Denise Bernstein
Drainage Fixes to Protect Your Home and Landscaping
October 10, 2018Two Thousand and Eighteen has been a record year for rainfall in the Delaware Valley Region. With average rainfall typically at 45 inches, we are currently nearing 80 inches plus this year alone! This crushes the previous record since the initiation of rainfall records back to 1895.
Due to the excessive rainfall you may have noticed your sump pumps running more, soft spots in lawns that were not there before, or water problems in the yard that have gotten worse with the record rainfall. DiSabatino Landscaping specializes in finding the appropriate drainage solution for your home.
Instead of guessing and doing the bare minimum to remediate the symptom we take the time to actually assess and correct these issues for both your basement and landscaping. During our consultation, we weigh not only the history of the area but also what you, as the homeowner, have experienced during your time in the home.
Got Drainage? Proper Drainage Benefits Your Landscaping and Your Home’s Foundation
Whether you just built your home or your home has been in the family for generations; we have seen it all! All of our designers are equipped with state of the art leveling devices so we can find the correct solution for your home’s specific situation.
DiSabatino Landscaping will always try to assess your personal property and find the best solution to fix your drainage problems
Drainage Fixes to Protect Your Home and Landscaping:
1. Surface Flow:
This is the most cost effective solution for many homes. With this solution your landscape needs to have a minimum of a 2% grade to have the water properly flow over your lawn to the appropriate storm water management location. This type of work is typically done in swale creation.
2. Down Spouts:
This is one of the most common culprits to having water sitting at the foundation of your home. By taking the downspouts out a minimum of 10’ from your home this can alleviate the rainwater load at the foundation of your house by almost 80%. We always run your downspouts with SCH 40 PVC pipe to ensure no sediment will be caught, crushing of the pipe will not occur from typical lawn traffic and we install the pipes with an easy cleanout system if you have leaves in your gutters.
3. Dry River Beds:
This is a more extreme case of surface flow drainage solutions. Typically, a dry riverbed solution is used in areas where grass will not easily grow. By creating the same surface flow solution as previously mentioned; however, we would install decorative or ballast stone that will allow the water to drain directly through the area to the appropriate storm water management location.
4. Catch Basins:
Here we begin to get more in depth with your landscape. Catch basins/drain boxes are typically used when a low point in one point of your lawn does not drain properly and a surface flow or down spout solution is not the correct way to move the water away from your home. Here we install the appropriate sized catch basin to support the intake volume of water and move said water through the appropriately sized PVC SCH 40 pipe.
5. Flow Wells:
This solution is used when water cannot be moved away from where the water is pooling. Typically used in smaller areas to move water from the surface into the soil column this solution begins to get into the more complex drainage solutions.
6. French Drains and Percolation Drains:
Used in extreme solutions when water cannot be moved away from the location of pooling water in your yard; these solutions can hold and/or move the water underground to be dispersed into the soil column.
7. Retention/Detention Ponds:
This is one of the more costly installations of drainage solutions typically used on new homes or new hardscaping project needs. These ponds are designed to take excessive amounts of water from the surface and drain or collect them as needed by the county/township.
Please note that this is not a full list of solutions that DiSabatino Landscaping uses to alleviate poor drainage areas. However, if you have a wet spot in your lawn or an area you are worried about please give us a call and one of our designers will find the right solution for you!
If you’re interested in talking with one our drainage experts regarding a custom assessment of your landscaping drainage system, call us at 302-764-0408 – email us at reception@disabatinoinc.com or fill out the form on our grading & drainage page.
Fall in Love With Our Custom Basement Renovations
September 25, 2018Are you looking to add a new room to your home? If so, have you utilized the entire square footage of you home? Why pay for expensive additions when you could make the best use of space that already exists?
Many homeowners who determine they need more space to create entertainment centers, gyms, game rooms or a home office fail to consider their basements as a viable option. Most homeowners use their sizable basements for little more than a junk room or storage area.
Sure basements tend to be more damp and darker than other areas of the home. That should not deter you from considering customizing your basement to add value and livability to your home.
While basement renovations require some specific tactics to avoid mold and mildew from growing, if you work with an experienced professional design expert you could actually improve your home’s energy efficiency!
Unfinished basements are an energy drain because they lack the proper insulation and often siphon off the heat or air conditioning from the living areas of the home. Once properly renovated, a basement can help maintain moderate temperatures in your home by reducing leaks.
The fantastic acoustics of underground space makes a basement a great space for an entertainment center. Many homeowners choose to combine a number of options when committing to a basement renovation.
At DiSabatino Landscaping & Design, we have taken our outdoor design expertise indoors to expertly finish and utilize every inch of basement space in order to create inviting and unique custom basement renovations for our happy clientele.
Check out the beautiful brickwork, inventive ceiling with dark ceiling tiles with inset lighting and gorgeous wood flooring. Make note of the flow of space from the custom bar to the game room to the entertainment center.
Imagine how your guests will be at ease and duly impressed when you invite them over for happy hour, game night or to watch a sports event in your state-of-the-art theater room. A fully customized basement renovation can make entertaining easy peasy!
Whether it is a home office, game room, entertainment center or home gym, we can create a comfortable living area where your family will love spending time!
Transform your unfinished or previously finished basement into a healthier, comfortable living area in no time!
Check out our finished basement pictures for great examples and basement remodeling ideas! And when you’re ready, contact us for a free basement finishing consultation and quote.
If you’re interested in talking with one our design experts regarding a custom basement renovation, call us at 302-764-0408 – email us at reception@disabatinoinc.com or fill out the form on our architectural design page.
How to Maintain Your Hardscaping & Masonry
September 11, 2018Generally concrete is low maintenance, but here are a few things you can do to keep your hardscaping looking its best. At least once a year, you should scrub down surfaces with a mild bleach cleanser. We don’t recommend power washing because it can cause permanent damage and can void your warranty.
Any moss, mold, mildew or algae stains can be removed with a solution like ‘Wet & Forget’. Never use metal shovels or tools to remove snow or ice. If you’re using a snow blower, make sure you use rubber blades. Never use deicers of any kind. They can cause permanent damage from pitting to cracking.
Patio Care Tips From DiSabatino Landscaping
Quality hardscaping and masonry will include a durable sealer, but staining can occur from rusting metal, flower pots, grease from grills, food and drink or oil and gas. Keep gutters, down spots and drains clear because water can cause sediment and erosion voiding your warranty.
So as you can see hardscaping and masonry don’t require a lot of maintenance. Just a little bit of effort keeps it looking good for a long time.
5 Great Tips for Preparing Your Patio for Winter
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can design an outdoor living environment that will add quality to your life and value to your home. Give us a call today! 302-764-0480
How to Create an Outdoor Oasis in Your Own Backyard
August 28, 2018Outdoor rooms that extend the living area of your home have become all the rage. Full kitchens, fire pits or fireplace with plenty of comfortable seating are perfect for evening garden parties or fun-filled family nights.
Modern day living has evolved since the turn of the century. Many homeowners are looking to express their styles through creating outdoor living spaces that fit their lifestyle and extend their square footage of usable space.
Imagine the kids lounging outside enjoying nature instead of cooped up in the basement or separate bedrooms playing video games. No matter what climate you live in, there are ways to make a comfortable and inviting outdoor living space to suit your family’s needs.
Creating outdoor rooms into living areas, recreation areas, and more are a great way to bridge the interior and exterior of the home. There should be some real thought as to how to create a space that will work within your parameters and flow properly.
HERE ARE 5 TIPS FOR CREATING AN OUTDOOR OASIS IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD:
1) Create a Master Plan
One thing to avoid is haphazardly creating outdoor spaces casually without a real master plan. You’ll want to concentrate on functionality, as well as style. Look at the big picture and create goals and a plan for accomplishing those goals.
One way to ensure success for the space and still maintain good design is by breaking the area into smaller rooms. Do not forget to take into account the effect of outdoor elements, since the climate will have a big role in how inviting your outdoor space turns out to be. Observe how the sun looks at different times of day and how the wind blows in different areas of the space to get a feel for your optimal arrangement of the space.
Which Material is Best for Your Perfect Patio?
2) Consider Your Entertainment Needs or Aspirations
The whole point of an outdoor space is to make it inviting and functional to your personal style of entertaining. For one, consider the distance from the cooking to the eating area when planning for a dining pavilion, porch or pergola. You don’t want to end up with a beautiful entertaining space that’s rarely used. Also consider the flow from the indoor to the outdoor area. Make access easy and seamless
3) Put a lot of Thought into the Outdoor Kitchen Design
Look at an outdoor kitchen the same way you would an indoor kitchen to make sure you create a workable space. Consider what kind cooking appliances and refrigeration units you will need. Determine how often you will be entertaining and typical size of your events. Think through the function and style of your cooking area.
4) Do not Skimp on the Details
Take into consideration all the details such as landscaping, lighting, and materials. Lighting and landscaping are an excellent way to enhance a great pool or barbecue. While these are not expensive upgrades, they enhance an outdoor space and extend the value into the evening hours.
Transform Your Old Tired Pool into an Oasis
5) Sit Back and Enjoy
Above all, hire a local design professional with a great reputation to create the space you really want. Even if it cost a little more, your outdoor space can be your stay-cation spot that is relaxing and rejuvenating – ALL in your own backyard.
Want to extend your living area by creating an ideal outdoor spaces to meet your recreation and entertainment needs? Get in touch with DiSabatino Landscaping.
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can design an outdoor living environment that will add quality to your life and value to your home. Give us a call today! 302-764-0480
What Landscaping Challenges to Expect From This Past Year’s Volatile Weather
August 7, 2018Wild Weather Ride Recap
Every landscaper experiences landscaping challenges — fighting the good fight can help us to conquer and surpass these tests from mother nature.
What a crazy spring and summer we’ve had! From snowstorms in the end of March to the sixth coldest April in 100 years, we experienced May rain for 15 out of 30 days followed by a mild June with major downpours of more than two inches of rain causing drainage problems. When we finally got a chance to enjoy the summer weather, temps rose to high 90 degree heat waves in July. Luckily, we did have some breaks of low humidity and pleasant summer days in the 70’s.
What does this volatile weather mean to our clients in the landscaping world? A lot of challenges, both good and bad.
The good news is that up until the last month or so, you didn’t have to run your irrigation system or do any hand watering on your property. Unfortunately, our plants and lawns have been experiencing fungus and disease from getting too much water followed by high temperatures.
Mother Nature isn’t always kind.
Our change of seasons have been extremely erratic. This past fall, we went from beautiful 70 degree weather one day to below freezing temperatures. These extreme temperature changes have dramatically affected plant materials such as crepe myrtles, skip cherry laurels, evergreen magnolias and holly’s, which cannot take these extremes. It’s very hard for these plants, which are prevalent in our area, to come back to life.
As for weeds….this season is epic for weed growth due to the weather extremes. Thistle, nut sedge and crab grass have been hard to keep up with. Weeds love hot temperatures and rain.
What can we do to fix this?
Patience and persistence are what is needed during this growing season. We have to continually work to clear weeds and overgrowth for landscapes to flourish. Take the time to stop to smell the roses, but make sure you stay on top of those beds because the weeds, especially thistle, can jump up inches overnight! These weeds aren’t in the mulch – they’re actually airborne – and require dedication to remove.
Hope you all enjoy the rest of these summer days. Let’s hope for more consistent weather this coming fall!
5 Watering Tips for Your New Plantings
July 24, 2018You just invested time, money and energy installing new plantings into your landscape, keeping them watered and hydrated is the most important aspect in helping them become established. While there is no universal rule of when and how much to water, the general rule of thumb is one inch of water per week.
Obviously, your watering amount and frequency will be determined by what Mother Nature offers up. On those hot and dry weeks of summer, there is a higher need to keep your new plantings hydrated.
5 Watering Tips for Your New Plantings:
1) Mulch is an excellent way to keep new plantings healthy, as it keeps soil moisture and temperature more evenly regulated.
2) Spring plantings tend to need a more diligent watering routine versus fall plantings, as the root establishment may only be a few weeks. Fall plantings generally need less watering due to cooler temperature and increased rainfall and the roots will be more established that first summer.
3) It is better to water new plantings in the morning, as it is considered more effective. Daytime watering is less effective due to evaporation. Excess moisture that is not absorbed into the soil during the morning will evaporate, keeping plants from too wet during the day or into the night.
4 Steps to Optimal Plant Health for Your Landscaping
4) Fully analyze a drooping plant before assuming that it needs water. While this is a sign of dehydration, it could also be a sign of a plant being starved of oxygen. The cause could be that the plant has been overwatered and the soil is saturated. Check the soil to see if it is really dry before watering.
5) Avoid oversaturating your new plantings. Puddling is a sign that the plant cannot absorb water at the rate it is being applied. Overwatering can cause root rot, foliar diseases and deprive the soil of oxygen.
The Side Effects of a Late Spring on Your Plantings
Why Less is More: The Beauty of Mass Plantings
July 10, 2018Mass planting embodies simplicity because it reads as one large element instead of a wide variety of individual plants.
As a lover of plants I often become bogged down when trying to decide how many types of plants to use in a design. When I go to a nursery or garden center, I start thinking how many of each different plants I can get into my personal garden. Then I stop myself and wonder, “Do I really want to take care of all those different types of plants? Do I really need that many different types?”
Most of us have limited amount of time to spend on tending our gardens. That is why scaling beds back to a limited palette of long lasting, animated perennials that are low maintenance or grasses that offer a different look for each season makes for the easier way to go.
How to Create a Sustainable Garden that Helps Wildlife
Mass planting embodies simplicity because it reads as one large element instead of a wide variety of individual plants.
The first step is to decide on an overall look of your landscaping. Do you want a variety of small shrubs, simple groupings of different grasses, or maybe you’d like an assortment of large herbs, small flaxes and shrubs?
Don’t forget to take into account colors. Are you looking for a bold and dramatic contrast of colors or do a variation of complimentary colors?
Finally, choose mass plantings suitable for your climate. This will mean a better look with less maintenance and budget-friendly.
NATIVE PLANT FINDER
Over the years my designer’s eye has come to appreciate simple, effective and minimal different types of plants in a garden. Planting in masses leads to a larger splashes of color & interest. No matter the size of the space I have found less varieties of plants actually compliments their surroundings more. Less is more!
How to Create a Sustainable Garden that Helps Wildlife
June 26, 2018
Creating a sustainable garden that helps promote a balance of native plants is not only beneficial for wildlife, it makes for less need for harmful chemicals and more enjoyment of the outdoors.
Gardening is a rewarding experience as it connects one to nature and helps one’s mental health and physical health. Connecting with the outside world is a great way to wake up an individual’s senses. What if we go further and create a garden that not only looks and smells good, but also helps local wildlife?
The benefit of attracting wildlife to your garden is that it will make the garden feel alive and help to keep it beautiful. A careful selection of plants, well-planned layout and creation of wildlife habitat will create a natural balance between inhabitants and visitors to your garden.
One of the main benefits of creating a wildlife garden is natural pest control. Once a balance between the creatures living in a garden is accomplished, none of them can prevail and cause damage to garden plants. Birds and ladybugs will reduce aphids and other plant sucking populations. Frogs and hedgehogs control slugs. Meanwhile, bees and cross-pollinating insects are crucial for fruit and seed production.
FIND BEST NATIVE PLANTS TO SUPPORT WILDLIFE
One of the best ways to support wildlife is by using plant species native to your area. Native species will support a greater array of wildlife than if you plant that same area with non-native species. Keep in mind that wildlife needs these three basics – food, water and shelter.
With natural habitats disappearing at a rapid pace, we should no longer create gardens that appeal to us for their beauty. We need to fill those gardens with biodiversity, which helps support wildlife and sustainability.
From the simple acts of adding a bird bath to your garden to the more involved conversion of the local drainage ditch to a miniature cattail marsh, there are many ways you can play a role in wildlife conservation.
10 WAYS TO START BUILDING A GARDEN FOR WILDLIFE
One simple way to cater to local wildlife is to plant native oak trees, which support moths and butterflies populations. These in turn serve as food for birds. Native hedges and fruit trees provide both habitat and food for wildlife.
It is crucial to avoid using chemical products in your landscaping because of their toxicity to both humans and wildlife. In truth, chemicals cause more problems than they solve, as they drive away animal species that help control pests.
NATIVE PLANT FINDER
One reason that native plant preservation is crucial is that as developers destroy wildlife habitats, there is a chance that these plants could become extinct. If local gardeners do not grow certain native plants, they could disappear from the earth! There is great power in large numbers of people making small changes. Be part of the solution.
How to Have Success With Crapemyrtles in Your Landscaping
June 5, 2018Anyone who has travelled in the south during mid-summer has surely taken note of the Crapemyrtles throughout the area. The crapemyrtle, often referred to as the ‘lilac of the South’, boasts showy blooms that attract bees and provide habitats for a wide variety of birds.
Why Homeowners Should Be Positive About BEES in Their Landscape
The common crapemyrtle is a native of China and Korea. Crapemyrtles come in a variety of sizes and colors. Thanks to the hybridizing efforts on the part of the National Arboretum and several Crapemyrtle enthusiasts, this colorful specimen has made its way north for the last several decades.
From luscious colors of blooms to smooth bark and dense foliage, the crapemyrtle is the center of attention in any landscape. The tree is not only known for its beauty, but also for it hardiness and dependability.
Those of us at DiSabatino Landscaping would like to share our knowledge with you on have success with your Crapemyrtles in the mid-Atlantic region (zone 5-6). Below is a list of the basics when caring for this hardy tree in your landscaping.
Basic Care of the Crapemyrtle:
Plant in Well-Drained Soil: Planting your Crapemyrtle in a raised bed, berm or sloping area is ideal. Beware of planting flush with the ground, ESPECIALLY if your soil has a high clay consistency. Areas of your landscaping that tend to puddle or stay damp after a rain will inhibit a crapemyrtle from surviving the winter, as the stem tissue will not harden off properly. Crapemyrtles are naturally drought tolerant.
Crapemyrtles Love Heat: A sunny spot in your landscaping is ideal as Crapemyrtles easily abide extra heat that occurs near a south-facing wall or fence. If full sun is not available, they will thrive with ½ day sun.
Fertilize in Spring: A crapemyrtle blooms on current year’s growth, it is suggested to use either ‘Plant-tone’ or ‘Flower-tone’ or a comparable product. Mature plants tend to need less fertilizing. Do not fertilize after July as the resulting new growth will not harden off properly before frost hits and will die back in the winter.
Trim in Early Spring: It is best to trim from mid-March to early May before the new growth appears. While later trimming will not hurt the plant, it may delay or eliminate flowering. A trimmed branch will take 6 to 8 weeks of hot weather before it will bloom. It stands to reason, anything trimmed after June will most likely mean no blooms for the season. A big NO-NO is to trim after July, as the new growth will not be ready for winter.
Treat for Japanese Beatles: Treat for Japanese beetles in June or July if they become an issue in your area.
Except for newly planted Crapemyrtles, do not water or fertilize in the fall. It is best to have drought stress versus too much lush soft growth, as you want the stems to harden off for the winter. Crapemyrtles are the most accommodating plants, thriving in dry, full sun and requiring less maintenance that most trees and shrubs.
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can design an outdoor living environment that will add quality to your life and value to your home. Give us a call today! 302-764-0480
Which Material is Best for Your Perfect Patio?
May 15, 2018Spring is the time our customers start thinking about installing a new deck or patio. A patio or outdoor living area is becoming a popular element for extending a home’s square footage and makes for spectacular entertaining.
Before starting a hardscaping project, it is wise to research the various options and materials available. It is best to look for materials that are safe and blend or contrast nicely with your home and surrounding landscape.
There is a wide variety of materials to choose from, and each has their own benefit. Some of the considerations to make when choosing your material are longevity, aesthetics, install method, maintenance, and cost. Our customers come to us with a variety of different needs and we wish to make the choices as clear and simple as possible:
Natural stone (typically referred to as flagstone or slate) is a very attractive material that holds up well to the elements. The color does not fade as much as many manufactured products and has a unique appeal. Someone who values a classic or rustic aesthetic might choose this product. It can be installed both with cement and polymeric sand joints. Versatility and looks make this material a great selection for any property.
Keep in mind that natural stone typically costs more because it has to be trucked in from a quarry. It can also take more time to install, hence upping your labor cost.
3 Ways to Prepare Your Patio for Spring
Concrete Pavers are the most popular recent addition to our material pallet. They are more cost effective than natural stone, yet still offer a similar aesthetic. There are a vast number of shapes, sizes, and colors available. It is important to do your research when determining which paver you will install in your yard. Not all manufacturers are alike.
While the material itself if more cost effective, the install is also easier due to their uniformity & therefore are more wallet friendly. This does not come without drawbacks however. You will need to be more mindful in terms of maintenance if you want your patio to keep its original luster if you choose this material. Polymeric sand joints need repaired every 3-5 years so that weeds do not grow in, and sealers can help to reduce the fading that occurs over time.
DiSabatino Landscaping Designs Beautiful Patios with Pergolas
Decorative Concrete is an old concept that has benefited from new install techniques in the past couple of decades. Options range from brushed finish (typical sidewalks) and exposed aggregate (tiny pebbles) to stamped concrete with synthetic designs printed onto them.
If you are not in love with man-made looking products this may not be for you. However, it is a highly durable and cost effective option that does not need a ton of maintenance.
At the end of the day, your patio must fit your family’s needs. It is important you know what you are committing to with whichever material or method you decide to go with and that you have a reputable installer to assist you with the process.
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can design an outdoor living environment that will add quality to your life and value to your home. Give us a call today! 302-764-0480
The Side Effects of a Late Spring on Your Plantings
April 17, 2018Is Spring Here Yet?
By Adrienne Angelucci
As many of you may have noticed, Mother Nature has not quite made up her mind as to whether she wants to continue the blustery saga that characterized winter 2017-2018 or allow us the pleasure of an actual spring.
As a result, we along with the plants in our gardens are frustrated and not quite sure how to dress and how to react. With colder temperatures, random snow showers, and blustery winds, expect the signs of spring and plant emergence from trees to perennials to annual flowers to be arriving later than usual.
Although difficult, we will need to be patient with plants this year and give them time to react to warmer temperatures and weather that is more consistent.
One easy way to help determine if plants are simply slow to emerge or dead are a simple scratch test. Using a small knife or even your fingernail, scratch the bark to reveal the internal stem. If green, the plant remains viable; if brown, this portion of the plant may have died back.
The important thing to do is to make sure you test numerous branches in the plant in various locations. This will give you an overall sense, as it is normal for plants to have some dieback here and there. The scratch test may reveal that only the upper portion of the plant is damaged and the internal portion is viable. For this situation, a light pruning will help to promote rejuvenation.
In addition to an overall delay, the highs and lows of this winter were especially hard on broadleaf evergreens (any plant that maintains its leaf in the winter that does not fall into the conifer category). Many plants, including Nandina, Laurel, Azalea, Boxwood, etc.. , subjected to the constant undulation in temperatures, freeze/thaw cycle and harsh winds, are showing signs of winter burn and or defoliation.
EFFECTS OF A LATE FREEZE ON BLOOMING SCHRUBS AND TREES
You may notice this as some of the plants have brown and rust color areas with plants appearing like they have been singed in a fire. Essentially, the plant is showing damage from dehydrated plant cells.
Unfortunately, there is very little can do to treat winter burn. Recommendations will depend on the severity of the burn. For mild burn, proper feeding (fertilizing) and watering will help.
The reality of winter burn is that patience comes into play again. Waiting to see if the plant pushes new buds and seeing how the plant regenerates is the ultimate answer. Unfortunately, successful rejuvenation can sometimes take an entire season if not more.
At this point, it may be more beneficial to remove the plant and consider replacement. Proper planning is key for winter burn protection; the installation of wind breaks, burlap, or application with anti-desiccants prior to winter can help.
Unfortunately, these methods are not the end all, depending on how Mother Nature is feeling. So a little patience, TLC and fortitude will be needed heading into this growing season. If you have questions, DiSabatino Landscaping has answers. Call us to assess your plantings – we can help identify what ones to nurture and which ones need replaced.
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can design an outdoor living environment that will add quality to your life and value to your home. Give us a call today! 302-764-0480