Archive for the ‘Spring Plant Care’ Category

Add Perennial Colors in Your Landscape

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

Achieving perennial color in a Bay Area landscape requires landscaping design experience and proper planning. Sound plant knowledge and a sense of design balance is important, as well as understanding micro-climate conditions, moisture levels and temperature ranges.

How to get perennial color in the landscape?

  • Think about the look you want to achieve. Is it going to be monochromatic, multi-colored or an artistic placement of your two favorite colors? Work it out on paper before you begin.
  • Get pictures from landscaping magazines or the Internet, or let an attractive garden in the neighborhood be the springboard for your landscape design ideas. It helps to have a reference point.
  • Consider the shape and size of your garden when making plans. Bright colors tend to jump out at you making the space look smaller while cooler colors recede. Also consider the mood you want to create.
  • Use a color wheel to pick an attractive color scheme and maintain proper balance. Complementary colors (across each other on the wheel) work well together. White ties in colors that don’t match and helps tone down bright colors.
  • Make sure that you can find local plants that suit your growing conditions to match your design. Give a thought to how much maintenance your landscape design will require.
  • Get plants of different sizes, shapes and shades to pull together the design and add interest to your outdoor space.

If you’re looking to achieve lasting curb appeal and enhance property values, then get an experienced landscape design company to do the job. You can look forward to eye-catching and pleasing results!

Posted in Spring Plant Care, Sustainable Landscaping, property management | No Comments »

Spring Garden Planning

Saturday, April 23rd, 2011

Spring garden planning ensures lasting curb appeal for the entire growing season. Best results are achieved when you take the time to make a proper plan. It’s not something that can be done in a day.

Tips on Planning your Spring Gardens

  • Know what you want. It’s time to dig out those magazine clippings, Internet pictures or photographs with design ideas or color patterns you kept aside. Having a reference point to build around will reduce spring garden planning effort and time.
  • Make a list of the things you want to change such as adding more flower beds or water features, installing new grass or stone walkways, decorative retaining walls, etc. Identifying the areas to be worked on makes it easier to plan a course of action.
  • Create a step-by-step project plan. It may sound complicated but it actually simplifies your work. You don’t want to be trampling on new grass or flower beds to install retaining walls and water features.
  • Determine your capabilities: Be realistic about how you’re going to handle the renovations and upgrades. If you’ve never installed a pond or water fountain, or don’t have a clue about planting new trees, seek professional help. You’ll save yourself the effort and expense of clean up and redoing a botched job.
  • Get quotes and references from at least 3 landscapers: It’s important to be able to compare work and prices. Low rates are not the only determining factor. There is no substitute for quality work from a reliable landscaping contractor.
  • Don’t forget the maintenance: Garden upkeep is an integral part of spring garden planning. You can install the most beautiful plants or hardscapes but if you’re not meticulous with watering and clean up, it’s a wasted effort.

Spring garden planning and maintenance for commercial properties is a full-time job and year-round effort. Get an established landscaping company to handle the renovations and upkeep.

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It’s Time to Think “Drought Tolerant Planting”

Friday, February 18th, 2011

Many areas of California face drought or desert-like conditions. A landscape with high irrigation requirements is expensive and often disappointing. Flora Terra’s trained team of drought-tolerant landscape design architects can create a sustainable commercial outdoor space. We use colorful native plants and trees that thrive in your growing conditions and are easier to maintain.

What to consider in drought-tolerant landscape designs:

  • Original ideas: Artistically shaped flower beds, creatively designed hardscapes, and mood lighting all contribute to a beautifully designed landscape. You don’t need a sprawling lawn or large water features to have unique curb appeal. Knowledgeable drought-tolerant landscape design architects use refreshingly creative ideas to make your outdoor space look stunning. Think oranges, reds and yellows for color. Combine with beautiful cactus and different types of rocks for texture and depth.
  • Extensive selection of plants: Make use of a wide variety of native flora and fauna to add interest and appeal to your drought-tolerant landscape design. A careful combination of attractive ground covering plants, plants with colorful leaves and ornamental grasses can achieve pleasing results. Replace your high-water need plants with exotic local varieties that will perk up your landscape.
  • Proper installation: Proper installation by a team of drought-tolerant landscape design architects will prevent possible dead plants, poor soil conditions, or less than desired results. 
  • Meticulous maintenance: No matter what type of garden you have, routine maintenance keeps it in top shape.

Flora Terra’s drought-tolerant landscape design architects aim for reduced maintenance, but regular care ensures the best results. We can take care of landscape management to keep your commercial outdoor space looking great throughout the year.

Posted in Spring Plant Care, Sustainable Landscaping, Water Use Reduction | No Comments »

Landscape Planning for Spring

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

Landscape planning for spring should be an action item on your winter to-do list. Sorting out ideas and coming up with a concrete plan does takes time. It won’t happen overnight, especially if you’re thinking about hiring a landscaping expert to get it done. You might find yourself at the end of a long line of customers if you wait until spring to get started.

Landscape planning for spring becomes less complicated when you categorize sections. It helps organize your thoughts and ensures all areas are covered. Here are some valuable guidelines.

Landscape planning for spring – a handy checklist:

  • Lawn enhancement: Are you installing a new landscape or just adding on?  Perhaps you want to convert to more cost-efficient sustainable, drought-tolerant or desert landscaping. It may involve reorganizing the whole space and/or rethinking lawn areas, plant placements and irrigation equipment. This might sound like a complex project but with an experienced landscaping company doing your landscape installation the results and water savings will be extremely gratifying.
  • Flower beds planning: Flowers add interest and beauty to any landscape. It’s not only the choice of plants but shape of flower bed that’s also important. Artistic shapes become the focal point of interest and add character to your landscapes.
  • Inclusion of new trees: Thinking about adding trees to your landscape? California native oak and palm are excellent choices. Local trees grow well and require less maintenance. Ask your landscaping company about other native varieties you can include.
  • Installation of wind blocks: Are you located in an area with excessive winds? It’s time to include wind blocks to your landscape. Shrubs and certain types of trees are excellent barriers. However, you need to determine wind direction and position wind blocks for maximum cover.

Get an established landscape management company to design, install and maintain your commercial property for year-round curb appeal. Whether you’re doing one section at a time or renovating your landscape, early landscape planning for spring brings the best results.

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Start Planning for Spring Landscaping Projects

Friday, December 24th, 2010

It’s never too early to start planning for spring landscaping projects. If you begin preparations right away, you’ll be ready for landscape installation in early spring. Your commercial outdoor space will be in full bloom much ahead of the others who are still trying to decide on their landscape design.

Spring landscape projects require detailed, advanced planning. Doing your homework avoids wasting valuable time during the growing season. The “growing season” is not for planning spring landscaping projects; it’s the time your lawn, plants and trees need to develop. Or your spring landscaping project will never get off the ground. The sooner you begin, the more growth and vibrancy your plants, shrubs and trees enjoy. In short you’ll have more time to show off your stunning commercial outdoor space.

How to start planning for spring landscaping projects?

  • Gather together ideas and pictures of landscapes and hardscapes that have caught your attention. It’s easier for landscape designers to come up with a plan when they know what you’re thinking.
  • Make a list of the trees, plants and shrubs you would like to include. Attractive native plants (like California native oak and palm) are easy to grow and maintain, and really dress up the landscape.
  • Ask for references of an established landscape company you can trust. Working with professionals ensures they have all the necessary licenses and your satisfaction is guaranteed.
  • Invite landscape designers to present a variety of options especially eco-friendly designs  with reduced cost commercial landscape maintenance.
  • Ensure that your commercial landscape designs include latest water management techniques to avoid overuse penalities.
  • Get at least three estimates before you make your decision. It’s always best to have comparative quotes.

Start planning your spring landscaping projects right away so that you have ample time to explore the different options available to you. A reliable landscaping service uses certified technicians and the latest techniques for stunning results. Get an established landscape management company to design, install and maintain your commercial property.

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Mulch Clean Up

Saturday, May 1st, 2010

Mulching has many benefits for your garden. In addition to giving your flower, shrub and tree beds an attractive appearance, it also aids moisture retention lowering your irrigation requirements, protects roots from fluctuating temperatures and discourages the growth of weeds.

However, mulch needs to be cleaned up and replenished every spring if you want to maintain your curb appeal and protect your plants successfully. Mulch clean up, especially for large commercial properties is laborious and time consuming but an experienced lawn maintenance company can accomplish this task easily and effectively.

What does spring mulch clean up involve?

  • Removing leaves, papers, fallen branches and twigs: Fallen branches and twigs will hamper the growth of your plants while dead and decaying leaves increase the acidity levels of your soil. Make sure your mulch is free of twigs, branches, leaves and paper to promote healthy plants and give your property a well-maintained appearance.
  • Replenishing levels for maximum benefits: Wood mulch decomposes and could even erode. You need at least 3 to 4 inches of mulch in your beds and planters if your want to retain moisture, protect them from extreme heat or cold and keep out the weeds. Make sure your beds have adequate mulch.

Colored mulches are a great way to give your garden a stunning appearance. Mulching together with smart irrigation controls improves water management and reduces maintenance costs. Get a quality lawn enhancement service to maintain your garden and take care of spring mulch clean up.

Posted in Spring Plant Care, Sustainable Landscaping | No Comments »

Spring Sprinkler Repair

Saturday, April 24th, 2010

Efficient irrigation services are the key to a well maintained garden as well as effective water management. The new California water restrictions on commercial properties have raised the awareness of sustainable green practices with low water requirements and increased the need for smart irrigation controls and sprinkler systems.

An established landscape management company with expertise in the installation, maintenance and repair of the latest sprinkler systems will ensure adequate watering without wastage and high utility bills.

Why is spring sprinkler repair important?

  • Your sprinkler system requires regular checking and timely repair in order to perform at optimal levels. It must give you the water savings and reduced cost maintenance it was designed for.
  • Regular wear and tear on sprinkler heads, valves and timers can result in leaks or cause your system to break down entirely. Unnecessary water wastage means you end up paying for water that’s going down the drain as well as hardscape damage from run-offs. Spring sprinkler tune up is part of lawn preparation and ensures that your irrigation system is in top condition for the upcoming season.
  • If you neglected to winterize your irrigation system during the fall you could be in for some unpleasant surprises in the form of blockages and even pipe bursts. Timely repair prevents huge replacement costs and avoids excessive water bills.

Installing the latest underground sprinklers with smart controls (with solar power options) bring continuous long term savings when compared to frequent repairs of existing systems. Ask a landscape service with expertise in sprinkler installation and repair to check if it’s worth it to repair your current system or if it just makes more sense to replace it.

Posted in Lawn Care, Spring Plant Care | No Comments »