Commercial Landscaping to Protect Property and the Environment

As the terrible storms in Texas reminds us that a solid downpour can have damaging consequences for your commercial property and the surrounding environment, and if you think storms have been worse lately, you’re not quite seeing the big picture yet. There has been a dramatic increase in severe rainfall over the past thirty years, and no one is going to forget the flooding of the I-17 anytime soon. This means less of the periodic light rain our desert plants love, and more flash floods. With the extreme weather trend set to continue, commercial property owners should discuss with a landscaping company (of course we think it should be Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance) how to make landscapes more resilient to extremes. With a few simple landscaping additions, you can mitigate damaging soil erosion and manage storm-water runoff, saving thousands on property damage when the next deluge hits.

Control Storm-water Runoff
Without significant vegetation or porous surfaces to sink into, rain quickly sweeps across yards and streets, carrying pesticides and sediment into the water system. Urban storm-water runoff is the leading contributor of water resource pollution, along with causing residential flooding.  Because of the increasing strain on infrastructure and ecosystems, many cities are now charging storm-water runoff fees. Diverting drainage, reducing impervious surface areas and using more eco-friendly options can lead to an abatement in many municipalities, and alternative options don’t have to be expensive.

Swales
At the most basic, a swale is any depression in a landscape, existing or excavated, that redirects water drainage. Maximize their use by lining the lowest point with rocks and adding deep-rooting plants to the slopes, slowing water’s path to the drain. Because a swale directs flow, rather than stopping it, it is quite important to make sure that it’s channeling the excess water to somewhere it will be released safely. An area with frequent flooding should be directed into a dry well, or a garden bed with very good drainage and high water tolerance. To avoid utility charges, never have a swale draining straight off a property.

Install A Rain Garden
When building a rain garden, plants with the highest wet-soil tolerance should be placed in the center, since those at the edge will drain fairly quickly while the middle remains submerged. Using native plants is best whenever possible, as they require little to no watering in between rainfall, making a more low-maintenance landscape and cutting down on the need for harmful pesticides.

Although similar to swales, rain gardens don’t redirect water. Instead, they provide a place for it to pool during a downpour, allowing it to slowly percolate back into the soil. Most range from 50-100 square feet, and even a small, inexpensive one can significantly reduce flooding and runoff. 

Use Heavier Mulch
Flooding spreads light mulch chips everywhere, making a pain to clean up and clogging drains. Most hardwood mulches are heavier. There are some brands made from man-made materials that are low maintenance. Save yourself the raking back-ache and stick with the heavy stuff.

Divert Rain Spouts
Don’t forget the smallest changes. A downspout diverter is essential to prevent flooding next to the walls, and to get water out to lower ground.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of commercial landscaping in between, we can help.  To find out how give us a call at 623-848-8277.

Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net