November 2, 2022, In , , , , , , , By Planted Earth Landscaping

Leaf Removal and the Environment

Are electric leaf blowers better than gas blowers? More and more towns and counties are implementing bans on gas leaf blowers including Chevy Chase Village and the Town of Chevy Chase. Noise pollution is often the biggest driving concern for communities deciding to ban gas leaf blowers as noise pollution directly impacts community members. An alternative to gas leaf blowers is electric leaf blowers, which are powered by a cord […]

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August 1, 2022, In , , , , , , By Planted Earth Landscaping

Climbers in the Garden

By: Avery Meyers Driving through neighborhoods in DC and Northern Virginia, you will notice beautifully trained ivies and roses along walls and lattices, wisteria covering arbors, and vinca covering garden beds. Vines fill many important needs in landscaping and can be stunning when placed thoughtfully and well maintained. However, these incredible plants can have a detrimental effect on a property when used improperly or ignored. There are many diverse types […]

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June 29, 2022, In , , , By Planted Earth Landscaping

Getting to Know Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)

By: Avery Myers If you have spent time outside in North America, you are probably familiar with poison ivy. For most people, just hearing “poison ivy” is enough to make them itchy. While we have all heard plenty of advice on how to avoid this garden terror and how to remedy the rash that follows contact with it. Today we are going to take a closer look at this plant […]

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March 1, 2022, In , , , By Planted Earth Landscaping

Integrated Pest Management

By: Andrew Obloy Integrated Pest Management (IPM) can be complicated and broad, to say the least. Essentially, it is a program to manage pests, but it is also so much more. Here are some ways we can use IPM to help keep your properties healthy and beautiful: Our use of IPM begins in spring, applying fertilizer to both plants and turf. Fertilizer ensures plants receive the nutrients they need for […]

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December 1, 2021, In , , , , , By Planted Earth Landscaping

Winter Pruning

By Samantha Wright It is freezing cold outside, there are no leaves on the trees and not a flower in sight. Yet you see our gardeners in your landscape, looking up in the trees pruning with extended poles. Later in the day, our heads are in the shrubs continuing pruning. What is the point, is this really the right time? In the middle of winter? Do not be fooled by […]

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September 7, 2021, In , , , , By Planted Earth Landscaping

Non-Native vs Invasive Plants

By: Andrew Obloy Our native plants are amazing.  They are here for a reason, and we should use them as much as we can in our own landscapes. That being said, not all non-natives should get a bad rap. For many, the word invasive feels synonymous with non-native. I will always encourage the use of native plants in your own garden, but I don’t think we should look at all […]

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April 16, 2021, In , , , , By Planted Earth Landscaping

Maintain to Protect Your Property

By: Andrew Obloy No one enjoys spending their hard-earned money on repairs or damage that could easily be prevented. Something that a lot of people may not think about when considering landscape maintenance is that it is far more than just aesthetics. Poorly maintained landscapes can cause damage to your property, but with the right care you will not have to worry about these unnecessary expenses. Trees are an obvious […]

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September 11, 2020, In , , By Planted Earth Landscaping

Invasive Species in our Landscape

Written By: Elena Roman There can be many obstacles in the process of establishing a new garden, or even in the maintenance of an existing garden. The usual suspects being weeds, improper soil pH and/or drainage, irrigation, and pests. Among the most pervasive and stubborn of obstacles we encounter as gardeners are invasive plants; they compromise our designs, and more importantly, the health of our foundational native ecosystems that support […]

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March 24, 2019, In , , By Planted Earth Landscaping

Mitigating Drainage Issues in 2019

Since 2018 provided an astounding record year for precipitation, it seems pertinent in our first newsletter of 2019 to bring up the topic of drainage. This is not the sexy part of landscaping that inspires awe and tickles the senses. Rather it serves a functional purpose to alleviate surface water and hydrostatic pressure away from our homes and outdoor living spaces so residents can enjoy them without hesitation. Last year […]

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