By: Renee Godfrey Quillin It has been shown there are many benefits to gardening, whether it be an herb, vegetable, or ornamental garden, being outside and working with the earth is one of the best things one can do to increase overall wellbeing, improve mental health, and help the environment. Gardening improves health and well-being. Exercise from the rewarding physical activity of gardening increases mobility, balance, and core strength. The […]
February 24, 2025,
In Ecological, Edible Landscape, Fresh Garden, Landscaping, Native plants, Naturescaping, Sustainability,
2025 Perennial Plant of the Year
By: Renee Godfrey Quillin Every year since 1990 the Perennial Plant Association (PPA) votes on the Perennial Plant of the Year (PPOY) by its members. I am happy to announce the PPOY for 2025 is Pycnanthemum muticum which is commonly known as Short Toothed Mountain Mint or simply put, Mountain Mint. Mountain Mint is native to Eastern North America which ranges as north as Maine, south as Florida and as […]
March 26, 2024,
In Design, Ecological, Environmental Stewardship, Mutualistic Relationship, Native plants, Naturescaping, Planted Earth, Sustainability,
The Perennial Movement
By Renee Godfrey Quillin There has been an increased focus on a new trend in 2024 that could be a garden game changer. The Perennial Movement is advocating for a more naturalistic and low-maintenance garden to celebrate the beauty of nature as the landscape changes from season to season. This creative process is accomplished by utilizing a naturalistic design, a colorful plant palette, use of natives and their cultivars, and […]
December 28, 2023,
In Ecological, Garden Care, Houseplants, Sustainability, Symbiotic,
Electroculture
By: Renee Godfrey Quillin A new year can bring new perspectives to the landscape or at least bring back centuries old lost practice. Electroculture is the use of copper wire to harness the Earth’s energy to boost the soil and stimulate plant growth. While some will speculate that this falls under the classification of a pseudoscience, many have seen existential results to prove otherwise. We will explore the beneficial properties […]
August 3, 2023,
In Ecological, Edible Landscape, Fresh Garden, Herb Gardening, Sustainability,
Mosquitos
By: Karl Deibert Mosquitoes can be real nasty pests, especially during the warmer months of the year. Not only do they annoyingly buzz around your ears at night and leave itchy bites all over, but they can also transmit a myriad of diseases such as Dengue Fever, West Nile Virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. While many people turn to chemical sprays and insecticides to keep mosquitoes at bay, these often […]
May 17, 2023,
In Design, Edible Landscape, Garden Care, Herb Gardening, Landscaping, Sustainability,
Edible Landscape
By: Shannon Sullivan Learn the basics for planning, prepping, planting, and harvesting for a successful edible garden. Choose the correct site, most edible crops need full sun to grow at least 6 – 8 hours per day. Raised beds allow you to garden in all types of conditions when dealing with poor or compacted soils, space, and maintenance. Edible landscaping boarders add beauty by mixing edible flowers throughout your […]
March 6, 2023,
In Contract Management, Garden Care, Irrigation, Landscaping, Planted Earth,
Irrigation in New and Mature Gardens
By: Andrew Obloy A lot of things go into keeping your garden happy and healthy, mainly soil condition, sunlight, and water. An irrigation system, whether done by hand or a programmed system, is important in both new and established gardens. Our unpredictable Mid Atlantic climate, in particular, makes an irrigation system crucial to keeping your plants healthy. However, it takes knowledge of both the property and plants to make sure […]
February 17, 2023,
In Clean & Removal, Contract Management, Garden Care, Landscaping, Planted Earth,
Introduction to Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
What is Integrated Pest Management? Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests and their damage, through a variety of methods, such as biological controls, habitat manipulation, changing cultural practices and the use of resistant varieties of plants. Chemical controls are carried out in the form of applications, performed only by a certified technician. Pesticides are used after careful monitoring indicates that they […]
November 2, 2022,
In Clean & Removal, Decomposition, Ecological, Environmental Stewardship, Garden Care, Planted Earth, Sustainability,
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 […]
October 5, 2022,
In Design, Ecological, Fresh Garden, Native plants, Symbiotic,
Grasses – A Forgotten Feature
By: Elena Roman If you are looking to design a new garden or feel something may be missing from an existing garden, grasses may be what you are missing. They tend to be a forgotten and underrated feature, or even focal point to gardens, despite their versatility and reliability. Their success comes from their adaptability, allowing them to sustain in every environment and climate across the globe. Grasses grow quickly, […]