.

 

6. Surround your patio with a trellis or rustic arbor and plant the base with climbing roses.

 

7. Make your patio a room-with-a-view.  Surround only three sides for privacy, but leave an wide opening to your garden.

 

 

8. Decorate the patio with vintage metal garden furniture, repainted in bright colors. A good rustproof paint will keep them bright for a very long time. Add flowery textiles to the seat covers.

 

9. Add some natural décor – tall twigs or branches in an urn offer instant style, especially useful during the winter.

 

10. If you have access to wild grape vine or can source it out in garden décor shops, add swirls to the standing fixtures around your patio, like the walls of your house or a trellis.  Affix fairy lights to them for evening enjoyment – perfect  for outdoor dinner parties.

 

11. Plant night-scented stock or jasmine to be enjoyed on warm summer evenings on the patio.

 

12. Surround your patio with white flowers and white flowering shrubs for a “moon garden.”

 

13. When the flowers are finished for the season, add a vase of cut flowers to your patio table.

 

14. In the winter, fill pots with soil and add an assortment of evergreen cuttings. Pick some with red berries and some with various shades of blue to green. Wild juniper is lovely as its branches are loaded with blue berries in the fall. The winter birds will love it.

 

15. Plant dogwood near your patio. The stems turn red in the winter for color against the snow.

 

16. Add a humming bird feeder to a corner of your patio.

 

17. Age your patio stones. Spread a little yogurt here and there and sprinkle on some sheet moss. The yogurt bacteria will help the moss to take hold and grow.

 

18. Add some vintage architectural elements. Old wiry gates instead of new ones make an interesting statement.

 

19. Border your patio with one plant, rather than a variety. Pick a scented herb, like lavender or sweet smelling rose bushes of one variety.

 

20. If you love squirrels, you can have them visit throughout the year on your patio with a squirrel feeder.

 

 

With just a few simple additions to your patio, you’ll be able to enjoy it  year-round, even from your window.

Winter is perfect time to plan your spring project with Landscape Designer

   The cold days of winter are a perfect time to dream. Dreaming up your Landscape plan in the Winter season has some key advantages. First, your landscape design pros are much less busy during this time, so chances are more thoughton their part will be put in. Second, rates for the Landscape Design can be lower in the winter. Let your pro know you mean business and that if the design and price are right you will be hiring for the installation in the spring, this will also lead to your pro getting the quote right, too, with less “fluff” in the numbers. Also, once you know the scope of the project you can implement the design as the seasons progress taking advantage of the best seasonal rates and availabilities of plant material.

    Being a design/build pro myself, I appreciate the customers and potential clients that plan in the off-season. I often see clients who get the best value out of their  landscape improvements by planning early, and committing early as well because they often get much better personal service by hiring in the “off-season”.

Now Is The Time To Plan Your 2009 Project

As the fall fades and the cold weather begins to set in, gardening and landscaping may be the last thing on our minds. Even so, it is important to use the off season to prepare for a great landscape when spring rolls around. Fredericksburg and Stafford Virginia landscapers and landscape designers are already aware of this fact, and they spend their days helping homeowners and business owners solve common landscape problems, no matter what the season or the temperature outside.

The off season is indeed a great time to start planning for that new landscape. If you have always wanted to change the exterior look of your Northern Virginia home or business, the fall and winter months can be a great time to start the planning process. Fredericksburg area landscape designers will be less busy during
the off season, and you will have plenty of time to plan, and budget, for the springtime transformation of your exterior.                

Planning early will also give you plenty of time to meet with Legendary Landscape’s landscape designers in order to decide what to choose for your Virginia Landscape project. It can be difficult to make such an important decision when you are pressed for time, when the warm weather is here and the outdoor gathering season is underway but by starting the design process early you will be able to thoroughly think of the design, get proper approvals from HOA’s and you will be put on the schedule in plenty of time to have Legendary Landscape install your Landscape project.

As you go forward with your planning, it is important to consider your budget as well. As you begin going over your estimate of the cost of your new landscape, it is important to provide the landscape contractor with plenty of information in order to ensure an accurate quote. Having the quote  in front of you will make it much easier for you to know how much the project will cost will give you the time you need to gather the funds needed before the project begins in earnest!

The Magic of Mulch

In Fredericksburg Va, Mother Nature herself does a pretty good job of mulching natural areas: She shakes pine trees so their needles sprinkle over the ground underneath and slow the growth of nutrient-robbing weeds. She nudges old bark off of trees and speeds the decomposition of their discarded leaves to slow the evaporation of her rainfall from the ground. Her winds dislodge dry twigs and faded flower petals to keep new growth warm during winter’s promised cold.

 

As our clients create their own private gardens and woodlands, Legendary Landscape follows her example by mulching their new plantings — shrubs, trees, vegetables, ground cover, and annual and perennial flowers — with the same organic materials that she uses: materials produced during plants’ natural life cycles.

 

Why mulch?

In order to thrive, new plantings need every advantage for a healthy start. Sadly, new home developments in the Fredericksburg Virginia area usually undergo heavy backfilling and grading that alter the naturally occurring proportions of air, moisture, and organic matter in the original soil. Fortunately, over successive years the life cycle of the healthy new plantings slowly recreates ideal soil conditions as it dies and decays. Mulching can accelerate the process.

 

Organic and inorganic mulching help retain optimal growing conditions in soil by:

• Smothering weeds, so that desirable plants have less competition for water and nutrients.
• Slowing evaporation, extending the time moisture is available to thirsty plants.
• Keeping the soil temperature even by preventing harmful fluctuation during hot and cold extremes.
• Protecting trees and shrubs from injuries inflicted by weed cutters and lawn mowers.

 

Organic mulch

The most common types of organic mulch are:

• Grass clippings
• Pine needles
• Pine, cedar, and other hardwood tree bark
• Wood chips
• Shredded leaves
• Cocoa bean shells
• Pecan shells
• Ground corn cobs
• Household compost
• Mushroom compost
• Straw

 

Inorganic mulch

Inorganic mulches, materials that were never part of a living plant or tree, also have a place in our Virginia landscape projects. Popular inorganic mulches include:

• Pebbles
• Gravel
• Lava rock
• Crushed stone
• Plastic sheeting
• Shredded tires
• Newspaper
• Woven landscape fabric

 

Selecting mulch

Each type of mulch offers specific advantages and disadvantages. It pays to understand as much as you can to prevent wasting your time, energy, and money.

 

Organic mulch contains living organisms that interact with a plant’s roots to give it the best possible boost toward a long and healthy life. As it decomposes, organic mulch continues to add nutrients to the soil, creating rich topsoil and preventing soil depletion. (Depletion is one reason why farmers who plant fields devoted to a single crop must let their fields lie fallow over a planting season — there isn’t anything left in the soil to produce healthy crops.) Because it can be worked into the surface soil, organic mulch limits soil crusting and compaction, which results in rainwater runoff and erosion and prevents nutrients from reaching plants’ roots. Organic mulch also encourages denser root growth because new roots can grow into the mulch itself.

 

A few cautions about organic mulches:

• Grass clippings must be relatively weed-free and dried out to prevent matting.
• Clippings from herbicide-treated lawns should not be used.
• Cypress bark mulching is discouraged by many who fear its threat to southern cypress wetlands in states like Florida and Louisiana.
• Organic mulches provide food for birds, insects, and occasionally vermin.
• They naturally decompose, necessitating replenishment every year or two. 
• Large pieces of bark will float away during heavy rain; shredded is preferable, especially on slopes.
• Compost decomposes quite rapidly.

 

On the other hand, inorganic mulches have the advantage of not decomposing, necessitating frequent replacement; and not attracting insects and vermin. Pebbles can be worked into the soil to lessen the risk of compaction. And inorganic mulches can be used effectively to prevent weed growth and mud in otherwise unplantable soil under decks, steps, and storage areas. Many inorganic mulches are not as effective in regulating soil temperature, however, because they tend to absorb the sun’s rays.

 

Organic and inorganic mulch can be purchased and spread by the Legendary Landscape team, by the bag or in bulk. Some kinds, such as shredded tree limbs, are available at no cost from electric utilities and municipalities. Mulch sales are also popular fund-raisers for students and young people’s organizations.

 

Through thoughtful mulching — using organic materials whenever possible — Fredericksburg gardeners can become an indelible part of nature’s reproductive life cycle. After all, today’s heirloom seeds are the hand-me-downs of tender, lovingly cared-for shoots from another century, maybe even another culture.  

 

 

Mulch is about more than cosmetics; it contributes to the natural life cycle of trees, shrubs, vegetables, ground cover and flowers, and fosters the healthy growth of desirable additions to the humblest garden plot and most extensive landscape design.

 

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Pruning up a new landscape fom an old one

I have been tasked with ripping out all the old plants and starting over more than quite a few times. Having said that, I have also talked many homeowners into saving an old overgrown”shrub” and with careful pruning turning it into a gorgeous “small tree”. Some of the plants that come to mind are hollies, burning bush, euonymous, privet, the list is long. Even some trees can be reborn with the right selective pruning.

Pruning an old over grown shrub and the under planting it with other smaller species can be even better than running to the nursery to find all-new bodies to fill the voids left over from ripping it all out. Some plants simply cannot be pruned down or up even if you wanted to. So some of the old and some of the new can be a great formula for a whole new look. Consult your local landscape pro today for the right mix of keep and toss.

Pruning is definitely part science, part art. Bonsai is a perfect example of how a vision and patient nurturing can alter the plant/tree/shrub into something special. Often times the pruned up version looks nothing like what was there by giving form and shape to a neglected plant.

 

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The Sound of Safe Water

A pondless waterfall is a spectacular water feature that is safe for young children and almost maintenance free. It provides an attractive centerpiece for a small to medium sized garden and an ideal backdrop for summer entertaining. It can also be a welcoming, calming point of interest for a business, especially a child oriented one.   

A pondless waterfall has an underground pond or reservoir. It looks as if the water disappears into the ground through a layer of small rocks and gravel, but the water in fact runs into an underground basin. There is a pump inside the basin which propels the water back to the top of the waterfall through a pipe.

Pondless waterfalls have several advantages over traditional garden waterfalls that flow into a pond. We, as landscape contractors in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area install about 4 of these a month, some even inside of a house.  First and foremost, there is no risk of young children falling into the pond. Since there is no standing water, a pondless waterfall does not attract mosquitoes, and you do not need to feed or take care of pond life.

Furthermore, pondless waterfalls take up less space and so are suitable for small gardens. They are less expensive to install than traditional waterfalls and still provide that tranquil sound we all love to relax to.

Creating A Successful Landscape

When it comes to designing a beautiful landscape, it is important to have a plan in place before moving forward. Having a plan in place for your finished landscape will make the job of bringing it to fruition a great deal easier and less stressful. In fact getting that plan together can be one of the most difficult parts of landscaping. After all, it can be difficult to visualize your yard as you would like it to be, and even more difficult to write it all down on paper. It is a good idea to at least do a rough sketch of the elements you would like to include,and their location within the landscape.

Legendary Landscape will sketch up a design that will help the client form a realistic estimate. The landscape design or sketch can serve as a sort of blueprint as you work toward creating the landscape of your dreams. Either way, it is important to create a plan before you move the first shovel full of dirt.

One of the most critical elements of the plan, of course, will be to determine the area you have to work with. Virtually any size area, from the smallest patio or rooftop garden, to the largest golf course, can be landscaped, but the techniques used will vary along with the size. Determining an approximate square footage will help make the job of landscaping a great deal easier.

It is important as well to determine which elements you would like to see in your finished landscape. If there are parts of your existing yard you would like to keep, be sure to note their location on your sketch. If you wish to remove certain elements, like dead trees or bushes that have seen better days, note that as well. Note also any new elements you wish to introduce. If you want to add additional shrubs, or a flower bed, be sure to draw its approximate location on your map of the finished landscape. If the mailbox, driveway or other parts of the home exterior are to be landscaped, be sure to note that as well. Try to provide as much information as possible, since this landscape design will serve as your guide.

Patios and walks using pavers are a great home improvement!

Time and time again when I finish a clients job they tell me how better they feel about their home. What a great way to tie all the elements of your home together with the space called the patio. Now decks are OK, I guess but the patio somehow ties the inside and the outside together in a way no deck could ever do. I guess the ideal situation is both in many of the homes in the Fredericksburg area.

This summer I built a patio space right on the water. The client liked their patio at the house so well that they wanted a continuation effect on the river. Wow did it turn out great. Thats the great thing about using pavers for your patio and walk areas. The same paver and wall system can be used in future projects and it looks like it was planned all along.

This year I was in the middle of installing a paver project in three areas of the yard, after we installed the design, my client asked me to do a walk to tie into a shed. The next day it went in and looked seamless. Guess who called and wants a another patio with a  firepit…yes it too will look like we had planned it from the start and the yard is so much more suitable to their lifestyle. Plan a patio today using interlocking pavers and matching wall systems and chances are it won’t be your last.

One of the big benefits is expandability and repair-ability…yes repair-ability the single biggest thing that you can put say about your paver project that you cannot with any concrete or stamped concrete patio. Paver floors are sort of a floating floor that gives with winter freeze-thaw cycles. No worry about cracking.The worst thing that can happen with pavers is settling or heaving from trees…easily repair-able!!!

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Retaining walls in the Frederickburg area

Virginia is full of rolling countryside. A lot of subdivisions are situated on this rolling landscape. Hence the need for retaining walls. Taking a sloped area and terracing it can turn unusable hard to maintain areas into functional spaces. It used to be that most landscapers would run to the home store and grab some timbers and build. This was great for job security because they would invariably rot after 15 or so years and then need to be rebuilt. 

Nowadays, the segmental retaining wall system or “dry” wall systems is the smart choice for most homeowners. The “dry” wall systems (no concrete mortar) are a good choice because they are installed fairly rapidly compared to traditional masonry, and there’s no worry about cracking and winter damage. The wall systems if installed properly can last decades. This sometimes involves reinforcements such as geo-grid, and usually always a drainage system with walls over a couple feet. Geo-grids is a  fabric which gets sandwiched into the layers of block. A proper drainage system keeps hydrostatic pressure off of the wall.

Another popular choice is natural stone installed “dry” or dry stacked field-stone. This is a good choice for garden walls or walls that do not have a lot of load force on the wall. Most of this stone comes from Pennsylvania. It is easy to install and looks naturally beautiful. Since stone does not rot, its a good way to go. Retaing Walls and Virginia are like peanut butter and jelly. Call Legendary Landscape to ask about installing your own retaining wall system.

We build them in Stafford, King George, Caroline, Orange, Louisa, Spotsylvania, Orange, Prince William and Fairfax counties.

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Pool and “poolscaping” in Virginia Backyards

Pools are a great addition to any home. With summer here in the Fredericksburg, VA area getting downright tropical, a pool is a natural oasis for the back yard. How the pool is tied into the rest of the landscape is often times not nearly as thought of as what size and shape the pool will be. Oh, and what type of fence is needed because code requires the pool area to be fenced by at least a four foot fence.

Beyond that the thought and planning portion falls away, I would say at least 70 per cent of people who hire for a pool install do not fully understand just how unfinished the pool contractor is going to leave the pool. Well, unfinished meaning walls, steps, plants, gravel etc. They usually don’t forget the pool deck, pump and the diving board. Now I’m sure if you want you can add a few more finishing touches but it is usually more expensive and not the pool installers specialty to landscape the pool. Call a landscape designer to really make the pool-scape sing.

Usually, I like to recommend plantings that offer a resort-like feel like grasses and mass plantings of hardy perennials. Also, river rock is a good choice over mulch because it keeps down the mess around the pool. I also like to use plantings that look good or bloom late spring through early fall because this is when the pool is being enjoyed. The finishing touches are often just as important as what size and shape of the pool. With the pool area being the place that friend and family gravitate to in hot months, having a good landscape plan around the pool itself is so important to the way the pool functions with the rest of the home. Call a professional to help when it comes time to plan your new pool, call before the pool gets installed so your landscape designer can offer ideas or recommendations for finished elevations, pool equipment siting, fencing options, etc.

 

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Landscape ideas for pool

Pools are a great place for all to enjoy. They shouldn’t be any more work than they have to be. Some great ideas for your pool should include low-maintenance plants. Also consider plants that are attractive during the swim season to adorn your space. Another good idea is using river rock or river gravel as opposed to mulch. Mulch around the pool area often gets dragged in with wet feet.
Another great feature is a pondless waterfall to give the poolscape the extra feeling of nature. Also, consider integrating lighting to enhance the space at night.

All good landscapes start with a good concept or design, so if you are not that creative, consider consulting a landscaper or landscape designer to help.