When designing your commercial landscape, variety of plants could bring an eye catching appearance to your property. Trees bring shade, cacti are easy on your water supply and flowers bring not only their own beauty but that of butterflies and hummingbirds. Like these, ground coverings not only add a gorgeous variation to your landscape, but they can assist in preserving the soil.
Trailing Desert Broom
The NATIVE species of Desert broom is a vertical, evergreen, densely-branched shrub usually 3 to 6 feet tall. Its many fine twigs are green with tiny, linear leaves, that are deciduous during dry periods. These plants bloom in the fall. The wind-dispersed, white-tasseled seeds are produced by the female plants in such abundance that the plants and nearby ground appear to be snow-covered. This litter of flowers can sometimes make the plant undesirable for landscaping, but as luck would have it hybrids have been developed. One of the first to be introduced for use in low-desert landscapes was developed by the University of Arizona. These plants grow to about 3 feet tall by 4 - 5 feet wide in about ten years of growth.
They are evergreen with bright green foliage and inconspicuous flowers. This provides a low-maintenance, long-lived alternative plant to grow in difficult locations. It has a prostrate growth habit, a tolerance of dry heat and drought. It also provides greener foliage than most other desert plants, and it works well in transition plantings on golf courses, medians, and along roadsides.
Red Spike Ice Plant
The size and beauty of this groundcover’s flowers are quite surprising when you consider the diminutive size and unimposing characteristics of its succulent foliage. Buds appear abundantly in late winter to early spring, opening around mid-day into a radiant hot pink or carmine red starburst-shaped bloom with a 2 inch diameter. Red spike ice plant grows in tight clumps and spreads only a couple of feet, but its fibrous roots and superior drought tolerance make this perennial a great soil stabilizer for banks and slopes. Its thick, gray-green leaves can take on reddish tones in cooler weather, and their quirky, upright growth habit adds architectural interest to mixed succulent planters, rock gardens and borders. Provide this stunning evergreen with good drainage and locate it where it won’t be stepped on to keep it growing happily in your garden.
Bush Morning Glory
Morning Glory produces soft, silver foliage on a low mounding shrub that looks beautiful on mounds, in rocky landscapes and near cactus as a contrast. Silver Bush Morning Glory can really stand out when used in raised planters and containers for a nice contrast. Beautiful abundant white flowers bloom in spring and fall. Shear in spring every couple years to keep it fresh and full. This plant prefers full to half sun with well draining soil.
Trailing Dalea
Despite a soft, delicate appearance, the trailing dalea bush is one of the toughest groundcovers around. The feathery, silvery green compound foliage makes the clusters of tiny, rosy purple flowers stand out at close range. The blooms, which occur most heavily in spring and summer, return sporadically the rest of the year. This plant is excellent for stabilizing soil on slopes because its stem nodes root wherever they come in contact with the ground. Trailing dalea is a tough, attractive ground covering plant that is native to the Southwestern U.S. It can be grown in full sun and should be planted in well-drained soil. It also should be mentioned that it likes reflected heat.
It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of landscaping in between, we can help your commercial property. 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
Anyone can recognize the imposing sight of the saguaro cactus and it is used all over Arizona for landscaping, but there are a few cacti that don't get the fame they deserve. Cactus species are not just spiky little plants that we try to avoid touching, some can be quite beautiful and they'll save you on your properties’ water bill.
Prickly Pear
The prickly pear cactus represent about a dozen species in the North American deserts. All have flat, fleshy pads that look like large leaves. The pads are actually modified branches or stems that serve several functions -- water storage, photosynthesis and flower production. Like other cactus, most prickly pears have large spines. Prickly pear cactus are found in all of the deserts of the American Southwest. Most prickly pears have large spines on their stems and vary in height from less than a foot to 6 or 7 feet. Most of these plants have yellow, red or purple flowers, even among the same species. Pads can vary in width, length, shape and color. The Beavertail, Santa Rita and Blind Pear are regarded as spineless but the spines are just harder to see.
Hedgehog
Hedgehog cactus is a low-growing succulent native to the southwestern United States. This cactus earned its name because its short, spiny stems resemble hedgehogs. Hedgehog cactus is common in its native range and produces colorful flowers in the spring. This cactus grows in clumps of three to 60 stems per clump. Each light green stem grows up to 12 inches tall. Hedgehog cacti often develop an almost solid covering of sharp spines. All hedgehog-cactus varieties have colorful flowers, and most have edible fruit. The flowers open after the spring rains from February to May. The hedgehog cactus flowers vary from an intense magenta to shades of pink, purple and lavender. The blossoms last for five days, opening in the morning and closing at night. Hedgehog-cactus flowers are up to 3 inches wide, making them look quite large in comparison to the size of the stems.The reddish-orange fruit develops once flowering is complete. The fruit is covered in deciduous spines that fall off as the fruit reaches maturity. Hedgehog cactus is also called strawberry hedgehog cactus for the strawberry taste of its fruit. Like most cacti, the hedgehog cactus grows in sandy, rocky soil. It needs well-draining soil, as it is prone to root rot if its roots remain wet for extended periods. This plant prefers full sun, but tolerates light shade. Hedgehog cactus can also make a fine container plant or lawn specimen.
Barrel
Ferocactus, meaning "fierce or wild cactus," they are always cylindrical or barrel shaped and are usually among the largest cacti of the North American deserts. Growing up to 10 feet high, all have stout ribs, and are fiercely armed with heavy spines that usually grow along the ribs, sometimes forming a cross in the center of the cluster. In some species, one or more central spines are curved like a fishhook, accounting for the common name Fishhook Barrel Cactus. Most barrel cactus have 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inch Beautiful yellow-green or red flowers growing in a crown near the top of the stem. Most species bloom April through June, depending on local conditions. They bear no spines and only a few scales. Fruits become fleshy and often juicy when mature, but are not usually considered edible.
It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of landscaping in between, we can help your commercial property. 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
There are many desert annuals that perform the best in the arid, heat-loaded environment. Some will give your commercial landscape a tremendous burst of color while others make a fast-growing ground cover. Desert annuals are plants that live out their whole life during only one season. The length of this life depends on various factors, but it could be weeks or even months. The biggest factor that affects the life of an annual is the temperature. Most are either mildly frost hardy or heat hardy.
The great part about desert annuals is their fast growth. Annuals have the ability to fill in areas in a very small amount of time. They provide vivid color, texture and even a scent to your arid landscape. In the desert, annuals that do very well include the African daisy, chrysanthemum, canyon lupine, cosmos, geraniums, vincas and poppies. There is a wide variety available at local nurseries and garden centers to suit every landscaping need.
African Daisy
African daisy has a bold, graphic look that's hard to find in more common daisies. Flowers are big, with interesting, eyelike markings around the flower's center.
This cool-season plant hails from South Africa. In warm-summer areas, it often takes a break during the peak of summer, but re-blooms in fall. Many types have silvery-green leaves that remain attractive when the plant isn't in bloom. It's usually grown as an annual but is a perennial in frost-free climates.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums are a must-have for the fall garden. No other late-season flower delivers as much color.
Beautiful chrysanthemum flowers, available in several colors, bring new life to a garden in the fall. Some varieties have daisy blooms; others may be rounded globes, flat, fringed, quill shape, or spoon shape. They work exceptionally well in container plantings and pots.
Vincas
You've got to love annual vincas, they are truly remarkable. It will tolerate a wide variety of conditions and still keep it up with almost unreal-looking, glossy green flowers and pretty pink, lavender, or red flowers that look like tiny parasols.
Whether the summer is dry or wet, hot or cold, this plant is unfazed. It makes a great container plant. Or plant it in a bed or border, grouping at least eight or more together for best effect.
Plant established seedlings in spring after all danger of frost has passed. Vinca withstands drought but does best with moderate moisture. Fertilize occasionally.
Poppies
When you want excitement in June, consider Poppies, whose ruffled and shimmering petals pack more pigment than you can imagine. Plant Poppies in groups in a sunny, well-drained position and match them with summer bloomers or annuals that spread out and will conceal their early dormancy.
The best times to start growing poppies and plant seeds is either early fall, or in the first part of March. Planting in fall will result in earlier blooms the following spring, whereas planting in spring will result in summer blooms. Alternately, you can plant half your seeds in the fall, and half in the spring.
It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of landscaping in between, we can help your commercial property. 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
Living in the desert, you might feel it is hard to find plants that thrive in the dry arid climate, however there are many plants that thrive in our desert environment. These plants Can be an eye catching addition to any landscape as well as attracting gorgeous butterflies and fast flying humming birds.
Museum Palo Verde
The Museum Palo Verde is fast becoming one of the most popular shade trees in landscapes throughout the southwest. The multi-trunked, sculptural shapes of these trees provide a stark contrast and beautiful accent to almost any landscape. The Museum Palo Verde is actually a hybrid of different, older Palo Verde species that brings the best qualities of each. This results in a fuller, vibrant yellow flower display with brighter green, thornless trunks. Museum Palo Verdes are the faster growing, higher blooming, cleaner cousins to the original Palo Verde. These trees allow landscapers to get the vibrant colors of the Palo Verde without the thorns and heavy litter of the originals. Plant anywhere that fast shade and wonderful golden spring color is desired.
Vitex
Although the Vitex is known by many names it is best known for its beautiful spikes of purple blooms it has in the summer months. The Vitex is prized for not only these unique desert blooms, but also for its natural ability to attract butterflies to one’s landscape. One of the plant's common names, monk's pepper, references the use of its seeds as a pepper substitute in monasteries, where it was prized for its intrinsic effects on virility. The small stature and low maintenance requirements of the Vitex allow its unique properties to be brought into just about any landscape. The turning, twisting trunks contrast well with the larger, more uniform trees commonly seen in Sonoran landscapes. Vitex trees establish quickly and are well suited for full sun exposure.
Willow Acacias
Willow Acacias are an import from the arid regions of Australia, making them perfectly suited to growing here. Their growth rate makes them popular with folks seeking fast shade, but their cleanliness and unique appearance make them useful across many different landscape styles. Its name comes from the fact that as it matures, its foliage weeps from upright branches, providing a similar look to a classic Willow tree. Only Willow Acacias keep their leaves all year while using quite a bit less water than other Acacias. Consult with our landscaping experts on how a Willow acacia might be right for your landscape.
It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of landscaping in between, we can help your commercial property. 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
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC. is a service oriented family owned business specializing in commercial landscape maintenance.
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance has been maintaining commercial properties in the Valley of the Sun (the Phoenix Metro Area) to the highest level. We have many years of experience here in the valley caring for plants in the southwest climate and in commercial property landscapes.
We are a reliable source for all of your property maintenance needs. We employ a well educated, trained and experienced staff who can attend to all of your needs in a knowledgeable and professional manner.
Our services include all facets of Property Management. We cover property maintenance to customized lawn treatment programs, tree & shrub diagnostics and care, annual color programs, enhancements, Irrigation System management, We can help with your Holiday and Event Decorating. Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance has a full time staff to fulfill any and all of your needs 12 months a year!
We are certified, licensed and insured to meet all local requirements and regulations. Contact our award winning company to schedule a consultation today.
We can design and develop a custom program for your specific budget and property needs. You can be on your way to increasing your property’s appearance and value with our guidance and expertise.
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC, features first class customer service, providing unmatched value, superior products, extensive local experience and unquestionable reliability.
All of our vehicles are clearly marked and all of our employees are in uniform for easy identification. Many of the small unexpected things that other companies charge for, are included in our everyday service.
Or you can let Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance do all the work for you and take the burden off your shoulders all together. Give us a call at 623-848-8277 and let’s talk about it.
Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net
Mosquitos really bug us as the summer starts rolling in, but as luck would have it there are some types of plants that really bug the bugs. insect-repelling plants do so with their naturally occurring fragrances. Place these plants in areas where guests will be often such as by a seating area or a doorway.
Citronella Grass
Lemon-scented plants such as citronella grass keep mosquitoes at bay. Known for its distinct smell, citronella grass is the most commonly used natural ingredient in mosquito repellents. When buying Citronella, make sure you buy Cybopogon nardus or Citronella winterianus, which are true varieties. The living plant is the most effective at repelling pests. It is a low maintenance plant that does best in warmer climates and can be planted directly in a sunny area in the ground.
Catmint
Catmint (catnip) can be found thriving almost anywhere. It is from the mint family and grows abundantly both as a commercial plant and as a weed. It is very easy to take care of but a word of caution it may invade other areas. However, if you are willing to forgo this plant’s insidious nature, they are amazing mosquito repellants. In a study at Iowa State University, catmint was found to be ten times more effective than DEET, the chemical used in most insect repellants.
Rosemary
Another great mosquito repellent is rosemary. Rosemary is an herb that many of us are very familiar with and their woody scent is exactly what keeps mosquitoes away. They do best in hot and dry climates and thrive in containers, which may be ideal for areas with winters. They can also be pruned into all sorts of shapes and sizes and make great borders or decorations.
Basil
Basil is another herb that can also double as a pest repellent. The pungent smell the basil leaves give off are what keep pests at bay. And since all kinds of basil work to keep flies and mosquitoes at bay, feel free to explore and find the right types of basil to mix into your garden. This herb likes to be kept damp, needs good drainage, and enjoys lots of sun. You can plant basil in containers or in the garden, alone or with other flowers, as long as both plants meet the same requirements.
Lavender
Have you ever noticed that insects or even rabbits and other animals have never decimated your lavender plant? It is because of their lovely fragrance, which comes from its essential oils that are found on the leaves of the plant. It is even argued that lavender oil hinders a mosquito’s ability to smell! This plant is very tough and drought-resistant once established, and only needs full sun and good drainage and it thrives in warmer areas.
Scented Geraniums
Scented geraniums seem to be a popular mosquito repelling plant and the favored scent seems to be lemon scented, which is reminiscent of citronella grass. They are beautiful blooms with a strong fragrance that keep several types of pests away. These fast growing plants like warm, sunny, and dry climates, perfect for our desert climate.’’
It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of landscaping in between, we can help your commercial property. 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
It is that time of year again. School is almost out, the heat is rising, and mosquitoes are hatching. Though it is not constantly in the news, West Nile Virus is still a prevalent concern and as property owners we have an opportunity as well as a responsibility to try and eliminate the threat of this disease. Besides using mosquito repellents to protect your person against insect bites, those working on the landscape can take measures to help stop the spread of West Nile virus. Since it is transmitted to humans via mosquitoes, and since the larvae of mosquitoes are found in standing water, one group of measures should obviously focus on sources of standing water in your landscaping. But just what those sources consist of can be far from obvious.
But first, let's consider the role of mosquito larvae in our war against West Nile virus. Successfully killing mosquitoes is based on a simple yet important observation. When mosquitoes become adults, they rule the skies. Locating and killing winged bugs is difficult. Consequently, mosquito control that focuses instead on killing mosquito larvae or depriving mosquitoes of breeding grounds makes a lot of sense. If you can eliminate sources of standing water on your landscaping, you're hitting mosquitoes where it really hurts. Or else you can kill the mosquito larvae while they're still confined to the water. They're vulnerable while they remain wingless, swimming in an artificial pond, say, or a swimming pool. This is the time to kill them and you can even do so without resorting to chemicals.
But before considering ways to kill the larvae in areas of your landscaping where you intentionally keep standing water, let's look at some of the sources of standing water that you might not immediately think of. Walk your property and look for the following:
Small Areas of Standing Water
Water buckets and rain barrels.
Bottles and cans.
Empty plastic plant pots and other concave odds and ends
Old car tires (notorious rain-catchers).
Boat tarps or pool covers in which water can puddle.
Uneven areas in lawns or gardens where irrigation water can collect.
Clogged rain gutters and clogged drains.
Birdbaths and water bowls for pets.
Seepage from septic tanks.
Swimming Pools, Ponds and Fountains
Keep swimming pools clean, aerated and chlorinated.
A bacteria called "Bti" (Bacillus thuringiensis) is often used for mosquito larvae control in standing water.
Aerate artificial ponds.
Stock artificial ponds with fish that eat mosquito larvae.
If you have ponds or fountains on your property perhaps you've thought, "Too bad there isn't a 'mosquitofish' I could put in my water garden to eat mosquito larvae." Well, believe it or not, the mosquitofish isn't a mythical beast, there really is such a thing as a mosquitofish!
But which fish are the best eaters of mosquito larvae? Minnows and goldfish are common denizens of artificial ponds, and they do a fine job of eating mosquito larvae. But another fish, Gambusia affinis, has acquired such a reputation as an eater of mosquito larvae that it has been nicknamed, "mosquitofish."
Formerly an obscure species, the mosquitofish is now enjoying the limelight due to the West Nile virus' invasion of North America. Avoid the temptation to mass aquatic plants together excessively in artificial ponds (mosquito larvae can hide from the fish if the vegetation is dense).
Just remember standing water equals mosquitoes.
It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of landscaping in between, we can help your commercial property. 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
The benefits that trees provide from social, communal, environmental, and economic perspectives.
Most trees and shrubs in cities or communities are planted to provide beauty or shade. While these are excellent benefits, woody plants serve many other purposes. The benefits of trees can be grouped into social, communal, environmental, and economic categories.
Social Benefits
Human response to trees goes well beyond simply observing their beauty. Trees help us feel serene, peaceful, restful, and tranquil in a grove. We are “at home” there. The calming effect of nearby trees and urban greening can significantly reduce workplace stress levels and fatigue and calm traffic.
Trees can also reduce crime. Apartment buildings with high levels of green space have lower crime rates than nearby apartments without trees.
The strong tie between people and trees is often evident when community residents speak out against the removal of trees to widen streets or rally to save a particularly large or historic tree.
Communal Benefits
Even when located on a commercial lot, the benefits provided by trees can reach well out into the surrounding community. Likewise, large-growing trees can come in conflict with utilities, views, and structures that are beyond the bounds of the owner’s property. With proper selection and maintenance, trees can enhance and function on one property without infringing on the rights and privileges of neighbors. City trees often serve several architectural and engineering functions. They provide privacy, emphasize views, or screen out objectionable views. They reduce glare and reflection. They direct pedestrian traffic. Trees also provide background to and soften, complement, or enhance architecture.
Trees bring natural elements and wildlife habitats into urban surroundings, all of which increase the quality of life for residents of the community.
Environmental Benefits
Trees alter the environment in which we live by moderating climate, improving air quality, reducing storm water runoff, and harboring wildlife. Local climates are moderated from extreme sun, wind, and rain. Radiant energy from the sun is absorbed or deflected by leaves on deciduous trees in the summer. The larger the tree, the greater the cooling effect. By using trees in the cities, we can moderate the heat-island effect caused by pavement and buildings in commercial areas. Wind speed and direction is affected by trees. The more compact the foliage on the tree or group of trees, the more effective the windbreak. Rainfall is absorbed or slowed by trees, providing some protection for people, pets, and buildings. Trees intercept water, store some of it, and reduce storm water runoff.
Air quality is improved through the use of trees. Leaves filter the air we breathe by removing dust and other particulates. Rain then washes the pollutants to the ground. Leaves absorb the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and store carbon as growth. Leaves also absorb other air pollutants – such as ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide – and release fresh clean oxygen.
By planting trees we return developed areas to a more natural environment that is attractive to people and wildlife. Ecological cycles of plant growth, reproduction, and decomposition are again present, both above and below ground. Call Greens Keeper at 623-848-8277 for help with your commercial landscape.
Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net
All of us living in the Valley of the Sun know that the summer heat means you need more water to keep your commercial property green and beautiful. OK, but how much water and when to water are key concerns for the commercial property manager and their staff.
If you want to automate your sprinkler system you can do just that. There are systems that both measure the water content of the greenscape and talk with the weather service to consider the likelihood of rainfall. Smart-Watering can be very effective.
Keeping your water use-age in line also means knowing when to water to help stay ahead of evaporation.
The drier and hotter it is, (sort of describes Arizona, doesn’t it) the faster water will evaporate. However, the water droplets on the grass will not soak into the ground anyway. They will stay on the grass and evaporate (unless it starts raining). Hot, dry heat just makes this happen faster. You need to make sure water soaks the ground properly when watering, no matter the temperature. So in other words: It won't make a difference.
The most important factors to consider are;
1) the relative humidity of the air about your lawn
2) and the temperature of the water itself.
3) how you deliver the water to the greenscape
You want to water long and deep to be the most effective. Deeper ground water is much less affected by evaporation, than surface water. Watering at night supports reduced water useage. Water that is delivered by air spraying evaporates more that water delivered by a drip type sprinklers or irrigation. Yes, irrigation water does evaporate at the surface, but that is less than spraying water into the air to aid disbursement.
Damaged and in-effective sprinklers also are large water wasters. You can lose thousands of gallons of water when a sprinkler head is damaged or fails. Heads can fail or be altered (think mowing) so that the coverage doesn’t reach the needed area. This leads to both wasted water and the loss of viable grass.
No matter what is the true cause of the problems your landscape is having Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance can help.
It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of 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
We are a service oriented family owned business specializing in commercial landscape maintenance.
While our normal hours of operations are from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM we offer 24/7 service and Storm Damage Clean-up as needed by our customers.
We keep our overhead low and pass the savings on to our customers. We provide high quality service and pride ourselves on our open communication practices.
Our hourly rate is $26 per hour. Our special project rate, including sprinkler repairs, is $30. We offer convenient payment terms of 2/10 net 30.
All of our vehicles are clearly marked and all of our employees are in uniform for easy identification. Many of the small unexpected things that other companies charge for, we include.
If there are minor sprinkler repairs that are needed, most of them are also included (no charge). We accomplish this by providing an allowance for sprinkler heads, drip emitters, shrub heads, and repairs to lateral lines and drip lines. The only sprinkler issues that we would have to charge for would be main line repairs, valves & timers. And we always get these pre approved by our customers.
Unlike other companies we don't mark-up inventory, whenever possible. Another one of our popular services is safety and visibility trimming at no extra charge. This means that if you have things we think could be a liability on your property related to the landscape, we will communicate with you and work together to resolve these issues before they cause an accident or damage vehicles or buildings. If there is vegetation blocking the view of signs or safe passage in and out of the parking lot, trees blocking safety lighting, we will keep those items at their smallest manageable size (no charge).
We don't charge anything for the installation of winter lawns. This means you do not pay anything for scalping and removal of summer lawn, sprinkler tune up, and top dressing where needed. And the seed is provided at the market price. We also offer a full range of tree trimming options for our customers including emergency storm damage clean up and tree removal. Lawn fertilizer is done quarterly for the price of fertilizer only.
We will strive to keep your landscape safe, clean and beautiful. At the same time keeping your costs as low as possible.
We meet or exceed the highest insurance standards, with $2,000,000 business liability, $1,000,000 commercial auto, and $1,000,000 workman's comp. And we can list you (the customer) as additional insured at no extra charge.
We can Help! Please contact us at; Sales: 623-848-8277 We serve the entire Phoenix Metro Area.
Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net
As the spring season gets hotter and summer starts encroaching, pools are crossing everyone’s mind. While living in the southwestern desert climate offers a wider variety of plant choices than many areas, those faced with the job of landscaping near a swimming pool still have the basic commercial property considerations pool managers in any region must confront.
Before sending workers on an impulsive trip to a nursery or home center for whatever strikes their fancy, have them do some research.
If they choose fruit or flower-bearing trees and shrubs they may be beauties, but they will make a big mess when their leaves, needles, fruits, flowers, nuts or catkins fall in and around your pool or spa areas. Fruit and flowers trees, shrubs and bushes can lead to a lot of extra work for your pool cleaner.
Desert plants, cacti and beautiful roses bushes have needles and thorns, as do colorful bougainvillea, barberry, pyracantha and luscious blackberry bushes. Can you imagine a resident, their child or a visitor accidentally falling into a rose bush or type of cacti?
Over the years, trees and plants with invasive roots can damage the pool’s structure, its surrounding area, and its plumbing system. This list includes ficus, elm and oak trees.
While the whole bee / hummingbird / ecosystem thing can be an amazing when it is happening in the garden and common area, you don’t want any pollinators mistaking your pool guests for an enticing honeysuckle or bottlebrush. Other bee-lovin' plants include Wisteria, Sweet Clovers, Delphinium, Larkspur, Queen Anne's Lace, Cosmos and many Salvias. Keep these far away from your pools or hot-tube/spa areas.
Nearby nurseries or botanical gardens usually feature plants that are indigenous to your area or will adapt well to our climate. You may be tempted by the idyllic images and order an exotic banana tree off some website, but you might be wasting your dollars if it’s not suitable for your neck of the woods. If in doubt, consult regional charts or your local nursery.
Low-maintenance plants mean less work for your staff. The landscaping near your pool should enhance its surroundings and often sets a mood, like an island or oasis. You don’t want to be spending the bulk of your maintenance budget trimming and fertilizing the poolscaping, especially if it’s hard to access. Keep it simple. With the right plant selections, you can relax when thinking about the swimming pools and enjoy the scenery.
At Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance we have an even better idea, let us to the work and stressing about your commercial landscape needs.
It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of 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
Many times the use of desert landscape is done to make the need for watering a non-issue. They are very good at storing water. Many desert plants store water inside themselves, like cacti, for instance. While desert plants are drought tolerant by their very nature they still need some water just to thrive in our climate.
Watering is sometimes a challenge for plant owners, especially for those who live in the desert where plants have extreme water needs. Watering questions are typical of the many inquiries we receive each year in talking with commercial property owners. In the interest of both conserving water and maintaining healthy and beautiful landscapes, let's look at this sometimes-mystery called irrigation.
It might be helpful to start by discussing how plants process water and how this process protects plants from the sun's intense heat. When temperatures are high and humidity is low, the transpiration rate for plants is high.
Transpiration rate describes how fast water vapor is lost to the atmosphere through evaporation, primarily from a plant's leaves. This water loss occurs during photosynthesis when openings called stomata on leaf surfaces open and close for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. When the stomata are open, water vapor escapes. This evaporation has a cooling effect on leaves and is a critical part of a tree's protection from the sun's heat and light.
Our challenge is to provide water in quantities sufficient to allow plants to "breathe," that is, to release water vapor in amounts needed to keep plant surfaces constantly within a temperature range cool enough not to suffer true dehydration.
But it's not only a function of providing adequate water. Desert-adapted plants have special features to help them handle the heat. They sometimes have thick plant surfaces or reduced surface areas or other adaptive qualities. Plants without these features have a hard time in the summer heat. Some non-desert adapted plants have large leaf surfaces that transpire at such high rates that they lose water faster than it can be replenished. In spite of having enough water in the soil, they can suffer from sunscald.
The owners of these non-drought-tolerant species have a difficult task keeping them alive, let alone green. Survival is not only a matter of having adequate water. It's also about a plant's genetic functional ability to handle our hot environment. And that is sometimes beyond our control or even a drip irrigation controller.
More importantly you can let Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance do all the work for you and take the burden off your shoulders all together. Give us a call at 623-848-8277 and let’s talk about it.
Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net
The look of your commercial property is important to you and your tenants and this year’s winter may have left trees with some damage. But, are they dead?
Even though a tree may still have a few leaves and be standing tall in your yard, it could be dead. Some trees die slowly – as long as two years after a damaging event or disease -- and most trees die from the inside out, so even though it may look like your tree will survive, the odds are stacked against it. Trust your senses with a "snap-scratch test" to determine if a tree in your yard is merely dormant or if it’s dead.
Watch the tree as the seasons change. Look closely at the limbs for the green bumps that signify potential new branch growth. Examine the tree for signs of new leaves, flowers and fruits.
Break off a thin limb to feel if it bends, or if it snaps off the tree with a dry crack. Look inside the limb to determine if the branch is dry or moist; living trees have green, pliable branches.
If you would like a more professional opinion, consider giving Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance a call at 623-848-8277.
Greens Keeper is a service oriented family owned business specializing in commercial landscape maintenance.
While our normal hours of operations are from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM we offer 24/7 service and Storm Damage Clean-up as needed by our customers.
We keep our overhead low and pass the savings on to our customers. We provide high quality service and pride ourselves on our open communication practices.
Our hourly rate is $26 per hour. Our special project rate, including sprinkler repairs, is $30. We offer convenient payment terms of 2/10 net 30.
If there are minor sprinkler repairs that are needed, most of them are also included (no charge). We accomplish this by providing an allowance for sprinkler heads, drip emitters, shrub heads, and repairs to lateral lines and drip lines. The only sprinkler issues that we would have to charge for would be main line repairs, valves & timers. And we always get these pre approved by our customers.
We will strive to keep your landscape safe, clean and beautiful. At the same time keeping your costs as low as possible.
We meet or exceed the highest insurance standards, with $2,000,000 business liability, $1,000,000 commercial auto, and $1,000,000 workman's comp. And we can list you (the customer) as additional insured at no extra charge.
We can Help! Please contact us at; Sales: 623-848-8277 We serve the entire Phoenix Metro Area.
Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net
At Greens Keeper Landscaping we are always looking for great green programs and here is one for SRP customers.
Planting shade trees can save you up to $50 on your annual energy bill SRP is inviting their customers in the Phoenix metro area to participate in the SRP Shade Tree Program, enabling you to save up to $50 a year on your energy bill.
By planting desert-adapted trees in energy-saving locations around your home, you'll reduce cooling costs, improve air quality and lower the Valley's heat effect, without using a lot of water. Plus, you'll help beautify your home with a plush landscape that you can enjoy year-round.
Not only do shade trees block the sun's rays to provide natural, "low-tech" cooling, they also:
Renew your air supply by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen
Produce nearly 260 pounds of oxygen per tree each year
Remove up to 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide each year per acre of trees
Can make buildings up to 20 degrees cooler in the summer
Lower the air temperature by evaporating water from their leaves
Stabilize soil and prevent erosion
Can improve home values
The SRP Shade Tree Program provides up to two free desert-adapted shade trees for Valley homes. The trees will be approximately 4 to 6 foot saplings. To ensure your tree thrives, they require participants to attend a workshop teaching you how to best select, plant and care for your trees.
To participate in the program, you must:
Be a current residential electric customer
Have the legal right to plant trees on the property
Attend an SRP Shade Tree workshop
Plant trees on the south, west and east sides of your home within 15 feet of exposed exterior walls and windows
Have the ability to care for the tree, as needed
For more information on this SRP Program, please call (602) 325-1254
Let Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance do all of your commercial landscape work for you and take the burden off your shoulders all together. Give us a call at 623-848-8277 and let’s talk about it.
Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net
Yes, we borrowed that iconic phrase from the rather famous Ghostbusters movie theme song. But, it is a fair question. When you need help with your commercial landscape maintenance related matters, for your business … who are you going to call?
Yes, we know there are tons of web sites offering landscaping… are they all reliable? Yes, you can ask family or friends for a referral… but exactly how knowledgeable are they when it comes to commercial landscaping?
Like most things in today’s world commercial landscape solutions are constantly changing. So can we ask again… Who are you going to call for experienced and up-to-date commercial landscape? Who will take the time to get to know you and your business. Your special commercial landscape needs are unique to you and you need advice based on those needs, today and tomorrow.
Do you want to trust your future to a flashy new television advertisement? Your business appearance is directly tied to your success. Understanding your commercial landscape needs and acting on them correctly can mean the different between being a good property or an outstanding property.
Do you need commercial landscape advice? What kind of commercial landscape service do you want? Would you break that need into good service, better service and best commercial landscape service? Would you consider getting good commercial landscape service or would you prefer great commercial landscape service?
Where you get that commercial landscape maintenance and from whom will be the key to how well your commercial landscaping fits your life and your unique needs.
Do you think that commercial landscape service should be sold as one size fits all? We don’t! How did your last commercial landscape service call stack up?
It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of 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
A healthy summer lawn starts with spring maintenance. If your lawn is already well-maintained, all you need to do is give it a light raking once the ground has dried out. However, problem areas should be addressed quickly, as they can stress your lawn and make it more susceptible to weeds and disease. Winter can alter soil pH, compact the soil, and create conditions friendly to weeds and disease, so it's crucial that you properly clean, fertilize and mow your yard early in the season. So what can you do when winter's changing temps cause bare spots, invasive plants and other problems with your patch of green? Don't panic -- break out the broadcast spreader and click through our list of spring lawn care tips.
One common problem is uneven ground. Low spots cause poor drainage, while high spots are often scalped by the lawn mower. Since these situations create poor growing conditions for grass, grab a shovel, cut away areas that are raised, and fill in those that are depressed.
Another issue that plagues lawns, particularly in high-traffic areas, is soil compaction. This occurs when the soil becomes densely packed, making it difficult for grass to take root and allowing hardier weeds to take over. To test your yard for this problem, stick a garden fork into the ground. If the tines fail to penetrate 2 inches, your soil is compacted and should be loosened with an aerator designed to remove small plugs of soil from your lawn.
First try to address the soil conditions that prevented grass from growing in the past. Call your local Cooperative Extension office to find out where you can get a soil test; this will tell you what nutrients your lawn is lacking. Once you've corrected your soil composition, aerate the ground to avoid any problems with soil compaction.
Well that should get you started in bring your commercial property back to a lush summer lawn.
At Greens Keeper Landscape we want you to know how to take care of your property. If you don’t want the headache of landscape maintenance we take care of your landscape for you. To find out how we can help just 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
Those beautiful Arizona Spring days that we love so well, even when it is feeling a bit like summer, is part of what leads to all of our spring plant growth, both good ones and bad ones.
I know you planned to get your lawns protected from those pesky weeds, but all the wet weather and full sunny days have lead to a spring weed take over. The lawns of your commercial properties are now infested with all kinds of unwanted growth.
It is way too late to use a pre-emergent to treat those lawns. When the weeds have started growing you need to use a Post Emergent herbicide treatment.
A gorgeous lawn requires persistence and patience as you work to eradicate weeds. Herbicides are a key weapon in the lawn weed control arsenal. Two types of herbicides are commonly used: pre-emergent and post-emergent. The names describe when the herbicide kills weeds. Pre-emergents kill weeds before sprouts emerge from soil. Post-emergents attack actively growing weeds that have already emerged from the soil.
Post-Emergent Herbicides
These herbicides tackle both perennial and annual broadleaf weeds (weeds with leaf shapes that don’t resemble grass), and some even control grassy weeds (weeds that resemble grass). Choose post-emergent herbicides to control existing weeds in a lawn. It’s an ideal herbicide for spot-treating lone offenders.
Secrets to Success
Young, actively growing weeds die most easily and create less of an eyesore than mature weeds, which might require repeat applications for complete kill.
Inspect the lawn frequently (while mowing is a good time) to look for new weeds that have germinated and require treatment.
If you aren’t looking for another DIY project then give us a call at 623-848-8277. It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of landscaping in between, we can help.
Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net
