News

C & D Debris Disposal

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:54:00 GMT

Looking for a convenient location to dispose of construction and demolition debris? At our facility in Florence, we can take in construction debris as well as clearing debris. Let us take the place of a landfill and save you time and money. We can also arrange to have one of our trucks haul this debris for you. Call us today and let us show you how we can help with your disposal needs.

Brick Chips Now Available

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:57:00 GMT

Just in time for your Spring landscaping projects. We now have brick chips at our Florence location as well as our Lexington location. See Recycled Products for sizes. Delivery available. Call for pricing.

5 Ways a Raised Garden Bed Delivers a Healthier Crop

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMT

A raised garden bed helps you achieve a healthier and more bountiful crop.

Raised garden beds are increasing in popularity with home gardeners as their crops are healthier and more bountiful. In fact, there are many benefits to gardening in raised beds.

Here are five ways a raised garden bed helps to deliver a healthier crop:

1. Raised beds warm quicker in the springtime: A raised garden bed warms quicker in the springtime which gives your garden an early start.

2. Eliminates moles, voles and gophers: Pesky critters can cause great damage to your vegetable crops.Raised garden beds eliminate pesky critters like moles, voles and gophers.

3. Creates better soil conditions: Bad soil conditions are no longer an issue with raised flower beds. The soil in such beds drains better and is easier to work with. A healthier soil is very beneficial for producing healthy, bountiful crops.

4. Higher yield: Because there is no need for space between crops, raised beds provide more crops per square foot.

5. Water conservation: Water conservation is a big plus to gardening in raised beds. Water can be concentrated to where it is needed, and there is reduced waste.

Contact the landscape supply experts at Earth Care for all of your raised garden and landscaping needs.

Use the contact form below to email us.

How to Maintain Concrete Pavers

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMT

How to Maintain Concrete Pavers

Concrete pavers add beauty and practicality to your home’s landscaping. They can be used as driveways and walkways, as well as patio and play areas. However, proper maintenance is important to maintain the beauty of the pavers.

Concrete is porous and will absorb substances quickly. Your best bet when it comes to maintaining concrete pavers is to avoid spills like grease, acid, oil, paint or other chemicals that can damage the pavers. If accidental spills do happen, avoid using pressure cleaners as they can damage the pavers and grout.

Proper maintenance of concrete pavers consists of sweeping and hosing down the area on a regular basis to keep the area clear of dirt and grime.

To clean spills and stains, sweep the area clean of dry debris and use soap and water to remove the stain. In the event you can’t remove the stain, you should consult a professional to deal with it.

Proper care will help to ensure your cement pavers continue to maintain their natural beauty and provide years of use for you and your family.

For top quality concrete pavers, visit the expert suppliers at Earth Care. They specialize in providing quality recycled building materials, along with other landscaping products.

Use the contact form below to email us.

Stone Gardens - Modern Solutions To Trouble Spots In Your Yard

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMT

4 Steps to create a beautiful stone garden.

Every homeowner is faced with trouble spots in their lawn and garden. Many of them continue to struggle to maintain these trouble spots and are constantly looking for solutions to the yard problems that plague them.

One creative solution to trouble spots in your lawn is to create a stone garden that camouflages the problem. In order to create a stone garden, follow these simple steps:

1. Clear the area: Map out the area you will make into your stone garden. Remove any shrubs, trees, debris, roots, weeds and large rocks.

2. Prepare the area: Once all the debris is removed, level out the area, adding soil if necessary. Lay down a weed screen to prevent weeds from growing through.

3. Purchase materials: Take the time to research materials. You will need to decide on what type of stone you will use. You can opt for a variety of colors and sizes to create a unique design. Order the supplies and schedule their delivery. You will need a wheelbarrow, shovel, rake and a pair of working gloves.

4. Build your garden: Begin by installing the larger stones first, and then fill in the area with the smaller stones. Add plants to enhance your design. You could create walkways using pavers.

For more information about retaining wall materials, contact Earth Care.

Use the contact form below to email us.

Stone Retaining Wall Vs. Concrete Retaining Wall - Which One Is Best For You?

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMT

A stone retaining wall adds natural beauty to your landscape.

There are multiple materials you can use to build residential retaining walls. However, before choosing the materials you will use, research the different ones available to ensure you are choosing the best one suited to your particular project.

Here are several things to consider when deciding which material is best suited for your retaining wall:

• Purpose of the wall.
• Your budget
• Architectural design of your home.

Here is a comparison between two popular choices of retaining wall materials:

Concrete block retaining wall: Concrete block is an affordable option. A concrete block system doesn’t require mortar and works well when you are creating curves. On the down side, these blocks don’t come in a wide variety of colors and can only be used when building retaining walls smaller than four feet.

Stone retaining wall: Stone retaining walls offer a natural beauty to your landscape. You can choose to use mortar to piece the wall together or simply stack the stones. Unlike concrete, there is a wide variety of stone available for use with many colors and textures to choose from. However, stone is more expensive than concrete block. In addition, if you use mortar to build the wall, you will need to supply proper drainage. Stacking the stones doesn’t require drainage because the water will seep through the cracks.

For more information about retaining wall materials, contact Earth Care.

Use the contact form below to email us.

Landscape Supply - 3 Fabulous Outdoor Living Ideas

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Landscape supply varieties give you endless options for outdoor living.

Outdoor living space today isn’t anything like it used to be. More and more families are now spending their recreational time at home in the great outdoors. Your outdoor living space, if planned well, can provide years and years of endless entertainment for you and your family. Here are three ideas to help turn your outdoor space into your own personal oasis.

1. Outdoor pond or water feature: The addition of an outdoor pond or water feature will bring a focal point to your landscape. Because it’s natural for people to gather around water, a water feature in your backyard offers a nice, relaxing space to entertain friends and family. Such features make a great do-it-yourself project that will add value to your property.

2. Outdoor patio: Outdoor patios are a great extension of your home, providing additional living space for relaxing or entertaining. There are many options available to homeowners to build fabulous outdoor patios. You can leave them open or enclose them and make them as small or as large as you want, to fit your particular needs.

3. Outdoor fireplace: Outdoor fireplaces are growing in popularity as more and more families are spending more time outdoors. Outdoor fireplaces can be built using concrete, brick or stone pavers and will add beauty to your outdoor landscape. Gather with friends and family on a brisk fall evening, or cuddle with someone special. An outdoor fireplace will bring years of wonderful memories.

For top quality landscape supply, visit the experts at Earth Care.

Use the contact form below to email us.

Pavers - Brick vs. Stone

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Pavers offer a wide variety of use for landscaping projects.

Pavers can be used for a variety of aspects in your landscaping projects. There are several varieties, sizes, colors and textures available. Finding the right paver for your project is essential to success. Here is what you need to know about two of the most popular types of pavers.

Stone Pavers: Stone pavers are natural forming, not manufactured. They offer a more natural look to your landscaping projects. Because they are natural, they are higher priced than brick.

Stone pavers do have their limitations. Different types of stone have different hardness and strength. Many stone products won’t work as a driveway, but would work great for walkways, patios, and paths. Stone pavers are also great material to use as landscape borders and garden and retaining walls.

Before using stone for your landscape projects, thoroughly research the type of stone you want to use to ensure it will to the job you want it to do.

Brick Pavers: Brick pavers are manufactured out of shale and clay. They are sturdier than stone pavers and ideal to use in a variety of landscaping projects. They are strong enough to use on driveways, walkways, patios, borders, garden and retaining walls.

There is some choice of color and tones to choose from, but not a wide variety.

For more garden ideas, visit the experts at Earth Care.

Use the contact form below to email us.

Garden Ideas - How To Build A Secret Garden

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Secret gardens are wonderful additions to your yard.

Create your own private sanctuary by building a secret garden. Use your imagination to design your own special hideaway in your back yard. It can be as large or as small as you want. That’s part of the beauty of designing your own secret place to escape the hustle and bustle of your busy life.

Here are 3 tips to help you build a secret garden.

1. Plan your design: Choose an area of your yard that is out of the way of heavy foot traffic and children’s play areas. Draw your design on paper. A secret garden is enclosed. You can use a variety of large shrubs, build stone walls, or use a combination of both to create this enclosure. The opening to your garden can be as creative as the walls. Use an old door to make a unique entry, or simply leave an opening in the shrubs.

2. Research plants: Research the plants you will use to close off your garden. Make sure to choose fast growing shrubs, plants and hedges that suite your geographical area. Consider the size of the plants when they reach full maturity, you don’t want them to overcrowd your garden.

3. Add special features: A water feature, birdbath, statue, or bench make a lovely focal point for your secret garden. Chimes, bird feeders, a hammock, gazebo, and driftwood all make for wonderful additions to your secret garden.

For more garden ideas, visit the experts at Earth Care.

Use the contact form below to email us.

How To Design Landscape Borders

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Use your creativity when designing landscape borders.

Landscape borders add the finishing touch to any landscape. In addition to creating an eye catching landscape, borders are practical as well.

Here are three tips to help you design landscape borders for your home or business.

1. Follow the design theme of your home: Use materials that match your home to keep the design flowing through your yard. If your home is made of stone, consider using stone borders to accent your flower beds, walkways and around the trees.

2. Be creative: Use your creativity when designing landscape borders. There is a variety of materials you can choose from, so allow your creativity to guide you. Outline your walkway with flowers to welcome guests to your front door. Add delightful statues, water fountains or stepping stones to create focal points in your landscaping. Let your personality shine through your design.

3. Start with a great plan: Develop a plan and draw out a blueprint. Take into consideration any environmental factors that may affect your borders. For example, if the area doesn’t get enough sunlight, you will need to pick plants and flowers that are happy growing in shade. If there is water runoff, you may want to consider building a raised bed to protect from erosion. A well thought out plan will help ensure the success of your landscape.

For the best landscape materials, contact the experts at Earth Care.

Use the contact form below to email us.

Using Stone Pavers for Outdoor Designs

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 04:00:00 GMT

4 Great Ideas for Using Stone Pavers in Your Outdoor Landscaping

Stone pavers come in a large variety of sizes, styles, and colors that can be used for many landscaping projects. You can mix and match sizes and colors to create a custom appearance for your project. They are very sturdy and can withstand harsh environmental elements.

Here are four great ideas for using stone pavers.

1. Walkways: Using stone pavers to create walkways can add a beautiful and functional element to your landscape. You can use them to create an eye-catching front walkway, or to create a path to your garden.

2. Patios: Stone pavers are perfect for creating backyard patios. They are easy to install and will provide a wonderful area for gathering and entertaining friends and family.

3. Garden walls: Building garden walls with stone pavers helps to create focal points in your landscape.

4. Fire pits: Fire pits are increasing in popularity. Pavers can be used to create a seating area around the pit as well as for constructing the pit itself.

There are many more uses for stone pavers in your landscaping. Contact the pros at Earth Care for more information about pavers and other landscaping material.

Use the contact form below to email us.

Concrete Recycling for Landscaping

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Concrete recycling creates materials that are a great addition to your landscape plan.

Using recycled building materials for landscaping is the perfect solution for creating an environmentally friendly landscape for your home. Recycled materials can create an eye-catching, beautiful addition to your home, while staying ‘green’. While there are many different types of recycled materials, we’ll focus here on recycled concrete.

Concrete recycling for landscaping is increasing in popularity as more and more homeowners are doing their part to help conserve resources and save our environment. Recycled concrete can be used for driveways, paths, and walkways as well as for foundation fill for walkways, patios, fences, and retaining walls. Recycled concrete also works great for areas of your yard that have drainage problems.

Before your next landscaping project begins, consider using recycled concrete as well as other recycled products to help keep your environmental footprint small. Recycled building materials offer the same quality and aesthetic appearance as other materials available on the market.

Earth Care specializes in recycled building materials that work great for landscaping. They carry recycled concrete, brick, asphalt, and stone as well as other landscaping materials that help you create your own outdoor oasis.

Use the contact form below to email us with your questions.

Wooden Retaining Wall - All the support you need for a fraction of the cost

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 04:00:00 GMT

A wooden retaining wall is a practical solution for your landscaping needs.

Building a wooden retaining wall is an easy do-it-yourself project that won’t break the bank. Landscaping timbers are the ideal material use for retaining walls to hold dirt in place on a sloped landscape. They’re also great for creating decorative flower beds and gardens and for highlighting your backyard landscaping.

Many homeowners are perplexed when faced with sloping landscapes that create erosion and instability. Rainfall can wash the soil away and leave you with an unsightly mess to clean up. The best solution is to build a wooden retaining wall that will hold the soil in place, and allow you to create an aesthetically pleasing landscape.

Once the retaining wall is completed, you can turn the area into a garden or seating area. Knowing that the soil is secured, your options for the area are endless. You can decorate your wooden retaining wall with hanging plants or by simply planting vines at the base to grow up the wall.

For your wooden retaining wall supplies, contact the professionals at Earth Care. They proudly specialize in recycled landscape materials, as well as offering a wide variety of other landscape products.

Use the contact form below to email us.

How to Plan Retaining Walls Design

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Retaining Walls Design - 5 Steps Before You Build

Retaining walls offer an ideal solution for dealing with sloped land and other landscaping issues. Before attempting to build a retaining wall, you should first take the time to develop a plan. Here are five elements you should consider before starting the project.

1. Locate your lot survey: Locate the most recent survey of your lot to check for property lines. It will also be valuable in creating your retaining walls design.

2. Check for utility lines: Locate and mark any underground utility lines.

3. Building permit: Check with your city to determine whether you will need a building permit.

4. Your neighbors: It is always a good idea to inform your neighbors about any construction you are planning.

5. Materials: When choosing the materials for your retaining walls design you will first need to determine the type and size wall that is needed. Concrete block walls are perfect for holding back large areas of soil. They are available in different sizes. Natural stone walls are perfect for small landscaping walls for gardens, patios, and flower beds. Landscape timbers are great for large walls as well as flower beds and smaller retaining walls for landscaping.

Let the experts at Earth Care provide you with the perfect retaining wall building materials.

Use the contact form below to email us.

Garden Decor Ideas You'll Love

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Garden décor ideas – How to create a Zen garden.

Backyard gardens offer beauty and tranquility to you outdoor living space. No matter how big or small your yard, adding a Zen garden is a wonderful addition to your home.

• Create your plan: Pick the spot in your yard for the garden. You may want to consider a location that is away from children’s play areas. Once the location is picked, decide on the size of your garden, then draw out your plan.
• Build the form: Landscape timbers or old railroad ties are perfect for outlining your Zen garden.
• Clear the debris: Remove any debris from the area, such as large rocks, tree roots, and weeds. Lay down weed screen or plastic down to prevent future weed growth.
• Add sand or gravel: Fill the form with sand or gravel. Recycled crushed stone is ideal for creating an environmentally friendly garden. Rake the stone or sand to create the appearance of ripples in water.
• Add finishing touches: Now that the matrix of your garden is finished, you can add stones, vegetation, pieces of old wood, stepping stones, and other soothing décor.

Now you are set to enjoy the peace and tranquility your Zen garden offers. Visit the experts at Earth Care for more garden décor ideas and for the best variety of recycled landscaping materials.

Use the contact form below to email us.