Tag Archives: Rain Garden

Going Green in Annapolis is Easy with Rain Gardens

Rain gardens in Annapolis area are landscaping setups that allow for a “greener” outcome for the homeowner and for the surrounding area than traditional gardens. These gardens are set up to let rain gradually be absorbed by the soil instead of running off the soil into the drainage system. When rain is allowed to run off in such a manner, it carries pollutants with it into the water supply. This can be a problem for the surrounding area, which will find an increase in toxic materials being found in the water.

Rain gardens can be a perfect way to use a spot in the landscape that may be lower than the rest of the surrounding grounds. This is because the depression in the ground can be used to collect the rainwater. Rain gardens are one way to reduce the amount of pollutants in the local water supply. Ciminelli’s, a long-standing provider of Maryland landscape services, is proud to help customers create one for their own home for landscape design Annapolis.

Rain gardens are vital to the local economy because they can help retain a greater quantity of water, which helps to keep the aquifers replenished. There are also draining and flooding problems that can be headed off by rain gardens. Many people in need of landscaping Annapolis who have a rain garden created find that they increase the beauty in their yard through their use of this kind of garden.

Rain gardens are good for eco-landscaping. They are excellent habitats for many different kinds of animal life. Birds and other kinds of animals may be drawn to the rain garden. Butterflies and other kinds of insects that benefit the health of the yard will be attracted by this eco-friendly installment.

It is important that rain gardens that are installed have the correct distance from the septic system of the house, in addition to being able to receive adequate light from the sun. Ciminelli’s also enhances all of their rain gardens in Annapolis with local plants. For the very best rain gardens in Annapolis, choose Ciminelli’s, a landscaper that has made mastering the creation of these landscapes a priority.

The Environmental Benefits of a Rain Garden | Annapolis

A rain garden is a place where rainwater collects from paved areas, like roofs, pathways and parking lots. Runoff is decreased and rainwater absorbs into the ground instead of flows into drains. Flooding and pollution are prevented. The gardens are suited for certain soils and weather conditions. Reliable Maryland landscape services know how to use these gardens to the fullest benefits.

Rain gardens in Annapolis are environmentally friendly in several ways. They prevent contaminants from running into the storm drains and being transferred into lakes and rivers. These contaminants include pesticides and car fluids. Careful eco-landscaping is done to decrease energy consumption and land ruin. When the water collects in the garden, it enhances the appeal of the yard.

Using water from the sky saves money used to run the hose. Any water that falls is used and not wasted, so there is no need to irrigate manually. The gardens are different from basins because the water quickly gets absorbed into the ground. This reduces the appearance of mosquitos.

This type of garden is found in the front or back of the house. It is close to structures where rainwater runs off, like roofs and driveways. The garden should not be used within a few feet of the house because there must be some place where water collects. The garden is not usually placed over septic systems. Setting up a special garden arrangement is done by contacting Landscape Design Annapolis professionals. However, the garden could become more saturated than necessary. It is important to monitor the success of each garden.

With the use of a rain garden, the quality of local waterways is improved and the quality of the landscape is improved as well. When a storm comes, floods do not form easily. The rain runoff promotes biodiversity. Landscaping Annapolis providers make the ideal spaces for people who are interested in these features.

Ciminellis Takes Over Meadowfarms, Remake Nursery as ‘Eco-Oasis’

If you have not been to the Meadows Farms Nursery on Central Avenue in Prince George’s County in a while, you’re in for a surprise. The nursery, located just a few miles west of the Patuxent River Bridge, is now home to Ecoasis Garden Center, a venture of Matt and Donna Ciminelli, owners of Ciminellis Landscape Services.
Meadows Farms Nursery on Central Avenue is now home to Ciminellis Ecoasis Garden Center.

The Lothian couple purchased the nursery in October of last year. After months of renovations, the garden center officially opened in March.

The Ciminellis’ have big plans for Ecoasis which they said is a “traditional garden center that offers eco-friendly alternatives and resources for the home gardener.”

To start, Matt and Donna are re-stocking the inventory with trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials. The Ciminellis’ source most of their plants from local growers such as Homestead Growers, TSB Enterprises and Hall Growers.

The couple is working to obtain a permit for a Farmer’s Market where local farmers can sell their fruits and vegetables.

In addition, Donna said the couple is planting a vegetable garden on the property and will sell the produce along with fresh-cut flowers.

Matt, who is an Anne Arundel County Beekeeper, plans to sell local honey. In fact, the beehive is due to arrive any day.

The nursery is stocked with earth-friendly products, rain barrels, composters, eco-mats, bio-logs and much more.

Matt said the garden center offers flower and vegetable plants in eco-friendly containers  and encourages customers to drop off the plastic trays and pots at his garden center for recycling.
Ecoasis has a variety of locally-sourced annuals, perennials and vegetable plants.

“Just drop them off at the front gate and we will re-use them,” said Matt.

Matt is very active in the local environmental scene. He works with local riverkeepers and Master Gardeners and is a currently a candidate in the Watershed Stewards Academy class of 2012.

The couple plans to host educational seminars with conservation and environmental experts as well as hold family-friendly events such as S’mores nights.

Ciminellis Ecoasis Garden Center is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The nursery is located at 18301 Central Avenue.

What are Ecoscaping Services

Matt Ciminelli, President and owner of Ciminelli’s Landscape Services, Inc. is one of an inaugural group of professionals to achieve the Green Roof Professional Accreditation developed by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, a not for profit organization of the Green Roof experts. Their mission is to increase the awareness of the economic, social and environmental benefits of green roofs and green walls and other forms of architecture.

The GRP designation demonstrates that Matt has attained the level of interdisciplinary knowledge of the best practices associated with the successful design, installation and maintenance of green roof and green wall systems.

What are Green Roofs and Green Walls and why build them?
Green roofs and green walls are substantially covered with living plants. They offer significant long-term economical and environmental advantages.

How do Rain Gardens improve water quality?
Rain gardens allow rain to slowly penetrate the soil as opposed to quickly running off into storm drains, carrying pollutants and particles into our creeks, rivers and Bay. They are designed to use an existing low spot in the landscape.

How can we use Pervious Surfaces?
Pervious surfaces are used to reduce water runoff to improve and regenerate groundwater supplies and reduce pollutants in the waterways.

Rain Gardens

Rain gardens do more than please the eye and delight the senses. They offer many environmental benefits for the sustainable gardener.

During a thunderstorm or even a gentle shower, rain falls from rooftops and gutters to paved surfaces, where it collects pollutants before running off into storm sewers and drains. The drains empty into our waterways, concentrating toxins in the water.

An ideal and easy way to filter those pollutants is to create a rain garden. A porous mixture of loam and sand allows the water to drain well without flooding, straining out toxins, metals and other pollution. The water leaches slowly into the ground, where it eventually rejoins and replenishes the water table. What remains is absorbed into the roots, stems and leaves of the rain garden’s plants.

Plant diversity is another important benefit of rain gardens. A well-designed rain garden includes a very wet, pond-like center, surrounded by a wet-dry area, and bordered by a dry area. These three “micro-climates” lend themselves to greater plant diversity than if the garden contained a single type of soil.

An incredible variety of plants can thrive in a rain garden. For the wetter and shadier areas, lily-of-the-valley and many types of fern, milkweed, mallow, sedge and jack-in-the-pulpit will do well. Medium to sunny areas can be planted with aster, marsh marigold, phlox and even river birch. Dry-sunny borders can sustain anything from bee balm to black-eyed Susan, coneflower, poppies and more.

Aside from the beauty of a rain garden, it also attracts wildlife. Salamanders, frogs, toads and garden snakes will all find their way into its special environment. Important pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds collect and spread pollen with their bodies as they forage for food.

After a rain garden is planned and planted, it will need adequate water in hot, dry weather, mulching and weeding for the first year. If a good mix of perennials is used, it will need very little work after that. All in all, a rain garden is a beautiful way to garden sustainably and to help the water supply replenish and cleanse itself locally.

MATT’S JULY TIP

Have you thrown your hands up to Mother Nature yet? If not, then  you must have had Ciminelli’s Landscape Services renovate your landscaping to include native plantings, properly chosen plants, rain barrels, rain gardens, drainage control and beautiful, low maintenance hardscaping. Most yards will look good in April and May, but the real test of the sustainability of your landscaping starts now. We can help you plan for the tougher times of the year so that your yard looks beautiful in every season.  Consider a hardscaping feature like a patio, walkway or planted retaining wall for a useful area that you can use year-round.  Install rain barrels and rain gardens to capture those flash summer rains.  Renovate your drainage to re-direct damaging water flows and finally, plant choice is critical for reducing maintenance.  Please give our office a call if you would like a free consultation and estimate for changes to your landscaping.

Put Those April Showers to Good Use

Spring is the time for showers and it is also the time to consider catching and storing water for summer. Gardens, flowers and lawns often suffer during the hot months and are vulnerable to perishing without a sufficient water supply. Extra water can also come in handy for chores such as car washing. Now is the time to consider a rain barrel or garden.

A rain barrel is basically a tank that catches rainfall and runoff from roofs and gutters. It can be as small as 30 gallons or as large as 300 and comes with a screen that filters out undesirable debris such as insects, leaves and dirt. The stored water can be obtained through a tap, hose or spigot and directed right to the garden or lawn. Using a rainwater yield table can be helpful in determining what size barrel is needed. One good rainy day may produce many gallons of usable water.

An alternative to the collection barrel is a rain garden. These gardens are constructed in low areas, which then collect natural runoff from roadways and rooftops and other sources. While this water is not collected and saved as with a rain barrel, it is a quick and simple way to keep a garden properly watered.

When deciding between a rain garden or barrel, it can be useful to consult with a landscaper. The landscaper will assess the garden and determine what method will best suit its water needs and then install or create it. Rain gardens are complex in design and climate dependent regarding the types of plants and rainfall per season so its best to ask a professional’s advice before starting out to get the best results.

Rain barrels and gardens are also a great way to help the environment by not depleting municipal water supplies that are already too low in many areas. It’s easy to go green.