When it comes to choosing the right landscaping business to help with all your yard and hardscaping needs, there are some significant benefits to going with a local company. Supporting local businesses will have a positive impact on your environment and support your community. Learn more about why going local is essential. 

Environmental Benefits

Local landscaping companies will have a more intimate knowledge of the water and soil conditions in the area and which plants will thrive in these conditions. This will help set your landscape up for long-term success and complement the existing state of things rather than introducing new various elements that contradict the natural homeostasis of your landscape.

Partnering with local landscapers also means a significant reduction in carbon emissions. Landscapers won’t have to travel as far to your home or business and they will be sourcing plants, soil, fertilizer, and supplies from other local sources. Again, this cuts down on emissions that occur during transportation.

Community Benefits

The trickle-down effect of supporting local businesses can be massive and far-reaching. Local landscapers employ people within your community who are then able to put money back into the economy through their own spending. In addition, small businesses tend to support other small businesses, so the local landscaper is probably bringing in more business to the nursery, who can then add more employees to their own rosters. The local economy is an interconnected ecosystem where the slightest action can bring positive rewards for many people.

At JT’s Landscaping and Lawncare, we are proud to serve the Triangle area and do our part to protect the environment and other local businesses. When you partner with us, not only will you experience the best in highly-quality services, but you will also be supporting your community in a variety of ways. 

If you are like most homeowners, you probably have a running list of projects you would like to get done around your yard. With so many things to do, it can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are small things you can do to improve your landscape and set yourself up for further success. 

Pinpoint What Success Would Mean

You can lay out some criteria for measuring success by answering a few simple questions. Are you trying to solve a problem? For instance, do you need more privacy or an open space for the pets to run? Answering this can help you set priorities and focus on specific solutions rather than getting lost in the bigger picture.

What kind of look do you want to create with your landscape? Are you looking for a peaceful place to entertain or a more manicured garden? Try to visualize the final product and don’t hesitate to look for inspiration in other landscapes. 

What is my budget and when would I like it completed? These are some practical questions that you will need to consider. Be realistic about how long it will take to finish the project and spend some time pricing plants and other materials so that you can have an accurate idea of the costs and what you can afford. 

Start Small

It is exciting to think about all the possibilities for your landscape, but if you want to make progress now, start with smaller, more manageable tasks. Instead of starting with a koi pond, try adding some color and texture to your gardens with low-maintenance plants and shrubs. You won’t have to worry about a lot of upkeep and your yard will instantly look better.

Work with the Professionals

If you need help jumpstarting your projects and getting creative ideas for solving your landscaping challenges, don’t hesitate to consult with a professional. The team at JT’s Landscaping has helped homeowners throughout the Triangle area create beautiful and unique landscapes. Call us today to get started. 

Being a property manager comes with all sorts of responsibilities, including keeping the landscaping neat and healthy. This can become even more of a challenge during the winter as temperatures drop and you have to deal with rain and snow. Here are some tips to help you manage your properties’ landscaping throughout the winter. 

Don’t Stop Watering

Just because the weather has turned cold doesn’t mean that plants stop needing water. If you have invested in plants, shrubs, trees, and lawns, you will want to make sure that they are hydrated and can survive the winter and be disease free. Watering throughout the winter will help you protect your landscapes. 

Mulch Leaves 

If you are used to spending countless hours raking and removing leaves, there is some good news. The best way to deal with leaves is to mulch them with a lawn mower. This will provide your grass and plants with natural fertilizer, keep the soil moist, and allow enough sun to reach the plants. 

Wrap New Trees

For young trees on the property, it is a good idea to wrap the trunks in a light colored material. This will help control frost and prevent the sun from scalding the bark. 

Be Careful with Salt

Salt is a great tool for melting snow and ice and providing some traction, but it isn’t great for trees and shrubs that may be lining walkways. Be careful about applying salt near roots and consider covering any plants in high-traffic areas where salt may be used often.

Mulch Garden Beds

Adding mulch to your garden beds will help insulate roots and protect against frost. You can also use some of the leaves that you mulched to line the garden beds.

If you need help managing your properties this winter or any time throughout the year, call the professionals at JT’s Landscaping and Lawncare. Our experts can help you make sure that your landscapes are beautiful and healthy. 

In many parts of the country, fall is a time when planting slows down. However, that isn’t the case in North Carolina where fall is the perfect time to plant flowers that will bloom in the autumn and winter. Here are some great options for flowers to plant in the fall.

Plants that Will Flower Until the First Freeze

Snapdragon

This flower is named snapdragon because some say that when you squeeze the flowers, it looks like the mouth of a dragon opening and closing. These perennials will bloom throughout the year, but do particularly well in the fall and spring. The flowers come in a wide range of colors and the largest variety can grow 24”-30” tall.

Aster

Asters have a star shaped bloom that can come in different shades of purple, blue and white. It is great for wildflower and rock gardens and is a great pollinator.

Chrysanthemum

The name Chrysanthemum is derived from two Greek words that mean “golden” and “flower,” but the plants are more commonly known as mums. They are a great source of vibrant color during the fall.

Plants that Will Bloom All Winter

Flowering Cabbage

Ornamental cabbage has wavy green leaves that surround a bright center that comes in red, pink, purple, and white. 

Violet

Violets are another great source of color during the fall and a nice complement to the reds, yellows, and oranges of the fall foliage. Best of all, you will be able to enjoy the blooms all winter.

Pansy

Pansies have overlapping heart-shaped petals and come in practically every color. Fall is the perfect time to plant and enjoy these flowers. 

Perhaps the best part about planting in the fall in NC is that you will enjoy a nice break from the heat and humidity as you work outside. For more suggestions about planning your fall planting and any other landscaping advice, contact the experts at JT’s Landscaping and Lawncare.

If you want to get the most bang for your buck and create a landscape that can be enjoyed throughout the year, there are some great plants and flowers to choose from that will add color and texture and evolve with the seasons. Learn more about which plants may be right for your North Carolina yard.

Azalea

This flowering shrub can be found all over North Carolina and comes in a wide variety of beautiful and vibrant colors. They will be covered with flowers during the spring and during the fall, the leaves will change colors. When it isn’t in bloom, you can enjoy the evergreen leaves. A mature azalea can grow 4 to 5 feet tall and just as wide.

Rhododendrons

Rhododendrons are closely related to azaleas and offer similar benefits. They offer red, pink, white, and lavender flowers that can grow up to six inches in diameter. The deep green foliage looks great throughout the year. These shrubs can actually grow up to 15 feet tall.

Rose

Roses are hardy plants that will continue to provide blooms all year round. Just be sure to remove dead blooms so that new flowers can appear.  

Creeping Phlox

This plant produces flowering ground cover. It loves full sun and comes in a variety of colors. Not only does it provide great color, but you will enjoy the abundance of blooms. 

Lenten Rose

This is a great year-round plant because what appears to be flowers are actually sepals, which surround the flower and provide protection to new buds. Either way, the sepal provides plenty of color and lasts for months. It will bloom early in the spring and once the blooms do die off, you can continue to enjoy the attractive foliage.  

With a little planning, your landscape can provide great views all year round. For help with all your landscaping needs, contact JT’s Landscaping and Lawncare today.

Summers in North Carolina can be hot and humid, but that doesn’t necessarily mean more moisture for plants. Summers tend to be dry, which doesn’t make it the best environment for all types of flowering plants. If you want to make sure your garden has plenty of color this summer, here are some plants that will do well in the hot and dry conditions.

Leopard Flower

This colorful perennial flower is a part of the iris family and starts as a bulb. They will bloom during summer and provide rich, green foliage along with reddish-orange flowers with distinctive spots that helped them earn their name. The plants will grow 2-3 feet in height and once the flowers are done blooming, they will be replaced by black seed pods.

Catmint

Catmint is actually considered an herb and its lavender flowers emit a pleasant aroma. It is characterized by tall spikes covered in flowers. They are aggressive growers, so be sure to give them plenty of space and thin them as necessary. It is also a good idea to place some edging around the catmint to prevent it from spreading too far.

Purple Coneflower

The purple coneflower is native to the region and can withstand just about anything. If you don’t necessarily have a green thumb, this flower could be a good place to start. It can tolerate heat, drought, and poor solid conditions. You also don’t have to worry about placement too much because it will grow in full sun or part shade.

Portulaca Grandiflora 

This is a fun option because you can find single plants that will grow a variety of different colored flowers. It is more of a mounding plant and doesn’t grow very tall, making it perfect for planting right next to your edging and in front of taller plants. You can enjoy flowers and beautiful foliage all summer long.

For more ideas about ways to plant a drought-resistant garden and enjoy a lush landscape throughout the summer months, contact the experts at JT’s Landscaping and Lawncare. We work with homeowners throughout the Triangle.

Raleigh, North Carolina, offers a unique climate that can support all sorts of beautiful and interesting plants. At the same time, the mild weather means that residents spend plenty of time enjoying the outdoors. From a landscaping perspective, that creates plenty of opportunities for hardscape projects and outdoor living areas. For these reasons, our top landscaping ideas for Raleigh include a combination of landscapes, hardscapes, and even waterscapes.  

Arbored Seating Area

Installing an arbor provides a great way to create cooling shade and take full advantage of climbing plants. Adding color and foliage to an outdoor seating area softens the entire feel and helps make the space feel more intimate. In addition, arbors can come in all styles and sizes so you can add an arbor that compliments the landscape or architectural details of your home. Whether you want a more classically formal look or you are going for a modern aesthetic, the arbor can help you achieve the right overall feel.

Flowering Trees

North Carolina and the dogwood tree will be forever linked and this flowering tree provides great landscaping inspiration. Many of the trees and shrubs that thrive in Raleigh provide different colors and textures throughout the year. For example, the dogwood blooms in the spring and is a harbinger of warmer weather. The blossoms then turn into beautiful green foliage before reaching a deep red-purple during the fall. This allows homeowners to design a landscape that can be enjoyed in all seasons. 

Outdoor Fireplace

Just because temperatures drop in the evening doesn’t mean that you and your family will be ready to head indoors. A firepit can help keep everyone warm and provide a focal point, but these are usually temporary structures that will wear out over time. To truly make a hardscape statement and enjoy the warmth of a roaring fire, an outdoor fireplace is the best solution. It is a truly luxurious addition that will get plenty of use and allow you to enjoy the outdoors well after dark.

These are just a few of our top suggestions for landscaping in Raleigh. In reality, the possibilities are endless. At JT’s Landscaping and Lawn Care, we can help you design a landscape that fits your home, lifestyle, and budget. Call us today to get started.

The right lighting can truly transform a space and create a special ambiance. When it comes to deck lighting, new products have hit the market that provides creative ways to enhance your outdoor space. Here are just some of the deck lighting ideas you haven’t thought of.

Riser Lights

This type of light can be permanently installed on the risers of your deck stairs to provide some soft illumination. As an added bonus, the lights will make getting up and down the stairs safer for everyone.

Cap Lighting

The decorative caps on your deck railing posts can be outfitted with radiant lights. These lights will provide just the right amount of accent lighting without overwhelming the space and making the deck too bright. Uplights can also be installed on one side of the post as an additional or alternative lighting solution.

Bistro Lighting

You don’t have to have a pergola or arbor to install semi-permanent bistro lighting above your deck. These versatile lights can be strung from practically any location and help to create an intimate setting.

Solar Powered Lanterns

This desk lighting solution couldn’t be more simple. You can choose from a variety of styles and place them strategically around your deck. There is no need to worry about wiring or batteries. All you need is a little sun to light up your deck.   

Glass Torch

The tiki-torch has gotten an upgrade. With glass torches, you can create a sophisticated look and enjoy the flicker of an open flame.

Glowing Spheres

These outdoor LED globes come in a variety of sizes and provide a warm glow. You can even get them in different colors to create the right look for your home.

From permanent to temporary lighting solutions, there are plenty of ways to illuminate your deck and enjoy a beautiful outdoor space. For more lighting, deck, and landscaping ideas, contact the experts at JT’s Landscaping and Lawncare.

A landscape architect can help you transform your landscape with plants, water features, and other hardscapes. The key is to find the right landscape architect who can take your wants and needs and create a plan that fits your budget. Here are some tips for finding the right landscape architect in Raleigh, NC.

Determine Your Budget

As you think about how much you are willing to invest in your landscape, keep in mind that improving your landscape may add 10% to 15% to the value of your home. It is an investment whose value continues to grow over time.

Avoid Search Ads

If you are starting your search by using your favorite search engine, remember that the first few results are going to be paid ads. These companies may be a great choice, but be sure to sift through the rest of the results. 

Look for Licensed Professionals

Becoming a landscape architect takes a lot of work. Most landscape architects have both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in their field. They also have to go through a rigorous testing process in order to be certified. If you can’t find information about their certification on their site, you can search the North Carolina Board of Landscape Architects website. Don’t be afraid to ask them about their background and experience.

Ask for References

A landscape architect should be able to show you a portfolio and discuss the ins and outs of each project and how the final product addressed the client’s needs. You can take things one step further by actually calling and speaking with clients to learn more about their experiences. A reputable landscape architect should be more than happy to provide references. 

Schedule a Consultation

Once you have narrowed down your choices, set up a meeting with the candidates. This will allow you to discuss the project and make sure that the landscape architect is a good fit. Finding

This year has seen the emergence of some popular landscape design trends that will continue well into 2022. Keep reading if you are looking for some inspiration for your landscape.

1. Outdoor Living Spaces

The pandemic has forced people to get creative with how they safely socialize. This has put a bigger emphasis on making the most of outdoor living spaces. We are seeing underutilized space turned into patios with kitchens, outdoor pizza ovens, fireplaces, and other accessories. Pergolas and gazebos are also popping up more and more to provide some shade and protection from the elements. Today’s outdoor spaces even come complete with a TV or projector for entertaining. There are no limits to designing a fun and functional outdoor living space.

2. Pollinator Gardens

People are realizing the important role that pollinators play in our ecosystem and they are trying to do their part by creating pollinator-friendly habitats. Even a small patch of the landscape filled with native plants will help attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. These gardens are beautiful and help support a healthy environment. 

3. Vertical Gardens

This is an especially popular landscaping trend for those with small spaces. Building up and taking advantage of blank wall space can totally transform a landscape and provide some much welcome greenery. 

4. Hidden Gardens

In addition to entertaining spaces, homeowners are creating private, secluded spaces within the landscape design. This provides a quiet place to converse one-on-one, meditate, and read. The hidden gardens are usually sectioned off with tall, lush plants so that everything blends in nicely with the landscaping. 

5. Vegetables out Front

Traditionally, vegetable gardens have been sequestered to the back yard, well out of sight. However, now more people are moving raised beds to the front yard where they may get more sun. These plants add just as much color and texture to the landscape as other plants, so why not put them front and center?

Many people have taken up gardening and relied on outdoor spaces to visit with friends and family during the pandemic. This new way of life has certainly influenced landscaping trends that will certainly continue into the spring. If you would like help incorporating some of these ideas into your own landscape, contact the professionals at JT’s Landscaping today.