Author Archives: GCSDev

What is Hardscaping?

A beautiful outdoor space can make all the difference in how a business or home is perceived. It is called curb appeal, and beautiful curb appeal usually means beautiful landscaping. What many people may not realize that landscaping is divided into two categories. Softscaping is all the living elements in the landscape, such as grass, trees, flowers, and other plants. Hardscaping is the other element of landscaping and includes everything that is not alive. Rock, pavers, waterfalls, driveways, walkways, and retaining walls are all hardscaping. Even wood, although it was once alive, is considered an element of hardscaping.

 Hardscaping is becoming increasingly popular because it is low maintenance and in times of water shortage, it does not require water at all. While most people use a combination of softscaping and hardscaping in their designs, it is not too uncommon, especially in desert areas, to see a landscape entirely made up of hardscaping elements. There are several benefits to hardscaping. One is that it is so low maintenance. It requires little time and effort on your part to keep it beautiful. It is not something you have to water every night, and on hot days when softscaping elements wilt, hardscaping features will not. Another benefit is that hardscaping, for the most part, is permanent.

When planning the layout of the area you will be landscaping, it may be easier to plan your hardscape features first, especially if there are things like large boulders or walls that are too big to move. Design your layout around features like these to compliment them. The next step would be planning where other hardscape elements will go, such as walls or pathways, so that you can arrange the softscape elements to compliment the layout. Finding a balance between hardscaping and landscaping so that they work together and compliment each other is the key to having a beautiful landscape. For more information on hardscaping or if you are interested in an estimate, check out https://www.ciminellislandscape.com/services/hardscaping/.

A Happy Customer from Ciminelli’s Landscape Services

What the Bergman’s had to say about a landscaping and hardscaping project done by Cinminelli’s this year.

Dear Matt, Raphael and all,

It’s absolutely BEAUTIFUL even though it’s currently under 2 feet of snow. We still love it.

The walkway, patio and lighting completely transformed the front of the house. Raphael’s walls are gorgeous! His attention to detail, thoughtful consideration and level of professionalism are top notch. Both you and your crew have been a pleasure to work with on both of our projects this year.

So… thank you, thank you, thank you for our beautiful new entrance. We can’t help but smile when we pull into the driveway.

The Bergman’s

Bay Pollution Diet and Your Landscaping

Have you kept up on the new federal standards for the total loads of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and sediment for the Chesapeake Bay? According to Will Baker, Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) president, “After 30 years of failed, voluntary programs to save the Bay, EPA appears ready to enforce the Clean Water Act.”  The Clean Water Act, circa 1972, promised fishable and swimmable waters by 1983. Obviously, this goal was not met.

What can you do or what will you be required to do when maintaining your property? First, the use of chemicals should be minimized to prevent run-off of excessive nutrients. Please see the Growing Green Pledge on our website for information on environmentally friendly practices when landscaping your lawn and consider native plants and rain gardens.

Secondly, when landscaping, drainage, sediment erosion control and storm water control should be considered.  As much as possible, the flash or surge of water during storms should be contained or slowed with rain barrels, cisterns, rain gardens, etc.

What a Customer Has to Say About Ciminelli’s Landscape Services

Here’s what one of our customers had to say about our professional landscaping and hardscaping services!

Dear Matt, Jose and Crew,

Thank you for the beautiful transformation in our back yard. It’s gorgeous! Jose, you and your crew were very professional, courteous and innovative. The craftsmanship and detail you put into the stonework and grill was top notch!

Thanks again. We look forward to many years of entertaining back there. As well as getting started on the front yard transformation.

Sincerely,
The Bergmans

Spring 2010 | Ciminelli’s Customer Testimonials

Spring 2010

Dear Matt,

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and recognize what a beautiful job Ciminelli’s Landscape Services did in transforming our back yard this spring. From your patience with us in developing the plan, to the professional way your crew conducted themselves, and the stone mason artistry and craftsmanship in installing the pavers – we are just simply thrilled the way it turned out. My wife and I have never used our back yard more, much to the delight of our friends and neighbors who are also astounded with the outcome.

It was equally a thrill to see our house showcased in the Annapolis newspaper in a featured article on “House metamorphosis “.  What a treat!

This project was a big deal for us- we did a lot of research in selecting the right company to contract with.

From beginning to end, your company validated our decision. We could not be happier and would be glad to recommend your services to anyone.

With much appreciation,
Cris & PJ Cunningham

Matt Ciminelli provides education session for the community on September 25 and 26, 2010 at the Annapolis Home Show in Annapolis, Maryland

OVERVIEW

Thank you for the opportunity to educate and advance initiatives toward increasing the number of  “Green” communities. Your efforts will positively impact the Chesapeake Bay and create an entire community of concerned citizens whose collective actions  further the area’s commitment to the improving the  health of our waterways and the quality of life in our region.

As owner of Ciminelli’s Landscape Services, Inc. since 1991, I’ve had the opportunity to advance environmentally positive landscape solutions for communities, businesses and homeowners and I look forward to answering questions and providing valuable information to help you and your neighbor’s achieve your goals.

ACTION PLAN:

Create a long-term plan with short term steps to achieve the overall vision of  your community as an environmentally friendly and Green .  Concentrate on the “footprint” of the grounds, the energy and water usage of the residents and waste production.  There can be quickly implemented, low-cost ideas as a first step –  including:

* Implement the Growing Green Pledge – developed by Matt Ciminelli and Dr. Frank Gouin and the West Rhode Riverkeepers.

* Establish a Composting site

* Install Rain Barrels with drip hoses

* Review irrigation uses

* Correct immediate erosion areas

* Create a pet waste area and pet waste disposal

* Install a rain garden and bio-swales

* Redirect downspouts

* Reduce lawn areas with meadow areas and reduce mulched areas

* Create a community forum on Facebook or through email to match up residents for environmentally friendly initiatives – ride-sharing, using local merchants, education sessions, etc.

* Establish a community vegetable and garden area

*  Keep the community informed with environmental meetings and events

*  Continual public relations to keep the media informed of your efforts

LONG TERM PROJECTS TO CONSIDER:

* Modify existing landscape plans to create a long-term master plan

* Replace impervious walkways and parking with pervious surfaces

* Create more low-maintenance landscaping using native plants environmentally sensitive design

* Beautification of areas

* Green Roofs

* Living Walls and Green Walls

* Applying for Federal and State grants to solve larger issues

* Always consider long-term maintenance of projects

MATT CIMINELLI GIVES PRESENTATION ON BIOSWALES

Matt Ciminelli, owner of Ciminelli’s Landscape Services gave a talk on Bioswales at Riverbend Nursery in Virginia on August 19th. Over 40 people were in attendance to learn how to incorporate bioswales, rain gardens, green roofs and storm water management into construction and landscape plans. Bio-Swales are landscape elements designed to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water. They consist of a swaled drainage course with gently sloped sides (less than six percent) and filled with vegetation, compost and/or riprap. The water’s flow path, along with the wide and shallow ditch, is designed to maximize the time water spends in the swale, which aids the trapping of pollutants and silt. Benefits include reduced peak water flows, allows plants time to absorb pollutants, improves regional hydrology, reduces suspended solids, silt, metals, macronutrients, pesticides, and reduces water temperature entering waterways.

Welcome to the Ciminelli’s Landscape Blog

Matt Ciminelli, owner of Ciminelli’s Landscape Services, Inc., graduated from Towson State University in 1987 with a B.A. in business administration. He worked throughout college as a landscaper and after graduation, he worked as a landscape manager in MD and CA. He returned to MD and founded Ciminelli’s Landscape Services, Inc. in May of 1991. Over the last 17 years, he has gained valuable experience and certifications to offer high-quality landscape construction and maintenance. He is very creative and artistic while also applying practical experience to his landscape plans.