You’ve got a lot of outdoor living to do, let Peters Professional Landscaping do the prep
By Patricia Nugent
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the climate in Northeast Ohio is expected to be “warmer and rainier than normal, with the hottest periods coming in late June through early July.” However—spoiler alert—beginning in September and heading into late fall, the temps will be much cooler than usual.
The lowdown? Soak it in while you can. With Memorial Day Weekend a few days off, now’s the time to look to your lawn and garden with wishful thinking.
The folks at Peters Professional Landscaping are ready to help with everything needed outdoors, from providing the nursery stock to services such as spring clean-up, weekly maintenance, mulching and mowing.
“More and more people are doing their entertainment outdoors and at home,” says founder Chris Peters. “This is one of the busiest springs we’ve ever had. Our clients are still hesitant to go on vacations, so they’re spending their dollars on improving their own great outdoors. I just hope people can be patient and are understanding that with the shortage of labor and longer delivery times up and down our materials supply chain, there might be delays. We’re doing our best to keep up with the demand.”
He says there’s been a huge spike in customers who want patios and pavilions, creating new spaces and upgrading their existing ones.
The Art of the Outdoor Kitchen
“I would say that demand for outdoor kitchens has grown exponentially over the past 10 years,” says Chris. “More than a just a built-in grill and maybe a refrigerator, people are looking for a place to gather for an emotional connection.”
In a survey published in Best in American Living, the number one item on homeowners’ wish lists in designing their ultimate outdoor space was a pizza oven, and 79% of people said they planned to install one. Chris notes that tall, brick fireplaces are also popular now and outdoor living room furniture is as common as dining tables.
“The footprint of the outdoor living space is expanding, too,” he notes. “We often come up with an expansion plan that fits into our clients’ budgets, doing so much one year, then adding onto that the next year. People want more square footage of living space, and less mowing space.”
Whatever the finished space looks like, it will be reflective of your taste, whether it’s an outdoor kitchen and bar, fireplace and firepit to gather around, a soothing water feature, or a fountain and pond, as well as spectacular outdoor fixtures to light it all up at night.
Grown-in-Ohio Proud
Chris is proud to report that his landscaping trees, bushes, shrubs and flowers are grown here in Ohio.
“The selection varies from year to year,” he says. “We’re always looking for something a little different you wouldn’t find anywhere else.”
Landscaping design is a mix of art and science. He says their designers sit down with clients and ask a lot of questions to help them put together a custom design.
“We strive to mix plant materials with differing sizes, shapes and colors, as well as varying bloom cycles, so there’s something gorgeous to see spring, summer and fall, programmed to thrive in our zone,” he says.
Still Time to Schedule Your Mulch
Your landscaping isn’t really finished until you lay down a beautiful blanket of mulch, whether by yourself or by calling the professionals at Peters Professional Landscaping.
May and June are two of the best months to mulch, as in springtime it offers a host of benefits for your beds in addition to looking pretty.
“Mulch helps retain moisture and feeds plants, shrubs and trees by slowly releasing beneficial bacteria and microorganisms that enrich the soil beneath it,” says Chris Peters. “When it comes to good, better, best, there’s a significant difference between the quality of our mulch and the dried-up wood chips you buy in bags from a chain store.”
Mulch also will save you time over the summer, since it suppresses weeds and stops grass from creeping into your beds.
When it comes to operational efficiency, the folks at Peters know a thing or two. A few years ago, when they heard about a mulch applicator truck called the Mulch Mule, they researched it and ended up investing in one.
“The truck helps us lay mulch faster and in a more uniform manner,” says Chris. “Thanks to a dispensary chute that loads the product into wheelbarrows, utility vehicles and front-end loaders, the mulch is properly fluffed and spread more evenly.”
Chris recommends getting on their mulch schedule as soon as possible, as they are booking out weeks in advance.
Based in Medina, Peters Professional Landscaping is located at 7080 Wooster Pike. They serve homes, businesses and HOAs throughout Northeast Ohio and enjoy an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Store hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 330-722-8884 or visit PetersLandscapingOhio.com.