Commercial Landscaping Tips for September

All over the country, even the Arizona version, Summer is winding down, the days are getting shorter and a little cooler, unless you live here in the Valley of the Sun, where we are still in shorts and t-shirt weather for the next month or so. 

Despite the fact that we are still in the 100s for temperatures, this can be a great month for gardening and preparing for the winter that seems will never come. Most plants that flower can still be cut back and will flourish again this month with a lot of color. However, it is important to stop pruning and deadheading your roses. You can let your roses go to seed (rose hips) after blooming this month. This tells the plant that it's time to slow down and get ready for winter.

Cut back on watering the lawn and other plants as well, not all at once mind you, but little by little start to take the irrigation system down a bit. This will let your plants know to harden off before winter sets in.

Mums, asters, flowering cabbage, and flowering kale can be planted so that your commercial property can have a nice punch of fall color. And don't forget that spring flowering bulbs must be planted this month. Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs as well, because they’ll establish their roots before winter and will flourish in the spring.

Slow release lawn fertilizer, should be used on your grass areas right around this time of year as well. 

There maybe lots to be done to keep your commercial property looking sharp all through fall and winter, but don't panic, That is what Greens Keeper is committed to helping you do, whatever your landscaping needs. 

Remember that Fall landscaping, for all the work it entails, is something of a celebration. It is a rite of the harvest and a wonderful time for people to be active on the property. Make a conscious effort to enjoy the autumn landscaping to the fullest! But also remember that there's much work to be done, tasks that will prepare your yard for the Phoenix Metro area winter -- and for the spring that will follow.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of landscaping in between, we can help.  We serve businesses like yours all over the Phoenix Metro Area. 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

Plant of the Week - Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia is a genus of tropical flowering plants in the family Araceae. It is native to the New World Tropics from Mexico and the West Indies south to Argentina. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental, especially as a house plant, and has become naturalized on a few tropical islands.

Dieffenbachia is a perennial herbaceous plant with straight stem, simple and alternate leaves containing white spots and flecks, making it attractive as potted foliage. Species in this genus are popular as houseplants because of their tolerance of shade. The common name, "Dumb Canes" refers to the poisoning effect of raphides, which can cause temporary inability to speak; for this reason it is also known as the mother-in-law plant. 

Cultivation
With a minimum temperature of 41 °F, dieffenbachia must be grown indoors in temperate areas. They need light, but are extremely tolerant of shade and would do well in decorative pots by an entryway or on a patio area. They also need moderately moist soil, which should be regularly fertilized. Leaves will periodically roll up and fall off to make way for new leaves. Yellowing of the leaves is generally a sign of problematic conditions, such as a nutrient deficiency in the soil. Dieffenbachia respond well to hot temperatures and dry climates.

How To Grow
The Dieffenbachia prefers medium sunlight, moderately dry soil and average temperatures of 62 – 80 °F so it will thrive well for most of the year in Arizona. Watering it about twice a week will suffice, but should be watered more frequently in summer.

Caring for Dieffenbachia Plants

Dieffenbachia plants are beautiful and many gardeners choose them for their decorations. These plants are often grown because of their unique, striking foliage. If you wish to grow these plants for the first time, here’s some good news: it’s easy to learn all the basics pretty quickly so you can start growing your Dieffenbachia plants very quickly.

This plant is also known as “dumb cane” on the market. The name comes from the plant’s toxic sap. Keep in mind that ingesting it can cause a temporary inability to speak. Another, shorter name for a Dieffenbachia plant is “Dieff”, and it’s often used because it’s easier to spell.

Before you start, you need to know that there are many varieties of the “dumbcane” plants on the market. Some varieties are very small, almost dwarf. On the other hand, there are also very large varieties you can find, such as Dieffenbachia amoena. The choice is all yours and it depends on your preferences. Both varieties can easily be grown. These plants can easily reach a height of about 4 to 5 feet (if you don’t choose the dwarf variety). 

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of landscaping in between, we can help.  We serve businesses like yours all over the Phoenix Metro Area. 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

Celebrate Labor Day

Labor Day is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of their country.

Labor Day was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, who organized the first parade in New York City. After the Haymarket Massacre in Chicago on May 4, 1886, U.S. President Grover Cleveland feared that commemorating Labor Day on May 1 could become an opportunity to commemorate the affair. Therefore, in 1887, the United States holiday was established in September to support the Labor Day that the Knights favored.

In 1882, Matthew Maguire, a machinist, first proposed the holiday while serving as secretary of the CLU (Central Labor Union) of New York.[2] Others argue that it was first proposed by Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor in May 1882, after witnessing the annual labour festival held in Toronto, Canada. Oregon was the first state to make it a holiday on February 21, 1887. By the time it became a federal holiday in 1894, thirty states officially celebrated Labor Day.

Following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, the United States Congress unanimously voted to approve rush legislation that made Labor Day a national holiday; President Grover Cleveland signed it into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. The September date originally chosen by the CLU of New York and observed by many of the nation's trade unions for the previous several years was selected rather than the more widespread International Workers' Day because Cleveland was concerned that observance of the latter would be associated with the nascent socialist and anarchist movements that, though distinct from one another, had rallied to commemorate the Haymarket Affair in International Workers' Day. All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the territories have made it a statutory holiday.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of landscaping in between, we will provide the labor.  We serve businesses like yours all over the Phoenix Metro Area. 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 Landscaping Maintenance Really Listens!

I know, you have heard that one before.  At Greens Keeper Landscaping there is a big difference.   We really do listen, we listen to our customers and potential customers.

We have learned that being a good listener and then following up on that information is really the way, perhaps the only way, to achieve happy customers.  The amazing thing about happy customers is that they tend to bring you even more customers.

We listen to what our customers want and need.  Over the years we have learned to both listen and know what are the right questions to ask.  Knowing the right questions to ask leads to the right answers.  Having the right answers leads to doing a great job for our customers.  We always try to ask open-ended questions that encourage a true dialogue, rather than one-word answers.

Are we bragging? Yes, I guess we are.  Our results are more than just bragging.  Our results, making your commercial property look great are rewards all their own.  When your property shines, then we can bask in your light.  

Businesses should never forget to listen to their customers. In fact, really listening to customers happens so rarely these days that we found a big competitive edge just by doing it.  We listen at the office and we listen out in the field.  

As good listeners we try to respond to broad comments with questions that get to the heart of the problem.  We don't rely on just preprinted customer feedback forms, or a fixed set of questions. All our staff tries to think on their feet and go where the discussion leads, rather than stick to a script.

If you feel this is the way business should be done then give Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance at shot at listening to your landscaping needs.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of landscaping in between, we can help.  We serve businesses like yours all over the Phoenix Metro Area. 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

Landscape Architecture Appreciation - Cliffs of Moher

Visitor numbers to the Cliffs of Moher grew from approximately 100,000 in 1978 to 250,000 in 1988. It was clear that the existing center built in 1978 would soon be inadequate to the numbers that were visiting. A series of studies were conducted and the need for a comprehensive approach to visitor facilities and management at the Cliffs of Moher was clearly identified.

The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience became committed to the ethos of sustainable tourism and business and wanted to strive to reduce any negative impact on the environment or local culture.

The Cliffs of Moher are one of Europe’s most visited natural attractions with over one million visitors annually. In 2007 a new visitor center and visitor management program was launched.

Imagine a museum that reminds you of Newgrange or a Hobbits home. Now that is landscape and architecture working together.

Visitor Center History
In 1992 a National Architectural Design Competition was held and the winning entry, by Cork architectural firm Reddy O’Riordan Staehli Architects, envisaged the visitor center building hidden underneath the hillside in order not to detract from the impact of the natural landscape.

The development of the project continued throughout the 1990s and in 2001 a complete Environmental Impact study was conducted by Parkman Environmental. Planning approval was confirmed by An Bord Pleanala in 2002. 

Construction 2005-2007
Work began in May 2005 with the development the car park area and a temporary visitor center that would serve during the 18 month construction stage. In June the temporary center opened its doors containing toilets, a gift shop and tea rooms. Work began to demolish the old stone visitor center built in 1978 by Shannonside Tourism. A temporary path over the top of the hillside was provided to give access to the cliff paths. A section of cliff edge areas was closed for works while the area up to and around O’Brien’s Tower remained open to the public. A large section of the hillside was excavated and building of the visitor center began.

The new pathways, steps and viewing areas were officially opened in April 2006 and the area surrounding O’Brien’s Tower was closed off for the cliff edge works in this area to be completed. Work on the visitor center building continued as did grassland habitat reconstruction on the cliff edge. Despite a stormy winter of 2006-2007 the visitor center opened on time in February 2007 bringing a new chapter in the story of tourism at the Cliffs of Moher.

Amongst the objectives of the new operation was the protection and conservation of the Cliffs of Moher. Since autumn of 2008 a Green Team has been established to tackle environmental, conservation and waste/energy management issues and to participate in local eco-tourism initiatives.

While visiting the Cliffs of Moher there are a number of shopping and eating options available. These options were built in the same fashion as the visitors center, little shops within the hill. 

Rather than having to worry about the landscaping on your commercial property 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

Do You Have A Fall Clean-up Planned

Some people only think of “Spring Clean Up” but, for sure many people feel that the “Fall Clean-up” is just as important or even more important to get ready for three big holidays, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

When does clutter become junk? Junk is not another man’s treasure, sometimes it is just plain-old, ordinary, everyday junk. 

From a scientific standpoint (maybe science isn't really involved), the law of accumulation states that all matter of a junk-like nature has a tendency to increase at an exponential rate. Here ‘junk’ is defined as matter which can be disposed of without making the owner worse off.

Empirical evidence has proven that the mass of junk has a positive correlation with the number of years of accumulation, following the formula:

f(x) = alnx , where f(x) ≤ V

Where a is the initial amount of junk, x is the number of years of accumulation, and V is the unoccupied volume of the apartment or home after furnishing.

However researchers are still debating over the reason behind this phenomenon.

One proposed theory seeks to link longevity of residence to an increased disinclination to dispose junk.

Another theory claims that sedentary activity is the factor behind the initial presence of junk, which in turn feeds into a vicious cycle called the “sedentary accumulation effect”, whereby laziness creates junk, which creates more laziness as residents become increasingly discouraged by the increased effort required to remove the junk, leading to the accumulation of more junk over time.

It all just sounds like a big headache to me. Time for some help.

At Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance we are ready to help haul away all the blight that is cluttering your property.

While Junk Removal can be related to storm damage, it can also be just what you need removed from your property, commercial or otherwise.

If you have anything on your property that needs removal please take the time to give us a call at 623-848-8277 so we can help.

We look forward to helping you make your property more beautiful and valuable by clearing away any Junk.  No job is too little or too big.  We remove your junk one item at a time until it is all gone.  We will remove your headaches from commercial property, rentals, homes, garages, estates or storage facilities.

No time; we can help.  Job too big for you; we can help.  Gives us a quick call at 623-848-8277 so we can solve your problems. No matter the job size we can help.

Rather than having to worry about the landscaping on your commercial property 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

Phoenix Storm Damage Clean-up… Who Should You Call?

Yesterday evening the Phoenix Metro area was slammed by a serious monsoon storm.  Many have suffered wind damage. They are reporting 55,000 without power following the storm. We hope you and your family are all OK. Rain and high winds have caused property damage and reduced trees and landscaping to rubble.

If you are looking for help in your clean up efforts give Greens Keeper a call at 623-848-8277

You want to get your property damage corrected as soon as possible.  This goes well beyond just the aesthetics of how the property looks.  You want to make sure your property is safe.  You want to make sure that debris doesn’t cause even more damage and flooding on and beyond your property.

We offer more than just the look of the landscape of properties.  We offer clean-up and haul-away services that can get the storm damage restoration underway as soon as possible.

Our crews will arrive on site and begin working to minimize your properties' damage.

We have more than fifteen years of experience in helping business owners recover from unexpected events, storm and water damage.

We will work directly for you or with your insurance company, you decide.

While removal of fallen trees is many times the most visible part of storm damage, there are others. Water run-off can be damaging as well.

Our process involves Immediate assessment of your property to identify hazardous areas and help minimize additional damage that the erosion or blockages can cause to landscaping. Controlling run-off and erosion can also be mandated by local regulations.

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.

Following our next valley storm think of Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance for your repairs and property restoration.  Give us a call at 623-848-8277 to see how we can help you.

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