Sam Nelson of Johnson’s Landscaping Service was called to help a local homeowner for the “House Calls” feature of The Washington Post Home & Garden section.

The homeowner said, “We’d like to use landscaping that will help minimize our end-of-season cleanup. It’s been unbearable!”

Sam provided some tips, as well as a beautiful new design, for this homeowner! Some of Sam’s tips included:

Install a flagstone patio. Overestimate its size because when entertaining, people and seating will take up space. Also, this will cut down on the amount of grass to mow. Add a low stone wall around the maple tree. This creates a raised, shaded flower bed; its ledge can be used as extra seating.

Johnson’s Landscaping Service has been serving the greater Washington, DC area since 1960, providing quality service to the communities of Northwest D.C., Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Kensington, Silver Spring, Rockville, Potomac, and Olney.