The Level Green Landscaping Blog

Expert Industry Advice and Property Enhancement Suggestions.

Don’t let the recent DC area flooding fool you.

Your plants still need water. 

You might not even notice it, but bit by bit, some of your property’s topsoil ends up in the waterways all around you, from streams to rivers to the Chesapeake Bay.

And as that topsoil quietly erodes away, it takes polluting pesticides and fertilizers along with it. 

How to stop this erosion from polluting our water and stressing aquatic wildlife? 

Erosion control. Shelley Russell, landscape designer at Level Green Landscaping, shares some natural erosion solutions for your commercial property.

Those colorful flowers and plants in the pots way up on the rooftop garden might need water.

Or, they might not.

It’s often tricky to tell. 

Until now. 

Level Green Landscaping is now using Spiio — the latest soil moisture technology that will tell us instantly if a pot needs water, from miles away. 

Level Green business development manager Marion Delano is pretty excited about it.

Here’s why.

There’s security in knowing you have a retention basin or stormwater pond on your property. 

The pools collect water from rain and runoff and release it slowly, at a nice, easy rate that prevents flooding or erosion.

But is yours really working? Not without regular retention basin maintenance. 

Cameron Cook, operations manager at Level Green Landscaping, walks us through the stormwater pond maintenance tasks Level Green crews do to keep these vital wet ponds working — and passing those inspections. 

You might notice your Level Green Landscaping account manager hanging around your property in the rain. Don’t invite them in — they’re out there for a reason.

Feeling soggy? We hear you. 

The National Weather Service declared 2018 as the wettest year on record for the nation's capital, with more than 60 inches of rain. 

The record-breaking rain has saturated communities throughout the mid-Atlantic. 

Now it’s spring — the rainy season. 

Is your landscape prepared? Here’s a look at the soggy situation — and what to do about it.

If it’s related to your green and growing property, Level Green Landscaping can take care of it.

But, let’s face it, we’re not Superman.

While we handle most landscaping services in-house with our own skilled crews, we’re not experts in everything. Sometimes, we need a bit of help.

That’s where subcontractors come in. When customers need a landscaping-related service we don’t offer in-house, we hire an expert company in that field to tackle the job.

Level Green Landscaping account manager Joey Schneider tells about the process — and why subcontractors are a good thing.

If you care about the impact your commercial property makes on the environment and the health of the people who work in and visit your property, LEED certification is worth considering.

While much of LEED certification involves the construction of a building, “Don’t forget about the outside, too,” says Shelley Russell (pictured), landscape designer at Level Green Landscaping. Russell is trained in LEED certification, earning a LEED Green Associate designation.

“We can help you get more points so you can achieve a higher level, maybe move from Platinum to Gold,” she says.

What is she talking about?

Here’s a closer look at why LEED certification matters for your commercial property — and how landscaping can help you get there.

If you have plants, you need water.

Lawns, perennials, annual beds, big decorative pots — they all need a good drink. Again, and again, and again…

But how?

Sometimes Mother Nature helps out with a nice batch of rain. Other times, you’re in charge.

Irrigation vs. hand watering? Let’s take a look at both options.

Winter can be rough on your property’s irrigation system.

Water may have seeped in over the past few months, freezing and thawing, causing damage.

Sprinkler heads can be clogged with debris. Your pump might need some attention after all these months.

What’s your plan? Turn on the water and hope for the best?

We have a better idea. Use our spring irrigation system start-up checklist to make sure your system is ready for another successful watering season.

Take these steps to save water, money and prevent a mid-summer irrigation meltdown.