Mulch Volcanoes

Spring is the air and so is the smell of newly laid mulch.  In many yards and landscape beds you will see mulch that was haphazardly piled into mounds around tree trunks, creating what many call “mulch volcanoes.”  Many people, and companies, feel the more mulch the better and as a result, they are harming and in some cases, slowly killing these trees.

It is important to note that mulch has its values, including its ability to retain soil moisture during times of drought, moderate temperature in during extreme temperatures associated with winter and summer, and suppress weeds. However, the value is lost when the mulch is misapplied, or over-applied as is the case with “mulch volcanoes.”  Mounding mulch against tree trunks causes existing surface roots to suffocate and new roots to grow into the mulch instead of the soil, which leaves them at risk of drying and dying once the mulch decays. In addition, mulch volcanoes soften the bark of young trees, and invite insects, rodents, and disease to invade the tree.

Kane Landscapes’ crews are trained to properly apply the correct amount of mulch so that it is beneficial to your trees and plants.  If you are interested in our Fall Mulching service to keep your plants and trees safe this winter, please contact us for an estimate.

Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce

Kane Landscapes is proud to announce its membership with the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce. Founded in 1968, the Loudoun County Chamber has grown to become the largest Chamber of Commerce in Northern Virginia. Our more than 1,200 members form the premier network of businesses and community leaders in the nation’s most economically vibrant and fastest growing counties. Northern Virginia’s finest businesses are Loudoun County Chamber members because they need the finest networking, marketing, information and leadership opportunities in this very competitive market.

As members of the Chamber, we come in contact with the best businesses and contractors in the area, meaning we can provide our customers with dependable referrals. Whether you are looking for an accountant, plumber, electrician, mortgage lender, insurance agent, etc.. we can steer you in the right direction.

Kane Landscapes Advisory Board Meeting

On January 6, 2012, Kane Landscapes, Inc. held it's 8th semi-annual Advisory Board Meeting at Dolce Vita Restaurant in Fairfax, VA. The Advisory Board was established in January, 2008 in order to help Kane's owners and management establish long and short term goals, develop practical solutions to problems, and to advise us on complex decisions.  We are fortunate to have many well established and prestigious business professionals on our Board including:

Jason Cupp - Growth Consultant; Former President of PLANET

John Kane - Precise Systems; Long-time Kane Customer

Jim Rice - Attorney, Principal of Brody Wilkinson, PC
John Ryan - President of the Center for Creative Leadership; Former USNA Superintendent

Russ Stube - CPA, is the managing shareholder of Bailey, Stube & Glaser; Long-time Kane Customer

Marcus Vandevliet - Consultant and Founder of MV Enterprises

At the most recent Advisory Board Meeting Kane's owners, board members, and management team discussed the most critical elements of our business including, customer service and retention, employee development and retention, and our financial performance and budget for 2012. In addition, we discussed our company vision and 5 year strategic plan.

The owner's of Kane Landscapes gained insight, advice, and expertise from our established board members and management team. We would like to thank each board member for taking their personal time to help improve our company. And we would like to thank our management team for their dedication and commitment to meeting our goals.

The Gift of Giving

At Kane Landscapes we are always looking for ways we can help give back to the community and help those less fortunate. What better time to give back then during the Holiday season?

This year, instead of sending Holiday Cards to our customers to show our appreciation, we have decided to give the gift of giving. Our Daily Bread is a volunteer-based organization that focuses on easing the plight of low income residents in Fairfax County. Through their Holiday Program, Kane Landscapes has "Adopted" a family of seven in Falls Church and provided the parents and children with gifts, clothing, household needs, and a Holiday meal.

On Saturday, December 17th, Kane's Managers personally delivered the truck load of gifts to the family.  It was such a wonderful and eye opening experience to be able to help this gracious family.  We would like to thank our employees and customers for their support in making this possible.

If your family, friends, business, or other organization you belong to is interested in sponsoring a family, donating money, or donating a meal please visit ODB’s website at http://www.odbfairfax.org/. There are more than 2,000 local families on their list this year in need of assistance that will otherwise not be able to afford gifts and food for the Holidays.

Amanda Hamilton, Landscape Industry Certified Technician

Kane Landscapes is proud to announce that Amanda Hamilton, Designer, has officially passed the Landscape Industry Certified Technician-Exterior test.  The Landscape Industry Certified Technician Test is a national, hands-on testing program administered by the Landscape Contractors Association (LCA). It recognizes proficiency in the landscape workforce, upgrades the status of the landscape professional, and provides the public with a means of identifying qualified landscape professionals.

Amanda is now among an elite group of landscape professionals, including Josh Kane, Head Designer, who have earned the designation of Landscape Industry Certified Technician. Congratulations to Amanda for proving her ability and dedication to the industry. We are so proud to have her on board at Kane Landscapes. She is a both a talented designer and hardworking, team player.

Kane Wins LCA 2011 Excellence in Landscapes Award

Before

October 4, Sterling: Kane Landscapes, Inc. is proud to announce that we recently received an award for our entry into the 2011 Excellence in Landscape Awards by the Landscape Contractors Association (LCA).  Kane will be receiving a Distinction Award at LCA’s Awards Ceremony on November 16th in the category of Outdoor Living Area for a recently completed project in Grenata Preserve in Leesburg, VA.

After

Dania Kagan, homeowner and long time Kane customer commented, "Josh Kane had a vision for our backyard that made it both functional and beautiful. The attention to detail, the professional crew and the quality of the plantings all helped make working with Kane Landscapes a wonderful experience. Over the past few years we have used them on several projects and are never disappointed. Josh is a truly gifted landscape designer."

After

The backyard of the Kagan residence appeared to be a perfect blank canvas.  With almost three acres of open grass area behind the home, there was room to fit in all the client’s wishes.  An initial design was created that gave the client everything they desired for this backyard retreat.  A large “lagoon” style pool with natural boulder waterfalls, a gas fireplace near the large hot-tub, and a private patio area off the entrance to the basement where the kids can hang out. The outdoor living area connects to the driveway by way of a natural stone pathway. There are two other stone pathways leading from the outdoor room to the pool deck, and from the pool deck to the small patio area for the kids. Along with the lush plantings, a low voltage system, drip irrigation system, and a colorful Mexican tile fountain were also installed.

Giving Back Through Landscape Design

On September 17, the Loudoun Chapter of Habitat for Humanity held its annual barn dance and auction.  The event featured both live and silent auctions, dinner and drinks, a live band, and dancing. Kane Landscapes participated in the event by donating a master landscape design to the highest bidder.  The proceeds of $750 will go towards the organizations many projects, including the current new construction under way for two homes located on the outskirts of Middleburg, as well as the purchase of land for new homes. 

On September 21, a representative from Kane Landscapes attended Autism in the Office, a networking event and fundraiser geared towards educating business owners and professionals about Autism in the workplace. All the proceeds from the event went to the Autism Society of Northern Virginia. Kane Landscapes again donated a professional landscape design valued at $750 to the winner of the drawing.

Kane Landscapes has shown its commitment to giving back to the community through its continual donations of time and money to local public schools, Habitat for Humanity, and other charitable organizations.  We believe strongly in supporting the communities which have supported our employees and company for so many years.