Archive for the ‘Lawn Care’ Category

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Turf Renovation – Important for Healthy Lawns

Saturday, May 28th, 2011

Planning a turf renovation? Late summer and fall are the best time for your lawn makeover. A vibrant green turf is every property owner’s pride and joy. If yours has lost color, it’s time to get your hands dirty.

Follow our recommended steps for a successful turf renovation.

  • Weed out your problems: Deal with weeds, pests and disease before turf renovation. There are many solutions available in the market. However, specific treatments are more effective.
  • Improve soil quality: Your lawn needs nutrient rich soil to grow strong and healthy. Get a soil analysis to understand your soil type (clay, loam, etc.) and requirements before you make any amendments. Using a good quality top dressing will also improve resistance to weather fluctuations, pest and disease.
  • Choose the right grass type: Select grass that is suitable to your growing conditions. Climate, shade or sun, and type of soil influence growth and maintenance. Choose grass that is hardy.
  • Prepare the soil for planting: Whether you’re using sod or seed, there is no short cut to soil preparation. Fill in holes, even out the lawn area and aerate to reduce soil compaction. Grass roots need easy access to moisture and nutrients in the soil.
  • Seed your lawn correctly: Seeding the correct amount and in the appropriate manner enhances turf growth. Seed in both directions, at right angles. If you’re not confident about how to do it, get an experienced landscaping company to manage your turf renovation.
  • Maintain a proper watering schedule: New seeds and sod need to be watered on a regular basis to prevent them from drying out.  Keep them moist and avoid over watering.
  • Don’t forget to fertilize: Fertilize after a month to boost growth and disease resistance. Follow the recommended usage and watering practices to keep your newly installed lawn healthy.
  • Be diligent about lawn maintenance: A vibrant lawn is the result of careful maintenance. Don’t neglect the mowing, watering, weeding or pest control.

Turf renovation and maintenance is a full time job. If you don’t have the time or the inclination, hire a reliable landscaping maintenance service to do the job.

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Organic Weed Control Best Practices

Saturday, May 14th, 2011

Organic weed control avoids the use of strong chemicals that are harmful to humans, animals, birds and the environment. Why use toxic weed killers when eco-friendly products and a few simple weed prevention steps can do the job.

What are the best practices for organic weed control?

  • Identify the weed: Knowing what you’re dealing with is an important part of the solution. Few weeds respond to general treatments.
  • Try organic herbicides: Pre-emergent weed control destroys the seed (of the weed) while post-emergent treatments is meant for full-grown weeds. Corn gluten, vinegar and some detergents (combined with vinegar or water) are effective organic herbicides.  
  • Install landscape fabrics: Prevention is better than cure. Installing landscaping fabric in your vegetable and flower beds discourages weed growth.
  • Invest in a good weed puller: The latest weed pullers require less effort and are more effective. They can help you root out the problem.
  • Use mulch for tree and flower beds: Using mulch is a form of organic weed control. It’s a natural weed suppressant.
  • Use good quality topsoil: Cheap topsoil often has weeds in it. Using it will aggravate the problem or even create one. Invest in nutrient-rich, high quality soil to improve growth and prevent weed infestations.
  • Don’t neglect spring and fall clean up: Whether you have a weed problem or not it’s important to give your landscape that once-over every fall and spring. A neglected or overgrown garden attracts weeds.
  • Get regular landscaping maintenance: Some weeds like crabgrass and rhubarb are difficult to get rid of. Regular weed treatments and landscaping maintenance will effectively eliminate your problem.

Whether it’s a medical complex, retail property, commercial building or HOA, maintaining a weed-free landscape is not easy. Weed spores from the neighboring property or a stubborn variety can ruin your curb appeal. An experienced landscaping company with proven organic weed control treatments will restore health and vibrancy to your commercial landscape.

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5 Things You Can Do To Avoid Water Runoff

Thursday, March 24th, 2011

Avoid water runoff by providing the just the right amount of irrigation for your landscape. Water is a precious resource and one that is fast depleting. Watering wisely not only promotes conservation but also improves plant and turf health.

Did you know that water run off washes away vital nutrients from the soil? It also causes ponding and swamp-like conditions which encourage rotting. Puddles or runoffs on your sidewalk, patio and driveway lead to a premature deterioration of your expensive hardscapes.

5 things you can do to avoid water runoff

  1. If it does not need to stay green, don’t water it! Keep sprinkler heads from unnecessarily spraying your foundation walls, driveway, patio and other hardscapes. Concrete, asphalt and brickwork will wear out faster when constantly sprayed with water.
  2. Look for signs of ponding and soggy soil as you walk around your landscape. It’s a sure sign of overwatering and can certainly be damaging. Watering correctly saves time, money and plants.
  3. Get a landscape survey to determine your growing conditions and apply the right amount of water. Knowing the soil type, grading and climate will help formulate a proper irrigation plan.
  4.  Check your watering system for leaks. A broken, clogged or malfunctioning irrigation system is a common cause of water wastage and runoffs.
  5. Install water-efficient irrigation systems. Drip tubes and SMART controllers allow for more precise watering to ET rates, eliminating the risk of ponding and runoffs.

 Water efficiency will not affect your curb appeal. Plants and grass develop stronger roots and are more resistant to temperature fluctuations when you use the right irrigation techniques. Watering wisely will also lower your usage and bills significantly. Ask an established landscaping and water management service to determine your exact requirements and help you avoid water runoff.

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When is the best time to water?

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

Knowing the Dos and Don’ts for watering will not only promote plant health and growth, you will lower your water bills too. One of the most important ones is to know “when is the best time to water” your landscape. Here are some guidelines to help you water wisely.

Choosing the right time to water will save your plants and money

  • The best time to water is generally early in the morning before the temperatures start to rise. It gives plants enough water to combat the heat throughout the day.
  • If it is not possible to water in the morning then do it late afternoon or early evening when temperatures have cooled down a bit.
  • Avoid watering when the sun is at its height and in the blistering heat. The rate of evaporation is much faster.
  • Never water at night. It encourages fungal disease. When watering in the evening make sure that your plants and grass have sufficient time to dry before nightfall. Also choose a method or an irrigation system that will not wet the leaves.
  • Don’t water when it’s windy. It’s a waste. The water will only blow off onto your hardscapes and cause premature damage. Most often winds are at their lowest early in the morning.
  • It is not necessary to water if you’ve had enough of rain. Remember it’s not frequent watering but lengthy cycles that promote plant health.

Having an irrigation system that’s suited to the needs of your commercial landscape is as important as being aware of when is the best time to water. An established landscaping maintenance service will eliminate trial and error that could affect your curb appeal and damage your plants.  They will install the latest water-efficient irrigation with SMART controllers to promote more precise watering and avoid any runoff. They will also make sure that your plants have the type of care they need, and that your sprinklers, drip tubes and pipes are in optimum working condition.

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Water efficient landscaping reduces wastage and expenses

Saturday, December 4th, 2010

Water efficient landscaping is the ideal solution to fast depleting resources and California’s history of drought. Garden and lawn care account for a tremendous increase in demand especially during the summer months. The EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) urges us to adopt water-wise, water-smart, low-water or water efficient landscaping to remedy the situation.  Californians who practice sustainable landscaping and water management can easily avoid over-use penalties and reduce landscape maintenance cost.

What does water efficient landscaping involve?

  • Landscape design that includes soil and climate appropriate plant selection
  • Grouping plants according to the amount of water they require
  • Planting native, low-water-use flora and fauna

Contact Flora Terra Landscape Management to learn more.

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Fall Grass and Lawn Maintenance – The Top 10 Items For Better Results

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

Proper fall grass and lawn maintenance reduces your spring cleanup tasks and ensures vibrancy during the growing season.  Here are the top 10 tips to enhance your commercial or residential properties’ appearance as fall turns to spring:

  • Cleaning your lawn of dead leaves, garbage
  • Dethatching because thatch cover stifles grass growth
  • Mowing your grass to appropriate height
  • Core aeration to eliminate soil compaction which prevents roots from receiving enough air, water and nutrients
  • Overseeding to ensure a thick and vibrate growth next season
  • Weed, disease and pest treatments (safe for your family, pets and the environment) to remedy infestations and persistent problems
  • Soil testing for pH levels and administering required fertilizer treatments
  • Lawn fertilization to put back essential nutrients in the soil
  • Turning off irrigation systems and draining out excess water to prevent pipe bursts

Tip 10.  Contact Flora Terra Landscape Management in San Jose for all of your commercial, HOA, medical center and retail landscaping needs – 800-455-0304.

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Landscape Management Hint: Winter preparation of trees and properties ensures a vibrant growth next season

Friday, October 29th, 2010

It’s getting closer for property owners to begin winter preparations of trees and yards. It’s not time to put away the lawn maintenance tools yet. Fall is the time to make sure your lawn, plants, trees and shrubs are ready for the cold and wet spells that come in Northern California winters, and will give your commercial properties or HOA developments satisfying results next growing season.

Here are some lawn and property winterizing tips that will help you get it done right:

  • Clean up debris, dead leaves and flowers that have seen better days. It will give you a head start in spring and avoid increasing your soil’s pH levels more than necessary.
  • Cut grass to a height of two to three inches.  Grass grows more slowly in winter, but do not cut more than 1/2 of the length of lawn blades at any one time to avoid damaging the plants.
  • Prune perennials, shrubs and trees to avoid damage from winter rain and encourage healthy growth next year.
  • Preserve soil quality by remove dead plants to prevent growth of fungus, mold and insect larvae.
  • Fertilize trees, shrubs and lawns adequately to restore essential nutrients.
  • Protect young plants and trees from frost with burlap.
  • Winterize your irrigation system by draining and turning off hoses and sprinklers, or set watering frequencies and durations to 50% or less of what you were watering during the summer season
  • Service lawn mowers, leaf blowers and irrigation systems to avoid unnecessary damage and replacement costs.

Winter preparation of trees and properties requires time and effort. Experience makes it easy and gets the job done right. An established San Jose Bay Area landscape management company will ensure that your residential and commercial properties are neat and clean, and well-prepared when the cold arrives. Get your landscape ready for winter for a healthy spring!

Posted in Lawn Care, Water Use Reduction, Winter Plant Care | No Comments »

Winter’s on its way – Don’t forget to turn down and test your sprinkler system!

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

We often forget that winter brings challenges to home and commercial irrigation systems – and plants – and we need reminders about important things to do as the weather gets cooler and the rains start to fall. 

Your sprinklers and water management systems are the lifeblood of your sustainable landscaping and GreenScaping  efforts. However, your plants and lawn don’t need anywhere near the same amount of water as they did during the heat of summer.  So take the time to protect these important investments.

It’s easy and there are just 5 main steps to remember:

  1. Reduce the frequency of watering, and the amount of time set to each watering cycle.  If you are in a heavy rain area, consider putting the system on “Pause” or “Rain” until it is needed again in the spring
  2. Winter is a great time to test the automatic sprinkler system’s controller. 
  3. Run tests on where your sprinklers are spraying.  Test their volume, aim, and ensure as little waste as possible.
  4. Clear drains, adjust sprinkler heads, test drip sprinklers instead of water-wasting spray heads.
  5. If your area risks frost or freeze, insulate any above ground piping, cover/remove backflow prevention valves to avoid rupturing, and be sure to keep sidewalk salt handy for the colder mornings

Winter is a great time to review and reinvigorate your sprinklers.  You can shut down your sprinkler system for a length of time without fear of harming your plants, and enjoy water savings as a result.

Don’t have the time to winterize your irrigation system? Not sure of how manage and test your sprinklers? Get a reliable Bay Area landscape management company to do it for you. Inexperience and insufficient knowledge can do more harm than good.  Ensure your irrigation system is in top shape in the winter and have one less thing to worry about in the spring.

Posted in Lawn Care, Water Use Reduction, Winter Plant Care | No Comments »

Fall Soil Amendments

Monday, September 20th, 2010

Fall is the best time to clear your garden and get it ready for winter. But remember that this is also the best time for improving your soil texture and quality. Through the summer months, your garden had used up the nutrients in the soil. Fall is the best time to undertake soil amendments so that the nutrient content of your soil is replenished by the time spring comes. That’s the reason why professional landscape maintenance firms begin their preparations for the spring from the previous fall.

Soil amendments are made to improve soil texture, increase its water retention capacity and to promote healthy plant growth. The first step is tilling followed by the addition of compost. Compost conditions and fertilizes the soil by adding humus, nutrients and beneficial soil bacteria. You can also consider shredding and including the dead leaves you have raked up. Why haul them to the curb for yard waste pick-up when you can use them in your garden?

Organic fertilizers like peat, bone meal and rock phosphate release their nutrients slowly, so adding them in the fall prepares the soil for spring. Different soil amendments enhance soil quality in different ways:

  • Bone meal promotes root growth in the next season
  • Peat moss helps the soil retain water and balance the soil pH
  • Lime helps balance the acidity of the soil

In the fall, the ground is warm and dry so soil amendments are easy. Another advantage of preparing the soil in the fall is that the amendments have enough time to interact with other elements before winter sets in.

Finally, covering the soil with mulch ensures that the effort put in preparing the soil does not get washed or blown away in the winter. Large property owners will benefit by partnering with professional firms and trained arborists who can take care of all these tasks for them.

Improved soil quality leads to healthier and disease free plants.

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Drought Resistant Lawns – Growing In Interest in Northern California

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

A drought resistant lawn should definitely be considered in our California climate and tight water usage restrictions.  Of course you want to save water, but then how do you get that lush green grass cover?

Here is a list of items important to growing and maintaining a good looking drought resistant lawn:

  • Selecting from a range of drought resistant grass varieties – Zoysia grass, Bermuda grass, Buffalo grass, Bahia grass and Fescues — for the right look for your microclimate
  • Regular fertilization for developing strong roots that enable your lawn to survive the dry spell better
  • Regular weeding to keep water-hungry weeds out of the lawn
  • Aerate your lawn regularly to help develop stronger root systems, and reduce thatch build-up on your drought resistant lawn.
  • Regulation of mowing height according to temperature changes to conserve soil moisture and strengthen root development

Drought resistant lawns are not care-free, but will save money and time on maintenance.

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