Category: Fire Pits

4 Exciting Trends in Patio Installation

A quick internet search for “patio installation” will tell you that summer and fall are the best times to get started on your patio construction. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t start designing and planning in the spring! At Green Leaves Landscape, we want to help you design your dream yard so that you can enjoy the outdoors in comfort and style. Outdoor gathering spaces have increased in popularity in the last few years. Here are some patio trends that we are excited to see this year.

Easy Herb Gardening

Whether you prefer to cook indoors or outdoors when it gets warm, fresh herbs are great to have on hand. Instead of edging your patio with a simple stone wall, consider turning a segment of it into an herb garden. By adding a few feet of depth to a stone wall, you can install a long planter and have fresh herbs whenever you want them. If herbs aren’t really your thing, flowers are a decorative option.

Bold Color Choices

Patios are often a single neutral color, and while there is beauty in simplicity, color is an attractive choice, too. Match or complement your home with stone in browns, grays, and reds. To add some visual pop to your patio, combine stones of different colors to make custom patterns.

Outdoor Food Prep

Whether you like to flip burgers or fix yourself a drink, you can build that space into your patio design. Outdoor entertaining spaces have always been popular in the spring and summer, but the last few years have made them a necessity. You want to chat with your guests while you cook, so why not bring the kitchen outside? Modern grills have all kinds of features. You can prepare an entire meal without setting foot indoors.

Cozy Fire Pits

While the summer is peak outdoor entertaining season, there’s no reason you can push it into the fall or start earlier in the spring. By including a fire pit in your patio installation, you can have a little outdoor climate control. Build in a warm place to set so that you can stay outside even when it’s a little chilly.

Patio Installation with Green Leaves

You have a vision for your perfect patio, and we want to design and build it with you. Even if we have to wait until the ground thaws and the weather gets drier to start your patio installation, spring is the time to decide on your design. Our hardscape and masonry experts will work with your to design your patio with all the features you’ve been dreaming about.

Are you thinking about patio installation? Contact us today at 508-393-0005 to start planning your perfect outdoor space.

Should You Consider a Hardscaping Project in the Winter?

Normally, late fall and winter are an off-season for lawn and garden care. However, it could be one of the best times to do a project such as hardscaping when you give thought to it. At Green Leaves Landscaping, one of the many projects that we specialize in is hardscaping. Today, our team is here to tell you why winter may be the best time to consider a hardscaping project.

What is Hardscaping?

The term hardscaping is any project involving non-plant related elements of your landscape. This would include patios, fireplaces, walkways, walls, and more. It adds a sense of utility to the outdoor spaces of your home, as well as adding beauty and value.

Can You Hardscape in the Wintertime?

Many people would say that the cold months of winter are not suitable for any type of landscaping project. Some people would claim that it just can’t be done, while others just don’t want to do the task. Choosing to do a hardscaping project in the winter would mean your landscape is more accessible and free for the project compared to the warmer months. A key factor in making sure your hardscape project goes smoothly is finding a landscaping crew that knows how to work with the elements.

The Advantage to Starting a Hardscape Project in the Winter

The bottom line of considering beginning a project in the winter is that planning ahead pays off. During winter, there is a chance of supplies and the demand for labor being less than spring and summer. In the winter, landscaping crews usually are more available, and the wait time to start a project can be shorter. This also gives your team more time to focus on your landscape to plan to complete the project instead of rushing it.

Hardscaping for Year-Round Enjoyment

The winter months are a great time to plan and complete your hardscaping projects. It gives you the ability to save time and money, letting you be ready for when the warm weather comes back to New England. At Green leaves Landscaping, we are prepared to take on any of your landscaping needs.

Ready to start your hardscaping project? Contact us today at (503) 393-0005.

What Exactly is Hardscaping?

Chances are, you’ve come head to head with the term “hardscaping” at some point or another. Unless you’re familiar with the world of landscaping and masonry, you may be left standing there scratching your head. What, exactly, is hardscaping? As a premier masonry contractor in Massachusetts, our team at Green Leaves Landscaping is here to answer your questions!

Hardscaping Defined

According to the Meriam-Webster dictionary, hardscape is a noun that described structures that are incorporated into a landscape.

These structures can range from stonewalls to walkways, seamlessly integrated water fountains that blend with the natural landscaping, or even handcrafted fireplaces that create a tranquil atmosphere for friends and family to gather together.

Hardscape vs. Softscape

As a masonry contractor, one question we often hear concerns the difference between hardscape and softscape. These two elements are the primary foundation for any landscape. Think of them as polar opposites. Hardscapes, as we briefly discussed, are tangible items in and around your yard. Often created from natural stones, bricks, and pavers, the term hardscape covers a wide range of elements.

However, softscapes are things that are growing. Whether trees, shrubs and bushes, flowers or gardens – these elements create your softscape.

Hardscape Materials

A masonry contractor is your best resource when it comes to choosing the best material for your hardscaping design. Why? Well, because there are so many materials to choose from, with each offering different benefits to your overall project. For instance, there are brick walkways and there are bluestone walkways, two very different materials. While each material offers beauty and durability, they function better in different environments.

Brick is perfect for a walkway that leads guests to and from the driveway to the front door, or from the front yard to the back. However, bluestone requires a bit more maintenance and can be prone to staining, so it may not be the ideal solution for high-traffic areas.

Masonry Contractor Projects

Including almost any type of decorative or practical structure in your landscape, hardscapes cover a wide range of exterior projects. Here are just a few:

  • Retaining stone walls
  • Brick walkways
  • Bluestone patios
  • Paver walkways
  • Outdoor fireplace
  • Outdoor natural stone kitchens

If your yard is asking for a facelift this upcoming spring and summer season, contact the most trusted masonry contractor in Massachusetts, Green Leaves Landscape. Our dedicated and experienced team will take the time to understand your visions to create a unique hardscaping design that will leave your neighbors in awe.

Contact us today to see what we can do for your landscaping (508) 393-0005!

How Your Masonry Contractor Is Keeping the Outdoor Season Going

While many people are pumped thinking about the upcoming winter seasons, others are missing the warm days of summer. Whichever side of the fence you stand, your trusted masonry contractor can keep your outdoor season going – just the way you like it.

By customizing an outdoor fireplace fit for your needs and requirements, you will have the perfect gathering spot for family, friends, and those nights that you feel like staying in and cozying up with that someone special! Here’s a closer look at a few of our favorite designs here at Green Leaves Landscape.

Everyone needs a firepit in their life.

As a top masonry contractor in Massachusetts, our team at Green Leaves Landscape can say one thing is for sure – outdoor fireplaces are worth the investment! With fully customizable designs and layouts, this element is perfect for any space and any budget. Stone fireplaces, in particular, provide a durable, inviting, and unique outdoor atmosphere perfect for year-round use. From summer gatherings to the winter months, the ambiance is truly unmatched.

Let’s talk about stone for a moment.

As mentioned, natural stone provides endless options. The hardest part is choosing which stone is best for your needs. To begin, we always recommend our customers consider their budget and the overall aesthetic they’re hoping to obtain. Once these two factors are settled, the stone selection process becomes much easier.

Some of the most common choices include pavers and granite. However, if layering your fire pit, you can utilize a fire-resistant material on the inner lining to allow use of a less resistant material on the outer layer. For example, fire brick is ideal for the inner circumference of a pit, while traditional brick is best suited for the outer layer.

Now, it’s time to find the best masonry contractor in the region.

Whether you research and plan your new outdoor space on your own or with professional help, the time will come that calling in a masonry expert is a necessity. Be sure to check out our previous article highlighting four questions to ask before signing the contract!

Or, you can keep things simple and give the professionals at Green Leaves Landscape a call! Our team is happy to consult and recommend the best design for your desired goals. Give us a call today at (508) 393-0005 and start your winter season off on the right foot! Or left, whichever you prefer!

Fall Hardscaping Ideas To Extend Outdoor Living

While many people hate the thought of winter, hardscaping elements may be the solution you need to change your way of thinking! During the warmer seasons, outdoor living is at its height in New England. From backyard barbeques to nights spent around the fire, the days are long and spirits high. However, with the right additions to your home, you can continue these beloved traditions deep into the winter months.

In this article, we’re providing you two hardscaping elements that every home should consider!

Upgraded Firepits

The air is cool, and before we know it, the snow will be falling in New England. However, with the addition of or upgrade to your existing fire pit or fireplace, you can enjoy the outdoors longer! Firepits are a hardscaping element that provides chilly fall nights and all day winter warmth while adding a stylish touch to your outdoor living area.

Depending on the given space, you may even consider an outdoor fireplace. Perfect for entertaining, spending quality time with the family, and increasing your home’s value, fireplaces are win every time. Besides, with an endless amount of materials to choose from, you can have peace of mind that this element will fit seamlessly with the overall aesthetic of your home.

Patio Installation

Whether you’ve been contemplating installing a new patio or upgrading the existing one, now is the time to do so. With long winters ahead, ensuring your patio is in tip-top shape will ensure it stands up to the harshest elements. Like fireplaces and firepits, there is an abundance of materials to select between ensuring your patio brings flair to your home. Whether bluestone or traditional pavers, installing a patio provides endless hours of outdoor enjoyment.

If hardscaping is in the near future for your home, consider calling the experts at Green Leaves Landscaping. Our team has the experience and expertise to custom design the outdoor living space of your dreams. Whether fire pit or patio, or perhaps both, you’ll be left wondering why you didn’t call us sooner!

For more information on custom hardscaping design and installation from Green Leaves Landscaping, contact the team today by calling (508) 393-0005.