Blog

Pruning In the Landscape

Pruning is important for plant health. It removes dead and diseased branches, crossing branches, allows you to maintain the desired size of the plant, and promotes and increases flowering.

There are general rules that you should follow when you prune your landscape plants. Summer flowering shrubs should be pruned before new growth in the spring, typically in early spring or late winter, and spring flowering shrubs should be pruned after flowering. Read more »

Mulching Your Landscape Plants

“Mulching is important for your landscape, it helps retain moisture, control weeds, reduce soil erosion and is aesthetically pleasing.” Anne Lieb, Property Manager, Chapel Valley Landscape Company.

Mulching should be done once per year, typically in the spring, after the area has been edged. Edging the landscape bed or around the plant to be mulched, will greatly assist in the mulching process. A clean edge will help to hold the mulch in place, keep grass out of the area,  and define the landscape bed making it more aesthetically pleasing. Read more »

Spring Clean Up

A spring clean up should be done every year in order to keep your landscape looking fresh. “The clean up should include removing leaves and debris, edging beds, fertilizing plants, applying pre-emergent herbicides, pruning, and removal of old mulch if it is piled over 2” high.” Anne Lieb, Property Manager, Chapel Valley Landscape Company.

A clean up allows you to spruce up your landscape before the growing season and cutback ornamental grasses to rejuvenate them for new growth. Edging will define your landscape beds, help to keep grass out, and hold mulch in place. Read more »

Pergolas

A pergola is a structure in the landscape that consists of posts supporting rafters across the top. Pergolas are often found with vines or plant material growing up and over the structure. They are a great addition to the landscape and can either stand-alone or be attached to a home, providing a connection between spaces and create a sitting area or outdoor room. Read more »

Chapel Valley Awarded 2 National Awards and 2 Regional Awards

Chapel Valley Landscape recently received two National Awards at the Green Industry Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. The awards were present by PLANET, the Professional Landcare Network, an international association serving lawn care professionals, exterior maintenance contractors, installation/design/build professionals, and interiorscapers.

We were awarded a National Award in the category of Residential Design/Build for a Private Residence in St. Michaels, Maryland and a National Award in the Residential Landscape Maintenance category for a Private Residence in Baltimore, Maryland. Read more »

Chapel Valley Designs & Installs A Natural Learning Garden at the Congressional Schools of Virginia

Chapel Valley Landscape Company has partnered with The Congressional Schools of Virginia located in Falls Church to install their new “Giant’s Reading Garden”. The project included the design and installation of new landscaping for the area at the school located on Sleepy Hollow Road.

The “Giant’s Reading Garden” is the first phase of an overall landscape plan for The Outdoor Learning Center and Discovery Trail. Congressional Schools of Virginia considers these areas “A 40- Acre Opportunity… To Learn…  To Play…To Grow” for the students which range in age from pre-school to 8th grade. Read more »

Chapel Valley Landscape is Honored with Two National Awards

Chapel Valley Landscape recently received two National Awards at the Green Industry Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. The awards were present by PLANET, the Professional Landcare Network, an international association serving lawn care professionals, exterior maintenance contractors, installation/design/build professionals, and interiorscapers.

Since our founding in 1968 Chapel Valley has received over 250 Awards for our work with design, installation, and maintenance. Read more »

Partnership with Baltimore Based Non-Profit Organization Results In Design and Installation of New Landscaping at Tuerk House Main Campus

Chapel Valley Landscape Company, headquartered in Woodbine, Maryland, recently partnered with the Tuerk House, a non- profit substance abuse treatment provider, in Baltimore, Maryland, to transform and enhance the appearance of the main campus. The $35,000 in-kind gift project included the design and installation of new landscaping at the Tuerk House facility located at 730 Ashburton Street in West Baltimore.  Read more »

Internships Can Help Define Your Strengths and Interests

It all started a few years ago when I decided to attend a Career Fair for students in the College of Agriculture at Penn State. My goal was to make some connections and explore what opportunities were available after graduating from college. At this time I realized I was lacking in physical, hands-on experience in the landscape field. It was odd; I was working to complete a degree in Landscape Contracting, having never worked in the field. That was when I knew I needed to get to work; I needed to participate in an internship program. Read more »