CHOOSING THE RIGHT KIND OF LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE FIRM Lots of landscaping companies offer basic yard maintenance services. That is, mowing, edging, mulching, weeding, and spring and fall clean-ups. We call this service mow, blow and run maintenance. Its a bunch of guys, with little horticultural knowledge pruning your shrubs into mushrooms with gas shears and destroying the character of the plant in this fast paced job.

A standard landscape maintenance company will keep your lawn and gardens looking

trimmed But is neat and presentable enough for you? More importantly, is it enough for your gardens?

Before we get into the nuts and bolts of what makes the difference in garden care and landscape maintenance, let’s agree that gardens are not a “set and forget” affair. Your landscape is a living, ever-changing ecosystem that evolves and needs consistent, knowledgeable care over time to achieve its full potential. That requires trained personnel who are attentive to all the details in the landscape both mechanical (Irrigation, Lightings) and horticultural (Plants).

Peter Atkins and Associates began this business with the reality that some properties deserve special attention in how they are maintained. Some properties have lots of beautiful shrubs like azaleas, rhododendrons, boxwoods, flowering trees that require attention with proper pruning. Other properties have perennial gardens that require deadheading, staking, dividing, soil amendments and other landscape gardens require many services from lawn cutting, mulching, cleanups.

The reason we are different is that we selects properties that we wish to maintain with our appointed gardeners. Other jobs come to us from referrals, our website and word of mouth sales. We are a full service landscape architecture, construction and fine garden care business.

Our entire range of services is provided by our in house staff and trusted contractors enabling us to stand behind our work with an unparalleled lifetime guarantee.

These teams will visit your gardens to take care of hand weeding, deadheading, planting your annuals, planting your pots, deadheading your roses, hand prune your shrubs, customized organic turf care, in house masonry, fencing and landscape installations.

Peter will email the client with property updates of what was completed after each visit.

Top-notch garden care makes the difference between a garden that flourishes in all seasons and one that doesn’t live up to its potential.

We provide comprehensive garden care with weekly visits during the growing season and select winter visits.  Under direction from our Head Horticulturalist, Peter Atkins, our care regimen is tailored to each landscape and can include spring clean-up,  turf care, weeding, care of perennial beds and fall leaf management.  We also offer woody plant care for plants under 14 feet in height which includes pruning and Integrated Pest Management

• A Fine Gardener’s singular goal is to vigilantly care for the soil, plants, and design compositions viewed through the lens of a dynamic natural system. This means that we must look at the garden with the eyes of a trainer and a caretaker. Consequently, we ask, “How can we make this perform better, look better, and be healthier?”

A maintenance contract provides a solid basis when it comes to putting the agreements into formal writing. Peter Atkins and Associates organizes which tasks should be carried out and you know exactly what you can expect from us. We will also provide a clear financial picture, in line with your personnel budget so that you will not be faced with any unpleasant surprises. Customization and personal contact are paramount. Some advantages listed:

• Appointed Gardeners stay with your property yearly. Supervision with senior horticulturist Peter Atkins who is on the job ever day.

• Always the right maintenance at the right time.

• A professional specialized landscaper with knowledge of your flower, edible, low maintenance and native gardens.

• A personal contact, your trusted landscaper.

• Affordable through fast and planned appointments.

Which maintenance contract should I choose?

Depending on your wishes, there are various options for implementing the maintenance contract. After an introductory meeting, we will create a tailor-made maintenance plan for you with the details of the contract and the frequency of the visits. In short you can choose between a limited and an extensive maintenance contract.

You may want to carry out a number of activities yourself, but you can partially outsource the garden maintenance to us. Think of the shape cutting of flowering ornamental trees, shrubs and bulbs for example. When it is clear how large the size of the garden maintenance is and what the hours are to be spent on this, you know exactly what you spend every year on the care of the garden.

We approach our projects with the idea that landscape design and garden maintenance are two sides of the same coin. A garden is more successful when it is cared for with the design intention in mind. And good design always takes long-term care and sustainability into account.

There is a direct connection between landscape maintenance and landscape design. Strategic garden care is a natural extension of design because the landscape design--the selections of plants, the groupings, and the geometry of the site--set the course for the maintenance to follow. At Peter Atkins, we call this design-conscious approach to all-in-one landscape and garden care - Garden Management.

Besides respect for design, our garden management process is steeped in horticultural expertise. Fine-tuning the landscape by adding color displays or perennial groupings, or by making meticulous adjustments (pruning, cutting back, thinning out, transplanting), is what brings out its greatness. Aside from the aesthetic benefit, skilled plant care promotes good health by letting air and light into the interior of plants, and stimulating growth and longevity.

When building and caring for the gardens of our clients, we use natural and proven organic methods. We are very proud to be an accredited Northeastern Organic Land Care business. Organic gardening starts with smart plant selection. When plants are in the right place–well suited to the site requirements, spaced and planted correctly and are given the care they need to become established–they thrive and need little or no intervention from us. An organic approach also avoids using toxic chemicals and other materials that harm the larger environment in and around your garden, business and home.

Whether you want to update your current landscape, build a new home, or add an addition, you are an indispensable member of our design team. After all, no one knows better than you how you want your landscape to look or how you want to enjoy it.

The design process begins with a face-to-face meeting in your home where we explore your “dream” landscape. Our mission is to help determine what you would like to see and how you want to use your landscape and gardens.

Before the art of landscape design starts, we conduct a scientific site inventory and analysis, using topography maps, aerial images and photos we have taken of the job site. We ask ourselves the question, “What is the site telling us we can do?” And we ask you, “What is your vision for the site?” We listen and distill this information. These conversations and data become the guiding framework for the process as we move forward. After your vision is established, we create a program for the project that lists the design’s scope items. Next, we start to sketch loose ideas in the form of overlay studies. These overlay studies are pared down to one option that we’ll further detail in the design phase.

From the initial meeting through to the finished projects, we want you to feel comfortable, confident and involved. Our team of landscape technicians and gardeners implement each design robustly and methodically that ensures your landscape garden project is constructed to exacting standards.

We pride ourselves on not only designing your garden but on delivering unique, professional landscaping each time. We will work closely with you from day one, exploring multiple options and discussing schedule and budget. We will remain partners as your landscape partners for the life of the property through our meticulous fine garden maintenance services. We offer a minimum of two year warrantee on our project as long we have a signed contract and are responsible for the care and maintenance of the landscape/gardens that we have built or renovated. All projects are always supervised by Peter Atkins and Mary Ann Henry.

This ensures two desired outcomes: you’ll end up with exactly the landscape you asked us to build for your property and you will have a great rewarding experience helping to make this happen.

• Every landscape varies in scale and complexity. 
• We will break this down into categories giving written cost for the job.
• All of our landscape and gardens are guaranteed to be successful.
• We offer comprehensive landscape maintenance services for all our gardens.

A coach is a cross between a consultant, designer, and a landscaper. A designer will give you ideas and plans, but won’t do the work. A landscaper will come in and do the work, but won’t teach you how. A coach is the best of both worlds. I’ll come in and offer design and plant selection ideas and maintenance tips. Then I’ll come back and actually work with you to perform some of the tasks.

A garden coach is for those gardeners who want to do their own gardening and landscaping, but need help getting started and knowing how to do specific projects. I’m comfortable working with absolute beginners to knowledgeable Master Gardeners. For labor intensive projects we have a team of very qualified gardeners who work side by side with Peter Atkins. These teams can perform construction such as fences, masonry, water features planting projects and fine garden maintenance services.

We are a full service firm that offers design and building solutions so that you can make your dream landscape a reality.

Landscape project managers such as Peter Atkins and Mary Ann Henry are well-versed in many of the most important aspects of company’s success. They are the company’s eyes and ears on project sites, ensuring work is done according to plan, managing and motivating team members and working with office staff and vendors to coordinate successful project installations and site management. 

Project Management

Landscape design and project management go hand in hand together to insure the finished design is installed in the way it was intended.  When you are ready to begin your project, We can support you through each step, from the bid process to the installation of the landscape design. We work with highly qualified contractors who provide fine craftsmanship, excellent customer service and have solid reputations and references. Managing your project insures that the end result will follow the original design vision. When a defined completion is stated we meet that deadline.

It is our goal to help you fall in love with your landscape. We strive to create personalized, vibrant and beneficial landscape designs that compliment your mature garden, solve existing design challenges or provide a complete landscape overhaul.

Landscape design services include:

• A scaled landscape plan including plants and hardscape
• A full plant list with points of interest
• A personalized mood board to help you visualize the plant combinations
• A detailed estimate and project plan

Elements in the design that we are not equipped to address will be referred to trusted contractors.

 WHAT TO EXPECT WITH YOUR LANDSCAPE DESIGN PROCESS:

• The initial one-hour consultation there is no charge for this consultation.  During this time, we get to know the project scope, your preferences and budget to make sure it is a good fit.
• You will be provided with a rough estimate for your design at the time of the initial consultation. You will receive a detailed project plan and estimate at the time of the design review.
• Payment for the design work is due at the time of the follow up review.
• Designs $500-$3,500 depending on scope and scale.
• Once your design is finalized, your place on the  Peter Atkins and Associates  installation schedule is secured with a 50% deposit.
• If you are interested in design services, please contact us as soon as possible.

Landscape construction can be a challenging process for the homeowner. Having a crew of strangers on your property all day. Being available for decisions as the inevitable problems surface. Dirt everywhere.

But when you work with us, many of those challenges disappear. We’ll hire the construction team that is the perfect fit for your project, including carpenters, metalworkers, masons, arborists, pool and spa installers, and lighting and irrigation specialists. We only work with people we know and trust that are apart of our network of contractors and artisans.

Peter Atkins and Mary Ann Henry will personally oversee the entire landscape construction and ongoing organic maintenance process to make sure all details is thoughtfully sourced, every design element is carefully crafted and every problem is dealt with quickly and efficiently to save both time and money. This dynamite team has been working together for over twenty eight years.

Peter Atkins and Associates designs many different types of hardscape. The following summary details some of our offerings and explains the benefit of landscape construction:

• Definition is sometimes clearer or easier when describing what something is not rather than what it is. Landscape construction or hardscapes, as some refer to it, is everything in the landscape that is NOT planting. It is not alive. It does not grow. With minor exception it does not change its form after the job's completion. What you see is usually what you get - as opposed to the diversely fluid life span of the planted garden.

• Landscape construction certainly defines outdoor space in the same way that planting beautifies outdoor space. Successful construction design and implementation can delineate space in a way that brings continuity and flow between the house and garden. It fortifies the functionality of the garden, pulling the user out as a participant rather than a mere observer. Its results are usually very immediate and, in most cases, permanent. It allows landscape to become architecture.

• This project below started when I was referred to a clients home to do some hydro seeding on a slope that was always difficult.  After showing our portfolio and spending numerous months on Saturday morning with the client, Peter Atkins and our client decided to transform the slope into a perennial garden. It would have a retaining wall that is 95 feet wall long and a large perennial garden would be placed within its wall. On top of the wall is a large border of Hydrangeas, carpet roses, edible berry and other shrubs. Within the garden would be a fountain for song birds and a patio below the garden with a portable fire pit for evening star gazing.  The vegetable garden was created that is 40x30 and hold many raised beds.  This was a two year process in design, collaboration and finally the year Covid arrived we were asked to install the job.  The job was installed in one year and follow year tweaking the design in year 2021.
• Project Budget: $250,000 +

Hardscape design can help you turn a plain and monotonous space into a delightful and inviting work of art where you will love to spend your time.

Our in house hardscape and landscaping professionals have experience in many different types of patio choices, including pavers, wet and dry laid natural stone, and brick. Patios and decks often include outdoor kitchen, water features, a fire pit, or a fireplace. Retaining walls serve a useful purpose by holding back the earth from certain areas. They can also be a decorative addition to any landscape design. In fact, this type of hardscape construction is sometimes performed simply for aesthetic purposes! Retaining walls can be constructed using several materials, including natural stone, paver, or brick.

Our design team will work closely with you to determine your needs and develop a design you will cherish and enjoy for years to come.

"Compost is a mixture of ingredients used to fertilize and improve the soil. It is commonly prepared by decomposing plant and food waste and recycling organic materials. The resulting mixture is rich in plant nutrients and beneficial organisms, such as worms and fungal mycelium. Compost improves soil fertility in gardens, landscaping, horticulture, urban agriculture, and organic farming. The benefits of compost include providing nutrients to crops as fertilizer, acting as a soil conditioner, increasing the humus or humic acid contents of the soil, and introducing beneficial colonies of microbes that help to suppress pathogens in the soil. Compost can also be used for land and stream reclamation, wetland construction, and landfill cover".