Retaining walls can be a creative way to support new soils used to level a back yard area or hold back an area that is excavated out to create a patio or driveway extension. Retaining walls can also have dual or multiple uses. These walls work great for creating extra seating around patios or landscape features. Low walls can also create unique borders for an elevated landscape area or garden.   Elevated patios that are built using a retaining wall system can develop into a stunning multi level patio system with different elevations to create several different outdoor rooms all within one landscape.

Many erosion and drainage issues can be solved with a retaining wall system. These systems can be used to reduce the slope and help develop a sustainable growing environment. Some of the walls can also be constructed to channel, divert, or collect storm water. After the water is controlled, the walls will direct the flow of the run-off and work with support systems like catch basins, or county storm water collection ponds.

From Timber walls, modular block (paver) walls, or stone and brick, retaining walls come in a variety of styles.  Each style has it’s own unique construction method as well as strength and durability. Most walls have a specific use or function that works best for that construction style. Budget can also help find the suitable construction material.  Properly constructed retaining walls can last a lifetime and dramatically change an unusable yard into a fully functional recreation area.

Construction of these walls takes careful planning and design.  Therefore, this is not a project that most home owners should try to do on their own. Premium Lawn & landscape is a Class “A” contractor, and is licensed in all Northern Virginia counties to construct any type of retaining wall. With our own designers and years of experience, we have constructed hundreds of walls from the small garden/drainage wall to large 15′ tall earth retention systems.  Please contact Premium if you are interested in constructing a retaining wall on your property.

• Puddling in the Yard & Landscape
• Wet & Soggy areas by the Sidewalk or Walkways
• Soil runoff & Erosion Development

Drainage Problems can be very damaging to your property.  They can cause wet basements and mold.  In addition, it can also cause lawn and plants to suffer from fungal disease and rot.

While many people notice a drainage issue when there is a huge puddle in the yard that is not the only indicator.  Other indicators are a wet basement, loss of grass and washed out areas. The damage from these problems can be extremely expensive.  However, solving the problem will not only save you headaches it will also save you money.

There are many ways to solve drainage issues.  It may be as simple as a downspout extension or as creative as a retaining wall.  Below you will find some simple definitions of drainage solutions.

• Down Spout Extension:  An extension installed on your down spout to divert water further away from the foundation of the house.
• Retaining Wall:  A structure designed and constructed to hold back soils when there is a desired change in ground elevation.
• Grading:  To implement a slightly tilted/sloped in a      certain direction that faces a natural geographic slope, as it facilitates the natural out flow of water.
•  Dry Well:  An underground structure that disposes of unwanted water, most commonly stormwater runoff, by dissipating it into the ground, where it merges with the local groundwater

If you see any sign of drainage problems call Premium Lawn & Landscape for a free estimate.

Tree removal is done for many reasons.  The most likely being that the tree is dead or a hazard.  Sometimes it is merely because it is unattractive or ugly.  Most trees add color and curb appeal to our properties.  So when and how do we know it is the right decision to remove a tree?

Obviously we notice problems with our trees before or after a storm with high winds.  However, an annual inspection of your trees is the best approach.  This will allow you to identify potential problems before they occur.

What you should look for: 

• Dead and Dying Parts – These are the most likely candidates for removal. 

• Broken and or Hanging Branches - This can happen for many reasons and may not indicate the tree should be removed.  It may only need to be trimmed. 

• Missing or Decaying Wood or Bark - This does indicate a tree in distress.  However, it may require treatment and not removal. 

• Leaning – Does your tree lean or is it unbalanced.  Leaning and unbalanced trees are often the first to fall with ground saturation.  This tree may be healthy but still a hazard.

• Root Problems - Your tree requires its roots to stay upright.  If you notice decay, dead or missing roots the tree is a potential hazard. 

These are just a few of the more common and identifiable things you can look for.

You should always keep trees and branches cut back away from buildings and electrical wires.

If you notice any of these things or are uncertain about the health of your trees call us.  We have licensed arborists to help you with a risk assessment. 

Tree removal can be expensive.  However, you may loose much more than your tree if it falls on it’s own.

Come out and join us at the Capital Home Show this weekend at the Dulles Expo Center.

We will be located in booth 821, so stop by and take a look at our display featuring EP Henry pavers and a firepit! Don’t forget to talk with our friendly staff about setting up an estimate!

Join us and get inspired!

Show dates and hours:

Friday, September 21                 10am – 9pm
Saturday, September 22            10am – 9pm
Sunday, September 23              10am – 6pm

IT’S TIME TO GROW GRASS!

It looks like the high heat of the summer has passed, there has been some good rainfall over the last week, and it’s time to make plans to repair the damage to our lawns caused by the record breaking drought and heat of this past summer.  It has been a challenging year for turf management, to say the least.  The unseasonably warm temperatures in March started the early spring growth two to three weeks early despite drought conditions caused by almost no precipitation for three months.  The early root damage caused by these conditions, followed by rapid spring growth, was probably one of the causes of the excessive amount of turf disease cases that we’ve seen this year.  Follow this with the extreme heat and drought of June and July and we are seeing large amounts of turf damage everywhere!

So what do we do?  We have to fill in the bare areas with desirable turfgrass as well as alleviate soil compaction at the root zone area.  The large quantities of mid-summer germinating turf weeds need to be killed off as well so the new grass seedlings can establish and grow with minimal competition.  Fall broadleaf weed control, core aeration, and overseeding are all a part of a complete lawn care program in our region and, after the last seven months, these services are more important than ever.  If your lawn has a lot of bare and thin areas, if the soil looks rocky or had a reddish or orange tint to the soil, or if your lawn just seems to look stressed all the time, you may want to consider turf renovation.  This incorporates the introduction of new organic-reinforced soils as a top dressing in conjunction with core aeration, overseeding, and fertilization.  If you live in a home built in the last ten years, you should consider turf renovation as well.  This process does not have to done regularly.  Once the new soil is in place, your lawn will rapidly develop a strong and healthy root system. 

Remember, a thick healthy turf is the best way to control weeds and to reduce your overall costs in the long term.  Maintain a solid turf care program every year and you will see your lawn grow and thrive.