3 Ways to Upgrade Your Landscape with Hardscaping

Do you want to enhance your business’s curb appeal as well as your enjoyment of its outdoor space? You may want to consider hardscape design.

Hardscape landscaping is all about making practical and aesthetic design decisions that combine to create a pleasant and welcoming space. 

Read on to learn the top three ways you can improve your business’s landscape with hardscaping! 

What is Hardscape?

Hardscape landscaping refers to any aspect of a landscape design that is non-living. Since these elements take longer to install and are more permanent than plants and other features, they’re typically the first elements that are installed. Hardscaping is a big umbrella term that can refer to: 

  • Walkways
  • Steps
  • Fences
  • Patios
  • Gazebos
  • Decks
  • And more

Water features also count as hardscape features. This can be as small as a birdbath or as large as a stone fountain outside the front door of your business. 

Hardscape Ideas

Starting with pathways, then larger objects, and following up with smaller objects is the easiest way to begin your hardscape design. Here are a few ideas to get you started: 

1. Practical Pathways

Stone or cement pathways and walkways are practical additions that help direct the flow of traffic to and from your business. Even better, their design can help set the tone for the rest of the aesthetics of your landscape.

Ensuring that your pathways are smooth and free of bumps and cracks that people can trip on can save you from costly litigation. It also helps ensure that your business is easily accessible  to everyone. 

2. Soothing Shade

Not all businesses are lucky enough to have trees surrounding the property that provide ample shade in the summer. If this is the case for your location, you may want to prioritize patios and gazebos. These can be great places for both employees and customers to relax. 

These features can also help enhance your business’s curb appeal, as it makes a commercial property look more welcoming. Of course, patios, gazebos, or pergolas aren’t complete without seating.

Consider concrete or stone benches that will last the test of time. Plus, you won’t have to worry about chairs or tables being stolen or blowing away during a storm. 

3. Mass, Form, and Line

When you’re considering what else to add to your hardscape design, don’t forget the three design elements : mass, form, and line. Mass is all about how much space an object or group of objects takes up in your landscape. Form refers to the shape or negative space formed, while line is the flow throughout the outdoor space. 

How your pathways lead customers to the front door is a good description of line. Meanwhile, use a combination of large and small elements such as a large fountain and several plant pots, in order to create attractive mass and form. 

Improve Your Curb Appeal With Hardscaping

If you want your business to look more inviting and professional, hardscaping is a great place to start. Beautiful pathways make it easy to access your building. Meanwhile, shade formed by patios, pergolas, and more can create a pleasant space for customers and employees alike to relax. 

Lastly, consider employing the main three design elements in order to make decisions on other elements such as water features, statues, and more. 

Our team of designers is accomplished at turning complex design ideas into business landscapes that match your budget. Fill out our quick estimate form today to get started! 

It’s a record hot Summer – are your plants dying?

By Lisa Ballendorf • July 19, 2024
Keep your plants cool! The best way to keep your flowers healthy is to keep their temperature down. Something as simple as a sunshade can help you do this, or placing them in the shade after they get a little sunlight. Water them early in the day or late at night Watering them before the sun hits will allow the moisture to be absorbed at a calm, steady pace. If plants are watered when the sun is already out, they’ll try to suck in all of the water right away and wilt out. Mulch, mulch, mulch! Mulch is a great way to keep your plants cool! A layer of mulch can be applied to the soil, this will keep your soil moist instead of the constant dry out from the sun blaring on it. The thicker the mulch the more chance the soil will stay cool, but you can put too much mulch down, so make sure you’re not covering too much of the plant. Avoid pruning Your plants are sunburned. You take out your pruning scissors because they look dead. Put those scissors away and stay patient! The sunburned parts of your plant are protecting the interior by providing shade and coverage from the sun. Once the temperature returns to normal, go ahead and prune your heart out!

Spring is here! And unfortunately, so are the bugs…

May 7, 2024
Let us help you keeps those pesky bugs away!

Fall is on the horizon, get your plants ready!

August 21, 2023
The Air is Cooler and the Soil is Warmer With the cooler air temperatures, your plants stay relaxed, and it allows them to focus their energy underground to spread their roots. If the plant’s roots are growing and getting stronger, then they are more protected as the cooler soil comes and will allow them to grow bigger come springtime. Fewer Weeds and Pests Many plants and flowers flourishing in the springtime suffer due to the pests and weeds that grow quickly in the warmer weather. Many of these weeds and pests are hard to get rid of without hurting your plants. Planting in the fall eliminates a big majority of pests that would eat your plants and as a bonus, most weeds are starting to die as they don’t thrive in cooler conditions. Most Importantly, Less Watering! Have you ever forgotten to water your plants? There is no worse feeling than adding a bunch of plants to your yard, forgetting they need water and accidentally letting them die after all the hard work and/or money spent on the installation in the first place. Autumn brings dryer soil, which tends to be loosely packed making it perfect soil to plant in. The roots can flourish and coming off hurricane season means rain from the sky instead of using your own water. If you are interested in fall plantings, get a quote from us now! You can call us at 201-585-7137 or fill out your information on our "Contact Us" page!

Winter is coming! Are you prepared with a trusted snow plowing company yet?

October 17, 2022
DeCarlo Landscaping offers full winter snow plowing, removal and ice control for all of our customers. No matter what type of business you are running, from a large shopping center parking lot to a small office building parking lot we are ready to work for you throughout the upcoming winter season. We work with each of our clients individually and provide tailored services depending on our client’s needs. Each customer is involved with the initial planning so that our team knows what areas are to be cleared, what obstacles should be avoided and what the best deicing agent is for the particular property. Our top of the line commercial snow removal equipment helps us plow, haul and relocate snow. Our educated and experienced snow removal division is set up to handle any snow emergency that the New Jersey area experiences. Why DeCarlo Landscaping? • More than 40 years of experience in snow and ice removal in the New Jersey area • Operating in Bergen, Hudson, Union, Essex, Passaic counties • Tailored snow removal contracts with several pricing structures • Fully Insured and licensed • Professional and experienced snow removal teams with over 100 years of combined snow experience and training • Impeccable turnaround time • Fully serviced and top of the line snow removal equipment • Prompt efficient and effective service We would be happy to serve you through the upcoming winter season for all of your snow removal services. No task is overly large or too small for our snow removal division. If you are seeking a new contract for the 2022-2023 season or looking to replace a company that just isn’t doing the job you need, let us give you an estimate. With our tailored contracts and individualized service, you can bet that you will not be just another client on our list. Our existing clients acknowledge our commitment to safety and attention to specific details regarding their properties and complexes. Let us do the same for you!

Need help keeping your plants alive in this heat wave? Here’s some tips to help!

August 15, 2022
We’ve had record breaking heat lately and it’s clear that our plants are suffering. Whether it’s your grass, plants or trees, everything seems to be struggling to stay green. Here’s some of our best advice to keep your greenery fresh! Water, water, water! Watering is key to keeping anything healthy. How much water all depends on the plant. A good way to see how your plant is doing is to check the soil. In the case of a heat wave, try to give your plants lots of extra water! Heat causes the soil to get much hotter than usual, thus the water will evaporate at a quicker rate. When to water: The timing of watering your plants can be very effective in keeping them alive. Try watering your plants early in the morning or late at night when the soil is a little cooler, it will help the plants soak up the water as they need it instead of taking it all or getting none of it during the day when the suns heating everything up. What about wilted leaves? During a heat wave, it’s common to have parts of your plants start to die, wilt, and dry out. Don’t remove the wilted leaves yet! The sun may have burned the plant a little, but the wilted or dried out leaves can act as a shield for the next wave of heat. If the whole plant is drying out, we suggest trying to give it a little sun protection with a white sheet and a daily mist. With these tips, don’t forget the most important factor: every plant has different needs. Make sure to look up all needs for each plant, as some may need a little more TLC than others in this heat! Stay cool and don’t forget to self-hydrate to keep yourself safe in the heat!

The Power of Flowers

June 9, 2022
DeCarlo Landscaping offers planting of flowers and plants for all our commercial and residential customers. No matter what type of business you are running, from a large shopping center parking lot to a small office building parking lot we are ready to make your site look stunning. Did you know that flowers have a large amount of health benefits? The term “flower power” may have derived from the 60’s-70’s, but the meaning holds true today! Several research studies have been done to bring new meaning to the term. Flowers have the power to improve: • Creativity, innovation, and productivity • Mood and emotions • Emotional connections • Energy and memory No task is overly large or too small for our landscape design division. With experts with over 20+ years’ experience, we are ready to answer any questions and bring your property to life! Interested in sprucing up your property? We work with each of our clients individually and provide tailored services depending on our client’s needs. Each customer can meet with our foreman, or even send us pictures they’ve seen from the internet. Or, if you can’t decide, you can have one of our foremen stop by and suggest what’s best! You can contact us by filling out the “Contact Us” tab or give us a call at 201-585-7137.
5 Telltale Signs — Tenafly, NJ — DeCarlo Landscaping Design

5 Telltale Signs Your Parking Lot Needs to Be Repaved

By Greg • July 12, 2021
Do you own a business with a parking lot? Repaving it is probably not even on your list of priorities, let alone high on it! But your parking lot needs maintaining just as much as the rest of your business. In fact, a parking lot is the first impression a customer or client will get of […] The post 5 Telltale Signs Your Parking Lot Needs to Be Repaved appeared first on DeCarlo Landcape Contractors.
Cracked Driveway — Tenafly, NJ — DeCarlo Landscaping Design

Cracked Driveway: Why It Happens and What to Do

By Greg • June 22, 2021
Asphalt and concrete are used in driveways because they are solid and durable materials. However, they can crack over time due to heat or heavy traffic. There are many reasons why you might find yourself with a cracked driveway, and many different ways to fix the problem. Whether you’re plagued with a small crack or giant […] The post Cracked Driveway: Why It Happens and What to Do appeared first on DeCarlo Landcape Contractors.
Professional Landscape Design — Tenafly, NJ — DeCarlo Landscaping Design

5 Business Benefits of Professional Landscape Design

By Greg • June 14, 2021
Landscape design sets the tone for your customers before they even walk in the door. It determines whether they enter with ease or unsettled concern. Don’t let your commercial landscaping affect your success.  Read on to find out why professional landscaping is a must and how it will benefit your business.    1. Increased Property Value Adding professional […] The post 5 Business Benefits of Professional Landscape Design appeared first on DeCarlo Landcape Contractors.
Dead Grass — Tenafly, NJ — DeCarlo Landscaping Design

Dead Grass? How to Bring the Green Back to Your Landscape

By Greg • June 9, 2021
Is your grass turning yellow and you have no idea why? Dealing with dying grass can be frustrating, especially when you’ve exhausted all your options. However, there may be a number of steps you’re skipping–or a number of reasons why your grass is turning brown that you just can’t control.  Read on to learn how […] The post Dead Grass? How to Bring the Green Back to Your Landscape appeared first on DeCarlo Landcape Contractors.
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