Archive for February, 2010

Finding Ways to Reduce Landscaping Water Usage

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

Creating landscapes with low water use will help comply with the new water regulations for California commercial properties as well as reduce utility expenses. Efficient water management is a huge challenge for property managers. Well-planned sustainable landscapes and green maintenance practices are a great solution to rising water rates. Plus you’ll achieve the reduced maintenance costs you’ve been dreaming about.

Self-maintaining landscape experts can create a beautiful outdoor space with minimal irrigation requirements as well as implement effective water management techniques to further reduce your usage. Government rebates on converting to equipment that supports low water use is an additional benefit you can take advantage of.

How to lower water use?

• Appropriate plant selection: Selecting plants that are suitable to local soil and weather conditions lowers your irrigation requirements.
• Establishing hydro-zones: By grouping plants according to their water requirements and getting a landscape technician to calculate their ET (Evapotranspiration or the amount of water lost) rates, you can ensure each area receives the right amount of water. You can avoid wastage in the form of puddles or runoffs.
• Implementing smart irrigation: Irrigation systems utilizing low flow drip and blubber heads maximize efficiency while smart controllers (with solar power options) deliver the precise amounts in keeping with changing weather patterns.

Self-maintaining landscapes with sustainable maintenance practices optimize use of existing resources including green waste. They support low water use and contribute to higher savings.

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Sustainable Landscapes and Energy Efficiencies

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Sustainable landscapes increase your energy efficiency significantly. Methodical plant selection (which includes attractive, low water use, native plants, trees and shrubs) and implementation of sustainable green practices brings satisfying results. You’ll have a stunning landscape that is relatively low maintenance, survives fluctuating temperatures and requires less water. In addition, your self-maintaining landscape and green maintenance techniques will help you realize your energy conservation goals.

How do you create a landscape that will support energy efficiency?

• Select regional plants, trees and shrubs that lower your cooling bills by providing shade in summer but let in the sun in winter reducing your heating expenses.
• Install green roofing (growing vegetation on your roof top) and reduce paved surfaces in favor of grass to lower heat and summer cooling costs.
• Use professionals for landscape maintenance and consider installing energy-smart watering systems like solar powered irrigation controllers that support energy conservation.

Established landscaping companies with expertise in sustainable practices provide valuable guidance with energy-efficient outdoor spaces. Converting to a sustainable or self-maintaining landscape will not only improve your energy efficiency but cut upkeep efforts and expenses as well.

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Winter Lawn Care

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Winter lawn care efforts will help your lawn look great in the warmer months. Although winter is a time when lawns get easily neglected, proper care provided in this dormant stage is vital for turf health.

Preparing the lawn just before winter sets in is a good idea. One final mowing, aeration and clearing the debris are tasks that should be done just before the snow falls. In places where snowfall is less, this is the time to seed the bald patches on the lawn. Mulching ensures that the soil is protected and the turf remains healthy. Weeding during the winter months is also important – remember that most weeds grow faster and are stronger than the grass.

Talk to your lawn care company about the right time to put down weed kill, and when is the best time to fertilize the lawn in your microclimate. So that when spring arrives, your lawn grows lush and green.

Proper winter lawn care ensures you have a healthy verdant turf in summer that you will be proud of.

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Insect Control in Winter

Friday, February 19th, 2010

Insect control in winter is important and effective for healthy plants in the spring. Winter is a good time to take a close look at your plants. Since the leaves in the deciduous plants have fallen, the branches now lie exposed. Careful scrutiny helps you to locate the exact site of insect infestation. Before spraying, these areas can be cleaned out.

Dormant season applications are beneficial in tackling insects like aphids that curl leaves in spring, and to control scale insects. Caterpillars like leaf rollers and tent caterpillars spend winter as eggs on the plant. Many conifer-infesting species of mites also spend winter on the plant.

Dormant oil sprays are available to get rid of overwintering eggs and pupae of leaf rollers, codling moths, tent caterpillars, webworms and other caterpillars, as well as scale, mites and aphid eggs. The best time to apply these to trees is on a dry winter day. A good landscape pest management company uses a combination of sprays that kills the insects without causing damage to your plants or your landscape.

The timing of winter spraying has to take the weather conditions into consideration. Landscape companies that look after your insect control requirements will usually suggest a schedule of 2-3 sprayings between the last leaf in the fall and the beginning of the budding season.

Tackling plant diseases, particularly insect control in the winter will ensure that you have a vibrant healthy garden in the spring.

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Winter Tree Care Reminders

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

As you are aware, Flora Terra offers winter tree care services in all areas of the South Bay, San Francisco Peninsula, East Bay and The Tri-Valley.

We offer our clients professional winter tree care services for all commercial and residential properties, medical complexes, business parks, retail and industrial properties. Our experienced arborists will ensure proper winterization of your trees and protect your landscaping investment.

The wind, rain and possible snow in winter, yes it can happen here in the Greater Bay Area, can be a danger for trees on your landscape. Exposure to tough weather conditions can cause stress, even though the trees may be dormant in winter. Proper winterization and tree care can help reduce that stress and ensure healthy trees in the spring.

Our winter tree care services include:

  • New plantings where the ground is not frozen
  • Care for new plants to ensure good root establishment
  • Watering when required to prevent winter drying
  • Mulching which helps stabilize cold winter soil temperatures and improve soils nutrients
  • Fertilization using slow release fertilizers which help good growth in spring
  • Insect control to ensure healthy trees
  • Pruning to remove dead, damaged or poorly growing branches
  • Natural ( I.P.M.)Integrated Pest Management Programs available upon request

Ensure that your landscape remains healthy through the winter and grow vibrant when spring arrives.

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