Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Creating Better School Environments: Our 2026 Gardens for Grades School Grants

Creating Better School Environments

At Allentuck Landscaping CO., we believe landscaping can do more than make a property look better. It can improve how people feel about the places where they live, work and learn. That belief is at the heart of our Gardens for Grade School Grants initiative—last week, we had the opportunity to continue that effort at three North Potomac elementary schools: Travilah, Stone Mill and Dufief Elementary Schools.

Creating Better School EnvironmentsThrough this year’s service, our team donated the time, labor and expertise needed to give each school’s landscape some well-deserved attention. The work included garden cleanups, bed edging, pruning and mulching, helping restore a clean, polished appearance to the grounds and giving the gardens a fresh start for the school year ahead.

Why School Landscapes Matter

A school’s physical environment can have a meaningful impact on the people who spend their days there. Before a student ever walks into a classroom, they experience the school grounds –the sidewalks, gardens, trees, buildings and outdoor spaces that surround them.

We believe a beautiful, well-maintained landscape helps create a positive first impression. More importantly, it can contribute to an environment where students feel welcomed, cared for and ready to begin their day.

That’s the simple idea behind Gardens for Grade School Grants.

We’re not trying to create elaborate landscapes. Sometimes, a little pruning, a clean garden bed, a defined edge and a fresh layer of mulch can make a tremendous difference. It’s about taking care of the places where our community’s children learn and grow.

Investing in Our Community

Community involvement has always been an important part of who we are at Allentuck Landscaping Co. One of our Core Values is being a positive influence in our communities, and Gardens for Grade School Grants gives our team a tangible way to put that value into action.

Our employees get to do what they do best—care for landscapes—while contributing their time and skills to schools right here in the communities we serve. There is something especially rewarding about working on a school landscape. These are places that belong to the entire community. Thousands of students, teachers, staff members and parents pass through their grounds each year.

If the work we do helps make their school experience just a little more welcoming, then it’s time well spent.

Creating Better School Environments

A Fresh Start for the School Year

As summer winds down and a new school year begins, the gardens at Travilah, Stone Mill and Dufief Elementary Schools are looking their best. The beds are cleaned up, edges are defined, plants have been pruned and fresh mulch gives everything a finished appearance.

But for us, the real value of this work goes beyond how the landscapes look.

We believe beautiful spaces can help create better experiences—and that improving the places where children learn is one small way we can help improve their lives.

Were proud to continue Gardens for Grade Schools Grants and grateful to the schools and their communities for allowing us to contribute. We look forward to seeing these gardens grow—and to continuing to find ways to make a positive difference in the communities we call home.

Improving Lives Through Landscaping.

Other Blog Posts of Interest:

Spotted Lanternfly in Rockville Area: What It Means for Your Landscape and Garden

7 Front Walkway Ideas To Make Your Home More Welcoming

At Allentuck Landscaping Company, our mission is to create beautiful environments for people to enjoy. We see landscaping as a way to improve people’s lives.

The Allentuck Landscaping Company team has been delighting homeowners in Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia for over 28 years with our turnkey approach to landscape design, installation, construction and maintenance. Most companies try to serve many types of customers at the same time; homeowners, shopping centers, office buildings and the list goes on. At Allentuck Landscaping Company, we focus on one customer, you, the homeowner. We have a singular focus on bringing you the best landscape practices, the best customer service, and the best value for your home.

Services Provide – Master Landscape Plans, Complete Maintenance Programs, Plantings, Patios, Walkways, Retaining Walls, Water Features, Outdoor Lighting, Outdoor Kitchens, Trellises & Pergolas, Irrigation Systems, Drainage Solutions, Grading & Sodding. Fire Pits & Fire Places, Spring Clean Ups, Decks, Fences

Areas Served – Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, North Potomac, Darnestown, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Travilah, Damascus, Boyds, Clarksburg, Ijamsville, Urbana, Frederick and Washington DC.

Allentuck Landscaping Co. is a proud member of the National Association of Landscape Professionals and MyLandscapeAcademy.

Allentuck Landscaping Co.
13711 Travilah Rd, Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 515-1900

Top March Garden Tips: Getting Your Landscape Ready for Spring

March marks the official start of spring, bringing longer days, warmer temperatures, and the perfect opportunity to get your garden in shape for the growing season. With plants waking up from dormancy and new growth emerging, now is the time to tackle essential gardening tasks. Follow these top March garden tips to prepare your landscape for a thriving and productive year. 1. Clean Up Your Garden and Prepare for Growth As winter fades away, take time to clear out debris

READ MORE »

Does Snow Damage Landscape Plants?

Branches are drooping. Evergreens are buried. Your garden suddenly looks like it’s been flattened overnight. And the question hits fast: Does snow damage landscape plants? Sometimes yes. Often no.The real answer depends on what kind of snow you get, what plants you have, and whether you step in at the right moment—or make things worse by doing too much. Let’s break it down in a simple, homeowner-friendly way. Does Snow Damage Landscape Plants in Winter? Most of the time, snow

READ MORE »

Top February Garden Tips: Preparing for Spring Growth

February is a crucial month for gardeners, making it the perfect time to focus on the top February garden tips to prepare for the upcoming spring season. While winter still lingers, small signs of new growth begin to appear, signaling that it’s time to start planning, pruning, and protecting your landscape. By tackling key gardening tasks now, you’ll set the stage for a vibrant and thriving garden in the months ahead. 1. Prune Trees and Shrubs: Top February Garden Tips

READ MORE »

5 Top January Gardening Tips: Starting the Year Right in Your Garden

January marks the start of a new year, making it the perfect time to focus on the top January gardening tips for planning, preparing, and caring for your landscape during the quiet winter months. While most plants are dormant, there’s still plenty you can do to ensure a healthy and productive garden come spring. 1. Top January Gardening Tips for Pruning and Maintenance January is the ideal time for pruning deciduous trees and shrubs while they’re dormant: Remove Deadwood: Cut

READ MORE »

2026 Landscape Trends That Will Change How You Live Outdoors

Something big is happening out there, and it’s not subtle. Homeowners are rethinking yards — not as green fields to mow, but as spaces that work harder, feel better, and look unmistakably intentional. Welcome to the world of 2026 Landscape Trends, where beauty meets purpose and everyday life gets better outside. These aren’t wild ideas. They’re grounded in how people are actually using their outdoor spaces — from morning coffee to sunset gatherings. Let’s dive into six trends that are

READ MORE »

Should Ornamental Grasses Be Cut Back In Winter?

They look wild. A little messy. Maybe even forgotten.And every winter, homeowners stare out the window and ask the same question: Should ornamental grasses be cut back in winter, or left alone? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. It depends on what you want your landscape to do during the cold months—and how you want it to perform come spring. Cut too early and you can weaken the plant. Leave them too long without a plan and things

READ MORE »