Seeing The Landscape In Winter

Row of trees by a road with sun setting in background

Winter may seem like the perfect time to take a vacation from your garden but, if used wisely, it can be an important time to lay down the ground work for making vast improvements. Just as plants are dormant and preparing to burst forth in the spring, so can us gardeners.

A Time To Think About The Landscape

During the warmer seasons we are busy with the day to day activities of growing our gardens; mulching, weeding, planting and pruning. In winter, we have time to clear our minds, breath, look around and gather ideas. It is a perfect time to consider how we want our gardens to look in the spring, summer and fall without distraction. We have time to look through magazines, visit other gardens or peruse Houzz.com for new ideas and innovations. Take some photographs, do some sketching or simply consider ideas with a fresh and relaxed mind.

A Time To See The Landscape

Winter is also a great time to really see the garden for what it is. Without leaves and flowers, the skeleton, or very structure of the garden is revealed. One can see how the shadows move throughout the day, how the lines of site are and where there really is room for improvement. Take a stroll through your garden at different times of the day and from different directions to see the garden in a new light. Then, consider what additions and changes you would like to make.

A Time To Discover The Landscape

Lastly, consider some of the issues you may discover by spending time in your garden. Are there unsightly things that can be screened with evergreens? Is there a drainage problem that must be solved? Is there an evergreen tree blocking the sun that could be warming your house? Now is a wonderful time to investigate and solve these issues.

Engage A Professional Landscaper

A seasoned gardener can probably accomplish all of this with some effort. For best results that last, it may be time to bring in a professional landscaper, someone who does this stuff every day. Landscape design, plantings and construction can be costly. If not done correctly, it can be even more costly to fix. Allentuck Landscaping Co. has been helping people find the true potential in their landscapes for over 26 years. Please contact us at info@allentucklandscaping.com or 301-515-1900 if we can help you make your landscape all that it can be.

Time spent now considering improvements and solving weaknesses will pay big dividends come springtime. With ideas in hand and problems corrected, the only thing left to do in the spring is to enjoy your garden at its finest.

Gardens For Grade School Grants: Helping North Potomac Schools Start the Year Fresh

The first day of school comes with a special kind of energy—kids carrying brand new backpacks, parents juggling first-day photos, and teachers ready to welcome their students. At Allentuck Landscaping Co., we believe the outside of a school should reflect that same sense of excitement. That’s exactly why, for the seventh year in a row, we launched our Gardens For Grade School Grants program. This year we partnered with Dufief Elementary School and Travilah Elementary School in North Potomac, MD.

READ MORE »

Caring For Your Outdoor Fire Feature

If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor fire feature, you’re doing something right. But caring for your outdoor fire feature isn’t just about looks—it’s about keeping those flames safe, reliable, and downright inviting. Because when the day cools off, it should be the crackle and glow drawing people in, not worry. Why Caring For Your Outdoor Fire Feature Matters Let’s face it: a fire feature is way more than a decorative element—it’s where memories happen. A well-maintained fire feature

READ MORE »

How Long Should Pressure Treated Timbers Last?

You’ve just invested in a new retaining wall, garden edging, or set of steps. It looks solid. Feels sturdy. And you’re thinking, this should last forever. But here’s the reality: even the best pressure treated timbers have a shelf life. The big question—how long should pressure treated timbers last—comes down to more than just the wood itself. Where you put it, how it’s installed, and how you care for it all make a huge difference. Some timbers can keep going

READ MORE »

Top August Garden Tips: Setting Yourself Up for a Brilliant Fall

Landscaping is a long game, and these top August garden tips are all about playing it smart. What you do now sets the stage for a healthier, better-looking yard this fall—and even next spring. If your landscape’s looking a little tired, we can help bring it back to life. We’ve been doing this for 35+ years and know how to turn late-summer blah into fall brilliance. 1. Refresh Mulch and Cut Back Overgrowth By August, mulch starts to fade, thin

READ MORE »

Vegetable Gardening at ALC HQ: Growing More Than Vegetables

Why the ALC HQ Garden Matters—For Us and Our Clients At Allentuck Landscaping Co., we talk a lot about Improving Lives Through Landscaping. But that doesn’t just happen out in the field or on a client’s property. Sometimes, it happens right here at our own headquarters—through vegetable gardening in the rows of peppers, tomatoes, squash, and greens we’ve got growing behind the shop. Yep, we’ve got a vegetable garden. And it’s not just for show. It’s for our team. And

READ MORE »

Patio Privacy Ideas That Actually Work

Tired of feeling like you’re on display every time you step outside? You’re not alone. Most suburban backyards weren’t exactly designed with privacy in mind. Whether it’s nosey neighbors, second-story windows peering down at you, or just the general lack of separation between homes, it’s hard to fully relax on your patio when you feel like you’re being watched. But good news—privacy doesn’t require a tall, ugly fence or a complete redesign. With a few smart moves, you can transform

READ MORE »