Gardening…. Style by Contessa

We are pleased to present “before “ and “after” videos of a late summer, early fall 2021 project in the 1200 block of Martha Custis Drive. Our homeowner, was not in residence,  but his property was being prepared for a new rental opportunity.

We met in a brief outdoor, on the sidewalk visit in front of the property on a Saturday,  before our owner departed for a new military assignment in Texas. We received instructions to remove everything in the beds, except three well established Azaleas and one Hydrangea. But we’re given permission to remove those as well if we felt they were not suitable. We raised the level of soil in the beds by three inches, deep edged the beds and weeded like crazy. These beds had approximately ten years, with three different tenants who planted randomly. The beds were horribly overgrown and certainly no plan had been adapted regarding plant heights, or consideration given toward sun/shade and Virginia weather. It was in way overgrown shape. We also amended the soil with two different new soils

We received a $200 deposit and began work one week later after a 20 minute “brief.” All permissions and reports of work, including progress by photos and video were how we communicated for three weeks with our homeowner. This was a 22 hour project. It was a smooth and very easy communication by txt “process.” And it was loads of fun. We were given a great assignment and we were up to the challenge.

It turns out our homeowner is a military “General” in the USAF, who had been given abrupt orders to move to a Texas assignment. Such a great person to work for. His trust and confidence in our work was a true gift.  He was extremely pleased with our work and he has now very successfully rented his Parkfairfax townhouse. 

It was our joy to help. We are going to follow up as soon as spring arrives, and we are being tasked with purchasing a couple new bushes and perhaps a few perennial flowering plants. It was our honor to serve this  gentleman. We worked very hard, but the end result was very gratifying.

The “end of story” here, is that if you want the job done well, you need to hire us to do your work; we are precise, we do not cut corners, we are hard working, creative, knowledgeable and we respect your opinion, on exactly what you want to achieve. And we will honestly interject our opinion on what we think will work best. We love a new challenge and will give you all the “time” needed to complete your assignment.  It is our pleasure!

BEFORE

AFTER

“CONTESSA” says, It’s all good. 

Gardening Yesterday – 50 degrees – YES!

Gardening Friends,

It was a perfect opportunity yesterday to sneak in a couple hours for one of our clients. We did a check on all the new bushes that we had installed last spring. Three Azaleas and two Knock Out Roses, and one Blue Hydrangea. We trimmed tiny pieces to make sure green growth was coming through. All is well. We can see growth in every bush. Great Success!

We tidied the beds, repositioned mulch around all the bushes, re-established firm placement and trimmed dead growth from the Pansies. This will encourage them to bloom once more. And we “deep edged” half of the largest bed. On our next nice day we’ll put in a couple more hours to finish what we refer to as our “mid -winter clean- up.”  It was necessary. To finalize and provide a finished look, we raked the entire property. Believe it…. we had four bags of debris for the community yard dumpster.

Video above is for the two hours completed yesterday.
It was such fun…..and we left our client very pleased.

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Please do think about scheduling some mid winter clean and tidy time with us. Next week is looking promising for milder temps. We are happy to work around your schedule and if you happen to work from home,  we can confer in person once we arrive, to commence with your work requests. It’s a great time to trim bushes and clear under them. A fresh new look. “Give it a go.”

We thank you for your support, and we always enjoy meeting up with you when we come round.

”CONTESSA” says…..It’s a good thing!

Gratitude for Wisdom and Direction

Psalm 139.14

Good Morning my Holy Father,

….you who are all-knowing of me. Please teach me your ways. I humbly ask for your wisdom and insight in my gardening assignments. I want to learn and to understand more, so that I can walk in this path you lay before me. Teach me to listen carefully. Teach me to resist any selfish temptations, and to share my knowledge in a teaching, but humble and helpful way. As I do this I learn more. You are all knowing and it is my hearts desire to please you. I want to build a more beautiful world in your honor. I thank you for this foundation that you helped me create. I am grateful for your calling, and this opportunity to work in my occupation that I not only love, but helps me to learn and enjoy my work with a full and thankful heart. I feel very blessed to receive this work and your generous provisions. You Father are very wise, so please nurture me in your path. I seek to spread the love we share with each other – to the people I am working for. It is all my honor to be with you in your earthly gardens. All glory and honor to you, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen 

 

Contessa’s Gardening – 1200 Block Martha Custis (REVISED – 1/24/22 – 4:30 pm)

 

Today we are looking back at some completed and some ongoing projects from last year, 2021.  We take videos of our work from the beginning, up to the point of the seasons completion. We thought we would share a project that was a referral. This clients next door neighbor used our services. Referrals are always welcome. We think it’s good to show folks just what progress has been made. And it’s also great for us to view these projects as a reminder of things that we can pick up on for this next year. Our clients rely on us to touch base with them to discuss what we can do for them as each new gardening season approaches. We enjoy seeing these  “before and after” videos. In many cases we’ve come a long way. We have quite a list of clients at this point, and each year we meet so many new folks as well. And our PFF community office now refers to us when you call the office as the “communities gardener.”

It is our pleasure to spruce up and tidy your yards. We live in such a fantastic community and the more we all care for our properties the better Parkfairfax gets. It’s such a pleasure to work with all of you, and we are really looking forward to spring 2022.

Please plan your consultation now, for the month of April. It is honestly not too early to do so. Our calendar will fill up very quickly. Each year you all call at the same time and to be fair to everyone, current and brand new clients, we want very much to be able to accommodate everyone without causing too much delay. As you know, once we start, it tends to “commence” pretty quickly. We are ready to take appointments now.

Thank you very much,

The Garden Contessa

 

 

REVISED – 1/24/22 / 4:30 pm 

Our text is somewhat lengthy and we included videos, but we think a compiled list of specific tasks might be helpful for your consideration. This then gives you a “soup to nuts” perspective on the total package of the work we completed.

• Invitation was set to trim all bushes ( they were all very overgrown and growing into each other) We trimmed them 15 inches from the ground, and away from the back brick wall 20 inches. A clean, tidy and manageable distance for being able to properly care for them, without being crowded and making it much easier and more manageable to care for them. This had never been done. Now they look fresh and have lots of room for new growth, and it’s an extremely tidy and clean appearance.  And everything will bloom much better

• Cut back all summer/fall plant bed growth

• Transplant and divide  three (3) Lenten Rose making more plants for next year.

• Trim all undergrowth away from under the bushes. Allowing for easier access to clean up the beds

• Remove all plants from the center courtyard. Thirty years worth of old and “has been” Hostas. (plans now include a visit to the nursery in the spring, to select new hardy perennial plantings at our clients cost) new plants or bushes to stand the test of time. Most  likely flowering

• Mulch all beds.  Haul away 10 bags of dead growth and debris to the community dump

• Rake the property and edge the beds

This project, for two units, side -by-side was billed at a total of six (6) hours.

We hope this gives you a perspective on everything we were tasked with doing. We certainly look forward to helping this great client again in the spring. We have created a friendship and an ongoing client. And other members of this courtyard  have expressed an interest in using our service this year, 2032.

“CONTESSA” says:  It’s a good thing”

Gardening in January

We are preparing a list now, of gardening tasks for January. If you have your own ideas, please forward them to us. We will revise our list as your suggestions come in. We are looking forward to hearing from you. Planning now and brainstorming for our 2022 gardening season is essential, so do send us a note with topics you have special interest in. Thank you so much. Stay tuned……

THE GARDEN CONTESSA

A day for…..

……some book learnin’

Studying bushes today. On our walks we see so many new types of bushes and we would like to learn more about them. Our community has a limited selection, which frankly were planted over thirty years ago. We’ve been talking to the DOO at the Parkfairfax yard about introducing some new bushes when an owner/client requests a change. Most  often it’s because the bush they want to take out – technically belongs to the community, thus requiring some permissions. But clearly some bushes we come across have seen their last days and we would enjoy helping our clients select something new without having to seek lengthy community approvals. This is a proposal we have introduced to see if it’s possible to execute without condominium committee approvals. Mind you these are one (1)bush changes, not a number of bushes. And our clients wish to upgrade to nicer bushes at their cost. We think it an acceptable and improving process. We are hoping to hear back about our proposal.

In the meantime, we’ve begun learning about new bushes that we have identified as we do research and talk to other private homeowners about bushes they have planted and had great success with. Often one or two new bushes can make a lovely difference in a small yard.

Contessa says “it’s a good thing.” 

my work prayer for today……

…..my dear Heavenly Father….

I am getting ready to go to my work assignment for today. Please join with me there, and let us be present with each other. I give you my day, and I ask you to work in me and through me, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Let my peace in you radiate, while I feel your comfort and care surrounding me and my gardening gifts. Thank you for my gardening talents. I ask this in your Holy name, Jesus Christ, always and forever…Amen

January 14th…..Ha! Gardening Today

We started this project in November and worked in between a couple other projects up to Thanksgiving. We were able to complete the front yard in entirety – to include a new mini evergreen for her holiday planter.

We accomplished a few days in December up to the 15th. Winter then set in. Today looks like a “promise” to continue where we left off. Our resident is pleased to have us continue. We will report about noon. It’s basically a weed job to further prep her long back bed with a deep new garden bed and a grassy area – to ready it for planting “sod” between the garden bed and the border of her slate patio.

We are looking forward to a little physical activity and getting her yard – one step ahead for spring planting and completion. ”TEMPS” today are favorable and the sunshine  is coming out. We will truly enjoy being out there. “God is good to us.”

So my gardening friends…..take a look at your yards. If you’ve projects-  there will be windows with favorable weather when we can accomplish some yard work for you. We are happy to hear from you, when you need our help.

Here’s to a pretty day!
“CONTESSA”

Winterberry Holly

This Winterberry Holly Bush is such an eye catcher. We discovered it on our walk. I finally ran into its owner yesterday. This particular bush is about five years old. The first three years it did not have the red berries. Like many plants it takes some time for them to establish. During the spring/summer and early fall it has a lovely green foliage, that is compact and thick.

Right now, it is blazing with red berries. In the autumn and winter, this deciduous female Winterberry Holly is very ornamental and beautiful. It’s perfect for bird lovers and makes for beautiful cut arrangements indoors. It prefers damp and wet soil habitats. It is highly attractive to bird lovers and cut-flower arrangers. It is full of branches and they are very compact and close – making for a beautiful bushy specimen. It thrives best when heavily pruned back in late winter. The idea being, it lives to produce berries on new wood branch growth. In fact each time it is pruned it “branches and berries” even more. It is a sturdy bush and very visible. A terrific border plant for along a driveway or in a partly shaded woodland garden. Very pretty near a white fence or house background

Prior to the berries blooming, comes a tiny white flower that is highly profuse in aroma. If you can purchase a male and female starter bush you will be very-successful with good pollination. One caution: the red berries can be toxic to pets.

We are lovers of this bush. It is a very easy plant to care for  and you will enjoy many an “admiring passerby.”

”Contessa”

Trimming and Caring for Hedges, Bushes and Garden Beds

 

These two bushes have been trimmed at our customers request. Prior to our visit, they had grown way outside the bed border, and on the sides they were overhanging the sidewalk entry and the natural breezeway between the property and an opening to the side and back of the building. And we have found that lower hanging trimming makes for such a tidy lower look. And it helps with cleaning leaves and debris from underneath. We also climbed behind the two bushes and trimmed them very carefully back and away from the brick wall, approximately 12 inches. This  easement allows for cleaning behind and under the bushes, making it easy fir the grounds crews to clean up. And then we created a 3 to 4 inch deep edging on the beds. This  allows for rain to roll off and helps keep the mulch inside the beds. Fresh new hardwood bark mulch about 1.5 inches thick was hand placed and spread. It’s our standard bed treatment. We refer to it as dressing your beds. If the soil under the bushes looks particularly dry, old and lacking a healthy color we generally recommend a soil abatement. Good garden soil added at your cost, does wonders for your bushes, your flowers and and your flowering bulbs and plants. In the case of this homeowner, we added new soil and new mulch and we raked the whole yard. This bed treatment raises the beds up about three inches and it looks like a showcase. It’s a very finished touch.  

A common comment from our homeowners is: “this is  common ground area.”  Of course it may be, but if you have invested in dressing up your beds, it’s very wise to “rake” the main part of your front lawn. When this  is done with a high quality rake, a large amount of dead grass comes out  along with the rake. What this does is bring new “air circulation” to  the grass, stimulating new fresh grass growth. You will be amazed to see new grass fill in within a weeks time. Your grass simply wanted some attention. It has been matted down by mowing and this smuthers any new grass growth. Makes good sense –  right?

At Contessa’s we call this entire process “dressing your lawn” to include bushes, edges, beds and grassy areas.  It’s tidy and looks fantastic

As residents pass by they always say….. Wow! It’s looking fantastic!  We agree and our homeowner is thrilled. They lived there twenty years and never cleared it cleaned their beds or grass lawn area. This  was a total of five hours work. They were embarrassed that they had let it go for so long without attention. And now Contessa has a repeat yearly customer. We love “helping and teaching” and we do both when we meet and work for our new clients,

invest some time in your yard and don’t forget to include at least some of your common ground area.  If everyone in Parkfairfax put in thus small amount of extra care – imagine how gorgeous our neighborhood would look.

Our Parkfairfax Condominium Community is one of the best kept secrets in Alexandria. Our trees and walking paths, large sidewalks, and beautiful variety of large and small trees, and the hidden wildlife here is truly amazing when you think that we live only 25 minutes from our nations capital building. We are so privileged to live in this wonderful neighborhood.

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Pictured above is a grouping/privacy hedge called Photinia. These bushes have been left to their own devices. Poor soil. Lack of proper trimming and left to grow only from the top. And they are diseased. When this  occurs do report your concerns in “Buildium,”. Thus tool was created for your use. It works and it’s so worth letting our crews know about what you need. Be patient but please report. You and your neighbors will benefit. It’s all of our duty to care for our great community.

The lessons learned here are to trim your bushes, and if you need our help call us during April to put your name on our schedule. Because every year – you all call at the same time and to be fair to everyone we cannot just squeeze you in.  Please plan ahead and at the very least book an early appointment.  Our spring is our busiest season, so let us get you on the schedule, You will be glad you did! And if we happen to get an earlier than normal spring we can certainly adjust your time and date,  We thank you!

“CONTESSA”

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