17 Outdoor Living Spaces that Will Make You Feel Like a Lucky Irishman
March 17, 2020In honor of Saint Patrick’s Day, we thought sharing some of our best outdoor living spaces and decking solutions might inspire you to get you ready for spring.
At DiSabatino Landscaping, we can help design the perfect outdoor living space. Unsure of how all your wants are going to fit in your backyard? Our team of innovative designers can meet any challenge!
We have been creating beautiful outdoor living areas for some of the Delaware Valley’s most discerning homeowners. Get in touch with us today to get started on creating an outdoor masterpiece in your own backyard.
Staycations will be your family traditions, as no one is going to want to leave your backyard!
Check out These 17 Gorgeous Outdoor Living Spaces:
1) Outdoor Living with hot tub and pool 
2) Outdoor Living with waterfall and pond 
3) Outdoor Living with pool and pavilion 
4) Outdoor pool with cascading waterfall 
5) Porch with Pergola and Ambient Lighting 
6) Lap Pool with Covered Sitting Area 
7) Pool with Pergola Bar and Cooking Pavilion 
8) Fully Furnished Pavilion with Fireplace 
9) Slate Patio and Pergola 
10) Two Tiered Patio with Outdoor Kitchen 
11) Pool with Pavilion and Pergola 
12) Slate/Brick Outdoor Kitchen with Pergola 
13) Pool with Lounge Area and Flower Beds 
14) Outdoor Kitchen with Slate Patio 
15) Pool with Full Service Pavilion and Twin Pergolas 
16) Columned Outdoor Living Area with Entertainment Center and Fireplace 
17) Beautifully Landscaped Pool with a View
302-764-0408 | DiSabatinoInc.com
The Landscape Experts
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
5 Ways to Fix Landscape Drainage Problems
March 5, 2020Got Drainage Problems?
Is your yard experiencing drainage problems?
Grading around your home to prevent water build up at thefoundation is one big step towards fixing drainage issues.
Water heading towards your foundation is a big issue
5 Ways to Fix Drainage Problems:
- Downspout Extension: Add these to guide water collected by gutters away from the foundation so that water does not end up in the basement. Redirect across property to avoid pooling.
- Drainage Boxes or Grates: Redirect water to a surface drain such as a simple 12” X 12” square or 6” round grate.
- Drainage Swales: Create pitched areas lined with stone or grass guiding water off you property or to an area well away from the foundation. Drainage swales prevent standing water that can lead to mosquitos and other issues.
- French Drain: Install a perforated drainage pip in a gravel lined trough to keep your lawn from experiencing consistent flooding.
- Rain Barrels: Install water barrel or storage well to capture runoff and use to irrigate at a later date.
RELATED ARTICLES:
Drainage Fixes to Protect Your Home and Landscaping
Got Drainage? Proper Drainage Benefits Your Landscaping and Your Home’s Foundation
Got Drainage Problems?
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
302-764-0408 | DiSabatinoInc.com
The Landscape Experts
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
7 Ways to Add Value to Your Outdoor Kitchen
February 25, 2020
Outdoor Kitchen by DiSabatino Landscaping & Esposito Masonry
Outdoor Kitchen by DiSabatino Landscaping & Esposito Masonry
Outdoor Kitchen by DiSabatino Landscaping & Esposito Masonry
Outdoor Kitchen by DiSabatino Landscaping & Esposito Masonry
With spring arriving early this year, now is the time to plan improvements for your outdoor living space and outdoor kitchen areas. Cooking outdoors is a great way to entertain and stay in the thick of things.
If there is no outdoor cooking space when the party moves outdoors, the hostess misses a good portion of the excitement as they are stuck inside cooking. Not to mention the many trips back and forth.
Save time, make entertaining outdoors easy and join in the party by having a full-service outdoor kitchen. There are many options available when planning an outdoor kitchen living area . Here are a few to consider.
7 Great Ways to Add Value to Your Outdoor Kitchen
- Pavilion: Keep your dining area comfortable and dry with a pavilion
- Pergola: Add ambience, shade and privacy with a vine-covered pergola
- Pool: Custom in ground pools and hot tubs are refreshing touches that keep dinner guests hanging out for desert!
- Ambient Lighting: Special features such as path lights, string lighting or post lights add to every outdoor evening occasion without attracting pesky insects
- Water Features:Ponds, waterfalls and other water features, such as a fountain is great way to add character to your landscaping
- Alone Space: Create peaceful location away from the crowd to allow for relaxation or meditation
- Bedroom Deck: A deck off the master bedroom – connect with nature any time of day
- Outdoor Space: Utilize the front, side and back of house to add a custom made deck with gazebo, gorgeous pergola, pavilion or sun room
RELATED ARTICLES:
How to Create an Outdoor Oasis in Your Own Backyard
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Three Ways to Transform Your Yard Into an Outdoor Room
302-764-0408 | DiSabatinoInc.com
The Landscape Experts
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
Preparing Your Patio for Spring
February 11, 2020Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early spring, which means it is time to get busy preparing your patio for spring. Don’t miss enjoying the first warm days by dining al fresco because you are late to the party!
CHECK OUT THREE WAYS TO PREPARE YOUR PATIO PATIO FOR SPRING:
1 ) Check patio for any signs of damage from ice: Winter is rough on your hardscaping. When water seeps into cracks or crevices and freezes, it can cause cracks or worse! Early spring is the time to assess any damage done from freeze/thaw cycle.
Not only do cracks or chipped areas on concrete unsightly, they could get worse if not repaired. The solution to repairing these surfaces vary. Check out this Quickrete® Guide on Repairing Concrete.
2) Remove algae or mildew: The process of ridding a patio of mildew and algae will depend on the severity of the stains. Start with a stiff broom to sweep off as much debris as possible. While using a power washer is less caustic, it often does not work on stubborn stains.
Using bleach or vinegar is effective, but it could damage the lawn and landscaping. Baking soda is more natural and gentler solution – try mixing ½ cup baking soda to one gallon of water and 1/8 cup of liquid dish detergent first. Spray it on the patio surface, let it sit for 30 minutes, then scrub and rinse.
If your patio is in the shade a good part of the day, consider pruning or removing some trees to allow more sunlight to reach your patio.
3) Apply a sealant: Your patio should be sealed every 3-5 years, at minimum. Sealants prolong the life of your patio.
Sealers provide a tough, water-resistant finish that is protects your patio from exposure to water, common acids, alkalies, petroleum, solvents, oils, greases, and salts. Call a professional hardscape specialist to have sealer applied.
302-764-0408 | DiSabatinoInc.com
The Landscape Experts
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
Brighten Your Landscape with Winter Interest Plants
January 23, 2020Winter landscapes tend to be drab and dreary in the northeast this time of year without winter interest plants. With Christmas lights packed away, lawns and deciduous trees dormant, a brown deadness seems to dominate the landscape. This can cause an obvious effect on mood.
There is no reason to fall prey to this deadness in your landscaping plans. Many horticulturists plant winter interest plants to add flare and brighten their landscapes during the winter months. Not only does this brighten one’s mood, it offers food sources for local wildlife, which in turn adds color and movement to the landscape.
SHRUBS WITH WINTER INTEREST
Your yard can come alive with the sound of chirping, warbling and singing birds happily consuming a yard full of strategically planted winter-persistent berries. For some inspiration, check out this article by the National Wildlife Federation on ‘WINTER BERRIES FOR BIRDS’.
A variety of bright-berried shrubs and perennials with textured foliage that are at their peak in winter will add color and texture to any winter landscape. Brightly colored stems, fragrant blooms and enticing fruits bring a wealth of interest to winter borders.
Evergreen shrubs and trees add a pleasing backdrop to colorful winter plantings, such as winterberry or deciduous holly that boasts bright red berries that sparkle and draws the eye.
Pyracantha angustifolia or Firethorn often used as a hedge, on a wall or trellis adorns your landscape with orange-red berries and greenish-brown leaves.
The colorful glow of Cornus sanguinea, or red twig dogwood stems backlit by a low winter sun is a beauty to behold. Evergreen ferns also add color and texture during the winter months. The Athyrium species, better known as the Japanese painted fern, is an excellent choice for any winter display.
Edgeworthia, aka paperbrush, offers fragrant flower buds of yellow and white clusters from December to April, silhouetted by decorative bark, as it drops its leaves mid-December. Witch Hazel blooms with yellow to red flowers sporting threadlike petals that curl up at night and open during the day to emit a lovely fragrance. These blooms last from late fall to early spring.
Winter Daphne is a variegated leaved evergreen shrub that has sweet fragrant white or pinkish star-shaped blooms in late winter to early spring. The Winter Flowering Cherry or Prunus Subhirtella Autumnalis Rosea is an excellent choice for creating a colorful winter hedge or stand-alone tree. Its star shaped, semi-double blooms in pale pink last from autumn to early spring.
While these are just a few really good choices to brighten your winter landscape, getting a professional landscaper’s opinion as to what type of winter interest plant is suitable for your particular needs is advisable. Every plant has its own particular needs and flourishes best in certain locations and soil conditions. An experienced landscaper can help guide you to get more bang for your landscaping investment.
Contact DiSabatino Landscaping if you would like to consultwith one of our specialists.
302-764-0408 | DiSabatinoInc.com
The Landscape Experts
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
Watch Our How to Winterize Your Pond Video
January 9, 2020Winterizing your pond begins in the fall, as water temperature is a big factor in determining when is the right time to begin the winterization process for ponds and other water features.
Tips to Winterize Ponds
DiSabatino Landscaping of Delaware helps homeowners to properly take care of their hardscaping and landscaping investment. That is why we suggest that you complete the following steps to prepare ponds and other water features for the winter months ahead.
How to Winterize Living Ponds & Other Water Features:
- Debris Control: Clean out all debris, leaves and silt from the bottom of your pond. The cleaner you can get the pond before freezing weather comes, the healthier your pond will be throughout the winter. Ponds need to be covered with netting in the fall. This netting should be well above the surface so leaves can be easily cleaned. Use a fine-weave aquarium net to sift out excess sludge and debris.
- Water Change: A water change can be done anytime, but it is much more comfortable if it’s done before the water reaches 60◦ Remember to use dechlorinator if your water contains chlorine.
- De-Icer: Use a de-icer to keep a section of your pond open to allow oxygenation and gas exchange. This does not warm the overall water temperature of your pond. A de-icer simply allows toxic gasses to be released and oxygen to enter the pond.
- Pump Care: When temperatures drop below 40°F, the main pump should be removed and filters thoroughly cleaned. Do not leave the pump running on the bottom of the pond. It will lower the temperature of the entire pond by disrupting the natural thermal layers of the pond water as well as adding extreme stress on pond fish.
- Plant Care: Trim and remove any dying plant material as it appears to avoid debris build-up. In this area, bring inside all tropical plants and set all hardy water lilies to the bottom, if the pond is deep enough to keep them from freezing to the bottom.
- Fish Care: Depending on the water temperature will determine what food you feed you fish. Cooler temperatures make it harder for fish to digest food properly. Though it is important for fish to bulk up during the winter months, it is imperative that they not be overfed. As this is a complicated topic, here are more intricate instructions on fish care.
If you would like help with your landscaping needs, please get in touch
302-764-0408 | DiSabatinoInc.com
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Check Out Our Portfolio of Fireplaces & Fire Pits
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help advise you what is best way to create outdoor fireplaces & fire pits Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
How to Maintain Your Outdoor Hardscaping
December 19, 2019Generally, wet laid surfaces are low maintenance. Here 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 that can void your warranty.
Any moss, mold, mildew, or algae stains can be removed witha solution like Wet & Forget. Never use metal shovels or tools to removesnow and ice.
If you’re using a snow blower, make sure you use rubberblades. Never use de-icers of any kind. They can cause permanent damage frompinning to cracking.
Quality hardscaping and masonry will include an endurablesealer, but staining caulker or from rusting metal and flower pots, grease fromgrill, food and drink or oil and gas.
Keep gutters, downspouts and drains clear because water cancause settlement and erosion, voiding your warranty.
As you can see, hardscaping and masonry don’t require a lotof maintenance, just a little bit of effort keeps it looking good for a longtime.
If you would like help with your landscaping needs, please get in touch
302-764-0408 | DiSabatinoInc.com
The Landscape Experts
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
Landscape Maintenance Tips to Perform Before Winter
December 12, 2019Timing is everything in the landscaping business. Particular chores or lawn maintenance need done during certain times of the year for best results.
Things, such as properly timed applications will have your landscape reaping the benefits. Doing these maintenance tasks at the wrong time could be a waste of energy or worse. It could actually harm your landscape.
Since very few of us have that a green thumb, we thought sharing some helpful tips for fall maintenance might be in order. Preform these chores to have a vibrant landscape year round. Doing right thing at the right time will keep your lawn and garden looking its best.
7 Tips for Outdoor Fireplaces or Fire Pits
October 22, 2019Fall is the time the fire pits and outdoor fireplaces start to light up the yards across our area as the evenings begin to cool. Sitting around an outdoor fire sipping a favorite beverage, roasting s’mores and quietly conversing is a favorite fall pastime.
We thought sharing a few ways to keep your fire burning for outdoor fireplaces or your fire pits would be helpful for our treasured clients and readers.
1) New Fireplace or Fire Pit Installations Need Extra Care
New installs need a little bit of extra care in the beginning. Wait thirty days before the first fire. After thirty days, keep the fire small for the next fifteen days. That makes it a total of forty-five days before a normal sized fire should be built.
2) Keep Flames at a Safe Height
The flames height should be contained within the fireplace or as high as the fire pit capping. Back drafts or sudden gusts of wind are common and hard to predict. Sparks and embers might go somewhere you do not want. The smaller the flame, the less likely it is the fire will get out of hand.
3) Don’t Use Water to Extinguish the Fire
Unless it is an emergency, never use water to put out a fire. Instead, bank the fire by burying flaming logs and smoldering embers with ashes. This will not completely extinguish the fire but it will cause it to die out slowly.
4) Select Materials Suited to Stand Up to High Temperatures
Build your fireplace or fire pit with materials with a high heating rating. One of the biggest mistakes in fire pit construction is when it is built with concrete block, stones or boulders found around the yard. If not meant to heat up, these materials can crack, splinter or even explode.
5) Keep Fireplace or Fire Pit Clean
A little maintenance always helps. This is true for your fireplace or fire pit. Clean off any debris around the area. Use a clean cloth to keep the igniter and burner holes clear. Logs should be cleaned using a soft brush.
6) Inspect and Check for Gas Leaks
Always check for gas leaks. If you smell gas, turn off the gas supply. Contact your gas company for service. You should also have the igniters and burner serviced by a gas company a minimum of every two years.
7) Protect Your Fire Pit
Use the manufacturers cover or use one that allows moisture to escape. This will protect your fire pit from the elements and prolong its lifespan.
Okay, so there is a little work to keeping your flames burning but it’s well worth it!
DiSabatino Landscaping teamed up with Esposito Masonry creates beautiful custom-designed fireplaces and fire pits for residences in Delaware and the surrounding area. If you would like to find out what we can create for you, please get in touch
302-764-0408 | DiSabatinoInc.com
RELATED ARTICLES:
Fall is Great Time for Fire Pits!
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Check Out Our Portfolio of Fireplaces & Fire Pits
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help advise you what is best way to create outdoor fireplaces & fire pits Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
7 Ways to Solve Landscape Drainage Problems
October 8, 2019Is Your Property Experiencing Drainage Problems?
Anyone who has experienced drainage problems, such as a flooded basement, damage to their home’s foundations and interior understands the importance of proper drainage. It is vital that water is properly directed away from your home’s foundation.
Water management Tactics for Your Home
As more and more building is going on in our area, the amount of porous land is diminishing. This can cause drainage problems for even the most mature properties, as traditional water flow patterns are interrupted. This is something than many homeowners are starting to experience.
Grading around your home to prevent water from building up around the foundation is one-step in creating proper drainage. However, there are a number of tactics effective to help divert water to other areas of your landscape. We thought we would share a few of these with you today.
7 Ways to Solve Landscape Drainage Problems:
1) Downspout Extensions: Add a downspout extension to guide water collected by gutters well away from the foundation so that it does not end up in the basement. This is the most basic and necessary tactic to protecting your home from water damage. Re-route the water across the yard surface to avoid a pooling in one area.
2) Drain Boxes or Grates: Routing water to a surface drain, such as a 12” x 12” square or 6” round grate that keeps debris out, yet lets water flow into the box. Keep in mind that the pipe buried should allow the water to run downhill.
3) Drainage Swales: Drainages swales are pitched areas lined with stone or grass designed to guide water off your property or to an area well away from the foundation. Water should not stand more than 24 hours unless we have an extreme rain event. Drainage swales prevent standing water, which can lead to mosquitos and other issues. With grass swales, turf should be kept healthy because the root system maintains the integrity of the swale. Whether you have a grass or stone swale, they should be kept free of debris so as not to impede water flow.
4) French Drain: A French drain consists of perforated pipe sheathed by a fabric sock to keep dirt and sand from clogging the pipe. Install the perforated drainage pipe in a trough fully surrounded by gravel before covering with soil and grass seed. This is another effective way to control proper drainage.
5) Dry Well: Simply put, a dry well is a large hole filled with gravel that catches excess water and holds it while it slowly soaks into the ground. It is possible to increase the dry well capacity by burying a commercially available holding tank surrounded by gravel or some other porous substance to control the draining of excess water.
6) Rain Garden: A rain garden located in problem areas of your property could be the solution when an underground spring or creek is the issue. First, the area needs to be excavated and replaced with an engineered soil or gravel soil mix to allow water to slowly absorb. Fill the garden with water loving plants such as ferns, hostas and colorful perennials.
7) Rain Barrels: Installing a water barrel or storage well below grade to capture the runoff to use to irrigate landscaping at a later date. This is a great ‘green solution’ to divert water from one location that receives too much water to other areas that are in need of that water.
Of course, one of the easiest ways to fix your grading and drainage problems is to hire a landscape drainage professional. A trained and experienced landscape professional knows what corrective drainage measures will work best for your specific water flow patterns. They will be able to assess the full scope of your drainage issues and create an overall design.
Please note this is not a full list of solutions to alleviate poor drainage areas. 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!
Interested in Talking with One of Our Grading and Drainage Experts?
Our drainage experts will perform 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.
302-764-0408 | DiSabatinoInc.com
RELATED ARTICLES:
Drainage Fixes to Protect Your Home and Landscaping
Got Drainage? Proper Drainage Benefits …
How to Create a Sustainable Garden that Helps Wildlife
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help advise you what is best way to create your outdoor living space Give us a call today! 302-764-0408