Lighting up the fire pit is a great way to initiate an intimate gathering with family and friends. The hosting possibilities that come along with owning a fire pit are virtually limitless and only bound by your imagination.

Fire pits have become one of the hottest home accessories on the market and it is clear why. There are many fire features that you can have in your backyard. There are basic as well as upscale designs. You will even be able to increase the value of your property with the right fire pit and the right backyard landscape design.

How many types of fire pits are there? Well, fire pits come in numerous alterations but they can generally be grouped into four categories depending on the kind of fuel each pit uses. Below we will take a look at 4 different styles of fire pits.

1. Simple Custom wood burning
A natural replica of a campfire, but limited to a contained space, these pits provide an authentic experience complete with real smoke and the crackle of wood. Choosing the wood-burning option has several advantages, and one of the biggest is price. A wood-burning fire pit is significantly less expensive to design and install than gas fire pits. Also, there’s no beating the crackle, smell, and ambiance of burning real wood. Another perk is that you don’t have to worry about running a new gas line through your yard.

2. Log lighter
A log lighter fire pit has a round pipe with holes in that is located underneath the fire grate. Natural gas or propane gas goes through the pipe and, when lit, is an easy way to start your wood fire. Lighting fires the old way could take a long time. Just when you'd think your fire was finally lit, it would fizzle out and you'd have to start over again. With a fireplace log lighter you'll get strong flames immediately that will easily catch your logs on the fire. Just set the logs on the wood grate over the log lighter, turn the key to open the gas line, toss in a lit match, and the fire lights around your logs. After the logs have caught on fire, turn the valve key to close the gas line, and enjoy the crackling wood fire before you.

3. Gas fire pit
There are many different designs of gas fire pits, but they all work on the same principles. First, there is the housing that contains a gas line from the house or a portable propane tank. At the top of the fire pit is a large concave heat-resistant bowl. One or several burners sprout out of the bowl from below. These are attached to the tank underneath, supplying them with combustible gas. The bowl is filled with fake heat-resistant logs or coals to break up the shape of the bowl and hide the burners from view.

The more decorative bowls might be filled with fine sand, gravel, or river stones for a unique look, though these types of fire pits require mesh covers over the burners to prevent clogging. The pit may come with an ignition switch which, once the gas flow has been turned on, ignites the burners and gives the appearance of a real coal or wood fire.

Below are a couple of projects with gas fire pits that we have installed:
Project Spotlight: Mid Century Modern Landscape and Hardscape Project
Project Spotlight: Landscape Renovation

Keep in mind that while it is safe to cook over a basic propane gas fire pit, there are some gas-fueled outdoor fire features that you don’t want to cook on. These can add a lot of flair to your outdoor space but they’re not the best option for cooking.

4. Portable patio fire pit
Portable fire pits offer the most flexibility and versatility and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, materials, and can meet almost any budget requirement. They can range from small portable campfires you can take with you on vacation to full-size outdoor dining fire tables. The main advantage they have over a permanent one is that you can reposition them whenever you need or want to. You can even take them with you if you move houses.

Hopefully, our suggestions here will help you through your journey of choosing what type of fire pit is right for you and you will be happy with the fire pit you choose for years to come!

With our design and construction experience, we can work with any space, large or small, to build the outdoor experience that you and your family will enjoy for years to come. If we can be of help with creating the fire pit of your dreams, please don't hesitate to reach out to us give our team a call or text at (352) 378-5296. We're local and have been serving Gainesville for over 15 years. We look forward to working with you!

Many people think of spring as the best time for planting, but our preferred season in Gainesville is actually right now! The cooler temperatures and fall rains help the plant’s roots become well-established and the soil is still warm enough to allow roots to grow before the risk of freezing temperatures set in. It’s also a great time to get out in the yard and enjoy your investment! Below you will see our top 5 reasons for why we love Floria Fall landscapes!

1. Color
Here in Gainesville, we don’t get to experience the same dramatic color changes that some of our friends further north enjoy. The flip side of that is that we also don’t have to deal with the colder winters either! Still, it’s nice to see some changes at the turning of the season, and while we won’t be as showy as some other areas, here are a few Gainesville landscape additions that I would highly recommend for our area that will bring you some fall color.

Red Maple Tree
Shumard Oak
Crape Myrtle
Sweetspire
Fothergilla
Oak Leaf Hydrangea

2. Mild Temperatures
I’m sure many are asking, ‘What if we plant in the fall and then we have a cold winter! Won’t my plants die?’  The truth is The Master's Lawn Care rarely loses plants to the cold. Some freeze down because they're deciduous, but they typically re-grow in the spring even larger and more vibrant than if they had kept their leaves. The reason we don’t lose many plants over the winter is because when we do have a cold snap, it doesn’t stay cold for long. Rarely does north central Florida have a cold snap that lasts more than a week or two.

3. Greener Grass
Fall is a great time for sod installation because most other landscape plants have been planted and have matured by this point and therefore require less maintenance so you will be able to spend more time focusing on creating the thick, lush lawn that will make the neighbors jealous next summer! This is why we recommend Fall. It will be both optimal conditions for the grass and for those installing and maintaining it!

4. Fresh Mulch
Fall is the perfect time to refresh your mulch to encourage healthy, vibrant growth in the spring. Mulching helps protect your plants through our harsher, but short-lived, cold months of the year cost-effectively and easily. A fresh installation of mulch will help keep down weeds, reduce erosion, and keep the soil moist for the health of your Gainesville landscaping plants. The addition of mulch will also help create a clean and neat look in your landscape beds.

5. Outdoor Living
When the heat of summer is gone and cooler weather approaches, Florida Fall is the perfect season for spending more time in the yard with your friends and family. This is the time of year to enjoy firepits, patios, and other outdoor living spaces that you’ve worked hard on the rest of the year. Now is the time to really enjoy your hard work while the weather is nice! 

We do have a short transition from summer to winter. If you plan on taking advantage of the cooler weather to have some Gainesville landscaping renovations done, let us know how we can help! Give our team a call or text at (352) 378-5296. We're local and have been serving Gainesville for over 15 years. We look forward to working with you!

With temperatures beginning to rise, it’s important to start preparing your Gainesville landscape for success in the months ahead. Does your curb appeal need some added color? Is your lawn ready for the warm weather and adjusted irrigation times?

We have compiled a few tips that will keep your lawn in great shape during the summer months.

1. Don’t Butcher the Grass
It’s tempting to lower your mower blades to cut the grass as short as possible. After all, you reason, it’s sort of like your hair—the shorter you cut it now, the longer you can go between trims. Grass doesn’t work like that, especially when it comes to St. Augustine and Zoysia grass.

Chopping the grass is more likely to leave it brown and dead. For the warm season, not only should you sharpen the blades, but you should also position them to never cut more than 1/3rd of the leaf blade off for an optimal lawn. Leaving the grass slightly taller won’t interfere with the groomed appearance of your lawn, but the blades remain long enough to bathe in the sunlight, which creates nutrient-rich roots and soil.

Learn more about caring for your specific Gainesville turfgrass here.

2. Trust your Smart Controller or Weather Sensor
Watering the lawn is a necessity in Florida, but our area is also humid, and we get a good amount of rainfall in summer. That eases a bit of the burden of irrigating, but it depends on the weather. A week of scorching weather can torch the yard if you aren’t watchful, which is why many summer lawn care tips focus on hydration and irrigation techniques.
As tempting as it is, we do not recommend “turning the sprinklers on manually when it’s dry,” because inevitably life happens. Once the lawn is stressed, you are already negatively impacting your curb appeal - and inviting pests and weeds in. A scheduled watering plan, that is paused automatically when rain is in the area, is the best way to ensure top-notch health in your summer landscape.

Learn more about Smart Irrigation Controllers here.

3. Put Away the Nitrogen
This summer lawn care tip doesn’t apply to garden beds and edible landscaping, but for your lawn - don’t fertilize your lawn with any nitrogen (first number of the N-P-K content on fertilizer) after June, per Alachua County regulations. This is why our lawn and ornamental health programs include slow-release nutrients applied at the end of spring that will feed the landscape through summer and fall.
You can still apply micronutrients and topdressings that will help feed your roots and soil to improve your landscape’s health through the summer, but avoid nitrogen if you don’t want on the County’s 'naughty list.'

Learn more about the Alachua County Fertilizer Restrictions here.

4. Prune back your azaleas
Most landscape professionals go by the July 4th rule, which is to make sure all Azaleas (Specifically larger varieties) are pruned back heavily and shaped by Independence Day. This will allow them to start budding in late Summer for next Spring’s bloom season. July to next Spring is an extended growing period - so starting from a tight shape is important to not looking overgrown and unkept.

Some homeowners prefer a manicured shaped Azalea at the expense of the blooms, so if that's you please ignore this tip and continue to shape after budding season - but most love the flowers and so this is an important task to get checked off.

Learn more about Azalea care here.

5. Plant some Summer Color
After your Hydrangeas, Irises, Agapanthus, Azaleas, and Camellias are done blooming - Summer color can be hard to go without. If your landscape needs a little color throughout the dog days of summer - consider adding these heat-loving plants into your design:

• Drift Roses
• Salvia (Perennial and Annual)
• Cardinal Firespike (late Summer)
• Golden Cassia
• Coreopsis
• Vitex Tree
• Coleus (Annual)

Find more Summer Color Landscape Inspiration here.

If we can be of help with any of your Gainesville Landscape needs - please don't hesitate to reach out to us give our team a call or text at (352) 378-5296. We're local and have been serving Gainesville for over 15 years. We look forward to working with you!

This year's outdoor living trends are all about making your lawn, backyard, or porch, a regular part of everyday life. Building on last year's momentum, homeowners began to bring indoor conveniences outdoors with smart technology, multipurpose add-ons, and structures that allow us to be outside longer and more often throughout the year. Whether it's a spot to grow herbs for homemade meals, a private patio, or a place to do the cooking, the popularity of outdoor living spaces continue to grow in 2021.

Below you’ll find 5 popular outdoor living trends focusing on creating simple and elegant spaces to live, relax, and entertain outdoors.

1. Pool Remodels with Pavers and Coping
You can choose from so many colors, patterns, and textures, you can give your pool deck a look you really want. Homeowners can show off their pool deck designs year-round, not just during pool time. Pool decks are an excellent way to extend a home for outdoor entertainment. By simply adding tables and chairs, homeowners transform their pool deck into a patio-like area.
Below is a link to a project we have worked on to achieve the ultimate makeover:
Project Spotlight: Landscape, Front Patio, and Pool Remodel Project

2. Propane or Natural Gas Fire Pits:
Fire is a natural design choice for outdoor entertaining and family enjoyment. It creates a warm, cozy atmosphere, enticing friends and family to stay and hang out, especially on chilly nights. Gas fire pits offer a contemporary look and appeal to homeowners who prefer the ease of gas. They are always ready to light with a push of a button, no wood or ash to worry about and no smoke.
Project Spotlight: Mid Century Modern Landscape and Hardscape Project

3. Patio Remodels with Pavers:
Exterior design is seeing a trend to create patios with multiple rooms to provide ample space for entertaining guests, and act as backyard getaways. Paver patios are a high-quality, customizable outdoor patio option that offers homeowners a luxurious patio setup with minimal maintenance requirements. The entertainment options are endless with a paver patio. Hosting parties on it is sure to create lasting memories for friends and family.
Below is a link to a project we have worked on to achieve the ultimate makeover:
Project Spotlight: Patio Renovation

4. Raised garden beds:
Millions of people started growing their own vegetables, fruits, and herbs in 2020, and that trend will definitely continue.  Homeowners invested in a variety of container gardens, raised garden beds and potted herb gardens, embracing the therapeutic side of growing their own food while eliminating trips to the grocery store.  Not only do raised beds provide benefits like ample garden space, they also offer versatility for those with a larger area to fill. Raised beds help for easy access gardening right on your back patio!
Below is a link to a project we have worked on to achieve the ultimate makeover that included a raised herb bed:
Project Spotlight: Backyard Outdoor Living Renovation

5. Artificial Turf:
When you are working with a small space that needs to serve multiple purposes, you need that space to be useable as much as possible and to be easy to maintain and keep clean. This is why so many homeowners with small backyards are choosing artificial turf installation. Synthetic turf is easy to clean, requires little maintenance, does not require storing large equipment like lawnmowers, and can be used right after a rainstorm with no worries about tracking in mud or slipping on wet blades of grass. Artificial Turf is versatile to fit any sort of purpose or need, whether that may be landscape, playground or pet turf. All products are non-toxic and environmentally friendly by reducing the need for pesticides, fertilizers, irrigation, and mowing, making it the perfect choice to install.
Below is a link to a project we have worked on to achieve the ultimate makeover:
Project Spotlight: Backyard Renovation

If you’re dreaming of transforming your outdoor living space for entertaining a crowd or just relaxing with a good book, we hope these design trends will help you get an idea of what your space can do for you.

If you want help with transforming outdoor living space using these design trends this year, give our team a call or text at (352) 378-5296. We're local and have been serving Gainesville for over 15 years. We look forward to working with you!

Mulch adds beauty, depth, and dimension to any landscape. Rather than leaving soil exposed and bare, try adding mulch to create a beautiful touch to your landscape and spruce up your yard. Mulching adds vibrant colors and manicured look to your garden or softscape bed; thus, adding to its curb appeal. It gives your lawn a finished and refined look by occupying the empty spaces, which also helps in making the maintenance an easier job.
Here are 5 reasons why mulching is vital to curb appeal...

1. Clear definition between grass and garden beds:
   This is the fundamental piece to curb appeal. Mulch gives beds a uniform, well-maintained look, and adds definition between the turf and beds. By adding definition to your garden beds you will make your property more visually appealing. Edging creates clean, crisp lines between beds and other areas, which gives your lawn character and depth. Think of mulch as your canvas where your plants can be the art.
    
2. Reduces weed germination:
   Mulching flower beds will help to control weeds, 2-3″ is suggested depth, recommended by most gardeners/landscapers. The main goal for this depth of mulch is to prevent the sun from reaching the emerging weeds, this depth will control the growth of those that are just beginning and those that are waiting to break out!
    
3. Reduces watering needs:
   ​Mulch helps by holding moisture around the base of plants.(wood is porous and acts like a sponge) Newly installed plants, are at risk of their roots being affected by the dry soil and will require more watering, if there is no protection around their roots. Mulching newly planted beds helps to prevent this, protecting the roots from drying out. Dry soil = drying out the roots = stunted growth or dead plants.
    
4. Insulates roots from extreme heat and cold:
   Mulch serves as an insulating blanket that helps keep soil warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, which will prevent the premature death of your perennial plants. Mulch is especially supportive to plants that have shallow root systems, such as Rhodies & Azaleas, during the coldest parts of winter.
    
5. Feeds beneficial nutrients into the soil:
   Mulch breaks down over time and feeds beneficial nutrients into the soil, similar to a composting effect. Depending on what type of mulch is selected, will determine the future health of your beds.  As wood bark mulch decomposes, if there are dyes in it, those dyes will seep into the soil.  The most sustainable wood bark mulches would be dye-free and will add organic matter back to the soil.

After reviewing these reasons for mulch, we hope you see that mulch adds more than just an aesthetic value to flower gardens, it will give your landscaping a healthy, low-maintenance fresh look.

The Master’s Lawn Care can install a variety of mulch from Pine Bark to Cypress, Decorative to Dyed, and Pine Straw as well. We have the ability to install for individual homeowners as well as large commercial properties and even homeowner’s associations as well.

If you need help with your Gainesville landscape upgrades or other lawn services, please do not hesitate to reach out by filling out the form at the top of the page, or calling our office at (352) 378-5296.

During the long year we had in 2020 where we spent a lot more time at home, we all have had a chance to inspect and even dream of updating our yards into outdoor living spaces we can enjoy and be proud of. Just like everything else, Landscape design has many trends and we want to showcase five trends that have really been on the rise lately, and have transformed our backyard’s into vacation “getaways."

1. Outdoor Living: As more and more people discover the enjoyment of outdoor living, one of the top priorities is often the construction of a paver patio, firepit, remodeled pool area, outdoor kitchen, or a place where they can relax. This area becomes more than a backyard to look at - but an attractive outdoor room for work or play. It is a place to read the Sunday paper, eat a meal, enjoy the sun, or entertain friends. This design trend really is all about creating simple and elegant spaces to live, relax, and entertain outdoors; as opposed to the backyard lawn or plantscape that requires weekly upkeep. It is an extension of the home space into the outdoors, can turn a 2,000 sq ft home into a 3,000 sq ft home with the right design.
    
2. Florida-Friendly Landscape Plants: Because these plants are adapted to local environmental conditions and are hardy, they require far less input - saving time, money, and perhaps the most valuable natural resource, water. In addition to less irrigation, these plants are pest-resistant and are not invasive either.  Some of my favorites would be Loropealum, Flax Lilly, Variegated Ginger, Agapanthus, Azaleas, Redbud trees, and Crape Myrtle. For more information on Florida-Friendly plants, we like to utilize in designs, visit Rusty’s Top 10 Gainesville landscaping Plants Blog Post.
    
3. Plant Pollinator and Wildlife-friendly plants: Providing plants for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators is something many gardeners strive to do. The more diverse plants are, the better they can weather changes in the environment. Best of all, pollinators are beautiful and fascinating to watch. One of the most important ways you can help pollinators is by adding plants that provide pollen and nectar. To attract and keep butterflies, you will also need to include a variety of larval host plants for caterpillars as well.
    
4. Edible Landscaping: Even a small yard can handle a few pots of peppers, tomatoes, or rosemary; and you may be surprised at how easy it is to fit in one or two small raised beds. With more time spent at home, many families invested in raised garden beds and using their outdoor space to create an ROI in food. Start with a small, manageable garden, and grow the veggies and herbs you like to eat. We started with cucumbers and tomatoes - two of my favorite vegetables. Doing your plant and seed shopping locally at a helpful nursery will ensure you choose plants that will do well in your climate, too. The Alachua County Seed & Feed on 6th has been extremely helpful to many clients.
    
5. Landscape Lighting:  Whether you're looking for curb appeal, security, or extending your entertaining area outside, landscape lighting is a design trend that does just that. One popular recent trend would be upgrading to lights that change colors for Christmas, Independence Day, and even football season with the touch of your phone. Pathway lighting that can help guide your family and visitors around your property safely. Viewpoint Lighting defines beautiful trees or architecture and driveway entrances that would be lost in the dark. A spotlight not only illuminates but makes a statement that there is much more to see beyond the focal point.  Visit our “Gainesville Landscape Lighting for Drama and Function” blog post for more inspiration.

Whether your dream backyard is designed for entertaining a crowd or just relaxing with a good book, we hope these landscape design trends will help you get an idea of what your space can do for you. If you want help with transforming your yard using these landscape trends this year, give our team a call or text at (352) 378-5296. We're local and have been serving Gainesville for over 15 years. We look forward to working with you!

We have been getting this question a lot recently as this popular rebate program has now officially rolled out across Gainesville. I’d like to try to answer the common questions we are seeing and provide some examples of eligible projects.

REMEMBER: This program ends when funds run out and we expect it to be very popular this year!

Q: What’s the purpose of this program?

A: Saving water is at the heart of Turf SWAP. Despite the name of the program, the key component is irrigation, not turf changes. To be eligible you must have traditional irrigation currently installed that we remove, cap, or replace with more efficient irrigation.

Q: Can I DIY a project and be eligible?

A: Unfortunately, no. All work eligible for this rebate must be performed by Florida Water Star Accredited Professional/SWAP Shop. The good news is that TMLC is on this short list of professionals.

Q: Can I use the rebate for my business location?

A: Yes! Rebates can be used for residential properties, HOA common spaces, and business properties within Alachua County.

Q: How much is the rebate?

A: It’s a 50% rebate, up to $1500 back to you at the completion of the project.

Q: Can I get a second rebate if I did a project in the past?

A: No, if you received a rebate the last time, you are not eligible in this round of the program.

Q: How do I get the rebate?

A: The program is run by the Alachua Environmental Protection Department. The way the process works is you work with us to design your new landscape, retrofit your irrigation system, or add water saving devices. When the project is complete you submit some paperwork including before and after photos, application form, W9, and an itemized paid invoice from TMLC. ACEPD will conduct a site visit to verify work has been completed and your rebate check is issued in 4-6 weeks.

Q: What are some examples of Turf SWAP projects you have completed?

A: Many different projects can qualify for a rebate. Here are a few examples:

A client wanted their outdated irrigation system upgraded to lower their water bill, and improve coverage for certain plants. We installed new heads, a new Smart Controller, and added drip irrigation. This was a $1400 project that they paid $700 out of pocket for.

A client was tired of struggling to keep grass alive under some shade trees. We installed landscaping with shade-tolerant plants like Hydrangea, Camellias, and Agapanthus. The project was about $3,000, but they only paid $1500 out of pocket.

A client wanted to create gardening beds in an area of her backyard. We upgraded her system to drip and installed new garden soil and plants.

A client wanted to remove turf in an area of her yard and add a gravel walkway. This was a $1500 project that she paid $750 out of pocket for.

Maybe you have a landscape, artificial turf, or paver patio project that's bigger than you can handle, and you want to contact a professional. But, how do you know who to call - do you need a Landscape Architect? or a Landscape Designer? and, what is the difference between landscape architects and landscape designers? Apparently, more than you may realize.

Landscape Architects

To legally call yourself a landscape architect, you must have a bachelor's and/or master's degree in landscape architecture from a university and be licensed by the state of Florida in order to design and work on landscape projects. A good and reputable landscape architect has experience or has the training to work with challenging issues in both commercial and large residential sites, including:

• Steep slopes
• Large Retaining walls
• Expansive Irrigation and drainage systems
• Designing outdoor structures
• Solving elevation problems
• Designing or giving advice on where to place service lines, entries, driveways, and parking areas.

Licensed landscape architects plan and design public outdoor spaces, such as parks, campuses, gardens, cemeteries, commercial centers, resorts, transportation facilities, and waterfront developments. They also design and plan the restoration of natural places disturbed by humans such as wetlands, stream corridors, mined areas, and forested land. An education in and respect for historic landscapes and cultural resources allows landscape architects to work on preservation planning projects for national, state, and local historic outdoor sites and areas.

Although not always the case, Landscape Architects generally work on projects with $25k budgets or more, because their costs quickly get above 15% of the project and higher below that amount, so the math doesn't add up. For example, you wouldn't pay a Landscape Architect $2k to design a project where the budget is only $10k, especially if a Landscape Designer at the Landscape Contractor's firm can work up the design at no extra charge in the proposal if they complete the project. In that case, instead of only having $8k left to spend on the project, the homeowner still has the full budget to invest in the project. 

Landscape Designers

The primary distinction between landscape architects and landscape designers is that designers usually work on smaller projects, whereas architects usually work on larger ones. While some landscape designers may have training equivalent to a landscape architect―especially if they have an undergraduate-or-higher degree in landscape design ―they do not have the state license, which is a requirement. They typically actually have more landscape plant and horticulutre knowledge than an architect, due to their work in the field. 

Some landscape designers are self-taught, but most have taken courses at a college, university, through an extension or certificate program, or online. In other words, you can't suddenly wake up one day and just decide to call yourself a landscape designer.

Most Gainesville landscape designers work with primarily the soft stuff―plants, sod, mulch. Many landscape or garden designers may have experience with hardscape - such as paver patios, walkways, and firepits. Also, many of the area's landscape designers work as the chief designer for the landscape contracting company they are employed by or own.

When you consult a landscape designer, you will have a discussion or interview about the project. Usually, the designer will show up at your home, look at the yard, take photos, and ask about preferences in plants, maintenance, budget, etc. The designer will then create a plan view drawing and plant list. Depending on how the designer works, he/she might visit make suggestions or help you shop for materials and furnishings, and do actual plant placement. From there, he/she will make suggestions for scheduling the project in the correct season. 

The group, the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA), is the agency that has the most local Landscape Architects and Designers for the State of Florida as members. Also, there is the Natioanl Association of Landscape Professionals. These groups encourage that members adhere to a code of professional standards, actively participate in continuing education, and stay current with state-of-the-art developments and trends in the landscape industry. A certification program is offered to members and is based on built or completed projects that provide professional recognition to designers who can pass a peer review program. Through its website, the FNGLA offers you access to local landscape and nursery professionals. The NALP website does the same.