Plants and grass have reduced maintenance needs in winter. Use the extra time to prepare for the growing season. Here are some winter landscape maintenance tips that will improve growth and yield in summer. 

• Aerate the soil in the late winter (and remove leaves, branches and debris) to encourage absorption of water and sunlight, and provide easy access to nutrients. This will help strengthen the roots.
• Keep your lawn and flower beds free of debris including leaves and branches to maintain the right pH levels.
• Remove broken branches and twigs to reduce unnecessary weight on your plants and trees.
• Reduce irrigation. Water just enough to keep the roots moist. Over watering leads to swamp like conditions which make it difficult for the roots to breathe. It also promotes rot, mold and disease.
• Test your sprinklers and irrigation equipment for broken heads, clogs and malfunctions. This is the best time to get them serviced or repaired or even check out a new water-efficient system.
• Get a CLCA Certified water manager to assess your requirements and draw up a customized water management plan.
• Explore sustainable (eco-friendly) landscaping to reduce water and maintenance expenses.
• Engage an experienced landscape management company to provide professional care and great results through the year. 

A proven landscaping service has the expertise to meet your commercial landscaping needs and growing conditions. Hire a reliable company for year-round landscape maintenance.

Here are some tips on dormant winter grass protection:

• Have the lawn around your commercial property professionally cleaned up. Remove weeds to prevent them from stifling grass and overrunning your garden in spring.
• Have the lawn raked by a landscape maintenance company to remove thatch, dead grass, leaves and other foreign objects and allow it to breathe. Rotting leaves can increase the soil acidity level which is detrimental to the health of your grass.
• Aerate the soil to remedy compaction and give the roots easy access to nutrients and water.
• Fertilize it to put back the essential nutrients, restore soil balance and build resistance to fluctuating temperatures.
• Treat it for any disease or pest issues. Neglect will only intensify the problem.
• Avoid watering in the cold. It will create soggy conditions and encourage mold and rot.
• Limit foot traffic to avoid trampling dormant grass; it will also help protect the root system.
• Hire experienced lawn professionals for year-round maintenance and grass health.

 Take dormant winter grass protection seriously. A few simple measures will reduce your effort and stress in the spring time. An experienced landscape maintenance company has the knowledge and resources to get the job done right.

Effective wet weather tree care can yield beautiful results when the growing season arrives. Winter is not the time to hang up your garden gloves and neglect your plants. Protect your ornamental, heritage and fruit trees from disease, rot and untimely death by preparing them for the cold temperatures and rainy season ahead. 

Wet weather tree care tips:

• Winter fertilizer is important. It gives the tree the vitamins it needs to withstand fluctuating temperatures and resist disease. Take care to follow recommended guidelines; over fertilizing can harm your plants.
• Don’t prune your trees excessively as you damage or kill them. A tree care specialist knows exactly when and how much to cut.
• Insulate your trees against the cold and wet weather by putting mulch around the base and wrapping trunks, especially for young trees.
• Prevent serious root and trunk damage by applying protective and healing treatments before the cold sets in.
• Treat disease and pest infestations to prevent further damage.
• Protect your trees from storm damage by giving weak branches and limbs the support they need. Timely attention after a storm will also prevent tree loss by nurturing them back to health.

 Wet weather tree care is an important part of tree maintenance. Engage Certified Arborists to preserve and protect your precious investments throughout the year.

FloraTerra Landscape Management would like to take a moment to thank our clients, employees, and friends for a wonderful 2011.  We appreciate your support and look forward to 2012 as a year of growth, health, and prosperity. 

Best wishes in the New Year!

• Make a plan for your décor taking care to keep building entrances and pathways unobstructed.
• Be careful especially when installing lighting or decorations on your roof; it’s safer to call in a professional.
• Mark the layout of your electrical wires ensuring that there is no risk of tripping or add sturdy protective step-overs to prevent any accidents.
• Follow the instructions of the manufacturers and don’t overload your circuits or use electrical equipment in ways you’re not meant to.
• Make sure that your junction boxes are grounded and protected, especially from moisture.
• Adjust spotlights to focus on decorations rather than blind your employees and guests.
• Clearly mark ‘off limits’ areas to avoid unnecessary mishaps.
• Ensure that temporary plantings, lawn decorations and lights have proper weather anchors and won’t fall over.

The holidays are the perfect time to show off your design creativity and beautiful landscape. However, keep in mind tree safety if you’re using your precious ornamental and heritage plants for lights.

An experienced landscaper can achieve stunning results without compromising on your commercial property’s holiday landscape safety.

What does efficient water management planning involve?

• A water audit for a detailed assessment of your current usage and proper estimation of your requirements
• Identifying areas of wastage
• Recommendations on water efficiency
• Implementing water conservation strategies and using the right equipment
• Setting up a water budget
• Monitoring usage after the plan is in place
• Tweaking usage and planning to increase cost efficiency and meet goals 

Did you know that water management and conservation will soon become the single most important aspect of landscape maintenance? Not just in drought-prone California but all over the world! 

Successful water management planning stems from accurate water audits and workable low-water-use solutions. Converting to sustainable landscaping and water-efficient irrigation equipment are some proven ways of achieving your goals. 

A CLCA-certified water manager (or IA-certified water auditor) has the expertise to enhance conservation, efficiency and savings.  

Adopt customized water management planning services with CLCA certified staff to improve conservation, reduce waste and minimize related expenses.

Here are some guidelines to ensure a beautiful and accident-free holiday season: 

• Take the time to make a holiday planting layout so that you know exactly where everything will be placed before you start out.
• Plants and decorations should not impede vision in crowded areas like entryways, corridors and parking lots.
• Inspect the place you plan to set up the Christmas tree(s) or other decorative items, keeping enough room for clearance at the top and sides. These areas should be free of heat sources and vents/ducts.
• Choose a Christmas tree that doesn’t shed needles easily to keep the tree from drying out and minimize the risk of fires. Use a suitably sized stand, preferably one with wide legs for better stability.
• When placing the tree and holiday planters, ensure they do not inconvenience employees or customers – they should not block doorways and footpaths. Anchor them properly to prevent tipping over.
• Make sure that all the wiring for your holiday lighting is above ground and tucked safely out of the way to prevent tripping.
• Use indoor and outdoor lights (that have been tested) as directed by the manufacturer. Take care not to string more than the recommended amount together.
• When stringing lights across your outdoor trees, follow all the tree safety guidelines to prevent unnecessary stress and damage. Also, make sure the decorations are properly secured.
• Lawn lights and decorations should also be properly anchored to prevent them from blowing away.

 An established landscape maintenance company can take care of your holiday planting layout guaranteeing an attractive landscape and eliminating safety concerns. 

Contact an experienced landscaper who is well-versed in holiday planting layout and employee safety.

Every fall, blocked drains, caused by accumulated leaves result in unsafe surroundings and accidents on properties and roadways. Leaves that wash away into local streams and rivers also affect water quality and aquatic life. The cost of landscape maintenance and leaf pickup is far less when compared to the hundreds of dollars spent on damages. 

What you should know:

• Blocked roof drains and downspouts lead to ponding. Accumulated water will find a way to leak into buildings, damaging structure, décor and furnishings. Constant dampness also encourages mold.
• Choked drains on your driveways, parking lots and around the building can be quite dangerous, often leading to flooding and other such conditions. This is a threat to building stability as well as employee and visitor safety.
• Clogged gutters and sewers tend to impair drainage, leading to pipe leaks, cracks and bursts. An obstructed drain could result in nasty backups, and thus, swampy and unhealthy conditions. This mess can bring down the value of your property.   

Timely leaf removal from drains, rooftops and gutters helps you maintain neat, clean premises and safe conditions, especially in the winter. 

Employ experienced leaf removal services during fall to keep drains, rooftops and gutters clear and clean throughout the winter.

The holiday season’s increased number of events and shoppers usually translates to additional garbage and frequent cleanup. Generally, the larger the property is, the bigger the mess and the greater its maintenance requirements. Many malls and retail establishments find it difficult to keep up. 

Professional day porter services can reduce the strain on your own staff and resources while ensuring timely and efficient cleanups. 

What can day porter services help with?

• Monitoring  and service of restrooms 
• Cleaning of building entryway, stairwells and common areas; some even clear walkways, sidewalks, curbs and gutters
• Removal of  trash,  debris and heavy garbage, including hand-picking litter in the parking lot and keeping grass areas trash-free
• Position dumpsters for pick up and return to enclosures (trash enclosure clean up)
• Cleaning exterior glass entry doors and window mullions
• Maintenance and cleaning of stairwell, elevator and water fountain surface
• Ash receptacle maintenance
• Attending to spills and stains from various surfaces
• Cleaning public areas, wiping down benches, tables, etc.
• Assisting in set-up for special events
• Lighting checks, simple bulb replacements
• Liability, safety concerns, checks and action (report, clean up, cone off)
• Emergency clean up  

Customized day porter services will make an assessment of your needs and tailor programs to meet your unique requirements.  

Employ professional day porter services to ensure efficient maintenance and clean up during the holidays.

Whether it’s a row of flowering perennial shrubs or a nice specimen tree, fall is a great time to plant for a better start next spring!  

Planting new trees and shrubs can:

• Improve air quality
• Attract new tenants
• Increase property value
• Create visual curb appeal and add beauty to your outdoor spaces
• Increase the value and aesthetics of your community or business 

Choose an experienced landscape management company like Flora Terra to assist in the proper selection, planting and successful growing of your new trees or shrubs. Our horticulturists are trained to help you choose the best plant suited to your local climate and property. 

Looking for a gorgeous landscape for every season?  Consider Flora Terra’s Seasonal Flower Program.  Our team can help you enhance or renovate your property with seasonal colors for an eye-catching look all year.