About The Author

Todd Thomasson

Todd Thomasson, founder of Rock Water Farm Landscapes & Hardscapes, grew up on his family’s working beef cattle farm in Danville, where he learned the value of hard work from his parents. In 2005, he combined that work ethic with his Landscape & Turf Management degree from Virginia Tech to establish the company, serving as the lead stone mason and landscape designer, creating exceptional outdoor spaces with craftsmanship and attention to detail.

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Walkway surrounded by plants for privacy

5 Tips for Backyard Privacy Using Plants and Other Screens

Posted On: May 12,2023 By: Todd Thomasson

There’s nothing quite like the serenity of enjoying time in your own backyard. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, sipping a glass of wine by the fire pit, or even just trying to share a private moment with your family over an outdoor meal—it’s great to be able to enjoy those moments outside.

That is until the neighbor strikes up a conversation. Or maybe they’re staring at you from an upstairs window. Whether you are friendly with your neighbors or not, the truth is that everyone wants some privacy once in a while.

Hardscaping & Softscaping Elements: How to Balance Your Landscape Design

Posted On: April 24,2023 By: Todd Thomasson

A landscape design is made up of both hardscaping (such as your patio areas, walkways, etc.) and softscaping (your plants, lawn, and trees). While both are important, finding the right balance between hardscaping and softscaping is key to creating a harmonious design.

Pavers or Natural Stone? Which is Best for a Patio in Ashburn, Aldie or Leesburg, VA?

Posted On: April 14,2023 By: Todd Thomasson

There are a lot of decisions when it comes to your outdoor living projects. While all of the options available today are part of what makes a project so exciting, it can also feel overwhelming at times. When it comes to a patio for your Northern Virginia home, the first decision to make is the type of material you’d like to use: natural stone or concrete pavers.

The Importance of Color in Landscape Design: Understanding The Basics

Posted On: March 13,2023 By: Todd Thomasson

When it comes to incorporating color in landscape design, you want to make sure that your landscaper is keeping some important principles of design in mind. One of the best things about incorporating “color” is how it can significantly impact the wow factor and curb appeal.

Beautiful outdoor kitchen with amenities

What to Consider Before Building Your Outdoor Kitchen

Posted On: March 01,2023 By: Todd Thomasson

Outdoor kitchens in Northern Virginia remain wildly popular. That’s probably because an outdoor kitchen vastly increases the amount of time you’re spending outside. It also makes the experience so much more enjoyable. Without having to go in and out of the house to prepare a meal and then bring it outside, you can now cook and dine al fresco.

aerial photo of patio with outdoor kitchen and seating area

How to Transform Your Boring Backyard Into an Exciting Outdoor Space

Posted On: February 28,2023 By: Todd Thomasson

One of the common gripes that we hear from homeowners is that they feel they have a “boring backyard.” In fact, this is one of the main catalysts for going through a backyard renovation in Northern Virginia.

patio with outdoor fire pit and plantings

3 Amazing Modern Patio Design Ideas for Northern Virginia Homeowners

Posted On: January 31,2023 By: Todd Thomasson

When it comes to spending more time outside nothing quite sets you up for an amazing experience like a patio. A patio easily becomes the heart of your outdoor living space as a place where everyone can gather and begin making memories.

4 Signs it’s Time to Renovate Your Old Pool

Posted On: January 24,2023 By: Todd Thomasson

If you have a pool in your backyard that you really don’t love, you might not be using it to its full extent. In fact, maybe you’re even embarrassed to have guests over and see your pool because it’s in pretty rough shape.

You might be wondering, Should I renovate my pool?

There are a lot of good reasons to consider a pool renovation.

Updating a pool can improve the value of your home, prevent more serious problems (if you have potential issues on the verge of trouble), and (perhaps most importantly) help you to use your pool more often.

But if you’re still not sure whether you’re ready to take the plunge, we’ve rounded up some signs it’s time to renovate a swimming pool.

landscape maintenance professional cleans up leaves

Why Spring Landscape Clean Up Services Are Worth the Cost

Posted On: January 17,2023 By: Todd Thomasson

If you are like a lot of Northern Virginia homeowners, you take great pride in keeping your property looking its best. But as the winter transitions into spring, you are likely to notice quite a few spring landscape clean-up services that are needed around your home.

9 Outdoor Kitchen Design Ideas to Create Party-Central in Your Backyard

Posted On: January 09,2023 By: Todd Thomasson

Do you love having friends and family over to your home? If so, then you may love the idea of relaxing, eating, and spending time together outdoors. But with a backyard that doesn’t have much to offer, you might feel as though your get-togethers are lacking when it comes to the fun factor. You want to make your backyard party-central and in order to do so, you need to add some real excitement.

An outdoor kitchen is definitely one way to up the ante of your outdoor experience. With the incorporation of an outdoor kitchen, you can prepare and eat your meals outside. But maybe that’s not enough?