May 14th, 2012
Planning landscape installations? Some important items to consider are explained below.
- Prevent damage to surrounding yards and grass: Excavating your lawn, pulling out plants and replanting trees can lead to soil erosion and/or damage roots of nearby flora and fauna. A professional landscape installation company will be able to execute the project without damage to surrounding yards and grass.
- Consider natural integration into current environment: Plants that are accustomed to your growing conditions (soil, climate and gradation) will require less maintenance and offer better results. Drought-resistant varieties, for instance, are ideal for drier areas. They are just as attractive and have low water requirements eliminating water penalties. Also consider planting in zones according to water requirements to enhance plant health and save on water expenses. Use native plants that can help with reduced cost landscape maintenance.
- Do a study of current water and drainage before starting installation: Knowing the moisture levels in the soil will help you select the right design and plants, while fixing drainage and gradation issues will improve their growth and health.
- Cleanup grass and driveways of dirt and mud when the job is complete: It helps keep your property neat and clean presenting a good image. Plus it will give your new landscape the attention it deserves.
Landscape installation requires proper knowledge and experience of plants and their requirements. Design balance is also important. Hire an established landscaping installation company to ensure optimal results and enhance property value.
Tags: landscape installation, landscape planning
Posted in Arborist Services, Lawn Care, Sustainable Landscaping, Uncategorized | No Comments »
May 7th, 2012
There are plenty of landscaping job opportunities in California allowing you to effectively utilize your talent and training to establish a solid career in the industry. Commercial landscape management companies with multiple branches in the Bay Area or anywhere else in the state are an excellent choice for experience and growth. These companies may offer opportunities not just for newcomers but also professionals who are looking to advance their career to the next level.
What are the requirements for landscaping jobs?
Most established landscaping companies are looking for individuals with
- Degrees in either Agronomics, Horticulture, Plant Science, Landscape Design, Arbor Care, Pest Management and Business Administration
- Demonstrated experience in landscape operations, account management, irrigation/water management, business development/sales, crew supervision, and office management
- Commitment to continuing education in the form of trade licenses and landscape-related-association training certifications e.g. Planet, CLCA, IA, TCIA, etc.
- Background or experience in green landscaping is considered a huge asset
- Dedication and hard work
- Commitment to customer satisfaction
What are the potential landscaping jobs you could apply for?
- Profit center department managers
- Account managers
- Maintenance contract sales
- Landscape enhancement sales
- Water management specialists
- Irrigation technicians
- Field supervisors
- Crew leaders
- Office personnel
- Certified arborists
- Tree climbers
- Tree grounds men
- Spray technicians
- Student interns
- Landscape construction managers
The type of landscaping company that you join will impact your experience, growth and job satisfaction. Choose a well-known landscape management company that employs the latest equipment and techniques and has a high employee and customer satisfaction rate.
Tags: Landscaping Job Opportunities, landscaping jobs
Posted in Company News | No Comments »
April 25th, 2012
FloraTerra offers reduced cost landscaping options for commercial and retail locations. Property owners benefit from saving on maintenance costs and increased environmental responsiveness. Our new Clean and Green® Maintenance Program, for example, is specifically designed to cover your most significant requirements using environmentally-friendly practices and can lower your landscaping expenses by up to 33%.
How do we achieve reduced cost landscaping?
- We understand the most critical components of landscape maintenance and offer you the best service at the best price.
- We know seasonal growth patterns of plant materials most commonly used in our region and help you select those that will thrive in your growing conditions. This reduces the time, effort and money spent on keeping them healthy and vibrant.
- We can suggest sustainable landscaping ideas (like drought-resistant plants, drip irrigation, etc.) to further enhance your savings.
- Advanced landscape waste reduction techniques (like natural lawn care) keeps your property clean and green while minimizing your environmental impact.
- Your property will receive irrigation programing and monitoring to help significantly reduce your water requirements and expenses.
- Efficient maintenance operations deliver exceptional results at affordable rates.
FloraTerra Landscape Management is one of the few landscaping companies providing solutions that have been specially engineered to minimize annual landscape maintenance costs for property owners and managers. Contact us for reduced cost landscaping options for commercial and retail locations in the Bay Area and across Northern California.
Tags: green landscaping, landscape management, Reduced Cost Landscaping
Posted in Lawn Care, Sustainable Landscaping, Water Use Reduction, property management | No Comments »
April 18th, 2012
Smart water planning for a dry spring and summer in Northern California will save you from overuse penalties, high landscape maintenance costs and reduced curb appeal. Advance preparation for possible drought conditions can mean the difference between reduced cost landscape maintenance with stunning results and a drain on your maintenance budget.
Read our water planning tips outlined below to find out how you can streamline consumption and cost without compromising the look of your landscape.
- Get an IA Certified Water Auditor to determine your current water usage vs. your actual requirements. He/she will help you identify important areas for improvement.
- Determine which water-efficient irrigation systems will be most effective in helping you eliminate wastage and run offs that not only “drown” your plants but also damage your hardscapes.
- Install low-water use, drought-resistant flora and fauna. Local plants are more suited to your growing conditions, require less watering and will thrive with minimal effort.
- Make irrigation upkeep a priority. Invest in irrigation system repairs and upgrades to minimize water wastage and see better results.
- Establish a water budget to meet your conservation goals. The latest technology allows you to monitor and tweak water usage to stay within your limit and achieve higher cost savings.
A CLCA Certified Water Manager can help with water audits, drawing up a water budget and irrigation system upgrade recommendations that will make a significant difference to your usages and cost. Start water planning today to be well prepared for a dry spring and summer in Northern California!
Tags: Certified Water Auditor, reduced cost landscape maintenance, water planning
Posted in Sustainable Landscaping, Water Use Reduction | No Comments »
April 11th, 2012
An established commercial tree care services company ensures satisfying results all year round. Knowledge, training and experience are crucial to protecting and preserving your trees from damage and early demise. Make sure your tree maintenance service can deliver on its promises. Read our tips on selecting the right arborist to ensure absolute satisfaction and lasting value.
What to look for in a commercial tree care services company:
Ask about their qualifications and training: Do they employ trained technicians and encourage their staff to keep up-to-date with latest industry practices? ISA-Certified arborists have the credentials to help enhance tree health and life span.
- Evaluate the technology being used: Are the techniques they use in keeping with the demand for environmentally safe tree care, effective water management and reduced waste? Clean and green methods will reduce your cost and carbon footprint.
- Examine their licenses: Do they have the licenses required by your state and city for tree installation and/or maintenance. Pruning, root and crown thinning, tree cabling, etc. must follow approved procedures.
- Discuss the company’s safety protocol: Do they meet the safety standards mandated by your local government? Unsafe measures could result in unnecessary personal injuries and property damage.
- Look closely at the company’s reputation for landscape management and customer service: Will they customize tree services to suit the specific requirements of your property? A one-for-all approach rarely works with landscaping.
- Request references you can speak with: It is a good way to determine the quality of tree care you can expect.
A landscaping company with the ability to tailor services and a proven track record for customer satisfaction is typically the best choice. Meet with at least two or three well-known contractors before selecting a commercial tree care services company for your California property.
Tags: commercial tree care, isa certified arborists, tree care services, tree pruning, tree thinning
Posted in Tree Care | No Comments »
April 4th, 2012
A Landscape Industry Certified Manager brings knowledge and experience to every project ensuring absolute satisfaction and more importantly, peace of mind. Intensive study of the critical components of landscaping offset by best practices deliver measurable results for landscape installation, renovation and maintenance.
What is a Landscape Industry Certified Lawn Care Manager?
He/she is a professional landscaper who has completed the distance-based, self-study certificate course in the principles of turf grass management including growth, development, irrigation, disease, fertilization, mowing, trouble-shooting and customer relations. Candidates have 12 months to complete the 14 lessons offered through the University of Georgia (distance learning program) which are appropriate for all regions of the United States. Applicants can arrange to take the exam at a nearby university or college. Exams must be passed with a score of 70% or better.
Landscaping companies whose staff has achieved this certification demonstrate their commitment to best practices and typically employ the latest, environmentally safe technology to achieve outstanding results. This is especially advantageous for California commercial property owners and managers looking for reduced cost landscaping and maintenance.
Are you considering switching to a sustainable landscape or for clean and green, cost-saving landscape options? Get in touch with a company that has a Landscape Industry Certified Manager on their team.
Tags: FloraTerra, Landscape Industry Certified Manager, landscape installation, landscape maintenance
Posted in Arborist Services, Landscape Renovation, Lawn Care, Sustainable Landscaping, Tree Care, Water Use Reduction, property management | No Comments »
March 28th, 2012
Installing a landscape that has reduced cost maintenance saves time and resources. Upkeep is key to an attractive and healthy looking landscape. Selecting low-water-use plants that will thrive in your growing conditions usually cuts effort and expense and you don’t lose anything on the overall look.
How to create a landscape with reduced maintenance needs:
Do a landscape survey to determine your exact growing conditions. Soil composition and local weather can help determine the plants that will grow easily.
- Follow nature’s plans in your landscape design. Installing flora and fauna with high irrigation needs in drought prone areas will take double the effort (and cost) to maintain them and the results may still be less than satisfying.
- Select native grass, plants, shrubs and trees. They are the most suitable for your area and require less effort to stay healthy and vibrant.
- Reduce your lawn. You don’t need a large grassy area to create curb appeal. Less is more—a small healthy lawn with reduced water needs is definitely more attractive than a large yellow, disease ridden turf.
- Use mulch to improve landscape appearance and health. You’ll spend less time weeding and watering your garden. Mulch protects the root systems, adds nutrients, slows soil erosion, helps retains and prevents weeds. It also gives a finished look.
- Begin a compost bin. Composted garden waste produces rich humus which can be used to improve soil quality. This reduces the need for chemical fertilizers as well as the waste sent to the landfill.
- Install water-efficient irrigation systems. Smart controllers that apply water to ET rates eliminate wastage and water overuse penalties.
Drought-resistant lawns and attractive desert landscaping (with brightly colored ground cover and beautiful cactus) are a popular choice in many parts of California because they reduce maintenance costs. Reduced cost maintenance landscapes are easy on the environment and your budget. Plan yours right away. An experienced landscaping company can help you get the design and installation right.
Tags: landcape maintenance costs, reduced cost landscape maintenance
Posted in Lawn Care, Sustainable Landscaping, Water Use Reduction | No Comments »
March 21st, 2012
Take the time to plan your landscape before planting season. Space planning and landscaping maintenance are crucial to creating attractive outdoors. Understand the needs and potential of your landscape and make the best use of your space and budget.
Here are some important points to consider while planning your landscape:
- Determine your planting area and budget. The more plants, trees, shrubs and grass you include, the greater the maintenance requirements in terms of time and money. Start small and you can always add more every year.
- Understand your growing conditions. Drought prone regions charge water-use penalties so don’t pick flora and fauna with high irrigation needs.
- Find a reference point for your landscaping design. It helps to collate ideas and organize your thoughts to work towards the vision you have in mind.
- Consider sustainable landscapes. Attractive drought-resistant plants and lawns, natural lawn care, drip irrigation and minimizing garden waste, all contribute to low-cost maintenance.
- Include smart irrigation systems. Provide plants with the right amounts of water with the help of smart controllers that apply water to ET rates. This will boost their resistance and health as well as reduce your water requirements.
- Hire an established commercial landscape architect for best results. He/she will explore the potential of your landscape, provide aesthetically appealing designs, help with permits and provide overall project management.
Plan your landscape well in advance. This will give you enough time to source the things you need and start early enough to take full advantage of the growing season. An experienced landscaping company has the knowledge and resources to take the guess work out of landscaping.
Tags: landscape planning, plan your landscape
Posted in Landscape Renovation | No Comments »
March 14th, 2012
Get an experienced landscape designer to enhance the curb appeal of your commercial property. If landscaping is not done properly you could be looking at hundreds of dollars in restoration expenses, not to mention the frustration and stress that come with it. A professional on the other hand guarantees the best results and value for your money.
What are the advantages of hiring an experienced landscape designer?
- Complete landscaping services: From design concept to installation of plants, hardscapes and lighting, your professional landscaper will coordinate the entire project for successful completion.
- Design advice: Placement of trees, flower beds, planters, garden statues, etc. can make or break your design. Skilled designers use creative arrangements for breathtaking results.
- Advanced trouble shooting skills: There’s no substitute for experience when issues arise. A knowledgeable landscaper will be able to quickly suggest solutions or alternatives.
- Expert selection of landscaping materials: Selecting the right plants and materials will bring your design to fruition. Established landscaping contractors know what works and where to get it from.
- Landscape maintenance tips: Curb appeal and meticulous maintenance go hand in hand. This takes time, effort and money. A few tips from an expert will go a long way in reducing your cost, work and frustration.
- Avoid the expense of trial and error: Inexperience and poor workmanship not only produce poor results but they could turn into safety issues and incur the expense of having to redo them. Why take the chance?
A landscape designer has knowledge and experience of horticulture and architectural design. He/she can create a balance of size, shape, texture and colour to maximize curb appeal while working within a budget. Hire an established landscaping company that’s recognized for its high quality and customized service to ensure that the job is done to your absolute satisfaction.
Tags: certified landscaper, commercial property landscape, landscape designer
Posted in Landscape Renovation, Sustainable Landscaping | No Comments »
March 7th, 2012
Incorporating existing features in your landscape enhancement plans reduces your renovation costs without compromising visual appeal. Examine what you already have and find ways to build around it to change the look and feel of your outdoor space. You’ll be amazed at the difference a few re-adjustments can make.
Here are some ways to incorporate existing features in your landscape enhancement project.
- Make a list of the existing landscape features to determine what you can keep. Classify the items according to what you like and what doesn’t work. Be objective about features that can be reused e.g. healthy plants and shrubs, a garden statue, water feature, etc. An expert landscaper will be able to reposition many of your current landscape features for better results.
- Reduce grassy area instead of pulling out the whole lawn to save money and time. If turf health and maintenance is an issue, think about reducing the amount of grass rather than getting rid of it. Grass has a distinct visual appeal. Besides removing all the grass and resurfacing the area or replacing it with hardscapes (or other landscaping features) can be expensive. Not to mention a total waste of all the time, effort and resources that has gone into growing it.
- Clean and refinish your hardscapes to save on replacement costs: Natural stone, brick or patterned concrete materials will maintain their attractiveness and durability when properly maintained. Cleaning and resealing patios, pathways and entryways can restore them to like-new status saving you the expense of new installations.
- Add lighting to give attractive features the attention they deserve. Exotic plants, a rock garden, a fountain, etc. can come alive under attractive night lighting and make a dramatic difference to your curb appeal. Choose a combination of spotlights, down lights, floodlights and strobes to renew interest in your landscape. It might be the only new additions you have to make.
An experienced landscaping company will not only help you incorporate existing features in your landscape enhancement but also with budgeting. You can work out expenses for your long term landscape needs including cost projections and designs based on a uniform theme for “phased-in” renovation projects.
Tags: landscape enhancement, Landscape Renovation
Posted in Landscape Renovation | No Comments »
Planning landscape installations? Some important items to consider are explained below.