Landscape Planning

Landscape Consultations

Jennifer NicholsField Notes

Do any of the following describe your situation in the garden: You don’t mind doing yard work, but you aren’t sure how to manage your property. With a tight budget, you don’t know how you can execute on your great ideas. You want to improve your property over time, but you are not sure where to start. If any of …

How to buy olants

How to Buy Plants

Jennifer NicholsField Notes

Now that spring is here it seems like potted plants are everywhere. Grocery stores, big box stores, and produce stands all have plant displays front and center to entice you into buying. If you are like me and find these green gems difficult to resist, here are a few guidelines to ensure that you make wise purchases. Garden Centers vs …

Landscapes at the Farm Show?

Jennifer NicholsField Notes

Have you ever been to the Pennsylvania Farm Show? If not, you don’t know what you are missing. With free admission and $15 parking, it could be the best deal in the state!   So what is there to see and do at the Farm Show? With over 6,000 animals and over 10,000 exhibits it is difficult to decide! Below …

Tasteful Outdoor Lighting, Responsibly

Jennifer NicholsField Notes

I was recently asked if GreenWeaver installs outdoor lighting. Any good business person would immediately jump on this opportunity to sell additional services to a client, but I always respond to this question with reservation. As an environmentally responsible landscape company, how do we justify adding services that require electricity, have the potential to damage the night-time ecology, and can …

Stop Fall & Winter Deer Damage to Your Trees

Jennifer NicholsField Notes

So you think you’re out of the woods with deer damage now that leaves have fallen? Think again. Bucks rub their antlers this time of year so protect your trees- whether they’re small or up to six inches in diameter! Why do bucks rub? Bucks grow antlers, shed the velvety coating on their antlers, and then shed their antlers on …

Update: Monarch Populations

Jennifer NicholsField Notes

Last September, I wrote an article on Monarch butterfly migration and noted that Monarch butterfly populations are in severe decline. In fact, the winter of 2013 recorded the lowest population of butterflies returning to Mexico ever with populations reduced by 90% over the last 25 years. So this year, as summer draws to a close and these incredible insects prepare …

Native shade plants

Shady Garden Plants for Summertime

Jennifer NicholsField Notes

By now all of you GreenWeaver fans should have your native shade tree planted on the southwest corner of your house for energy efficiency, wildlife habitat, and comfort just in time for the summer heat! The next question is: What do you plant under it? Or in any shady location on your property? We all know that turf grass does …

Green City, Clean Waters

Green City, Clean Waters

Jennifer NicholsField Notes

Go Philly! Did you know that the city of Philadelphia leads the nation in: Commuter Biking Per capita consumption of sweatshirts and sweatpants Life sciences research and development Stormwater management Pretty cool stuff! And although I certainly have opinions about the whole list, I can only speak intelligently about the last item, so let me explain a little about Philadelphia’s …

Water in the landscape banner

Water in the Garden

Jennifer NicholsField Notes

Every garden can benefit from a water feature. From still reflecting pools to vibrant fountains, water adds an important element to our outdoor spaces. Water also brings life to a garden, figuratively, as well as literally. So in deciding how we want to incorporate water into our spaces, let’s look at several considerations. Purpose Water can perform many functions in …

Geranium and Coreopsis in the perennial garden

Filling bare spots in your garden

Jennifer NicholsField Notes

Gardens are never static. Whether you started out with an excellent design and installation, or made smaller changes to an existing landscape over time, how do you know when you are “done”? The answer of course, is never. As we all know, in every garden some plants will thrive while others languish. Trees may grow and shade out a previously …