Our team has had the pleasure of taking over the maintenance responsibility of this recently installed project. This large site was designed in house and our continued relationship with this client means we are able to keep the site as crisp as when we installed it. Maintenance efforts are primarily focused on keeping the surfaces and various entertaining areas neat and tidy. Mature trees on site are kept fresh with regular pruning and care. Irrigation keeps the site lush and green all summer.
The season-long program includes apple tree pruning in late winter, early spring cleanup and pruning, and weekly lawn and garden management. Other tasks we accomplish on site are hard surface cleaning, vine maintenance, and extensive leaf cleanup due to the large number of mature oak trees along the property line.
Need help with your maintenance? Are your gardens looking tired? Reach out to our talented team of gardeners today >>>
The goal of this project was to transform the existing decrepit landscape into a newly modern space with the purpose of entertaining family and friends. The clients also wanted a hint of ‘steam-punk’ incorporated into the overall theme.
To achieve the wants and needs of the client a new composite deck was installed with an angular form to maximize space on an already tight backyard. A swim spa was built into the deck and a secret hatch door was installed for any future maintenance. Large angled steps lead you from the deck down to the new random flagstone patio.
A large custom pavilion was installed over the patio to shelter users from the elements. Oversized rough Douglas Fir posts and beams were used along with some black powder coated steel bars to achieve the steam punk theme. Extensive engineering was involved to achieve the cantilevered look and reduce the need for an outside post. Tongue and groove cedar planks make up the ceiling of the structure along with LED pot lights. 3 pieces of sandblasted Eramosa stone acts as a bar area for users in the newly installed hot tub. Lastly a frosted glass privacy screen with LED colour changing lights separates the sitting area under the pavilion and the barbecue area of the deck.
Some existing plants and shrubs were salvaged during construction and were reused in the new low maintenance-planting plan. A new section of fence closes off the backyard for the homeowner’s dogs and a new gate was created with the use of steel bars to mirror the pavilion.
Skip the work and leave it to us! Our group of professional gardeners would love to come help you get your gardens in tip top shape. Get started today >>>
A notable sign of a professional looking garden is its level of cleanliness. Crisp garden edges and weed free beds make your plant material pop. Without paying attention to the details, your garden can quickly become a messy environment. Check out our why edging and mulching your beds are so important:
Best Practices: Why Edge & Mulch?
Edging:
Keeps the surfaces looking sharp and defined. A deep clean edge ensures spreading grass roots stop at the edge of the lawn (roots don’t grow through air – once they hit the sharp edge, they will stop). It’s a lot of work, but is less maintenance over the long run!
Mulching:
Stifles weed growth. Mulch also helps the ground retain moisture, so less watering will be required for you plants.
Step by Step Guide
With a hard rake, pull the existing mulch away from the edge 18”-24” if possible
Dig the edge out with a flat shovel or half moon edger.
Remove any weeds or grass in the 18”-24” area; break up soil clumps and rake out evenly.
Dig out a clean edge 3”-4” deep
Ensure straight lines or consistent curves (stand back to view and assess regularly)
Once the edge is clean or soil clumps and weeds are removed, pull existing mulch back over the soil area but maintain 3” edge depth.
Top up mulch each year to protect against weeds. This can be extended to every other year for mature gardens.
Bonus tip: Too much mulch can be as big of an issue as not enough mulch! If the mulch layer becomes too thick, your plants will start to take root in the mulch. This can be detrimental to the health of your plants, so before putting down mulch make sure your existing mulch is less than 2” thick. If your mulch is over 2” thick, just turn over the mulch with a hard rake to bring back some fresh colour.
Skip the work and leave it to us! Our group of professional gardeners would love to come help you get your gardens in tip top shape. Get started today >>>
As summer comes to a close we reflect back on the warm weather and the time we were able to spend outside. Similar to the spring, we start to consider what needs a refresh or what needs to be removed from our spaces. Our outdoor spaces are no exception! Here are 5 signs it’s time to rejuvenate your landscape:
1. Your Landscape Needs Have Changed
If your landscape is no longer serving your needs then you need to consider rejuvenating your space. Landscapes need to change and grow as you and your family do. Have you expanded your family and need more entertainment space? Consider adding more patios to accommodate. Did your neighbour cut down a large tree leaving an open view into your yard? Consider your options for increasing privacy with new trees or screens. Did you move into a new space and it is just not your style? Edit your landscape to reflect your design tastes. The more you cater your landscape to your needs, the more use you will get out of the space you have invested into. A landscape professional can help you rework your landscape based on your needs.
2. Your Gardens Are At The End of Their Lifespan
Gardens have life spans just like any other living thing. Once they near the end of their life, they do not have the same impact. The typical lifespan of a garden is 10-15 years depending on your plant material (not including trees). There are a few clues you can look for to determine if your garden is at the end of its life. If your plants are not flowering at all or not vibrant the way they used to be, you may need replacements. If your plants are not coming back the same way they used to in the spring or are resistant to pruning techniques, it may be time to swap these out. Maintenance professionals can help you identify plants that need to retire and suggest alternatives.
3. Your landscape is boring and lacks interest
You have a good base to your outdoor space but you can’t help thinking your landscape could be better. Rejuvenation doesn’t just mean things that are broken or tired. It can mean adding spark and depth to an otherwise dull, existing landscape. Take your space to the next level with a focal point feature such as a waterfall or bubbling rock. Brighten up your gardens by adding colour and seasonal value with plants that have fall and winter interest. Expand your backyard use time into the evenings with a lighting system. A landscape professional can offer you suggestions to take your landscape to the next level.
4. Your Landscape Is Not Functioning Like It Use To
As a landscape ages things can become weathered and broken, leaving it unsafe or unusable. Rejuvenation can mean making your landscape more user friendly. Some of these needs in the landscape are more imminent as they can put you at risk for injury if left unattended. A cracked or heaving step can turn into a tripping hazard if left broken. A broken fence can mean your yard is not as safe for pets and children. Nonfunctional landscapes can also look like blocked access points or unusable pathways. Fixing these elements can only increase the value of your space. Getting your landscape into shape is not only beneficial aesthetically but also in over functionality.
5. Your gardens are messy
Chances are if your gardens are looking off or feeling overwhelming, they are in need of proper maintenance. Weeds, messy edges or damaged plant material can reduce the appearance of your garden. If time is an issue, a professional maintenance team will be an asset in keeping your garden looking fresh all season long. Overcrowding can also make your garden appear messy. If your garden was not planned with proper plant sizes in mind, plants will compete with each other leaving things overgrown and other plants lost in the mess. A garden professional will be able to assist in editing plant material out to create proper spacing so your plants will grow and thrive.
A tired landscape doesn’t always mean you need to start from scratch. Enhancing your landscape may be just the thing you need to get your garden back to its former glory. If you have a landscape that needs refreshing, reach out to our team today >>>
Every spring, between snow melt and summer blooms, you may find yourself looking at the bare, brown gardens and wishing for things to hurry up and grow. Fall planted bulbs like crocuses, tulips, and daffodils beautifully fill this gap before perennial flowers really start to shine!
Crocuses are the earliest blooms in many gardens, frequently adding bursts of colour as early as March 15. These charming little flowers come in a range of whites, purples, and yellows. They are also unpalatable to deer, rabbits, and squirrels and therefore suitable for most Ontario gardens.
Daffodils (also called Narcissus) follow the crocuses, blooming between Mid-April and Mid-May. In addition to the classic yellow daffodils, plant breeders now produce white, pink, orange, and multi-coloured options. Like crocuses, daffodils are not attractive to squirrels or deer.
Tulips are one of the most beloved features of springtime in Ontario. They are available in almost any colour and size, with most blooming within the month of May. They can be planted among existing perennial displays without disturbing mature plants, and come back year after year (as long as the squirrels don’t dig them up!)
All of these spring beauties must be planted between October and December to bloom the following year. Here at Earthscape, we offer a complete bulb installation service from selection and purchasing through to planting and fertilizing.
This classic site was designed in house and installed in early 2020. After construction, our clients opted to continue the process with our maintenance team to ensure their landscape continued to develop and flourish to the best of its ability. Their maintenance package includes weekly lawn and garden care and yearly spring & fall clean up.
Year 1 vs. Year 3- Maintained By Earthscape
Weekly care focuses on complete weed removal, perennial care such as pruning & deadheading and an overall garden health assessment. In order to achieve the best results our client had attended a meeting with our head of maintenance to note any trouble areas or climates to focus. This allowed our team to be the most efficient on site as they know exactly which areas to focus time and attention on. The front yard sloped lawn proved difficult to manage and mow for our client. With our professional team, the client no longer has to struggle on the tough slope and worries about a damaged lawn.
The cherry on top of this project is the recently updated lighting. Our enhancement team was able to recommend the best locations for lighting to complete the landscape and highlight the best features during the evening. The new lighting plan makes the front yard feel warm and welcoming well into the night.
Need help with your maintenance? Are you looking to enhance your existing landscape ?
Starting a landscape project can be an overwhelming process. With many options and companies available, finding the right fit may seem daunting. Some companies offer design only services which means the client often manages their own project and is responsible for sourcing contractors and materials themselves. If you are looking for a hands off approach to your project you may find design build has the most to offer. Here are 4 benefits to choosing a design build firm to create your dream landscape:
Benefit 1: A team approach to creating a quality space
With a design build firm, you have a variety of professionals weighing in on your project to ensure it gets done right and on time. From experts in construction, design and plant maintenance there is always someone able to answer any question.
The design process requires thinking about both the functionality and the aesthetics of the project. With design build, you are getting insights from a designer as well as the construction experts who will actually be building the project. This ensures that the design is both well thought out and works in the landscape.
A design build firm works as a team. We all have the same goal and thus everyone upholds the same standard of work. When hiring multiple contractors from different sources, standards may vary. Design build firms are able to monitor the standard of work and correct elements when necessary.
Benefit 2: Value engineering to ensure you are able to get the most landscape for your budget
The design build approach can make your dream landscape a reality. If cost is a major factor, a design build approach may mean the difference between proceeding with the project and abandoning it down the line due to cost.
With this method we have the flexibility to propose alternatives in the design if the project is not within your budget. Materials and methods can be adjusted to help reduce the costs as the firm is carrying out the construction. With a typical design only firm, materials are set ahead of time which makes swapping elements a more complicated process if costs need to be cut.
Flexibility is a great aspect of the design build approach. In the same way that it is easy to remove items, adding elements is also an easier process. The fluidity of the design build process means we are able to continue developing the design as new ideas or problem areas arise. With the bid build approach, these elements are determined at the beginning of the process which means elements are harder to fix if problems or unforeseen issues arise.
Benefit 3: Team to team communication ensures your project is managed in the most efficient way
Our construction teams work with our landscape designers on a regular basis. With the construction team involved from the beginning, there is less back and forth when it comes to the execution of the design. With a team approach to design, communication is made a lot easier. As the general contractor, this means there are fewer people in the chain of conversation and thus less confusion as information is passed hand to hand. This is the best way to ensure a smooth and efficient project.
With design build, it is easier to remain on time and on budget. When unforeseen issues arise, a direct relationship with the design and construction teams, means problems are solved sooner. With design-build, the designer will often come to the site to talk through the issues and come up with a solution on the spot or soon thereafter. With bid build, the changes have to go through many sources. By the time a decision is made, delays are often inevitable.
Benefit 4: The best materials for your design at the best price
With expertise from both our construction and design teams, you are guaranteed to be getting the best material for your project. We are able to select materials that both create a stunning design but also work with the specific landscape and application. This expertise comes from a team that has experience working directly with the materials we are proposing.
Changes are easier with the design build process. With design build, if a material that was spec’d is unavailable the designer is able to offer alternatives on the fly. With bid build, this process is more time consuming and may come with additional costs associated with the changes.
Does a design build approach to your dream landscape sound like the right fit for your project? Get started on your journey with our team of professionals >>>
It’s easy for our summer gardens to always look their best with so many options for different colours and varieties to be in bloom. However, as summer blooms fade, a poorly planned garden is often left looking flat and barren when the winter weather rolls in. A great garden plan aims for interest in all seasons whether that be with colour, texture or unique structure. In order to achieve a balanced 4 season garden, you must also consider winter and fall, not just the summer months when it is easy to add colour and life to your garden. Incorporating a blend of materials will provide life to your garden in the off season, giving you curb appeal all year long. Check out our planning tips and plant recommendations to keep your garden looking its best from spring all the way to winter:
Planning Your Garden Beds
1. Make Sure Your Beds Are Wide Enough
The first step to creating a four season garden plan is to make sure you have a big enough bed to accommodate it. The size of your garden should be proportional to the size of your house. Oftentimes people are concerned that larger beds means more maintenance. However, with proper planning and grouping of plant material, you will set yourself up for easier maintenance in the long term. A wide bed provides the space for larger groupings and varieties of plants giving you the opportunity to have more seasons of interest.
2. Create a Good Base
Once you have the width of your bed established you can start blocking out where the base of your beds will go. This is typically done with trees and shrubs. It is good to have a mix of evergreen and deciduous materials. When one species loses its foliage the other will remain as the prominent plant in your winter landscape. Selecting trees that have an interesting structure will provide a sculptural element to your landscape when the trees lose their leaves in the winter months.
3. Layer Your Plant Material
Creating a layered garden allows plants that are in bloom to shine. Incorporating a variety of heights adds interest and depth to your landscape. Creating a solid base of trees and shrubs at the back of your garden means smaller perennials in front are not overtaken. This also makes maintenance much easier by having less tedious materials (shrubs and trees ) at the back while materials that need more care (perennials) are at the front where they are easy to reach.
4. Creating a Bloom Plan
Once you are ready to pick your plant varieties, it is a good idea to create a plan. Do your research! This will ensure you that you are selecting the right plants for your hardiness zone as well making sure that you will have interest in all seasons. Remember, the goal is to have something that is constantly in bloom or showy to ensure there are no “bland” seasons in your garden. Enlisting the help of a designer can make this daunting task a smooth process.
5. Consider Texture and Structure
Color is not the only thing you want to look for when planning a four season garden. There are other ways to create interest in the garden especially in seasons where colour is hard to come by. Plants with different textures will give your garden depth. Try mixing in plants with a textured leaf or add some evergreens for instant character. Structure is another great resource for winter interest. Most plants look great with their leaves on. Look for materials that have a unique branch structure to add interest to your landscape when all the leaves have fallen.
With so many options to choose from, creating a garden that can shine in any season may seem like an overwhelming task. Why not reach out to our team? Our group of professionals are experts at selecting plant materials perfectly suited to your space. Get started today >>>
Why adding a water feature to your space might be the best thing you do this year
Summer has arrived, temperatures are rising and life is starting to pick up again. With the pace of a summer schedule we all need a place to relax and decompress. One of the best ways to create a peaceful sanctuary within your landscape is through the use of water. There are a variety of ways you can incorporate water into your space. Keep reading for more ideas!
Benefits of water features in your backyard
Here are a few reasons why water can be so beneficial to your space:
For functional reasons, if you live in a noisy neighborhood near a highway or other environmental disturbances, water can act as a buffer for noise. Disruptive sounds can often deter people from using their backyard spaces. Replacing an unpleasant sound for the peaceful one of water, can help you reclaim your backyard escape. Waterfalls, fountains and bubbling rocks all provide great sound masking qualities.
Even if you aren’t struggling with noisy surroundings, water can increase the sensory experience in your yard. Appealing to more than just your visual sense, water helps create a fully immersive experience with your surroundings. Water appeals to both your visual, audible and even tactile senses creating backdrop & ambiance while you relax or entertain.
Adding water to your yard can also be a great benefit to the natural environment. Water features can attract wildlife. It gives the birds a place to feed and is also a benefit to many insects. This helps generate a healthy ecosystem.
Types of Water Features
There are many types of water features that will add interest and flair to your landscape. Picking the right one can be hard. A professional can assess the space you have and determine the kind of feature that will best suit your lifestyle and taste.
Ponds, Waterfall and Fountains
Ponds are a great way to incorporate water into your landscape. While you do need a lot of space, the pay off is a beautiful feature that provides enjoyment for both you and surrounding wildlife. If you have ever been interested in fish, ponds provide a habitat for them to flourish. Aquatic plant life also does well in ponds creating an optimal environment for plants such as water lilies.
In conjunction with ponds are waterfalls. Waterfalls are typically very large features that feed into a pool or pond. Pool side, these features can be very modern in the form of a wall or spout. They can also be organic and natural consisting of an arrangement of boulders with plant material scattered around. Understanding your design style can help you select the best waterfall for your space.
Fountains can either be installed as a feature on their own or as an addition to a pond. Freestanding options often act as a focal point providing architectural interest and movement in a space. Adding a fountain to a front yard can make an entry more grand. While adding one to the backyard can provide a calming ambiance to relax by.
Pondless Water Features
If you have a smaller space you may want to look at a pondless water feature. Some prefabricated fountains do not require a pond and will act as their own unit. If you are looking for a more natural option, a bubbling rock may be the right fit for you. While a bubbling rock will not provide the same volume as a waterfall or fountain, it will create some background noise making it a great addition to your tranquil lounge area. They also make great focal points in small spaces providing a layer of texture to the landscape.
Maintenance
No matter what option you choose, keep in mind that there is no such thing as a low maintenance water feature. Every water option requires winterizing. Whether that be bringing a small feature inside when the temperature drops or removing the pump before the cold comes through. This means that at the beginning of the spring and the end of the fall, the feature will have different maintenance needs to prepare it for that season. In the fall, leaf debris and build up is an issue that needs to be addressed. During the spring, you will need to assess winter wear. Summer heat also brings out the potential for algae growth. A professional can help you assess the needs of your water feature no matter what season it is.
Water features are amazing and can add so much value to your space. Just make sure that they fit your lifestyle or they can become more of a pain then a pleasure.
Your support of Earthscape is helping to create the first new park space in the Township of Elmira in more than 30 years!
In partnership with the Township and Trees for Woolwich, Earthscape is helping to lead the design and development of the Elmira Nature Reserve. The project will turn 65 acres of marginal land in the south-east part of Elmira into a thriving ecosystem for native species of flora and fauna.
Work is already underway on “The Habitats” – a subsection of the larger project within the Nature Reserve. A recent article in the Observer details the exciting plans.The Earthscape team, spearheaded by Mark Schwarz, proposed eliminating invasive species and developing habitats that are already in place to create a nature reserve that is both educational and enjoyable. The overarching goal is to encourage the re-growth of a natural ecosystem.
Why does this project matter? If COVID-19 has taught us anything it is that we all value our green spaces and this project will create more outdoor community space in Waterloo Region! In particular, the Elmira Nature Reserve will offer a diverse ecosystem and that means a better environment for everyone!
Many volunteers and donors are contributing to the creation of this new space. Our team has donated time, resources and equipment. We led the design of the space and have ‘boots on the ground’ to clear out invasive species and prepare the land for planting of native trees, plants and shrubs.
On June 5th (pending lockdown restrictions are lifted) a large tree planting initiative will begin to build back the Habitats area of the Nature Reserve. Keep an eye out for more progress on this exciting project!
What our team is saying…
Mark Schwarz
Earthscape Play
“Steve Irwin said it best, “I believe our biggest issue is the same biggest issue that the whole world is facing, and that’s habitat destruction.””
Chris Enns
Earthscape
“We work to build beautiful landscapes for our clients everyday. It’s equally rewarding to be able to partner with the community to build a landscape that everyone can enjoy for decades and generations to come.”
Sam Bauman
Earthscape
“We are really fortunate to be a part of this great community and to have an opportunity to help create this unique nature preserve. It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity! To be able to use our equipment and people, it was a natural fit for the company. I’m looking forward to seeing this through completion, then watching the plants grow!”
Homeowners who value creative design and exceptional craftsmanship, trust Earthscape’s simple step-by-step process to transform an outdated or non-functional landscape into an exceptional outdoor escape.
