Author: Chapel Valley

Chapel Valley

Preparing your property now for Spring

When fall brings a chill to the air, it’s the perfect time to prepare your property to not only look it’s best now but to also ensure it is ready to thrive come springtime.   Below are some ways to prepare your property now:

Mow: Although the temperatures are cooling, continuing to mow your lawn until the turf stops growing will ensure the appearance of your property is maintained.

Plant fall Flowers: Planting flowers in the fall not only brings a seasonal touch to your property but also attract important pollinators like butterflies and bees.

Leaf Removal/Fall Cleanup: A sure sign that fall has arrived are the colorful leaves on the trees that will soon blanket your grass.  While leaf removal may seem time-consuming, ensuring your turf is free of leaves is important for many reasons. Not only can leaves suffocate the lawn, but they also deprive grass and plants of much-needed sunlight which can cause dead patches.

Aerate and Overseed:  Aerating and Overseeing your lawn in the fall can be one of the more beneficial things you can do for your lawn in the fall for a multitude of reasons. This process stimulates fresh growth of grass allowing the roots to grow deeper while reducing weeds and ensuring your lawn looks lush and green.

Winterize Irrigation Systems: If your property features irrigation for turf or plant health, it is imperative to guarantee the system has been properly winterized against freezing temperatures. These colder temperatures can greatly damage an irrigation system. By making sure your system is winterized against the cold weather can save money on expensive system repairs and allow your system to be up and running as soon as possible in the spring.

Rejuvenation Pruning:  Rejuvenation pruning, or hard pruning, is one of the best things that can be done for your trees and shrub. This process essentially means that old overgrown limbs are cut off to allow for new replacement growth.  Thinning out branches is great for plant health as it increases sunlight and airflow exposure which reduced the likelihood of disease. This type of pruning can prevent damage to the plant material and encourages new growth and is best done during this season when trees are dormant.

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Chapel Valley

Autumn Leaves – Remove or Mulch?

Leaf Removal (removal vs. mulching in turf)

As summer comes to an end so does the tree growing season. As fall approaches, property managers are left with a decision to make. Should fallen leaves be mulched or removed? When it comes to leaf removal it may be tempting to wait until all the leaves have fallen, however, it is much better for the overall health of your lawn to remove them as soon as possible. Leaves can also cause safety issues as fallen leaves on pavements, parking lots, and patios can be slippery when wet and lead to accidents.

While both methods have their benefits, in most cases, mulching leaves is more cost-efficient than leaf removal. Mulching leaves can also act as a natural fertilizer and a beneficial organic matter which will improve the overall health of the soil. Another benefit is water conservation, as leaf mulching helps retain moisture in the soil. Additionally, the leaf mulch lowers the soil’s exposure to the sun and wind, reducing evaporation. Leaf mulches also reduce weeds on a property, in turn reducing the amount of weeding or the need to use herbicides to maintain the property in the spring. A disadvantage to this method is that mulching diseased leaves can spread disease. Too many mulched leaves can starve your grass and plants of light, air, and encourage pests.

Similarly, leaf removal also comes with advantages and disadvantages. One of the main benefits of leaf removal is that it promotes better growth. Cleaning up the leaves allows sunlight to get into the grass which helps with the overall growth. The downside of not removing fallen leaves is that the area will stay damp which will lead to mold, fungus, and diseases that will damage your grass. The leaves remaining on a property can invite mosquitoes and other insects that will eat the roots of your grass, leading to several types of lawn disease. Overall, removal services in the fall will reduce the amount of time and save money on lawn services that may be needed in the spring.

Chapel Valley

Fall Preparations

PREPARING YOUR OFFICE PARK FOR FALL

The dog days of summer are sadly winding down. Be ahead of the pack and make the transition to fall a smooth one. Taking the time to think about your property’s needs and your own goals for the site in advance will make your life a bit less stressful – and hopefully making some time to seek out a hammock in the shade with a good book and beverage of choice!

First, you’ll want to think about your plan for fall plantings. This would include replacing your summer annuals with a cold-hardy display of pansies or violas. It is a growing trend to also add an installation of tulip and daffodil bulbs at the same time. This creates a huge pop of color in early spring and will really set your property apart. A big advantage of including bulbs in your plan is that they will come up year after year. A lot of bang for your buck!
In addition, now that it is cooling off, it is the perfect time to replace or add any other plantings. Shrubs and trees will thrive with the lowered temperatures and have an opportunity to get established over the upcoming months.

Plan a “walk” with your Account Manager to discuss any other ideas to enhance your landscape. Use their experience and expertise!  If there are projects you want to include, but there are budgetary constraints, it is the perfect time to get these items priced out and included in next year’s budget. Use the following 3 rules while completing your list: Aesthetics – How will this improve the appearance of my property?
Function – Will this solve a problem? Correcting drainage issues are a perfect example of this.
Safety – Are there areas at your site that potentially will cause a safety issue? Site lines for vehicles, appropriate pathways, and dead or declining trees are examples of situations that could potentially cause harm to a person or property.



Next, you’ll want to get aeration and overseeding scheduled for your property. Aeration and overseeding help your turf become stronger and denser. It helps fill in any bare or sparse areas and reduces weed establishment. In conjunction with your turf application program, aeration and overseeding give you the complete program to establish and maintain a beautiful green space.

Last, you’ll want to make sure you have your snow and ice management partner in place. It’s much easier to get these arrangements nailed down and contracts in place before the first ominous weather report! Creating a snow plan should include communicating with your contractor to establish exactly what your expectations are so things will run as smoothly as possible in the upcoming months.

Fall in the mid-Atlantic is a beautiful time. Spend a few minutes getting things together, and enjoy the season!

 

Chapel Valley

Benefits of a Green Roof

Green roofs have recently gained popularity in urban areas. With new buildings going up and green roofs on a majority of them, you may wonder: What exactly is a green roof and what is its purpose?

What is a Green Roof?

In short, a green roof is a rooftop garden or green space. Green roofs provide an ecosystem in urban areas by improving stormwater management, reducing building energy use, and providing a space for urban wildlife.

Benefits of a Green Roof?

Green roofs provide shade, remove heat from the air, and reduce temperatures on the roof surface. Green roofs create an extra layer of insulation in the winter and summer months. In the winter months, green roofs reduce heat loss, and in the summer months, the plants and layers of soil act as a shield from direct sunlight keeping it naturally cooler and reducing building energy usage and cost. A green roof protects the roof against extreme heat, strong winds, and temperature fluctuation. This defense against the elements can double or triple the lifespan of roofs. 

Green roofs can reduce and slow stormwater runoff. The moisture retention mats absorb rainwater, which allows the water to be released through evaporation and stabilizes groundwater levels. 

 A majority of buildings allow roof access to their tenants so your green roof can be used as an amenity to host meetings and events. Some roofs can also be used as a natural habitat area due to urban development and loss of green space for wildlife.

Green roofs are a worthy investment for any property and will provide several benefits. With a green roof, you can utilize the space you already have to not only protect your building but also help the environment.

Chapel Valley

Turf Care

The Benefits of Adopting a Well-Rounded Turf Care Program

The grass is always greener on the other side…or is it? While the grass may appear greener, it may not actually be grass at all. There is one type of green growth many fail to recognize or consider: turf weeds.

So, what’s the big deal? If all the turf areas on my site are green, all is well, right? Not necessarily. Like grass, many turf weeds are, in fact, green. Some are extremely easy to spot, while others may take a trained eye to point out.

You may wonder if weeds in your turf are really an issue. I’ll keep things simple and give you two main reasons why turf weeds are highly undesirable. The first is this: weeds in the turf “steal” available nutrients and water from the healthy, desirable grass. This can cause the grass to weaken and become more susceptible to bigger issues like drought and disease. Another reason is that many turf weeds are just downright unsightly. There is a reason the expression “growing like a weed” exists. Many weeds grow extremely quickly when fueled by a combination of heat and rain, much faster than the grass grows. This can cause a lack of uniformity and makes the turf look disheveled and unkempt between mowing visits, especially if visits are delayed due to rain. Remember, rain plus heat equals weeds.

Luckily, there are ways to combat those pesky weeds. A good turf care program will accomplish three main things: the prevention of new weeds, the elimination of existing weeds, and the strengthening of the healthy turf.

Firstly, a preemergent herbicide should be applied in the early spring to prevent weeds before they even begin to present themselves. This is by far the most efficient way to control weed issues; however, some weeds are bound to make their way through. Also, preemergent will not kill existing weeds.

For existing weeds or weeds that are able to sneak past the preemergent application, selective herbicides should be used to combat and kill the weeds without harming the healthy grass.
In addition to the various herbicide applications, any well-rounded turf program will include multiple rounds of fertilization. Fertilizer contains macronutrients, like nitrogen, which help condition the soil. In turn, the grass is set up for success. The grass will be able to grow a stronger root system, which directly contributes to more efficient water intake. This helps the lawn to grow much thicker and fuller overall, which is an important factor in crowding out/choking out weeds.

A turf program takes time to be completely effective – it is not an overnight wonder or a miracle cure. However, if followed consistently over time, the change in the appearance of your turf can be night and day. You too can have uniform turf that even golf courses would be proud of. If you have never considered a turf care program, it is never too late to start reaping the benefits.

Chapel Valley

Four Season Interest in Commercial Landscape

Using the Right Plants to Provide a Four-Season Interest in Commercial Landscape

While we can see an increase of interesting trends for commercial properties, there are still many sites with overgrown evergreen vegetation and a few pockets with annual flowers. Landscape enhancements can improve the appearance of these properties, including more than just a flower rotation when adding color. With the right landscape design, commercial sites can transform into beautiful spaces with plants that thrive in each season. 

Currently, with COVID-19 shaping the way we live and work, we recognize the importance of spending time outside. This especially relates to a workplace, where employees can benefit from spending time outdoors. Working in a natural environment allows for a connection with nature, therefore it is important to provide the right plants that will continue to provide attention through the whole year. The idea of all-season interest is to include the plants that provide ornamental attributes in one season and overlapping with another group that provides interest in the following season. Certainly, most plants display an interest in spring and summer, however, there are multiple plant options to make fall and winter attractive as well.

Spring and summer interests are known for providing showy blooms and interesting textures. After the winter is over, people want to see colors, so the earliest blooms are found in spring bulbs. The swaths of early-blooming daffodils and later drifts of tulips add a desired color to the landscape. We also like to use the spring-blooming ornamental trees, like cherry and magnolia to bring eye-catching flowers. Dogwoods and redbuds are also popular spring-blooming native trees that we use in commercial landscapes. When it comes to shrubs, many commercial sites are still covered with the popular old-fashioned forsythia, but we like to often replace it with native fothergilla and itea. These shrubs also offer a beautiful fall color.

By late spring, many trees and shrubs are leafed out, giving way to bloom. One of the popular shrubs in April and May is encore azaleas. There are multiple varieties of this relatively new species which provide a multi-season interest and require less maintenance than the traditional azaleas. Besides blooming in spring, encore azaleas rebloom in fall and stay evergreen through the winter. Another newly introduced plant that we have tried and can recommend is dwarf lilacs for late spring color and little lime hydrangea for early summer stunning flowers. In addition to shrubs, we like using the long-blooming perennials, like daylily, Russian sage, catmint, coreopsis, and late summer blooms like sedum, or rudbeckia. 

In fall, a must-have color comes from red maples, but also shrubs like nandina, oakleaf hydrangea, and spirea can provide beautiful fall foliage. In combination with ornamental grasses and fall-blooming perennials, they provide an outstanding mix of contrasting colors and textures. There also are a few plant options for winter interest. We often use a multi-season red twig dogwood with attractive red stems, winterberry, known for its bright red berries, and ornamental trees like paperbark maple, or river birch with peeling bark. Ornamental grasses still look beautiful and soft in winter, before they will be cut back in early spring.  

We all want to enjoy the outdoors and work in a pleasant environment.  By making a few changes to the property, it is possible to provide an attractive and thriving landscape with multiple interests throughout the whole year. 

Chapel Valley

Welcome Donnalee Harman

Donnalee joined Chapel Valley in May of 2021 as a Business Development Executive. She has over a decade of experience in both operations and sales roles in the landscaping industry and prior to that 15+ years in client relationship management.

Her attention to detail, ability to work with clients to address their individual needs, and developing creative solutions to match, have been what has driven her career.

Donnalee is married and lives in Lovettsville, VA with her husband Jon. They have 5 grown children and 2 grandchildren. When not spending time visiting them, she enjoys traveling, wineries, and anything on the water.

Donnalee can be reached via email or her LinkedIn profile.

Chapel Valley

World War I Memorial

Chapel Valley began work on this project in the Spring of 2020 with completion in April of 2021.  The overall management of the project was very intense and complex due to many different factors.  Chapel Valley’s Senior Project Manager and Field Manager worked closely with out-of-state Landscape Architects and Soil Scientists to sample every load of material brought onto the site. The day-to-day activities increased in intensity as COVID-19  struck the country and everyone had to become accustomed to the new and ever-changing safety protocols for working on site. Additionally, frequently occurring political demonstrations and the presidential election of 2020 required complex logistical planning and last-minute adaptations.  Despite the intricacy of the project, Chapel Valley completed the work on time with expectations exceeded. We are proud and honored to be a part of a project that honors and celebrates those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Learn more about the project at the official project website.

Photo: World War One Centennial Commission
Chapel Valley

What Your Landscape Upkeep Says About Your Company

Perception matters, from the moment a potential client clicks on your website to the first time they walk into your building. The landscape that surrounds your business sets the tone for what they can expect from your business. A stellar impression of your company results in economic advantages as well as peace of mind for everyone interacting with your business. We’ve compiled a list of the many benefits of a strategically planned landscape: Read more »