🌿 Landscaping Update: Growing a Better Stonefield
This winter, your Board and community volunteers have been quietly doing big work. Along Putnam Drive and Stiles Bee Avenue, we’ve been improving narrow common areas to make them healthier, more attractive, and far less expensive to maintain over time.
Thanks to donated mulch loads and volunteer hours, we’re wrapping up the soil-improvement phase by late February—saving the community about $14,000 in materials and labor. The real magic, though, will unfold over the next few years as spring plantings take root and mature.
🌱 What’s Coming Next
This spring, we’ll plant predominantly native species grown from seed whenever possible, saving another $900 and supporting long-term ecological health. Some areas—especially along Stiles Bee near Little David Court—will include purchased plants like Camellias and Azaleas that are especially well suited to those conditions.
We’ll also:
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Refresh select areas with pine straw
Improve three concrete islands (Swamp Angel, Little David, Battery Glover Courts)
Maintain grassy common areas between patio home cul-de-sacs
The total budget for this landscape refresh is $2,000, under 10% of annual community revenue.
🌱 Get Involved: Help Grow Stonefield
Spring planting is where our landscaping plans really come to life—and we’d love your help.
We’re looking for neighbors who can:
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🌿 Join community planting days on a few Saturdays in April
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💧 Help monitor and water newly planted areas as needed
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👀 Keep an eye on planting zones and help protect young plants
You don’t need experience—just a little time and a willingness to pitch in. Many hands make light work, and every hour volunteered helps keep costs down while making Stonefield more beautiful for everyone.
👉 Interested in volunteering?
Watch for sign-up details or contact the Board to raise your hand.
✂️ Looking Ahead: Landscaping Maintenance
Starting in March, our 2026 ARB Chair, Mo Mwenda, will gather three vendor quotes for a new landscaping contract. One anticipated upgrade: seasonal edging along all grassy curbs community-wide, which should reduce long-term cleanup costs and improve curb appeal across Stonefield.
Once a contract is finalized, we’ll share the 2026 landscaping budget and Treasurer’s report.
