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1. Initial Consultation
We will set up an appointment with you to review the scope and complexity of your project and discuss the goals, likes and dislikes in order to establish landscape program elements for the ensuing design.
2. Site Analysis
We will then conduct a site analysis, a very important step in the design process which will help identify existing site conditions including sun and wind patterns, topography, site measurements and problem areas.
3. Schematic/Conceptual Plans
Using data from the initial consultation and site analysis, Schmidts Nurseries develops a landscape plan.
4. Plan Presentation
The final, hand drawn, scaled detailed plan is then presented to you with our best recommendations. After receiving your input, we refine the master plan including such options as plants, construction materials, lighting choices, budget, etc.
5. The Proposal
You will receive a written proposal which will include what was discussed at the Plan Presentation. This proposal includes final plant list, construction specifications and payment schedule.
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Regular maintenance is imperative - especially to the growth of new plants.
Below are some simple instructions that will help you to keep your new plants flourishing.
Watering
Summer months (late May thru late September) are the most critical times to water your new landscape. Twice a week is recommended. If the temperatures are above 90 degrees for more than 4 days, additional watering may be necessary. Please use the following watering methods:
If we have installed your customized irrigation system, simply turn it on twice a week for 1 1/2 hours.
Pruning
As a rule, plants grow twice a year: aggressively in the spring and to a lesser degree in the fall. It is this late growth that determines the pruning time for most plants. We prefer to prune most plants after the initial spring growth is hardened off (around July 4th). The fall growth will fill out the pruned plants as they begin to make flower buds for the following spring. Fall pruning is possible, but you will likely be sacrificing some spring flowers. When possible, selectively prune. That means snip each branch back to a node, or branch intersection, or vegetative bud. This method of pruning will allow light to penetrate the plant thereby keeping it green throughout. We discourage hedge shears because the plants tend to "shade out" their own middles making it difficult to reduce their size or improve their shape. We only use hedge shears on plants that have already been sheared for years and the selective pruning method is not an option.
Mulching
Mulching incorrectly can be deadly to a lot of plants. The novice, and even a lot of "professionals", tend to mulch too heavily! It is key not to pile up mulch too high at the base of the trunk. This can cause the root crown to rot away from the main trunk base. This build-up usually happens over the course of a few years. To prevent this, comb back the old mulch from the trunks to make room for the fresh mulch (no more than 1" thick) where the mulch touches the tree/bush trunks. About 2-3 inches thick in the bed space areas is optimal.
It is also wise to apply an organic, granular weed preventer (e.g. Preen) before mulching. This time released application will prevent weed seeds from germinating but will not kill anything already growing. This will minimize the weeding throughout the season. Apply in early Spring for maximum effectiveness.
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Landscaping to Increase the Value of Your Home
Landscape Design: Choosing Your Color Palette
Landscaping Plans: Designs with Maintenance in Mind
Looking for ways to add curb appeal to your home and increase its resale value? Next to the house itself, the second thing that potential buyers look at is the outdoor landscaping. An uncared for garden or empty dirt lot detracts from the overall first impression and brings the value of your house down. Not only will people come away with the idea that the homeowner simply can't be bothered, but they may also start to wonder what else you've neglected in the upkeep of your home. That said, whether you're looking to flip your house quickly or want to maximize return on your investment, landscaping is one aspect of home staging that can bring considerably favorable results. With just a few modifications and some minor attention to detail, you can easily transform a barren or lackluster yard into something spectacular. Let's take a look at aspects which can detract from your landscape, as well as how to improve upon your front and back yard to increase the value of your property.
How does a better landscape add value to your home?
Even before a potential buyer sets foot inside your house, he or she is making snap judgments based on the view from the outside. They call this Curb Appeal, and it is one of the main attractants of ready real estate buyers. As mentioned previously, an unkempt yard sends a message about the home and the person who takes care of it. Likewise, a landscape that is well manicured shows that the homeowner has put in his share of dollars and effort to keep the place looking great all around.
What kind of landscape should you create if you plan to sell your home?
Before you kick off a new landscaping endeavor, consider how much of an investment will make this worthwhile. Will you be living here for a long period of time before putting the house up for sale? Depending on your answer, there are two ways to go about landscaping both your back and front yard.
If you plan to remain situated for more than 5 years, think not only of what would appeal to prospective buyers down the road, but also what you would appreciate most in your yard for the here-and-now. This may be the perfect time to plant that vegetable garden you've been thinking about, or install that new swing set for the kids to play on. Investments such as these will not only paint a pretty picture for the future buyers who can envision themselves living here one day, but they will most certainly enhance your own enjoyment for the time that you remain in your home.
Looking to do a quick flip? Then plan for a design that will appeal more to the general public. If your taste runs to the eclectic or even eccentric, this could be a turnoff to any buyers who prefer a more traditional approach to the landscape. After all, people have their own ideas about what looks nice -- and if the current space requires a complete overhaul, they may just pass on the offer. In other words: stage your home with a simple yet appealing outdoor landscape, but don't go too crazy.
Improve your existing landscape without spending a fortune.
Before you do any major re-planting or embark upon a landscaping redesign, you'll want to solicit the advice of an expert -- particularly if you're doing this with the intention of selling your home. Schmidt's Nurseries offers landscaping consults which are readily customized to the client's budget and needs, so the amount that you choose to source out versus doing yourself is completely up to you. Having a professional landscape design drawn up is a really good place to start if you're thinking about putting your house up for sale. And if money is a concern, think of it as an investment that will yield returns in the future.
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Outdoor landscaping maintenance: keeping up appearances!
Of course, a big part of keeping a garden gorgeous is maintenance. Plants grow quickly and branch out in their surroundings. Without proper care, what was once a beautiful yard can quickly morph into something straight from a horror movie. So, if you're selling your home, you'll want to keep up with the little tasks that mean the difference between a nice landscape and one that used to look good but has taken a turn for the worse. Some ideas:
Trim plants regularly. Cut back the branches or jutting stems to keep a uniform feel. If you'd prefer your plants to grow freely, then simply snip away any brown leaves or withered flowers that could detract from the plant's beauty. Do you have a lawn? Mow it more frequently. Certain plants also require maintenance to stay looking nice. Fertilize at the appropriate times. Dead-head your rose bushes to encourage new growth. Anything you pick or cut off from your plants should always be neatly disposed of in the compost or mulch bin for later use.
Downplay the uglies. Take a look around the garden for anything unsightly that you'd prefer visitors not to see. Perhaps the garbage cans are in plain view and you'd like to camouflage them. This is easily remedied by either erecting a trellis of jasmine, or planting a few bushes in front. If your driveway has harsh edges, plant some nice perennials or other low growing plants to soften the whole presentation and create a more inviting feel. Is your back yard connected to another yard, or does it have an otherwise unappealing view? Consider high-growing hedges or a taller fence to add some privacy. A simple upgrade like this can also cut down on unwelcome sights, sounds and smells that may enter your yard from the neighbor's place!
Add color and interesting decorations. Color always creates visual impact. If, up until this point you've always just stuck with two complimentary hues, now is the time to branch out and add a little splash of something different here and there. Splurge a little on a cool looking bird bath or maybe hang pretty lanterns around the garden to create pleasant and eye-catching focal points. If you have plants that don't bloom, replace them with ones that will come alive in different seasons. This way, no matter what time of year, you can be sure that your garden will look great to potential purchasers. And that's the best way to ensure that you'll be receiving the full value of your property and maybe even a little more than you anticipated.
A garden should be like a jewelry box, filled with stunning colors and plants of every shape and shade. The colors you choose for your garden set a distinct tone -- for example, you might select reds and yellows if you're looking to create a warm, Mediterranean type of feel.
Or, if cool colors are more your cup of tea, varying shades of blues contrasted by white offer a more cottage-like effect. Schmidt's Nurseries can work with you, helping to make plant and flower selections that will reflect your color preferences as well conjure up a certain mood or atmosphere.
Here are a few suggestions on how to incorporate color into your garden as well as use your garden as a template for color.
Decide which colors will look best in your garden.
Different colors evoke distinct feelings. You are probably familiar with the "warm" versus "cool" color palette. A yellow sunflower might conjure up feelings of warmth and happiness, while a blue hibiscus would capture elegance and coolness. Add a bit of whimsy to your garden with bright splashes of primary hues like blue or red. Or, put a classical touch on things by planting delicate flowers in whites and pale shades.
Pick your primary color.
Start with at least one color that you particularly like or would want to use as a running theme. Use this primary color as a springboard to help decide what other hues you'd like in your garden. It helps to follow the color theory, which is often used in art and painting, but can be easily applied to any aspect of life. With the color theory, certain colors are paired with other, naturally complementary hues.
Colors that coordinate best with each other live on opposing sides of the color wheel. For example, orange goes well with blue, and purple looks great against green. The oppositional tones provide contrast that helps each color stand out. So if you have a favorite color plant that you'd like to bring out, look to the opposite side of the wheel and then select contrasting flowers and plants that fall within that range of hue.
Of course, contrast isn't always necessary when creating a pleasing palate for your backyard landscape. You might also go for the monochromatic effect, where you choose one color and then feature varying shades of that hue. For example, filling your garden with only reds and pinks can create a smooth, blended effect that is really pleasing to the eye.
Other ways to add color:
Beyond plants, you have other options for creating color in your yard. Your patio furniture might feature a cushion of a certain hue that picks up the backdrop of lilies behind it... or perhaps there's a bright red birdhouse that makes your cactus patch come alive. At Schmidt's Nurseries, we encourage our landscaping clients to incorporate decorative touches that will add an additional burst of color to the flora and fauna that's already been planted.
There are literally hundreds of types of garden decorations to choose from that can add a unique touch to your garden. Whether it's a ceramic animal, a small pond with bright orange koi fish, or a painted patio table, the options are limitless. Just keep in mind that the brightly colored decorations should add to the garden's overall appeal and not detract from it by overpowering the plants and design.
Finally, you might also try decorative rocks. They come in so many colors, shapes, and sizes, and can be placed anywhere, such as along a lined pathway or as a dry river bed. Try arranging your decorative rocks or stones so that they pave the way to a focal point such as a water fountain. From smaller pebbles to larger pieces of flagstones, rocks can provide that little extra something to your colorful yard.
The idea when incorporating colors is to know when to stop. Too much can overwhelm a garden and make it seem busy and cluttered with no focal point for the eye to rest upon. Too little color, and your garden seems drab, underdone and not properly cared for. Limiting the amount of colors you choose and not adding every single color imaginable is a good place to start. If you have questions, Schmidt's Nurseries can help get you get going on your design!
We've all felt that sudden urge to buy something stunning... maybe you arrive home with a gorgeous morning glory plant and are all too eager to show it off in your garden. So you hastily put it in the ground, only to have the plant eventually overtake all the other plants around it. Never fear! Today we will cover "how to design with maintenance in mind..." so the next time you get hit with the creativity bug, you'll know exactly where and how much to plant so as not to make work for yourself down the line.
Low maintenance or no maintenance?
Let me state right up front that there is no such thing as a "maintenance free" yard. A garden will always need watering, pruning, and general care. That said, there are, however certain precautionary steps you can take to lessen the amount of sweat and toil you put in. Because face it, as much as you can't wait to get out there and start digging up the dirt during those first few warm days in March... by the time July rolls around, the last thing you'll need is to be stuck slaving away in the scorching heat!
What kind of plants are low maintenance?
As one might expect, the types of plant which require less maintenance are of course the ones that don't need a lot of water, frequent trimming or extra fertilizer and other care. When shopping for low maintenance plants to decorate your yard, select ones that do not need to be trimmed often, won't attract pests and aren't too picky about the soil quality. For example, if you're pondering whether to select a rose bush versus a poppy plant, go with the poppy because this will naturally thrive with little extra attention.
The tougher plant that survives well in full or partial sun and that needs little watering would be the ideal plant in your garden. Next time you visit Schmidt's Nurseries, consult with Dave Schmidt, the president to discover interesting and new species of plants that will flourish readily in our area.
Slow growing plants also do well with minimal upkeep. Slow growing refers to plants like the Mariposa Lilly, which takes anywhere from 3 to 5 years for the plant to grow from a bulb to mature size. Of course, the disadvantage of having plants that take their time to mature are that you must wait a relatively long time before your garden gets that "in full bloom" appearance. However, if you lead a busy lifestyle and don't mind waiting, slow-growers may be ideal for you.
Dwarf varieties of your favorite plants are also a good idea, as the regular sized versions could grow too tall to trim, or might end up blocking the view of something else. Shorter plants are also less likely to "flop over" from the heat or weight of the plant.
How do design my garden to be low maintenance?
There are all kinds of things you can do to ensure a stunning backyard that doesn't require toiling in the hot sun for hours on end. For starters, you can plant flowers and other plants in an assortment of containers. Potted plants are ideal, especially if you have limited space such as in a condo or garden apartment. They allow for easy relocation of your plants as well as bring some quick and easy color and texture to what would otherwise have been, say, a bare concrete back patio. Another handy feature of container planting is that if you discover a plant doesn't like as much sun as it's getting, simply move it under a balcony or umbrella! This is much quicker and more efficient than having to dig up and move now-unhappy plants that you put in the ground earlier in the season.
Speaking of patios... they're a must-have for your yard, no matter what the size. Other than sweeping and occasionally having to add more gravel, a patio is practical, usable space that won't require watering or mowing. You can set yours up with comfortable seating and tables, and just a few accent plants in pots to pretty up the area.
Make practical choices that match your lifestyle.
When planting in your garden, think about how much time you're likely to spend working out there. Perhaps summertime offers more free time than spring or fall, so you can choose plants that meet this need in terms of their level of care. Maybe you need plants that can fend off frost.
It's all a matter of time really; would you see yourself being busier now or later? Since there is no such thing as a garden that is maintenance free, you will have to dedicate some time weekly to maintaining it. Depending on the plants you choose, the amount of work and care you put into your garden is totally up to you.
We appreciate all of the kind words, letters and referrals that our customers continually provide. Our team strongly values customer satisfaction as we understand the importance of a good reputation.
"I want to thank you all for the yard grading and the new patio you put in for us. Last month, when we had torrential rain and all of our friends had massive basement flooding and damage, we had NO water at all in our basement. In fact, we had no water pooling on the patio either. Everything worked perfectly and we had a restful night's sleep that night all thanks to the work you did. So, a heartfelt THANK YOU! from us."
Joanne D.
Ambler, PA
"Thank you so much for doing a great job. We like our garden now. Your crew did a great job!"
Tom C.
Doylestown
"Thanks to the entire crew for their outstanding work on our yard -- we enjoyed working with them. The team was courteous, professional, helpful and knowledgeable. Clean-up was complete and wonderful!"
Laura B.
Jenkintown, PA
"Everything looks great! I will continue to recommend you to anyone who is looking for excellent landscape work. I could not be more pleased with my backyard."
Robert C.
Lafayette Hill, PA
Schmidt's Nurseries is easily accessible from all major highways.
From Philadelphia:
Follow Rt. 152 North to the Nursery entrance on your left just before Susquehanna Rd.
From the PA Turnpike (Ft. Washington Exit):
Follow Rt. 309 South to the first exit (Oreland). This puts you on Pennsylvania Avenue. Follow to second light and turn left (Camphill Road). Follow to the first right (Dreshertown Road). Follow Dreshertown Rd. until it ends at Limekiln Pike (Rt. 152) and turn left. The Nursery is about 300 yards on the left just before Susquahanna Rd.
Schmidt's Nurseries
P.O. Box 67
2004 Limekiln Pike
Dresher, PA 19025
Tel: (215)646-2219
Fax: (215)997-0556
HIC# PA004756
