Managing Snow Safely & Effectively

Jennifer NicholsField Notes

Whether you can’t wait until the first flurries fall, or you spend the winter dreaming of the warmer days of spring and summer, we should all know how best to manage snow on our own properties. In doing this, safety of course is the primary concern. But in addition to safety, there are a few other considerations, such as cost, …

Greener Living in 2015

Living Greener in 2015

Lee ArmilleiField Notes

As we finish up 2014 and look towards 2015, it is a good time to review our habits and lifestyle choices both as a business and personally. As a company, GreenWeaver continually strives to improve the services we offer to our clients for environmentally friendly landscape options. Additionally, we try to make decisions throughout the year to live simply on …

Decorate with Textures from the Landscape

Lee ArmilleiField Notes

Although much of the landscape is going dormant this time of year, if you look closely, there are amazing textures all around you. Evergreen branches and winter berries are commonly embraced, but with a little more exploration, you can find interest in unexpected places. These textures can be used for outdoor planters, indoor centerpieces, wreaths, window boxes, and more. Below …

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Alternatives to Traditional Bulbs

Jennifer NicholsField Notes

Most gardeners know that fall is the time to plant bulbs. Daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips planted in the fall will reward gardeners that plan ahead with some of the first blooms of spring. As an environmental landscape designer and a proponent of using native plants, I have to admit, these spring flowering bulbs are one of the exceptions to a …

Fall Leaves: Love ‘Em and Leave ‘Em

Jennifer NicholsField Notes

How we manage leaves is one of the most financially wasteful and environmentally harmful landscape practices common to our area. But done well, ecological leaf management can be embraced by fiscal conservatives and passionate environmentalists alike. The answer is the ‘Love ‘em and Leave ‘em’ approach to leaf management. So, as leaves turn different shades of red, orange, and gold, …

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Beautiful Native Plants for Autumn

Lee ArmilleiField Notes

Fall in the mid-Atlantic is a beautiful time of year. We’re fortunate to have moderate temperatures before winter strikes, resulting in the rich, fiery hues of autumn foliage. Fall color is so important, it is considered in all good designs equally as much as spring flowers and winter interest. All fall color isn’t created equal though and we’ll discuss why …

Monarch Migration

Jennifer NicholsField Notes

As the days grow shorter and the weather gets colder, both plants and animals need to adjust to these seasonal changes. In our area, most plants go dormant which leaves the animals that depend on them several choices for survival. Some animals, such as chickadees, nuthatches, and field mice change their food source to what is available, such as seeds. …

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Summer Nights

Jennifer NicholsField Notes

Summer nights can be magical. Who doesn’t remember long summer nights as a kid, chasing fireflies, gazing at stars, or playing kick-the-can? Shorts and a T-shirt were all we needed to dive into the mysterious and exciting, outdoor world of summer nights. Oh, and one more thing, we needed darkness. Our world is becoming increasingly lit up at night. Sometimes …

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Create Your Perfect Herb Garden

Jennifer NicholsField Notes

Herbs are a wonderful way to connect to the outdoors. Whether you live in the city or suburbia, an herb garden is attainable. All you need is the appropriate soil and plenty of sun. A perfect location for an herb garden is in a sunny location near your kitchen door so that you can step out and harvest some fresh …

Our Favorite Native Shade Trees

Jennifer NicholsField Notes

In our last “Field Notes”, Lee discussed the benefits of shade trees. Now I would like to mention just a few of my favorites in case you are planning to add one to your own landscape.   At the top of my list is the Quercus alba, or White Oak. This is truly a tree that you plant for your …