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Giving Back to the Community
December 14, 2022The DiSabatino Difference
DiSabatino Landscaping has been offering superior landscape and residential remodeling services throughout the Brandywine Valley for more than 25 years.
“Our name is the same as our company,” says founder Chris DiSabatino. “That’s why we take our reputation and commitment to our community so seriously. We are always looking for ways to give back through volunteer efforts, events and contributions.”
DiSabatino Landscaping team members recognize that their success is based on the support of friends, family and neighbors. This year, they partnered with Motorcycle Santa to help raise money for their local non-profit organization. Motorcycle Santa (www.motorcyclesanta.org) brings toys to children in the hospital over the holidays and sponsors two rooms at the Ronald McDonald House for families with sick children.
The company recently hosted an event for Urban Promise of Wilmington. This organization helps children living in downtown Wilmington achieve success through after-school programs, summer camps, leadership programs and internships. The event was held at DiSabatino’s recently remodeled outdoor pavilion and showroom.
DiSabatino has also been a supporter of Salesianum School, Alfred I DuPont Childrens Hospital and the B+ Foundation.
Tips for Evergreen Care
September 26, 2022How to Take Care of Your Trees All Year Long
Evergreen trees and shrubs are a staple in the Northeastern region, where they thrive in every season and continue offering bright green displays when most trees lose their leaves. While they are a hardy plant that thrives in the colder climates, they can be still be damaged due to damage and neglect.
DiSabatino Landscaping collected a few tips to keep your evergreens looking healthy all year round:
Consider Sun Exposure
Evergreen trees and shrubs prefer full exposure in the summer and more shade in the cooler months. You can offer both conditions by planting evergreens on the northern side of your property. Make sure the soil is well graded with drainage. Evergreens also prefer acidic soil.
Protect Your Plants
Winter winds and snow can cause havoc to your trees and shrubs. Before it turns too cold, have them staked and covered with burlap to provide added protection from high winds. Covering them before snow arrives will also offer extra support to the branches, helping prevent breakage.
Consider Anti-Desiccant Sprays
Done properly, anti-desiccant sprays provide a protective layer on the leaves that reduce transpiration of moisture. It also helps to minimize the effects of pollutants from deicers that encourage desiccation. Fertilizers such as Mycorrhizae, which contain helpful fungus, can help plants thrive.
Trust Plant Intelligence
Resist the urge to remove snow. Although heavy snow fall and ice can weigh branches down to a point of almost snapping, they will gradually recover as temperatures warm up. It is more likely to cause damage, including breaking off needles and recent growth, if not done correctly.
Prune Seasonally
Prune in early spring before buds begin to form. Evergreen shrubs tend to push new growth when they are pruned too late, leaving tender shoots exposed to drying winter winds. This will cause browning in the spring. You can prune the brown out, however, you would be pruning the season’s new growth.
The Beauty of Natural Stone
July 20, 2022How to Create a Hardscaping Project with Timeless Appeal
An outdoor living space that incorporated natural stone is one that will stand the test of time. Today’s stonemasons and design experts know just how to showcase stone, allowing it to shine as a central part of your landscape that’s both stylish, versatile and functional.
Add natural stone around a pool or outdoor kitchen to give it an elegant look and feel. Flagstone, pavers and river rock are just a few examples of natural stone that will stand the test of time and pair well with other materials, including wood, brick and decorative concrete.
There are a number of ways to incorporate natural stone into your landscape:
Outdoor Living Spaces
Many custom outdoor kitchens and bars utilize natural stone in their design. Natural stone fireplaces or fire pits create a cozy ambiance, while enhancing your outdoor living all year round. Fountains, waterfalls and other water features add peace and serenity.
Little Details, Big Impact
Your masonry project does not have to be extravagant to make a big impression. Small details can make a huge difference in the enjoyment of your outdoor living space. Stone steps and walkways provide visually pleasing focal points while increasing safety for family and friends. Versatile and adaptable, natural stone can accent any feature of your outdoor living space.
An Array of Options
Natural stone is the ultimate building material – stylish, enduring and versatile.
It is available in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colors and can be used in a variety of applications. This inherent versatility means natural stone can easily transition from primary building material to accent features. No matter what style you choose, natural stone will seamlessly blend with any existing features or building materials.
Professional Technique
Today’s stonemasons combine old-world techniques with cutting-edge technology. “Masonry is one of the oldest professions,” says Vinny Esposito, founder of Esposito Masonry, “So we’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. “
Before choosing a firm, ask to see their portfolio of projects and professional credentials. A company with extensive experience will bring your ideas to life while keeping your project on time and budget.
Esposito Masonry is one of the most respected masonry firms in the Brandywine Valley. For a portfolio of their work, click here.
Spring Into a Beautiful Outdoor Space
March 28, 2022Create your own private dream space right in your backyard with a custom outdoor structure. Highlight your home with a classic pavilion, handcrafted pergola or elegant arbor. An expert outdoor living designer can create a stylish space that will be the envy of your neighborhood.
There are many advantages to building a custom outdoor structure. They add another level of security from Mother Nature, offering shelter from the rain and relief from the blazing summer sun. Outdoor living areas create an outdoor room that is open and airy, yet provides a defined area with privacy on your porch, in the backyard garden area or by the pool.
Before you begin your outdoor project, there are a few things to consider:
Extra Room to Relax and Entertain
Does your family love to host parties? Multi-level decks provide extra entertaining space or peaceful areas to enjoy a warm evening. Outdoor structures extend the life of your party, allowing guests to mingle both inside and out.
Do you need a place to relax after a long day of work? Consider building a gazebo or pavilion to make a shaded area and create a calming, peaceful retreat. Both options create more square footage in your home, improving your home’s value.
Beauty and Durability
Experienced outdoor living designers understand how to work with your home and property to create the ideal outdoor living space. Whether you prefer natural wood or modern Azek solid cellular PVC, the end result will be a handcrafted, great-looking product. Cellular PVC is fashioned after natural wood using specialized wood crafting tools. It looks exactly like the real thing, yet is virtually maintenance free. This means it won’t rot, split or warp; retaining its long-lasting appeal.
Color Matching Options
Your custom outdoor structure can be painted to match your home’s style. The majority of manufacturers offer a wide range of choices in colors. These paints should come with a warranty against cracking, peeling, and blistering so you can enjoy your space without the hassle of maintenance.
Peace of Mind
Building a custom outdoor structure can be a daunting undertaking. An outdoor living professional should help you gain an understanding of your project before any work is even done by creating a 3-D rendering of your design. This will allow you to visualize the project before work begins, and change any aspects as needed. You should also ensure the firm has a solid warranty. With the highest quality materials and professional installation, your custom outdoor structure will stand the test of time.
DiSabatino Outdoor Living’s professionals work with clients at every stage of the project, from the initial project meet to follow-up w
ork, ensuring confidence and satisfaction in every single job. They use only the highest quality material to ensure your home is treated as if it was their own and back their work with a comprehensive warranty, one of the best in the business.
DiSabatino Outdoor Living has been designing, building and maintaining beautiful outdoor living spaces for more than 20 years. As part of the DiSabatino family, their division adds exceptional outdoor structures to an already impressive line of hardscaping, landscaping and masonry offerings. To learn more about their services, visit them online at DiSabatinoInc.com or call 302-225-8889.
Reimagine Your Backyard
March 23, 2022It’s time to fall in love with your home again. One of the best ways to do so is with a custom outdoor structure. Build an outdoor living room, design a classic pavilion or create an elegant entrance portico or classic arbor. No matter which option you choose, there are a number of advantages to building a custom outdoor structure that accents your home while increasing your entertaining space.
Safety from the Elements
If you enjoy spending time outdoors, a custom structure will offer a way to enjoy Mother Nature from a cozy sitting area. Porticos provide shelter from the rain, while porches, pergolas and pavilions allow for shade from a blazing summer sun. Multi-level decks offer a peaceful spot to enjoy a warm evening. Outdoor structures also extend your entertaining square footage, allowing guests to mingle both inside and out. This creates more of a livable space in your home, improving your home’s value.
A Custom Design Consultation
Before any work begins, outdoor living designers hold a meeting with their clients to gain an understanding of the project. Based on this feedback, designers will create a 3-D comprehensive rendering of the design. Clients will see and approve the finished product before any work is even started on their property. This transparency eliminates any confusion and increases satisfaction in every project.
High-Tech Engineering
Work with the best in materials. DiSabatino Outdoor Living offers an extensive product line that includes, decks, pergolas, arbors, pavilions and porticos. These products are handcrafted using the highest standards in solid Azek cellular PVC. Azek is engineered to look like natural wood, in addition to resisting any rotting, splitting or warping.
Standing the Test of Time
Outdoor structures demand the best in design and professional installation. DiSabatino Outdoor Living offers a comprehensive warranty, one of the best in the business. Their professionals work with clients at every stage, from the initial walkthrough to follow-up work, ensuring confidence and satisfaction in every single job.
A Culture of Excellence
DiSabatino Outdoor Living has been designing, building and maintaining beautiful outdoor living spaces for more than 20 years. As part of the DiSabatino family, their division adds exceptional outdoor structures to an already impressive line of hardscaping, landscaping and masonry offerings. To learn more about their services or schedule a design consultation, visit them online at DiSabatinoInc.com or give them a call at 302-225-8889.
Fall Landscaping Mistakes to Know and Avoid
October 29, 2021Fall is upon us. Like most homeowners; you are getting your lawn ready for the winter months. In order to keep your outdoor space looking pristine; season after season, fall preparations can have a huge impact. It’s easy to get the general to-do’s; however there are some very common mistakes that homeowners make when preparing their lawns for winter.
Hardscaping is just as important as soft landscaping:
When referring to landscaping there are two common categories – soft and hard. Soft landscaping refers to anything living, has texture, and can be planted; such as grass, trees, and flowers. Hardscaping is defined as the man-made features of landscape architecture; such as walls, rocks, mulch, pavers, or pathways for safety, function, and beauty. Keeping your hardscaping maintained is just as important as pruning your living greenery. Power Washing and mold control can help keep your pathways looking fresh even during winter months.
Year-round pool maintenance
For homeowners with a pool; the end of summer symbolizes the time to stop putting effort into maintaining the pool. Think again! During the fall months the pool will need to keep its chemicals at balanced levels and fallen debris, leaves, and bugs will need to be cleaned out weekly. This Helps keep filters and your systems running smoothly. Keeping the pool deck and walkways clean is also overly important. Fall is the perfect time for additional issues to arise; to include black mold and mildew.
Fertilize your fall lawn
Fall lawns do not typically grow at the same speed as in the summer months. That does not mean that because you are not cutting as often that your lawn does not need additional care in preparation for the winter months. Like any landscaping maintenance; having a routine will help abstain additional damage to your outdoor space during the colder winter months ahead.
Not Having a Plan
Homeowners are always hearing that fall is the perfect time to start any landscaping project. It is not a myth. It is important to have a plan in place to help amend any pre-existing issues before adding anything additional. The experts at DiSabatino Landscaping can help. It is important to have a specific theme or look decided before the landscaping project is launched. No matter how small or large this project may be; evaluate how the hardscaping and soft landscaping elements will be affected.
Create a Staycation Location in Your Own Backyard
May 11, 2021Thinking about investing in a staycation location in your own backyard?
It is definitely a good investment, as the cost to create an escape space on your own property could be about the same as a two-week vacation for a family of four. Divert those funds to improve your outdoor living space and create incentive for the family to enjoy the fresh air year round.
How About an In-ground Pool?
Having a staycation spot can help parents survive the summer months when school is out and kids are idle. Consider adding an in ground pool to help keep the kids entertained and moving.
With the pandemic still an issue this year, many families forgoing their summer vacation plans. That is why creating a perfect staycation in your own backyard just might be the solution to keeping everyone healthy and sane at the same time.
Outdoor Cooking at its Finest
Picture a summer of sunbathing by the pool with a icy cocktail while the children play and your stress melts away. Create a comfortable outdoor seating area with all the cooking amenities close by to make your life easier.
DiSabatino Landscaping, partnered with Esposito Masonry, offers the highest quality outdoor living area designs. We create superior water features, such as spas, waterfalls and grottos, to make your staycation unique. Add to that a full outdoor cooking area, fireplace, fire pit or pond. Check out our gallery below to get inspired:
If you are considering investing in a ‘staycation’ project this year, consider some of the latest hardscaping and landscaping trends.
SOME RELATED ARTICLES:
7 GREAT IDEAS FOR CREATING A BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR LIVING AREA
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302-764-0408 | DiSabatinoInc.com
The Landscape Experts
The Landscape ExpertsDiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
Why Build A Patio Under Your Deck?
March 10, 2021Spring is on the horizon and winter is slowly fading away. Many of us are chomping at the bit to get fresh air and enjoy the great outdoors. There is no better way to invigorate your soul than to soak in the warm rays of the sun with a soft warm breeze gently sending wafts of spring scents your way.
With how wet this past winter has been and the last dump of snow dosing our hopes for an early spring, outdoor living might not be front and foremost in our minds. It should be. In fact, optimizing your outdoor living space by adding an outdoor living area under a raised or second story deck is a great use of space.
5 Reasons to Add a Patio Under a Second Story Deck:
1) Increase Square Footage:
If your home is not large enough to entertain large crowds, building an outdoor living area under a raised deck is a great way to extend your home’s square footage and create a space that can be used year round.
2) Double Your Outdoor Entertainment Space:
An under deck patio gives you a second area to relax and enjoy nature at the ground level.
3) Gives You Cover:
Under the deck patios offer you protection from the elements, allowing for bringing some of the indoors outside, such as entertainment centers, fully stock outdoor kitchens and/or bars, fireplaces and more.
4) Better Functionality:
Because you can safely bring traditional indoor elements outside, thanks to the cover the second story deck provides, your outdoor living area provides better functionality. You can easily entertain outdoors without having to drag a bunch of things outside, because it is already there.
5) Extended Hours:
It is easy to create a patio with all the features such as lighting, heating and cooking capabilities that allows for extended entertaining into evenings, no matter what time of year it is.
A bit of advice is to determine what features you patio design should include by figuring out with what matters most to you. How do you plan to use your patio? How important is low maintenance? What specific features do you definitely have to have?
DiSabatino Landscaping design experts can help you determine all the answers to these questions and help you build a beautifully customized below deck patio that will fulfill your wildest dreams.
DiSabatino Landscaping creates beautiful custom-designed outdoor patios for residents 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
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Designing Outdoor Living Spaces
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Custom Outdoor Kitchens
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help advise you what is best way to create outdoor kitchens Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
All Season Sunrooms are a Perfect Home Addition
February 4, 2021
Four season sunrooms or all season sunrooms are a great way to bring the outdoors in all year round. They help you enjoy the benefits of natural light, which clinical studies show to improve physical and emotional well-being.
Sunrooms add space and utility to any home. All season rooms are likely to become one of the more popular spots for entertaining or relaxing. The thin veil between the outdoors and indoors make them a perfect location to grow herbs and prized plantings.
Sunrooms are a perfect option for homeowners that are looking to add a space offering that offers a variety of functionality. For example, a perfect breakfast nook use to start the day off right. Especially when the sun is shining.
All season sunrooms can double up on usability. They can be an office during working hours and a gathering space during the evening hours. A great spot for cocktail hour or casual dining.
Sunrooms can serve as craft room or playroom to keep the clutter and chaos away from the main areas of your home.
If your square footage is limited, a sunroom with privacy blinds, could serve as a temporary guest room.
Adding a four season room to your home allows you to bring all the best elements of the outdoors inside the home and leave the worst outside. Unlike a three season sunroom, an all season room can be used year-round.
Do not be fooled by the name ‘sunroom’. This space can be used all year long and with any weather conditions. DiSabatino Landscaping can design a room that caters to all of your needs, and then some!
Imagine looking out your windows as the snow falls to the ground in your backyard. Give us a call at 302-764-0408 to start your process!
10 Uses for an All Season Sunrooms:
- Breakfast Nook
- Home Office
- Greenhouse
- Entertainment Center
- Craft Room
- Playroom
- Guest Room
- Work out Room
- Game Room
- Library
If you want to extend the square footage of your home with an all season sunroom, give DiSabatino Landscaping a call today. Our team will help you make all the right choices for your home addition.
302-764-0408 | DiSabatinoInc.com
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DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help advise you what is best way to create All Season Sunrooms Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
Make This The Year You Create a Custom Outdoor Living Area for Your Home
January 7, 2021
Make 2021 the year you create a custom outdoor living area you are proud of and that will give you pleasure for many years to come! Now is a good time to start planning for improvements to outdoor living space and outdoor kitchen areas. Cooking outdoors has become all the rage and is a great way to entertain, stay safe and in the thick of things when entertaining.
A host or hostess without an outdoor kitchen misses much of the party when it moves to the patio or outdoor sitting area. If they are stuck inside cooking and plating up food, they really can be part of the conversation.
Save time, stay safe and make entertaining outdoors easy by having a full-service outdoor kitchen and living area installed this year. That way everyone can join in the party! Outdoor kitchen designs have so many options available and have a great ROI on the value of your home. 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
DiSabatino Landscaping creates beautiful custom-designed outdoor kitchens for residents 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:
Designing Outdoor Living Spaces
A Guide to Outdoor Fireplaces or Fire Pits
Custom Outdoor Kitchens
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help advise you what is best way to create outdoor kitchens Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
A Guide to Outdoor Fireplaces or Fire Pits
November 10, 2020As fire pits and outdoor fireplaces start to light up the dark yards across our area to add a bit of warmth to the cool evenings. Gathering around an outdoor fire roasting marshmallows, sipping a favorite beverage and talking about the events of the day is a favorite fall pastime of mine.
Safety should be front and center when using outdoor fire pits and fireplaces. That is why those of us a DiSabatino Landscaping thought these tips might come in handy this time of year.
7 Safety Tips for Outdoor Fireplaces or Fire Pits
1) A New Fireplace or Fire Pit Installations Needs a Little Extra Care
A newly installed fireplace or fire pits need a little bit of extra care in the beginning. We advise waiting thirty days before the first fire to let your outdoor fire pit or fireplace to cure. After thirty days, keep the fire small for the next fifteen days. Wait a full forty-five days before igniting a normal sized fire.
2) Flames at Should be kept at a Safe Height
The smaller the flame, the less likely it is the fire will get out of hand. Containing flames inside the fireplace or as high as the fire pit capping is always suggested. Common issues, such as back drafts or sudden gusts of wind can be hard to predict. Sparks and embers might go somewhere you do not want.
3) Avoid Using Water to Extinguish the Fire
Never use water to put out a fire with water unless it is an emergency. Bank the fire by burying flaming logs and smoldering embers with ashes. While this will not completely extinguish the fire, it will safely cause it to die out slowly.
4) Be Sure to Use Materials With a High Heating Rating
Build your fireplace or fire pit with materials suited to stand up to high temperatures. Don’t make the mistakes of using concrete block, stones or boulders found around the yard. These materials can crack, splinter or even explode.
5) Clean Out a Fireplace or Fire Pit After Each Use
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) Check for Gas Leaks
If your fire pit or fireplace is gas run, systematically check for gas leaks. If you smell gas, turn off the gas supply. Contact your gas company for service. Have igniters and burners serviced by a gas company at least 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.
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
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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
12 Great Features to Consider Adding to Custom Outdoor Swimming Pools
July 7, 2020Custom outdoor swimming pools are a terrific way to have staycations throughout the spring and summer, sometimes into the fall months. Whether our clients opt for custom gunite pools, fiberglass pools or vinyl liner pools, they always ask us what added features are best.
While the answer to this question will vary depending on a client’s preferences and needs, we find that laying out all the options help focus on inground pool designs to reflect their vision. Once they get a feel for the custom features that they want, they will need to compare the costs of such features to their budget and prioritize the ones they really want.
With the summer in full swing, parents are facing unique challenges this year. We thought sharing a few features of our inground pool designs that can help keep your kids at home safe, healthy and more importantly, happy!
12 Features to Consider With Your Custom Swimming Pool Installation:
1) Pool Slide: A custom pool slide can add a little life to any inground swimming pool and make your custom pool the envy of the neighborhood. There are a wide variety of custom designed pool slides available with different sized flumes that will reflect your style and wishes.
2) Diving Board or Diving Rock: Diving boards can serve as an enjoyable recreational feature to your custom swimming pool provided your pool design is deep enough. If you have energetic pool goers that would enjoy doing somersaults and backflips, this might be a feature you should add to your pool.
3) Hot tub: Hot tubs or spillover spas that are raised above the pool level serves a duel purpose; that of being therapeutic and an added water feature to custom swimming pools.
4) Grotto: Adding a cave or grotto as a place to retreat from the glaring sun or the crowd to peacefully meditate is becoming a very popular water feature in many custom pool designs.
5) Pool Bar: If you’re planning on entertaining an adult audience that appreciate imbibing cocktails while relaxing in a pool, a swim up pool bar might be a nice feature to add to your pool.
6) Fountain: A cascading water fountain adds a peaceful ambience to custom swimming pools that are not only therapeutic but a great aerators that will keep the water cool.
7) Waterfall: Built with Real or Faux Boulders, cascading waterfalls add a naturalistic element to custom swimming pools and one of the most popular water features around. These too are great aerators to keep water temperatures cooler.
8) Rain Curtain: Young and old alike enjoy the cooling curtains of water falling into the pool from a pergola roof or some other overhang.
9) Bubblers: Small jets set in the floor of a shallow end of a custom swimming pool shoot streams of water that gurgle or bubble up to the surface.
10) Deck Jets: Thin arching streams of water shooting from the pool decking into the pool can be illuminated with color changing LED lights to make any night swim a fun event.
11) Mist Curtains: Having a fog or misting system around the pool can greatly reduce the air temperature making for a much more comfortable pool side nap.
12) Pool House: Want to keep everyone comfortable and close to all the amenities? Consider a pool house with changing and bathroom, refrigerator full of everyone’s favorite beverages and maybe even a comfortable sitting area to shelter from inclement weather.
Make summer at home this year full of fond memories of how your family chose to focus on what really matters in life, quality time with those you love in your very own custom swimming pool.
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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 Great Ideas for Creating a Beautiful Outdoor Living Area
August 14, 2019Want to enjoy the outdoors anytime of the year by creating a beautiful outdoor living area?
Then consider adding a fireplace or fire pit to your outdoor living space. Don’t forget to get the kids involve by letting them cook their own food. There are plenty of campfire recipes to try. Of course there has to be s’mores!
Do you have pizza lovers? Consider adding a wood fired brick oven to make authentic pizza for a hungry crowd. Did you know brick ovens cook quickly and efficiently? Better yet, they are a great way to cook desserts, meats, veggies and more!
How about a full outdoor kitchen? An outdoor kitchen allows you enjoy an outdoor party while you cook! In addition, it makes you more efficient and lessens the need to run back and forth to the house. That is why we encourage clients to consider some sort of cooking options for their outdoor living area.
Check out some of our luxurious outdoor kitchens that will make your home the preferred party location. Likewise, be sure to create comfortable seating areas that will have you looking for every opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
Add one of these below unique features for creating an even better outdoor living space that will extend the usable square footage of your home. Not only will it increase your home’s value, it will give REAL value to your home life. Also consider the savings from staycations, a great way to bond with family without spending tons of cash!
7 Great Ideas for Creating a Beautiful Outdoor Living Area:
- A pavilion to keep your seating area comfortable and dry
- A pergola is a great way to add shade, privacy and ambience
- Custom in ground pools and hot tubs are refreshing touches. Add special features such as waterfalls and ambient lighting
- Ponds and other water features, such as a fountain is great way to add character to your landscaping
- Create peaceful locations to relax and meditate
- A deck off the master bedroom – connect with nature any time of day.
- Utilize the front, side and back of house to add a custom made deck with gazebo, gorgeous pergola, pavilion or sun room
The possibilities are endless!
If you want a beautiful custom made outdoor living area created just for you, get in touch with DiSabatino Landscaping and Esposito Masonry. We create unique outdoor rooms and patios!
302-764-0408 | DiSabatinoInc.com
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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
The Best Summer Blooming Shrubs
July 9, 2019Blooming Shrubs This Summer
Looking for the best shrubs for your garden this summer? Check out these great summer shrubs to add some life to your garden!
Low Maintenance
There are many types of shrubs out there that produce flowers or attract birds and butterflies to your yard, but some of them are so high maintenance that many people tend to avoid them. Shrubs are the least of most summer concerns because it’s one more thing to look after and remember to take care of.
These shrubs are low maintenance and still attractive to the eye and birds and butterflies:
- Bluebeard Shrub
- Butterfly Bush
- Carolina Allspice
- Hydrangeas
- Oleander
- Potentilla
- Rock Rose
- Rose of Sharon
- Shrub Rose
- Smoke Bush
- Spirea
- Summersweet
These shrubs all have a low-maintenance care regimen for their summer blooming, creating an easy, yet beautiful, addition to your landscaping for the summer months. Visitors and passersby can enjoy the beautiful colors of these amazing shrubs and you can be happy with the lack of effort it takes to have them.
Size
Some shrubs are larger than others and can take more room from your yard. While they are beautiful, they can take away from other plants and flowers you may want to keep. It’s important to know what size a plant or shrub will be before you decide to add it to your garden.
These plants will grow to be no more than 3 feet max and will still look amazing in your garden:
- “Becky” Shasta Daisy
- Black-eyed Susan
- Blue Mist Shrubs
- Coreopsis
- Daylilies
- Late-blooming Astilbes
- “May Night” Garden Sage
- Pinks
- Sedums
- St. John’s Wart
- Yarrows
With no more than 3 feet of growth, these plants and shrubs could be your choice. Or perhaps you’d like something slightly larger, but nothing to take over your garden. Try these, as they grow no more than 6 feet:
- Bee Balms
- “Bonica” Rose
- Foxgloves
- “Knockout” Rose
- “Martha’s Vineyard” Rose
- Michaelmas Daisies
- Oriental Lilies
- Purple Coneflower
- Russian Sage
- Summer Phloxes
If you are still seeking to go larger, these plants and shrubs can get up to a maximum of 10 feet:
- Butterfly Bushes
- Hollyhocks
- Hydrangeas
- Rose of Sharons
There are so many others out there that could provide the color and style your garden seeks. Be sure you know what you want before you purchase.
Conclusion
If you don’t know what will fit your garden best, do some research. Find plants and shrubs that grow to just the right size and have just the right colors. Most places for research will even tell you if, and what kind of, birds or butterflies are attracted to each plant. This could provide some extra color and fun to your garden.
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help advise you what is best way to maintain your landscaping! Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
Stone Patio Maintenance Tips You Need to Read Before Summer
April 16, 2019
How to Clean and Seal Your Stone Patio
Installing a stone patio can add value to your home as well as beauty to your outdoor landscaping. Stone is much lower maintenance than wooden decking and can add more visual interest than concrete, all while providing you a place to barbecue or simply relax away from the heat of the day. While low maintenance, there is some work to do to ensure your patio stays beautiful and functional for years to come.
Cleaning Your Stone Patio
Because your stone patio is susceptible to everyday dirt and natural grime, it is important to clean it periodically.
- Keeping your patio free of loose dirt and plant debris can help prevent scuffing and buildup. Remove all patio furniture and potted plants before sweeping the entire patio in one direction, then the opposite. This method ensures you remove any material trapped between the stones.
- Use clean water from a hose to spray surface dirt and dried-on debris from your patio. If necessary, use a stiff brush to loosen any resistant patches, and repeat spraying to wash away residue.
- Greasy stains near patio tables, grills, and barbecue areas can be treated with a solution of dish soap and water. Use a stiff brush to work the solution into the stain and rinse away with a hose. If there is remaining residue, clear the area of the soap solution and treat with an ammonia solution – ½ cup to one gallon of warm water. Ensure to rinse all the ammonia solution away before proceeding.
- Treat any biological stains, such as mold and mildew, with a solution of ½ cup of bleach to one gallon of warm water. Scrub the affected areas with a stiff brush and remove any excess solution with rags or towels before rinsing with a hose. Allow stone to dry adequately before replacing furniture and plants.
Which Material is Best for Your Perfect Patio?
Sealing Your Stone Patio
Most stone patios should be sealed to prevent water stains and excess absorption of grease or biological stains. After you’ve thoroughly cleaned your patio, wait at least one day to allow your stone to fully dry before proceeding to seal.
- Use an acrylic, water-based matte sealer designed for porous outdoor stone.
- Choose a hot, dry day to ensure rapid drying of your stone.
- Ensure your area is free of loose dirt, clean, and dry by following the steps outlined above.
- Using a clean paint roller, roll the sealant on in large, generous strokes. Roll over each stone only once to avoid streaking.
- Allow the sealer to dry for one hour – it should be dry to the touch before reapplying.
- Repeat with another coat.
- Allow the sealer to dry for 48 hours before walking on the surface or replacing patio furniture.
3 Ways to Prepare Your Patio for Spring
For more information regarding care and maintenance of your stone patio, contact DiSabatino Landscaping today.
Fire Pit and Fireplace Maintenance Tips
December 18, 2018
Winter is the perfect time to use that fireplace or fire pit. Letting the warmth of a nice roaring fire bask over you as you sip a hot toddy or yuletide drink while inhaling the brisk winter air is invigorating, yet soothing!
Don’t let you fireplace or fire pit sit idle this holiday season. Check out our video on fireplace and fire pit maintenance so you can safely enjoy the great outdoors this winter.
Here are a few tips to keeping your fire burning this fall and winter.
Posted by DiSabatino Landscaping & Tree Care, Inc. on Thursday, November 8, 2018
Whether you are enjoying the warmth as you listen to the crackling of the fire, sipping on your favorite beverage or toasting marshmallows with the kids, there’s nothing like relaxing in the comfort of your own backyard.
The benefits of fire pits are many –they make the outdoors a year round gathering spot. The winter night sky is a beautiful thing and being able to gaze at the vibrant stars by the warmth of a roaring fire is perhaps the biggest benefit.
7 Reasons to Install a Fire Pit This Winter
CHECK OUT OUR PINTEREST OUTDOOR FIREPLACES AND FIRE PITS PAGE
DiSabatino Landscaping is Delaware’s #1 Hardscape and Landscape Specialist. We can help build a outdoor fireplace or fire pit to keep you warm over the winter months ahead. Give us a call today! 302-764-0408
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
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 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
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
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