Don't Get Buned...By Bad Contractors Recently, the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Affairs announced that there has been an upswing in the number of people being ripped off by unscrupulous home improvement contractors. In several incidents, people were ripped off for thousands of dollars with little or no work around the homes to show for it. One elderly resident was even taken for $240,000. Here is a link to the article in The Gazette detailing the issue:  Gazette Article How can you be sure that you are dealing with honorable and law abiding contractors? Here is a list of things to check on before you agree to have anyone work done on your property. Insurance - Anyone working on your property should have enough General Liability insurance to cover any damage they may do to your property. The State of Maryland requires that all home improvement licensees carry a minimum of $50,000 in liability insurance. Additionally, to have a pesticide applicators license the state requires $15,000 per occurrence in liability insurance with a $30,000 annual aggregate provision. Of equal importance is that the contractor carry adequate worker's compensation insurance otherwise anyone that gets hurt working on your property can hold you responsible. Any legitimate contractor should be able to furnish you with a certificate of insurance naming you as a co-insured. (FYI: Allentuck Landscaping Co. carries $1,000,000 per occurrence in liability insurance and $500,000 per occurrence in workers compensation insurance. Protecting our clients is very important to us). Licensing - Licensure is one way that the local governments help assure that only legitimate businesses are working in our area. There are several different licenses that are required of any business doing home improvements and landscaping. Montgomery County requires every entity doing business in the county to have a Business License. The State of Maryland requires all contractors, including landscapers, to hold a Home Improvement License. Maryland also requires anyone applying pesticides to hold a Pesticide Applicators License and anyone applying fertilizer to have Nutrient Management Certification. All three of these licenses require several years of experience in the field and the passing of exams. Your contractor should be able to show you these licenses.   References - All good contractors are proud of the relationships they have with past customers and of the work they have done. If you are unsure about them, ask for three references and their contact information. Accurately Written Estimate - If it is not written, it probably will not get done. Estimates should be accurate as to what work will be completed and for what price. Do not accept open ended contracts with no finite dollar amount. Things change on many job sites but only allow them to happen with change orders, again stating what work will be changing and for how much money. Specifics matter and save everyone a lot of headaches in the end. Not every job goes exactly as planned but if you are working with a good contractor and have an open line of communications, most problems can be worked out to everyone's benefit. If you feel that you have been taken advantage of by an illegitimate contractor, there are numerous authorities available to help including Montgomery County Police Department, Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office, Montgomery's Office of Consumer Protection, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.  Let's hope that by taking the above steps, this will never be necessary for you. To find out more how Allentuck Landscaping Co. can create beautiful landscapes for you, please call us at 301-515-1900 or email at info@allentucklandscaping.com.

April Stuff To Do - Breath

April Stuff To Do

Wow. I do not ever remember a year when we were this far behind garden-wise. It is time to get busy! Here is a list of Stuff To Do in April. 

• It is safe now to plant hardy perennials, shrubs and trees but the word from the nursery industry is that they are running 2-3 weeks behind on getting plants in, especially from the south. Look for full nurseries and garden centers around mid-month.

• It is also safe to plant the cool season annuals like pansies, dianthus and primrose. Add some color to your gardens!

• Lawn mowing will begin as cool season grasses respond to ideal temperatures and spring rain. Most lawns will need to be mowed weekly. Keep lawns between 2-3 inches in the spring. Don't forget to change the oil, spark plug and add fresh fuel.

• Transplant cool season vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, leeks and onions.

• As plants leaf out, aphids will begin showing up too. Use an insecticidal soap to control this pest.

• Slugs continue to increase in size and numbers this month. Spread organic slug bait around the garden.

• Don't forget to turn on your outside water to water new plants adequately.

• This is a good time to clean out flower pots, add fresh soil and fertilizer. This way they will be all ready to plant next month.

• The late season also means there is less for wildlife to eat. Re-stock those bird feeders.

• Grilling season is upon us! Clean the grill with soap and water. Replace briquettes and check propane hoses for damage and leaks.

• Go to the Cherry Blossom Festival. Here is a link to there website: http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/
• BREATH. ENJOY. That is spring air out there!   

Spring - Fourth Time's A Charm

Spring - Fourth Time's A Charm

Maybe this time spring is for real? With the spring, snow, spring, snow pattern we have had this year, it has been hard for anyone to even contemplate their landscape or getting any outdoor project moving. We are confident that we have seen the last of snow (famous last words) and are now 100% in spring landscape mode!

Which brings me to reminding you that Allentuck Landscaping Co. has three outstanding maintenance programs to fit your needs.

• TotalScapes is our all inclusive program for caring for your lawn, gardens and plants. We will take care of it all so that you do not need to.
• GardenScapes takes care of you garden and plants as only our experts can. Your plants will get the TLC they deserve.
• TurfScapes will give you the lushest lawn in the neighborhood. Fertilization, weed control and seeding are all included.

In addition, we are happy to introduce two new services to our customers:

• Deer DeFence is an organic approach to keeping deer away from your plants.
• Mosquito & Tick Shield will keep the dangers of biting and stinging insects away from you and your family so you can enjoy the great outdoors.

Both services use organic products that are safe for pets, children and the environment.

Give us a call or shoot us an email. We would love to tell you more about our great services.

Stuff To Do In March - Heads Are Gonna Roll Mother Nature

March Stuff To Do As you are receiving this email , the Washington DC area is cleaning up from yet another snow storm. Heads are gonna roll Mother Nature. We are tired of this and we have gardening tasks to get done! Here are some things to put on your To Do List for March:     Early season weeds will start to grow (chickweed, henbit, knotweed). Pull them while they are young and small. The good news is that they will burn off quickly when it gets hot. Here is a link to help you identify these weeds: Weed Identifier It is a good time to divide and transplant perennials before they get too leafy. Plants such as hostas, daylilies and astilbe all do well by division.  Spring clean up time. Clean out the garden beds of leaves and debris. Put a nice shovel edge on them. And yes, it is not too early to put down a layer of mulch.  Prune roses just before they start to bud out. Here is a link to David Austin Roses' instructions on how to do this: Rose Pruning Instructions Attend to your indoor plants too. They've just come through a long winter and need a bit of fertilizer. Repot those that are root bound. Avoid overwatering as weakened plants are more readily subject to disease and root rot.  Plant early spring vegetables and flowers. These include spinach, lettuces, peas, and leeks as well as sweet peas.  Get out and enjoy the start of spring!  To find out more how Allentuck Landscaping Co. can create beautiful landscapes for you, please call us at 301-515-1900 or email at info@allentucklandscaping.com.

Turf Magazine - February, 2014

NORTH FEATURES

The Greatest Gift

Allentuck Landscaping nurtures a sense of community in Washington, D.C.By Mike Ingles

Click image to enlarge.

Allentuck Landscaping Company offers a complete palette of services. 
Photos courtesy of Bruce Allentuck.

Bruce Allentuck, president of Allentuck Landscaping Company, Clarksburg, Md., says his company has a symbiotic relationship with Washington, D.C. "We are grateful to the community for the success of our business and believe it is important to give back to the community in kind. It has given us a great deal of satisfaction to be able to donate time and expertise to many nonprofit organizations throughout the area."

Allentuck founded the company when he was a Montgomery County high school student and his employees then were all classmates. Allentuck incorporated his business in 1986 soon after graduating from North Carolina State University with a degree in landscape horticulture and design. Now, with 30 full-time employees and a business portfolio including outdoor builds and maintenance on some of the most prestigious homes in Washington, D.C., Allentuck would rather talk in terms of what his firm has been able to give back to his community, and not what he has received.

Click image to enlarge.

Bruce and his daughter Tara at PLANET's 2013 Renewal & Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery. Bruce chaired this past year's event.

"Each year we have what is termed Company Day, a day set aside for all employees to participate in our giving program. The day begins with breakfast and continues with work on a large landscape project to benefit the community. After completing the project, the staff enjoys a picnic lunch and an amazing soccer game. This day is a chance for everyone to share in a special event that greatly enhances the community," says Allentuck. The company has participated in many different civic projects, from improvements to local schools to PLANET's the Renewal and Remembrance event at Arlington National Cemetery.

Allentuck Landscaping Company

President: Bruce Allentuck

Founded: 1986

Headquarters: Clarksburg, Md.

Markets: Washington, D.C.

Employees: 30 full time

Website:http://www.allentucklandscaping.com

Philanthropy: Children's Inn at NIH, Winter Growth, Stepping Stones Shelter, National Center for Children & Families, Hospice Cottage, Ritchie Park Elementary School, Wayside Elementary School, Ivymount School, Eastern Middle School, Manna Food Center, Jubilee Association of Maryland, Silver Spring National Guard Armory, Arlington National Cemetery

"Last year we held Company Day in April to coincide with our 25th anniversary. We donated a Children's Garden to Hospice Caring of Montgomery County. Hospice Caring has been helping terminally ill adults, children and their families by providing practical and emotional support when they need it the most. It has been an honor to partner with Hospice Caring for many, many years and to be able to create this garden for them."

The garden was dedicated to the memory of David and Helen Allentuck, Allentuck's grandparents.

"Hospice Caring of Montgomery County had cared for my grandparents, so it was personally very meaningful," says Allentuck.

This past July also saw Allentuck chair PLANET's Renewal and Remembrance service project at Arlington National Cemetery. Even though his and his employees have volunteered each of the past seven years, this past year's experience touched him deeply, he admits.

"Abraham Lincoln called it 'the last full measure of devotion.' He said this in the Gettysburg Address and was referring to a soldier giving his life for his country. It was in respect of his words that we took part in 'Renewal and Remembrance' at Arlington National Cemetery last summer," he recalls. The annual event sponsored by The Professional Landcare Network attracts 450 landscape contractors from all across the country for a day of service each July. The come to Washington D.C. at their own expense.

"We had 11 employees and their families help us do some pretty amazing work. The volunteers limed and aerated a massive acreage of turf, installed a lightning protect and support cables in trees, upgraded irrigation systems and planted two gardens to protect drainage swales. Suppliers donated three tractor-trailers of lime and dozens of pieces of equipment. While we worked, children of our volunteers enjoyed tours of the facility, a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and planted tree saplings and ornamental grasses. We (the 400-plus contractors, their employees and family members) completed close to $250,000 worth of work in one morning. To say I am proud of my staff, our peers and our industry would be an understatement," he says.

Click image to enlarge.

The company, one of the most respected in the Washington, D.C., market, offers a comprehensive array of landscaping services - from customized conceptural plans to ongoing site maintenance.

Allentuck Landscaping Company is a 50/50 company, with revenues split pretty evenly between commercial and residential. Residential services include maintenance and design/build. With 16 service trucks, the company is one of the largest landscape companies working in the D.C. area.

"We have a good mix of business and our mow teams are separate from the application side, just as our build teams are separate from the maintenance side," says Allentuck.

Going the Extra Mile. Or Two. Or Three

Click image to enlarge.

Bruce and his daughter Nellie at the 4.4-mile Great Chesapeake Bay Swim.

So what does Bruce Allentuck do when he's not building his business or giving back to his community? He stays active - very active.

When his school days rugby career came to an abrupt end he turned to running marathons, which quickly morphed into ultra-marathons and triathlons.

"I've done several Ironman competitions and in the last few years have participated in some really hard events like Death Race and The Suck (extreme training)," says Allentuck.

This past year he ran the Rim2Rim2Rim across the Grand Canyon and back. This is a 40-plus-mile hike (or run) from the Grand Canyon's South Rim to its North Rim and back to the South Rim. While the scenery is stunning and unlike anything else in the world, the annual test is not for the unfit - or for the faint of heart. Obviously. Participants experience more than 22,000 feet of elevation change in attempting to conquer the Canyon trails.

"We did it in one day with some very good friends," says Allentuck as if were as commonplace as a Sunday afternoon hike on a state park trail.

But he says a memorable experience this past year was the 4.4-mile Great Chesapeake Bay Swim that he and his 16-year-old daughter tackled. "She crushed me," he admits, adding "more very hard events are coming in 2014 if I get the time."

The design/build segment has been good for the growing company this year. Outdoor fireplaces and outdoor kitchens were especially popular. But no matter what the project, Allentuck says, "I get the most satisfaction from just creating a space that I know a family and friends are going to use together."

Although business is good now, it's somewhat dependent upon the government. For example, the government shutdown in 2013 caused some real concerns for the business. "A lot of our customers either work for the government or some related businesses. Our cash flow came to a virtual stop as people were not paying bills. They didn't know how long they would be out of work," recalls Allentuck.

Despite this, Allentuck says the his market is pretty much like any other large metro area, with the same challenges of meeting customers' expectations and dealing with traffic. With 16 service trucks and employees operating throughout the D.C. area, logistics and traffic remain a problem for all service companies.

"The traffic in D.C. is killer and can really beat up our productive time. Along with timely service, we are probably not different than any other area of the country," he says.

Because the company does not maintain government facilities, the impact of Homeland Security in D.C. does not greatly affect them.

Click image to enlarge.

The design/build segment of Allentuck Landscaping has been good for the company, with outdoor fireplaces and kitchens being especially popular.

"We are really not in the government sector, so security has not been an issue for us. However, we did do a roof terrace on a building that overlooks the White House this summer. We were required to notify Secret Service that we were up there. Turns out they were listening to us through parabolic microphones the whole time," says Allentuck. "We also had to shut down a main road on a Saturday in order to crane everything up to the roof. That gets exciting."

Mike Ingles is a freelancer writer living in Columbus, Ohio, who writes articles about business and the green industry. Contact him at duckrun22@gmail.com.

Snow...Good or Bad

Snow...Good or Bad? Not meaning to be wimpy on the answer...both. Snow is a great insulator. Extreme cold temperatures can damage tender roots but snow, like a good blanket, provides enough insulation to protect them. Snow provides moisture. Ten inches of snow equals about one inch of rain. That is a good amount of water going into the water table for plants to use later on. Snow prevents heaving. When soil freezes, it often heaves. This can cause plants to actually be pushed out of the ground. Snow helps prevent this. Snow can be damaging. Unfortunately true. Heavy snow can cause tree branches to break and shrubs to split. A good way to prevent this is to have your trees professionally pruned and to brush heavy snow off of shrubs. If nothing else, a snowy landscape is a beautiful thing to enjoy, especially from inside.

And The Winner Is...

And The Winner Is.... Lady Bug Submitted by the Seneca Lake Elementary Garden Club. See the rest of our wonderful entries at our Facebook Page

Jack-O-Lantern Photo Contest!!

Win $250 in Allentuck Landscaping Bucks for you and for the school of your choice. Here's How It Works (so easy):  Get a pumpkin (preferably not from your neighbor's porch). Carve or paint your pumpkin. Take a picture of your Jack-O-Lantern. Click the "Submit" button below and attach the picture of your Jack-O-Lantern. Tell us your name and school. Go to our Facebook page between October 20th to October 30th and "Like" your picture (we'd sure appreciate it if you would "Like" our page too while you are there). Tell all your friends to go to our Facebook page and "Like" your picture too. Winner and school will be announced on October 31st on our Facebook page and by email. Why are you still reading this? Go get a pumpkin!

A few rules (sorry, have to have a few): Entrants must be from the Allentuck Landscaping Co. service area. You do not need to be a current ALC customer to enter or vote (although we would like you to become a customer of course). ALC reserves the right to reject any photo it deems inappropriate.

Fall Is Great For...

Fall Is Great For ...

 

Fall is like a breath of fresh air, literally. The heat and humidity have faded, the kids are back in school and football is back on television. It is a fresh start for us, and for our gardens. There is plenty to do.

Revive the lawn - Even in mild summers, turf grass takes a beating in our region. Fall is the perfect time to core aerate, apply lime to adjust the pH, install new grass seed and fertilize. Your efforts will be rewarded in the spring with a thick lush lawn.

Refresh the garden - Falls is a great time to add shrubs, trees and perennials to your gardens. Fill in those empty areas, add some new interest or overhaul tired areas. By planting now, the roots will be better established and the plants will take-off in the spring.

 

Energize the garden - Add a splash of color. Pansies, Chrysanthemums, Cabbage and Kale can all be planted now to add super splashes of color to your gardens. It is also time to plant spring bulbs such as Tulips, Daffodils and Hyacinths for spring beauty.

Maintain the garden - Add a layer of mulch to give your gardens a fresh look and protect your plants for the winter. It is also time for that last shrub and tree pruning of the year.

Plan the garden - Fall is an exceptional time to meet with our Landscape Designers and start planning new gardens, patios, walkways and other projects. Give us a call today to get started.

Project Profile: A Step Up

Project Profile: A Step Up

Before

After

In this project, our client presented us with several challenges. The driveway was too narrow, access to the front door was inconvenient, and their children wanted to plant herbs and vegetables. Our designers set out to create solutions to these issues and give our client a great landscape.

A two and a half foot high Celtik block wall was constructed along the left side of the driveway. By doing this, we wereable to expand the driveway by three feet giving enough space for car doors to open, bicycles to get past the parked cars, and for trash cans to be wheeled out to the curb.

In the front yard, a slope created a difficult obstacle for walking directly to the front door from the driveway. To solve this, Western Maryland steppers were stacked to create steps. Our client remarked that this gave the feeling of a vacation spot in Maine that she and her family like to spend time at. Plantings of Winter Jasmine, Fountain Grass and a Sangu-Kaku Japanese Maple makes the walk to the front door seem like walking through a garden.

The only sunny spot, other than the front yard, is on the right side of the house. This area was prepared for herbs and vegetables. A Southern Magnolia grown on a trellis was placed against the chimney to serve as a backdrop. Stone steppers lead to the back yard and travel under a stunning Wisteria that gives a magical roof to an area the children like to run through.

"Allentuck Landscaping was fun to work with and really listened to our practical concerns.  And since we are fairly plant-illiterate they asked a lot of questions to figure out what kinds of style and look we like.  We are still admiring it every day when we pull up in front of our house." 

 

Want to add fragrance to your garden? Read this: 

http://tinyurl.com/7pqwwt3

Two good garden related articles in the Washington Post this morning.  

The first one discusses the qualities of Helleborus (Lenten Rose), a wonderful early season bloomer. Read more here: 


http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/rediscovering-the-lenten-rose/2012/03/23/gIQArHQogS_story.html


The second article talks about the benefits of using fireplace ash in the garden:


http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home-garden/the-benefits-of-wood-ash-in-the-garden/2012/03/18/gIQAVBSEgS_story.html

Warning: Cold Weather Tonight

It looks like Mother Nature isn't quite ready to is not quite ready to give up on cold weather. Tonight's forecast is for temperatures in the high 20's to low 30's. This means that some tender plants could be affected.  

Here are some things to consider:

Cover the most tender plants like roses, peonies and xxx with a sheet or newspaper.If you have already planted spring annuals (petunias, begonias etc) or vegetable plants, cover them as well.    

Cover the plants around dinner time tonight and uncover them around 9am tomorrow morning.  

Most plants will come through the cold temperatures just fine. Some of the more tender growth may get burned but will most likely be re-generated.

As a rule, the last frost date in this area is usually around May 10th. This is the date that it is safe to plant summer annuals and vegetables. 

Winter Is On Its Way

A nip in the air, longer nights, shorter days. We still have a lot of fall to go through but... winter is on it's way. Here is a checklist of tasks to get your home and landscape ready.

·         Pick up a bag of ice melt product to have on hand.

·          Shut off outdoor water spigots. Leave the faucet slightly open to drain out any remaining water.

·          Drain and store all garden hoses.

·          Have mower blades and pruners sharpened.

·          Add a little extra mulch around tender plants.

·          Move outdoor furniture indoors or cover with plastic.

·          Drain and cover fountains.

·          Replace furnace filters.

·          Replace batteries in smoke detectors.