The landscape design industry covers a wide range of options to create a functional and beautiful environment for your home or business. We at John Madison Landscape believe that one of the most important elements in creating an attention-grabbing landscape is a ‘focal point.’ A focal point can occur naturally, be a purposely placed feature, or be any object that will attract attention to a specific place in your yard. These points are used to bring a certain area into focus or a place for your eyes to rest naturally.

Focal points can be something as simple as a boulder, shrub, or a tree. The most common focal points are statues, water features, and pergolas. One way that you can choose to create a focal point is to use a certain type of tree or a grouping of a type of plant. Differences in size, shape and texture of the foliage are the keys to bringing this group to life visually. A particularly tall tree surrounded by a small grouping of plants will stand out more than if the tree simply stood alone.

A focal point does not have to be strictly visual. Consider your sense of sound. A bubbling pot or serene fountain can create a sense of calm in your yard that will attract others. Water features are one of the most common items homeowners ask us about to help in the transformation of their backyard. They can be used to help turn your landscape into something special, providing both a point of interest and attracting wildlife (if you wish).

Focal points can be an asset to your landscape, but it can be possible to over-do it; causing your  yard to be distracting. A common mistake homeowners can make is to have too many focal points, which can be visually confusing, and also take away from the importance of having one single area of interest. It can only have a positive effect on your landscape if done in moderation. While you do want a focal point to pop out at you, you don’t want it to dominate your entire yard.

A focal point should be something special that draws your attention when you glance at your landscape, but it may already be in your landscape. You can frame a particular view in your yard that stands out to you, or surround an area that already has it’s own natural beauty, such as a small lake or pond. A landscape design like the one that John Madison Landscape provides will give you a step-by-step process that considers the environmental conditions of your yard, your desires, and the elements and principles of design. Our goal is to coordinate both the natural and man-made features in your yard into an aesthetic, functional, and environmentally sustainable landscape. To get your free estimate, click here or call us at 407-935-9151.

Photo courtesy of www.hometalk.com

If you’re a homeowner, especially a do-it-yourself-er, you may have heard of Hometalk. Hometalk is an online community of regular people and home improvement experts who love to talk about…you guessed it… home improvement! You can get virtually instant answers to questions about your home & garden, search photos and tips for inspiration and information, post photos and grow a fan base for your very own home, get real & reliable reviews of local contractors, and see tips from local businesses. As for us here at John Madison Landscape, it’s another way for us to interact with our customers, fans, and Florida homeowners in general who have questions on their landscape. John himself posts frequently on there with advice, tips, and how-to’s that you can’t find anywhere else!

Hometalk is a great tool for homeowners and professionals alike. Experts like John Madison use Hometalk’s platform to showcase their knowledge and expertise, while homeowners use it as both a search engine and a forum to get unbiased, credible information, referrals, and advice from professionals and other experienced and involved homeowners like themselves. It is an innovative, first of its kind website, where homeowners, renters and contractors come together to share photos, pricing, advice and feedback, all for FREE.

So look for John Madison Landscape on Hometalk and sign up to join this informative online community. You’d be amazed at all the things you can find answers to, pictures you can post of do-it-yourself projects, or advice you can get on who to hire for your next big project. Since 2005, this website has become a great source of information and camaraderie among homeowners and contractors alike. Check it out and let us know what you think!

If you’re like most of our customers, you have some growing questions about artificial turf as it continues to gain popularity. As the product’s realistic look has improved, an increasing number of cities and homeowners associations are allowing it. There are many grades of artificial turf, ranging from inexpensive to more costly, but the average cost is roughly $10 per square foot. While quite a bit more of an initial investment than your average sod job, it will pay for itself on most applications within 5 years. No watering, no mowing, no fertilizing, and no bugs! It is friendly to both the environment and pets, and still absorbs up to 37 inches of rain per hour.

Imagine a putting green in your own backyard!

While some cities frown on the idea, others have embraced it for saving water and money, and for keeping nitrates from fertilizers and poisons from pesticides out of the ground water. While initially used solely for sports fields, artificial turf can be a better solution for any environment that is particularly hostile to natural grass, such as an dry environment or one where there is little to no sunlight. It’s ideal for holiday, vacation, or rental homes when maintenance of lawns is not practical or desired. We’ve also found it to be a solution for elderly homeowners who find the upkeep of lawns to be too much work. It is perfect for surrounding swimming pools and for roof gardens.

We can help you achieve your goal of perfect grass! We here at John Madison Landscape provide superior artificial turf to our customers by partnering with top manufacturers throughout the country. Click here to read more about this growing trend, and if you’d like to see some samples or receive an estimate on artificial turf at your home, click here or give us a call at 407-935-9151.

May is upon us which means (more) warm weather and beautiful summer plants. Is your yard ready for a summer full of outdoor barbecues and pool parties? Read these helpful tips brought to you by John Madison Landscape and the University of Florida (IFAS Extension).

• Plants that can take summer heat include salvia, torenia, wax begonia, coleus, & ornamental pepper.
• You can also plant heat-loving herbs, including basil, Mexican tarragon, and rosemary.
• Harmful insects become more and more active as the weather warms. Keep an eye out for thrips, scale, and mites on ornamental plants.
• Watch for chinch bug damage in St Augustine grass and watch for newly hatched mole crickets in Bahia. If your Bahia lawns are turning yellow, iron may be the cure.
• Prepare for hurricane season by checking trees for damaged or weak branches and prune them as needed.
• Fertilize trees and shrubs as needed. While fertilizing is not always needed, sometimes you may want to encourage more growth or increase health.
• Test soil; take measures to adjust pH if necessary

No matter how beautiful your home is, it will not be complete without great landscaping. Landscaping is part of architecture and home design because it gives a different touch to your outdoor space. All of us would like to have a beautiful and attractive yard that looks inviting and appealing. By following these tips, and more here, you will certainly enjoy your outdoor area with a touch that suits your taste.

Courtesy of: AsktheSeal.com

Click here to see why it’s NECESSARY to have the Ask the Seal.com seal of Approval! So many reasons! Are you checking Ask the Seal to see who you’re allowing in YOUR home? All of the John Madison Landscape employees have the “Ask the Seal” seal of approval.

Courtesy of AsktheSeal.com

Well it finally seems as though winter found us here in Central Florida, at least for a few days! After an unusually warm December and holiday season, January greeted us with a taste of what cold feels like! Most people weren’t

Photo courtesy of www.forums.gardenweb.com

prepared for it, and much less our plants. Here are some helpful tips from John Madison Landscape on how to protect your plants and yard from potential freezing and unpredictable temperatures this month.

• Frost or freezes are likely to occur in January and February. Be ready to cover your tender plants in order to minimize damage.
• This month, it is not necessary to mow your grass, but do remove rocks, sticks, and leaves.
• If you have Zoysia grass, do not fertilize it at this time. You can water occasionally if a drought occurs. Temperatures may be higher than normal with little or no rainfall.
• January is the time to plant deciduous fruit trees. It will give roots time to develop before the warmer spring months.
• Apply broadleaf herbicides as necessary to control winter annual weeds like chickweed. Use a nonselective herbicide this month to control annual
  

  Photo courtesy of www.chiotsrun.com

  bluegrass and various broadleaf weeds.

• Go ahead and prune non-spring flowering shrubs and trees this month to improve their form. If you have crepe myrtles, they do not require pruning, yet by removing seed pods, crossing branches, and small twiggy growth, you will improve the appearance and form of the plant.
• To control scale on citrus, shrubs, camellias, and deciduous fruit trees, apply horticultural oil while plants are dormant.
• Don’t forget! Florida is celebrating Arbor Day on January 18th! To celebrate, plant a tree in your yard or neighborhood.

If your yard took a hit from the cold temperatures, or if your new year’s resolution is to finally spruce up your landscape, click here or give us a call at 407-935-9151 to set up an appointment for a free estimate with one of our experienced landscape designers.

Since we’re smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, we here at John Madison Landscape wanted to quench your thirst for Christmas tree knowledge. We love this time of year because Christmas trees are like having landscaping inside your house! Whether you’ve had yours up since before Thanksgiving, or are waiting to purchase and decorate it on Christmas Eve, we thought there are some good facts you should know about the most popular types of Christmas trees that are available in Central Florida.

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  Fraser Fir. Photo courtesy of www.hagueschristmastrees.com

  Fraser fir: The Fraser Fir may be the perfect holiday tree. Dark green, flattened needles; its attractive needles are ½ to 1 inch long and soft to the touch; dark green on the top and silvery underneath; they have good form and good needle retention; and have pyramid-shaped strong branches which turn upward. Because there is space between the branches, the Fraser is easier to decorate than some trees. The firm branches hold heavier ornaments and the trees grow to almost perfect shapes. They have a pleasant scent, and excellent shipping characteristics as well. Fraser fir is the balsam fir of the southeastern United States, grown on well drained but fairly moist soils. It is named for a botanist, John Fraser, who explored the southern Appalachians in the late 1700’s.

• Douglas Fir: Douglas Fir is a beautiful Christmas tree with soft shiny green needles. It has a good fragrance; holds blue to dark green; 1” to 1 ½” needles; can live for a thousand years; and their needles have one of the best
  

  Douglas Fir. Photo courtesy of www.hagueschristmastrees.com

  aromas among Christmas trees when crushed. It may be difficult to decorate if the branches have been sheared into a perfect conical shape, leaving too little space between branches to hang decorations. If this variety of tree is available, you might want to take an unbreakable ornament with you when you buy a tree to see if you can put decorations on it. Choose a Douglas Fir that is freshly cut and keep it well watered. It is named after David Douglas who studied the tree in the 1800’s.

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  Noble Fir. Photo courtesy of www.christmastree.org

  Noble Fir: The Noble Fir is deep green in color and has an unusually lovely branch shape. It has one inch long needles with a silvery appearance; great for heavier ornaments; keeps well; and the boughs of this tree are often used to make fresh wreaths, door swags and garlands. Its branches are short and sturdy, yet the needles are not too sharp to decorate easily. Like the Fraser Fir, the Noble’s branches have good spacing between branches so it’s easy to hang ornaments on them.

Hope this helps! If you want to prepare your outdoor space for holiday visitors, or if your New Year’s resolution is to take care of that unsightly yard, give us a call at 407-935-9151 or click here. Happy Holidays!

Photo courtesy of www.rockshelterldc.com

Here are some simple tips from John Madison Landscape to prepare your yard for next year’s beautiful landscape:

• You won’t have to water your lawn much once it is dormant (has turned brown), but do water if the soil is powder dry.
• Apply preemergent herbicides to control winter annual and perennial broadleaf weeds like chickweed and henbit. Apply postemergence  herbicides only when weeds are present.
• Fertilize trees and shrubs (that have been planted for at least a year) when they turn dormant.
• Water broadleaf evergreens on warm days.
• Check for and control any white grubs. Now that temperatures are lower, use dormant oil sprays to control scale insects.
• Protect plants from rabbit or other animal damage in the winter by enclosing them in a circle of chicken wire or hardware cloth. Some plants that are favored by rabbits in the winter include: small Common Witchhazel, Fothergilla, Burningbush, Flowering Quince, smaller Korean and Japanese Maple, Canada Hemlock, Japanese Kerria and Clethra.
• To keep your yard healthy with just enough water, it is important to set your timer with a watering schedule that suits your area considering the amount of rainfall you usually get. For example, here in central Florida, a suggested watering schedule is two days a week (such as Monday and Thursday) with an irrigation run time in November of 32 minutes.
• If you wish, create a display of fall colors with cool season plants. Some to try are calendula, pansies, and ornamental cabbage.
  

  Photo courtesy of www.bbgardens.org

• Many bulbs like to get their start in cool weather. Bulbs to plant this month include amaryllis, crinums, and daylilies.
• Divide and replant overgrown perennials and bulbs now so that they establish before the coolest weather arrives.

If you are thinking about getting a landscape design for the upcoming spring, November is the perfect time to contact us for a free estimate on a professional plan. A quality design will give your landscape efforts focus and direction. Plus, contacting us earlier in the season means faster turn-around time! If you would like to set up a free estimate with one of our landscape designers, call us at 407-935-9151 or click here.

Now that Central Florida is finally beginning to see signs of autumn, many people are excited about the beautiful weather that is upon us. It’s the perfect temperature to do outdoorsy things, and if you are running out of ideas, or don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, John Madison Landscape has put together a list of fun, inexpensive outdoor activities you can do with your friends and family.

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  Photo courtesy of www.grillnation.com

  Have a BBQ or picnic. Everyone loves getting together and sharing great food when it’s nice outside. Whether it’s a Football Sunday or just a lazy Saturday evening, call up a few friends, tell them to bring their favorite dish, and have a relaxing time with laughs, food, and drinks.

• If it gets especially chilly one night, gather outside around your fire pit and have a bonfire. If you don’t have a fire pit, look into one from El Dorado Stone or Belgard, two of our fine contractors we work with for fire pits or outdoor kitchens.
• Tell ghost stories if you dare! Putting a flashlight under your chin while telling a scary story never gets old. If you happen to love s’mores, Kraft has now come out with a new product, StackerMallows, that we absolutely LOVE. They are flat marshmallows that are ideal for s’more-making! You’ve gotta check them out!
• One of our personal favorite outdoor ideas is to hold your own football tailgate in your backyard! Set up some corn hole  boards, throw a couple footballs around, and have the games showing inside or if you’re lucky enough, on an outdoor television! Guys, gals, and kids alike will have fun whether or not they’re football fans.
• Everyone enjoys a Sunday brunch! Have some people over and do a light and easy breakfast like bagels and fruit. It doesn’t take a lot of money or planning. With nice
  

  Photo courtesy of www.elizabethannedesigns.com

  weather like this, nothing feels better than starting the day off outdoors and discussing the weekend. Don’t forget the mimosas and bloody marys!

• Birdwatching!  Set yourself up for some serious bird-watching with a bird guidebook, binoculars, and a chair. You might just catch a robin building a nest or hummingbirds fluttering in front of the trees. Slather a wooden birdhouse or even just a pine cone with peanut butter for more bird action.
• Wash the car! Washing the car can be lots of fun, and will often turn into playing with sponges and water going everywhere. You could make it into a money making enterprise by asking around the neighborhood whether people want their cars washed!
• Garage Sale! Clean out your house and make money at the same time! Gather some gently used items from in and around your house and set up a few tables out front. Get your whole neighborhood or family involved to make it as large or as small as you want. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

If you want to find out more about how to create an outdoor room in your yard that is perfect for entertaining, give us a call at 407-935-9151 or click here.

Building Homes for Heroes and John Madison Landscape is proud to announce another 2011 homecoming celebration to welcome Army Sergeant Joel Tavera to his new home in Tampa, Florida! On Saturday, November 19th, 2011, after more than 75 surgeries,and nearly four years of hospital care, this extraordinarily courageous young man and his family will be moving into a beautiful 4-bedroom, 4-bath home that meets all his needs. Joining in the celebration will be high-ranking military personnel, local dignitaries, community members, etc. Tavera will be welcomed home in patriotic fashion. The event will begin with a magnificent procession along flag-lined streets leading to Joel‘s home. The procession is scheduled to step off at 10:00 am.

On March 12, 2008, Sergeant Tavera was riding in an armored SUV inside the Tallil Airbase in southeastern Iraq when it was struck by five rockets. The blasts killed three of his buddies, and Tavera was thought to be dead as well. He lost sight in both of his eyes, his right leg, four fingers on his left hand, and suffered very serious head trauma and critical burns to 60 percent of his body. At the time, his parents were told that their son was the second most severely injured Army soldier to survive since the war in Iraq began. Joel received The Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

The ground was broken on March 25th, 2011, for the home, which is in the Grand Hampton community, for the severely injured Iraq war veteran who turned 24 the day before the ceremony. The $450,000 home, with special modifications, was made possible through the nonprofit BuildingHomesforHeroes.org, along with contributions from the builder, William Ryan Homes, and local firefighters, contractors and others. John Madison Landscape was proud to provide the landscape for the exterior of the home. For more information on Sergeant Joel Tavera’s Homecoming, contact Carolyn Paszke at (516) 684-9220 or Carolyn@Buildinghomesforheroes.org. For all media inquires please ask for Andy Pujol.