Landscape Construction

Timber Work

A nice set of timber steps or a small retaining wall can sometimes add a whole new dimension to your landscape.
Retaining walls will often allow us to create more level grades. Whether it is to lessen the degree of a slope in a planting bed or to help develop a more level lawn area or parking space, timber walls help to increase the potential of an area that was once not "useable" because of its grade.

Stone Paths

Lots of gardens are given a finishing touch with the addition of a meandering stone path. Depending on what type of look, you would like to add to your garden, there are different options.

If you desire a somewhat more formal look, a path created from crushed stone with steel edging to guide your path just as you would like is an excellent option. The crushed stone is available in a variety of colors and textures to match your specific needs.

For someone who is looking for a more natural appearance, we can provide you with a wide variety of natural stones and individually set them in place. This is done, at times with many stones, to create a path that takes you from one end of the garden to the other or just as a single stone to give you a place to step while you attach a hose to a hydrant within the garden.

To discuss which type of path may best suit your needs, please feel free to contact us.

Water Features

Without a doubt, the most eye catching, non plant related addition to ones garden is often a water feature. Water features can be an addition that is a visual focal point of the garden or they can be less conspicuous and offer not much more then the sound of running water.

Drainage

In order for your plants and turfgrass to thrive, they will require water. Unfortunately, they often suffer from too much water due to poor drainage or excessive runoff. Most of these problems can be somewhat easily corrected, depending on your exact problem. We could possibly improve the drainage situation by installing drop inlet drains and piping the excess water away. In some cases, it is merely a matter of regrading to redirect the flow of water. Whatever the cause of the problem, we can help you with the solution. We would like to mention that the best time to address these drainage problems is before they even occur. During the installation process of most of our plantings and grading projects, we make a concentrated effort to do our best to foresee where drainage may become a problem, and take the correct steps to remedy the situation.

If we could be of any help with your drainage problems or questions, please contact us.

Steel Edging Installation

Occasionally, in order to create a clean line of definition between your gravel driveway and lawn or to help delineate a crushed stone path that meanders through a planting bed, we recommend the use of steel edging.
Steel edging is a fairly simple and inexpensive way to keep your plantings separate from your walks and drive.
There is a variety of steel edging available depending upon it's intended use. Please feel free to contact us to discuss the different types of edging and which one might best suit your needs.

Native Grass and Wildflower Meadows

The popularity of native grass and wildflower meadows is growing. We have spent the last ten years developing strategies for creating these drought-tolerant natural areas which offer habitat for wildlife, attract insects and pollinators and increase overall biodiversity, while building something that is both unique and aesthetically pleasing. They will adapt to nearly any site and do not require fertilization or chemical applications. They have very deep root systems which sequester carbon, tap into water sources far below the grown and prevent erosion.

Rising energy costs and evolving attitudes have inspired a number of people to reduce or eliminate their lawns and pastures in recent years. Increasingly, they have been turning to Warm Season Grass and Wildflower Meadows as an alternative. Compared to lawn or pasture, these meadows require minimal maintenance. Periodic cutting or burning, done annually or biennially during the late winter or early spring, is often all that is required.

Warm Season Grass and Wildflower Meadows are comprised primarily of native warm season grasses and wildflowers, which have adapted to this region over time. Many of these are valued by local wildlife populations and are drought tolerant, unlike traditional lawn and forage plants, such as Fescue and Rye grass. Each species evolves throughout the year, providing for constant botanical interest and seasonal beauty.

Plant Guidlines

Watering Instructions

Growing Months:

1 Gallon Plants – Water three times per week for two to three weeks after installation, then twice per week for the remainder of the season. (.5 to 1 gallon per plant, 15 seconds per watering)

3 Gallon Plants – Water three times per week for two to three weeks after installation, then twice per week for the remainder of the season. (2 to 3 gallons per plant, 30 seconds per watering)

5 or 7 Gallon Plants – Water three times per week for two to three weeks after installation, then twice per week for the remainder of the season. (3to 5 gallons per plant, 45 seconds per watering)

Trees – Water 10 gallons per inch of caliper per week.  i.e. - A two inch tree (10-14’ tall) should get 20 gallons per week (total of 5-10 minutes).  This can be split into two or three waterings.

Ground Cover – Thoroughly soak the plant and the soil immediately around each plant, two to three times per week for two to three weeks, then twice per week for the remainder of the season.

Dormant Months:

1 Gallon Plants – Water once per week (.5 to 1 gallon per plant, 15 seconds per watering)

3 Gallon Plants – Water once per week (2 to 3 gallons per plant, 30 seconds per watering)

5 or 7 Gallon Plants – Water once per week (3to 5 gallons per plant, 45 seconds per watering)

Trees – Water 10 gallons per inch of caliper per week.  i.e. - A two inch tree (10-14’ tall) should get 20 gallons per week.  This can be split into two or three waterings.

Ground Cover – Thoroughly soak the plant and the soil immediately around each plant twice per week.

Notes:
1. Disregard any rainfall unless it exceeds two inches.
2. Some plants may require water more often than others.  The directions above are guidelines only.  Adjustments may have to be made for site conditions and plant differences.
3. Always monitor soil moisture by feeling the soil under the plant/tree.  Overwatering is possible in heavy soils.
4. Watering should be done with a watering wand.
5. The above directions should be followed for approximately 6 months, after that the plants should be watered on an as needed basis during dry periods.  Supplemental watering during dry periods may need to go on for as long as two years after installation depending upon the plant and site conditions.
6. Watering should be focused at the base of the plant.  Wetting the foliage does not benefit the plant and can at times promote disease.
7. When possible, water in the morning or evenings to minimize evaporation.

Commercial Garden Installation

Commercial Garden Installation

Holiday Lighting

Let there be light...

J. W. Townsend, Inc. would love to help you with your holiday decorating.

We have several years experience bringing the lights and colors of the season to the homes and landscapes in and around Albemarle County. We can do one area - a few shrubs, an entranceway - or an entire yard or property. We can design the display and purchase the lights for you, or we will happily use your lights and your ideas.

Please contact Steve Pekary no later than November 15 for more information and to schedule a consultation; call soon as there are only a few openings available for this year.

We look forward to bringing lights to your life...

Hot Pots

hotpots is your solution for gorgeous, colorful displays. Enhance your patio or landscape with seasonal color, create a green space where none previously existed, or bring instant charm to a wedding or event with container gardens.

For more information call our hotpots department directly 434-981-3582.

Commerical Maintenance

Commerical Maintenance page under construction.

Turf

Sod

With all the landscape possibilities available, none of them provide you with that instant impact as much as sod. In very little time your bare yard can become a full green lawn. There may be times where installing sod over your entire lawn may be more than interests you, but there may also be that highly visible turf area right near the front door that is a perfect candidate. Beside giving you the effect of an instant lawn, sod also allows you to install a quality lawn during seasons when it may not be ideal to seed.

New Lawns

When installing a new lawn, soil quality and proper grading are equally important. During the installation process of your new lawn is the time to take care of many such problems and shortcomings. It is much more cost effective to address these types of problems in the very beginning rather than to try and remedy them later.

Soil quality and proper preparation are very important. After all, grass is a plant that appreciates a well-prepared soil just as much as a small perennial does. By going through the effort of breaking up compacted soils and adding compost, the lawn will not only be healthier and greener, but it will also encourage a deeper root system which will, in turn, dramatically increase the lawns resistance to drought and temperature stress.

When grading a home site for a new lawn, we pay particularly close attention to how the rain water will flow across the lawn. We want to make sure that it flows away from the home, and that it continues to flow, and does not puddle.

Aerating and Overseeding

As the end of summer arrives and fall begins, many people take advantage of this ideal time of year to renovate their lawns. Lawn aeration, along with overseeding and fertilization, is a very beneficial and cost-effective treatment for your lawn.

Reasons to Aerate:

•     Relieves compaction
•     Improves the soils ability to take in moisture
•     Increases microbial activity
•     Promotes deep root development
•     Loosens existing thatch

All of these reasons to Aerate, combined with others, greatly improve your lawn's overall appearance and vigor.

One time aeration of your lawn is beneficial; however, we recommend annual aeration, or at least once every two to three years. This process will give you a cumulative effect and improve the overall health and vigor of your lawn.

Mowing and Turf Care

We also offer a mowing service focused on the details of job quality and customer service. In addition to mowing, we also offer turf weed control and bush hogging.

Residential and Commercial Maintenance

Our garden maintenance staff is separate from our planting staff and dedicated specifically to Fine Gardening and Landscape Management for estates, residences and commercial properties.

We can provide a short term or long term care of your gardens.

What does our maintenance program offer?

Our basic program includes, but is not limited to, the following services; as part of our estate gardening program, we are happy to:

•         Keep accurate records concerning all aspects of horticultural care of your property
•         Haul away and dispose of (off-site) all vegetative debris generated on this site
•         Hand weed (and spray, if possible) all beds and hardscapes
•         Hand prune all plants, as needed (no tree climbing)
•         Deadhead and "pinch back" perennials, as necessary
•         Perform fall/spring cleanup of annual/perennial beds and ornamental grass plantings
•         Fertilize all bulbs, after flowering, with Bulbtone
•         Apply organic fertilizer, such as Sustane (5-2-4), on all shrub beds, under small ornamental trees, at the recommended rate in the spring and fall seasons
•         Annually re-edge existing mulched beds with a "V-ditch" edge
•         Install premium double shredded hardwood mulch in plant beds
•         Remove leaves and debris from the bed areas in spring and autumn (lawn areas are not included)
•         Fertilize annuals, as necessary
•         Monitor and diagnose minor plant insect/disease problems

We can also offer the following services, for your specialized needs:

•         Apply deer control products, as needed
•         Lawn aeration, overseeding and fall fertilization
•         Top dress all shrub beds with ½" of composted manure in mid winter to early spring
•         Take two (2) soil samples per year and send for diagnosis

    While we can anticipate the level of care, each site is different with different needs. Each program is tailored to the specific needs of each garden. Therefore, we invoice the actual labor, equipment and materials used on the site, on a monthly basis.

If you are interested in receiving a landscape maintenance proposal, please feel free to contact us.

Resources

Resources

Awards

Under contstuction

Installation

Planting

Whether you are looking to plant a small perennial garden or a mile long driveway with large trees, we have the expertise and experience todo it, and to do it right. Your project will have our full attention from start to finish.

Plant Material: On staff, we have a horticulturist whose main priority is to insure that all of the plant material we receive meets our exceptionally high standards (much of what we reject conforms to "industry standards," but not to ours). We deal only with the finest growers who use the best growing and packaging methods. More than 90% of the trees we purchase have been hand selected and physically tagged by a member of our staff while they are still growing in the grower's field!

Site Preparation: Enough cannot be said about site preparation prior to planting; we take this part of the process quite seriously. How well the plants perform relates directly to how well the site has been prepared. The level of preparation will obviously depend on the specific site and the plant material involved, but, with respect to the ultimate success of the project, it is the most significant phase of the job.

Planting: Over the years, as a result of our experience, education, and horticultural expertise, we have developed numerous planting techniques; many are specific to certain site conditions and plant situations. While we are working on your project, we will always invite your questions and participation. You will enjoy seeing your vision become a reality.

Aftercare: While we may have cleaned up and left your site, you have not seen the last of us. Periodically, during the first year, that your plants are in the ground, someone from our staff is likely to stop by just to take a look at how things are going. While we guarantee all new plant material for a period of one year after installation, any plant or pest problem that can be caught and corrected early will insure that the plant(s) remain healthy and thrive during that critical first year, and then really "take off" in terms of growing during the second year. While we can observe the plants during these informal visits, we cannot be responsible for pest detection after the installation of the plants.

A written list of instructions, specific to your plants and your project with detailed watering guidelines and other items for your attention, will be given to you before we leave. After we leave, our staff and our expertise will still be available to answer any questions that you may have.

Whether what you have in mind are large plants, small plants, or plants in between, we know how to do the job, and how to do it right.

Transplanting

We have come across numerous situations where a good plant had been planted in the wrong location and had, with the passage of time, outgrown that location. Frequently these plants are worth keeping, but need to be relocated to a more suitable location.

Does transplanting make sense? Sometimes; our recommendation is as follows: If the 'present market value' exceeds the 'cost to transplant' then transplanting may make economic sense. We can provide the valuations and costs necessary to make this decision. For example, some plants are "priceless" and worth more than the cost to move them (large boxwoods being a perfect example). Before you assume your 12-14' American Boxwood is too large to move, give us a call.

The transplanting of large boxwoods is one of our specialties. Since J.W. Townsend, Inc. began in business, we have moved more than 500 large American Boxwoods ranging in size from 8-14' with an amazing success rate. We have also moved English Boxwoods that were 6' tall and 12' across. This process takes time and is expensive; but, is well worth the time and expense for plants that are truly "priceless."

Mulching

Without a doubt, preparing a new "V-ditch" edge and applying a fresh layer of mulch to your plant area will give you the most visible improvement for your dollar.

Reasons to Mulch:

•     Improves the appearance of your garden.
•     Helps the soil maintain moisture, by acting like a blanket, and slowing the sun and wind from drying out the soil.
•     Protects the soil and plant roots from extreme hot and cold temperatures. Like the insulation in your home, the mulch helps keep the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, both of which are greatly appreciated by the root systems of your plants.
•     Weed control: a good layer of mulch helps keep down the number of germinating weeds in your garden by not allowing the weed seeds to have soil contact.
•     Improves the soil quality. Over time, the mulch will decompose and add organic matter to the soil.
•     The mulch we use is a high quality, double-shredded, hardwood mulch that has been aged to give it its dark brown color, and to insure no unsightly large pieces.

  
Our mulch arrives 80 yards at a time from a supplier who fully understands and provides the quality that we require.

Fine Gardening

Fine Gardening Maintenance & Landscape Management

Qualifications and experience make a difference: Since our founding in 1983, we have offered comprehensive and unsurpassed garden installation services. In 2000, we expanded to include the Fine Gardening and Landscape Management Department. Our talented and knowleable gardeners combined have over 75 years of professional gardening and landscape experience. We focus on providing dependable, consciencious, and professional garden care with an emphasis on tending to our clients’ needs and exceeding their expectations.

In The News

We publish our newsletter quarterly. To receive a copy by mail, give us a call at 434-973-1154 and we will add you to our mailing list.

Contact Us

We serve the Charlottesville/ Albemarle County area and surrounding localities throughout Virginia. We currently have projects in northern, central and southwest Virginia.

J.W. Townsend, Inc.
3980 Seminole Trail
Charlottesville, VA 22911
Telephone: 434/973-1154
jwt@townsendlandscape.com

J.W. Townsend Landscapes

J.W. Townsend Landscapes, begun in 1983, specializes in garden installation with a specific focus on site analysis, bed preparation, and plant installation. Offering perennials, groundcovers, woody ornamentals, and trees, we use high-quality material primarily from growers of the mid-Atlantic and northeast.

Quick facts about J.W. Townsend Landscapes:

• Located in Charlottesville,Virginia
• Employs 40–45 exceptional employees
• Fulfills high-quality custom contracts with a group of architects and landscape architects with whom we have long-standing relationships
• Maintains a ratio of 85% custom residential & 15% institutional and commercial
• Employs knowledgeable, conscientious, and dedicated people, most being certified in their field

Horticultural Experience

• 245(+) cumulative years of horticultural experience performing garden installation and analysis
• 20 Virginia Certified Horticulturists through the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association
• 2 ISA Certified Arborists
• 12 Certified Pesticide Applicators
• 1 PLANET (Professional Landcare Network) Certified Landscape Professional
• 2 Advanced Virginia Certified Horticulturists through the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association
• 1  LEED AP

Customer Privacy/Confidentiality

Maintaining our customers’ privacy is very important to us. To that end, each employee is asked to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Townsend Landscapes is a member of:

• PLANET
• Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association
• American Horticultural Society
• Virginia Turf Grass Council
• Piedmont Landscape Association

J.W. Townsend Landscapes

Environmental Improvement Grand Award

J. W. Townsend, Inc. has won the Grand Award for Native Grass and Wildflower Meadows in the 2011 Annual Environmental Improvement Awards Program sponsored by the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). This awards program reflects the association’s commitment to creating and preserving the beauty of our landscape. continued...

Horticulture trivia:

What tree or shrub is virtually extinct? It has not been seen in the wild since 1790. continued...

Staff Spotlight…

As the plant buyer and nursery manager at J.W. Townsend, I have been given the specific task of providing the highest quality plants available - from the best nurseries. Furthermore, it is always my goal to source the exact plant list provided by the landscape architect or client. After five years of searching for and purchasing superior plants, I have developed reliable sources for nearly any type of plant imaginable, from tiny plugs to enormous, specimen trees. continued...