Install Artificial Grass in Your Commercial Landscapes

Artificial turf was first used in the sporting world in order to help reduce the costs related to constantly maintaining natural grass. Not to mention that artificial grass is able to withstand the heavy use that sports routinely require. As you can imagine, business owners across the nation began to become savvy of the time and cost savings that artificial grass and turf can provide. If maintaining yards and lawns were easy, we wouldn’t be in business!

Artificial grass has come a long way since the Astrodome fifty-years ago. Modern “third generation turf” now offers infill that are mixtures of sand and recycled rubber while the first generation turf was short-pile fibers without infill. Long story short, the first generation turf didn’t look or feel as good as modern artificial grass today.

Artificial turf, usually constructed of polyethylene plastic grass and an in-fill base of "crumb rubber" from ground-up recycled tires (as many as 10,000 in a single field) have become increasingly popular in communities all across the country.

As with anything else, there are both advantages and disadvantages to installing artificial turf over natural grass in the Phoenix Metro area that every commercial property owner should consider before hiring a licensed, bonded, and insured artificial turf installer for their commercial property landscape.

Advantages
Some of the advantages of having artificial grass include:
Lower maintenance costs, saving time (no longer spend time mowing the lawn), pesticide-free, increased durability, and it saves water. Synthetic turf works very well in high traffic or play areas where rough and tumble action is hard on real grass.

Disadvantages
Some of the disadvantages of artificial grass in the Valley of the Sun include:
The ground can get very hot because artificial turf absorbs heat, bacteria can breed. Medical experts have found that staphylococci and other bacteria can survive on polyethylene plastic, the compound used to make synthetic turf blades, for more than 90 days. Blood, sweat, skin cells and other materials can remain on the synthetic turf if the surface is not washed or cleaned. 

Once you install artificial grass it is difficult and costly to switch back to natural grass.

As always, we are here to help. Please contact us if you have any questions. 

Remember Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance can Help!  Please contact us at; Sales: 623-848-8277  We serve businesses like yours throughout the entire Phoenix Metro Area.

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

Palm Tree Pruning and Trimming

Palm trees are common here in the Valley of the sun because they are beautiful and they grow well in our desert climate. In case you didn't know there are actually over 2,000 palm tree species around the world, however, in Arizona we usually see only about 18 different palm trees species.

Here in the Phoenix metro area we find palm trees lining our streets, in our parks and adorning many of our beautiful commercial properties.

One drawback to having Palm Trees on your commercial property is the maintenance that they require in order to keep them healthy and looking their very best. As you probably know, palm trees can easily get out of control when they are neglected. Their dead leaves begin to form a “skirt” that most owners find unattractive. A word of caution not trimming the "skirt" can lead to a serious pest control problem. Palm roaches, pigeons and even scorpions love to hide and make a home in the dead leaves. Debris can sometime lead to injuries to your customers or clients.

Depending on what kind of palm tree you have in your yard will determine how difficult and how much maintenance they will require. Some palm trees can grow up to 100 feet tall, so we do not recommend that you try and trim them yourselves. 

Note: If you are trimming palm trees yourself, it is important to have gloves, safety goggles, and a helmet to protect yourself from the spikes and falling debris (it gets quite messy). Also the large amount of cuttings need to be disposed of properly.

If you don’t plan on cutting the palm trees yourself (which tends to be a very bad idea), make sure that you hire a landscaping company that has the knowledge and expertise to trim your palm trees correctly. Palm trees that are pruned too often or improperly could lead to a reduction in their vigor, transmit diseases harmful to the tree, reduce the overall health, affect cold hardiness, and lower the ability for the tree to handle the high winds found in our summer monsoon storms.

The next time you need your palm trees trimmed please contact us. 

Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance can Help!  Please contact us at; Sales: 623-848-8277  We serve businesses like yours throughout the entire Phoenix Metro Area.

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

Who Do You Call For Commercial Landscaping?

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

Trees Benefit Beyond Commercial Property

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

Tips For Healthy Lawns in Arizona Summers - Sprinklers

One of the best management practices for healthy lawns is to use a sprinkler system to control watering and water use.  In this blog we will assume that you already have a properly installed, adjusted and well aligned sprinkler heads and system in use at your commercial property location.

Sprinkler Tips

If you are experiencing water run off; you may need to irrigate more often for shorter periods of time.

To help conserve water; Adjust and align sprinkler heads so they don’t spray buildings, walls, driveways, sidewalks or the street.

A desert landscape area is always best watered with a tube based drip irrigation sprinkler system.

For a more efficient system; replace broken, faulty and missing sprinklers as soon as they are discovered.

Water in the early morning (4am to 10am). This allows the grass blades to dry, making them less susceptible to foliar diseases. Watering is more efficient in morning due to less evaporation and wind speed. Change the time that your system runs monthly, or at least seasonally. Contact Greens Keeper Commercial Landscape Maintenance your sprinkler professional when you need help.

To avoid wasting water; Water shaded your areas about 30% less than fun sun areas.If it has rained, reduce irrigations accordingly. 

The most efficient way to balance water use is with a system that has sensors and monitors ground moisture as part of the programming.When watering on a slope, use "delayed starts." Run your sprinklers until you notice runoff, then stop. Wait 3 hours, then resume. Aerate to increase infiltration.

Note: A typical lawn sprinkler system uses about 10 to 18 gallons per minute per valve or zone. If a lawn has twenty zones and waters for 15 minutes three times per week, the water consumption would range between 45,000 and 75,000 gallons per month. 

And remember: Always Use Water Wisely!

If you need help with your commercial properties’ sprinkler system please give Greens Keeper Commercial Landscape Maintenance, LLC a call at 623-848-8277, to see how we can help you solve your water use problems.

Presented by:

Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC

623-848-8277

http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com

greenskeeperllc@cox.net

Monsoon Season Is Here! Is Your Commercial Landscape Ready?

It is that time again, Monsoon season. Late June early July in southern Arizona inevitably leads to a dust or monsoon rain storm.  Usually just looking at the clouds building in the southern sky will let you know they are coming or at least a possibility for today or at least tomorrow.  The local news tries very hard to give accurate forecasts but even they admit that they can't be right all the time.

You aren’t powerless to help protect your property.  Here are some steps you can take to prevent or minimize the possible damages.

If you have furniture around your pool areas, at the very least lower and store the patio umbrellas.  However bringing in all the furniture will save them from damage and stop them from causing further damage to other areas of your property.

Shutting down pool filters and pumps will minimize damage from the debris and mounds of dirt that can end up in your pool during the storm.

If you have tender, new plants they should be covered to prevent or reduce wind damage as well.

As part of preventive maintenance you can have trees trimmed so weak branches can be pruned rather than be broken away from your trees.

Refuse containers can be closed, locked and anchored so they don’t join the furniture and add to the chaos.

A properly maintained roof is less likely to shed parts than one with loose or already damaged shingles or tiles.

Make sure that all small sheds or maintenance buildings are secure to their foundation before the storm season starts.

At Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance we are ready to haul away all the storm damage that occurs to your landscape and 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.

Remember you can let Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance do all the 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

Sell Your Business With Landscaping

There are many reasons why proper landscaping should be a priority to your business.  Just as a person's first impression of another is an important key to the decision making process, so is the first impression of a company by how it presents its property. From advertising, to bringing in new clients and making them feel at home, a well maintained and beautiful landscape can be vital to the survival of your business.

Advertising

Marketing strategies can be very difficult for any business, but plain white business cards with a phone number isn't the best way to sell yourself.  Let your landscaping do some of the work. once your landscape is established and overflowing with beauty and color, hire a professional photographer and have them take pictures of the property.  Sit down and go through the images to choose the best quality and angle. Once you've decided on the best shot, start thinking of your advertising strategy. You can do anything with that image, from business cards, magazine adds, and if it's in your budget have a TV add filmed on your property to show off the pride and care you take in your business.

Making First Impressions

It does not matter what sort of work you do or the clientele you cater to, first impressions can be your last impression if your business doesn't meet the client’s standards.  People have a large market to choose from and arriving at a property that looks ill managed might mean a client walks right back to their car and drives away without even opening your door. The state of the property will factor into a client’s thoughts on how well you manage your business.

Imagine coming to a golf course with dried brown grass, you wouldn't stop to play there. You also wouldn't live at an apartment complex that couldn't afford landscaping, how good can the quality of the inside of an apartment be if the outside looks less than ideal.

Our company will work with you to provide the best landscaping to make that great first impression that your company needs.

Remember you can let Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance do all the 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

We Honor Fathers Everywhere

Here at Greens Keeper Commercial Landscape we want to say Happy Father's Day to everyone's favorite Father. Here is a short history of Father's Day.

The campaign to celebrate the nation’s fathers did not meet with the same enthusiasm–perhaps because, as one florist explained, “fathers haven’t the same sentimental appeal that mothers have.” On July 5, 1908, a West Virginia church sponsored the nation’s first event explicitly in honor of fathers, a Sunday sermon in memory of the 362 men who had died in the previous December’s explosions at the Fairmont Coal Company mines in Monongah, but it was a one-time commemoration and not an annual holiday. 

The next year, a Spokane, Washington woman named Sonora Smart Dodd, one of six children raised by a widower, tried to establish an official equivalent to Mother’s Day for male parents. She went to local churches, the YMCA, shopkeepers and government officials to drum up support for her idea, and she was successful: Washington State celebrated the nation’s first statewide Father’s Day on July 19, 1910. Slowly, the holiday spread. In 1916, President Wilson honored the day by using telegraph signals to unfurl a flag in Spokane when he pressed a button in Washington, D.C. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge urged state governments to observe Father’s Day. 

However, many men continued to disdain the day. As one historian writes, they “scoffed at the holiday’s sentimental attempts to domesticate manliness with flowers and gift-giving, or they derided the proliferation of such holidays as a commercial gimmick to sell more products–often paid for by the father himself.”

No matter your reason we hope you have a great Father's Day.

Remember you can let Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance do all the 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

Chemicals and Commercial Landscaping - Fertilizers

As we said yesterday, ask any landscaper whether they prefer organic or chemical fertilizer, and chances are you’ll be in for a lively debate. However, if you could ask your plants the same question, you’d find out that they really just don't care – nutrients are nutrients.

Today we look at chemical fertilizers in terms of nutrient availability and the long-term effects on soil, plants, and the environment.

Chemical Fertilizers

Chemical fertilizers have been refined to extract nutrients and bind them in specific ratios with other chemical fillers. These products may be made from petroleum products, rocks, or even organic sources. Some of the chemicals may be naturally occurring, but the difference is that the nutrients in chemical fertilizers are refined to their pure state and stripped of substances that control their availability and breakdown, which rarely occurs in nature.

Advantages of Chemical Fertilizer:

Since nutrients are available to the plants immediately, improvement occurs in days.

They are highly analyzed to produce the exact ratio of nutrients desired.

Standardized labeling makes ratios and chemical sources easy to understand.

They are less expensive.

Disadvantages of Chemical Fertilizer:

Chemical fertilizers are primarily made from non renewable sources, including fossil fuels.

They grow plants but do nothing to sustain the soil. The fillers do not promote life or soil health, and even packages labeled “complete” do not include the decaying matter necessary to improve soil structure.

Because the nutrients are readily available, there is a danger of over fertilization. This not only can kill plants but upset the entire ecosystem.

Chemical fertilizers tend to leach, or filter away from the plants, requiring additional applications.

Long-term use of chemical fertilizer can change the soil pH, upset beneficial microbial ecosystems, increase pests, and even contribute to the release of greenhouse gases.

Can a shot of chemical fertilizer make your containers spill over with blossoms, and give you the greenest looking landscape? Absolutely. Just be sure you understand what’s really happening to the earth under your feet. 

More importantly you can let Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance do all the 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

Organics and Commercial Landscaping - Fertilizers

Ask a landscaper whether they prefer organic or chemical fertilizer, and chances are you’ll be in for a lively debate. However, if you could ask your plants the same question, you’d find out that they really just don't care – nutrients are nutrients.

Yet there are significant differences between organic and chemical fertilizers in terms of nutrient availability and the long-term effects on soil, plants, and the environment.

Organic Fertilizer
The words “organic” or “natural” in this case simply means that the product is only minimally processed, and the nutrients remain bound up in their natural forms, rather than being extracted and refined. In the case of fertilizer, “organic” does NOT refer to the standards of processing associated with food products.

Organic fertilizer is usually made from plant or animal waste or powdered minerals. Examples include manure and compost, as well as bone and cottonseed meal. They are usually sold as “soil conditioners” rather than as fertilizer, because the nutrient ratios are difficult to guarantee. Organic fertilizers may be processed in a factory, or, in the case of manure and compost, at a farm.

Advantages of Organic Fertilizer:

In addition to releasing nutrients, as organic fertilizers break down, they improve the structure of the soil and increase its ability to hold water and nutrients. Over time, organic fertilizers will make your soil–and plants–healthy and strong.

Since they are the ultimate slow-release fertilizers, it’s very difficult to over fertilize (and harm) your plants.

There’s little to no risk of toxic buildups of chemicals and salts that can be deadly to plants.

Organic fertilizers are renewable, biodegradable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.
Although rather expensive in packages, you can make your own organic fertilizer by composting or find inexpensive sources, such as local dairy farms, that may sell composted manure.

Disadvantages of Organic Fertilizer:

Microorganisms are required to break down and release nutrients into the soil. Since they need warmth and moisture to do their job, the effectiveness of organic fertilizer is limited seasonally. 
Organic fertilizers break down according to nature’s rules, so they may not release nutrients as soon as you need them. You have to be patient – you won’t see improvement overnight. In fact, you may actually see a deficiency in your plants during the first couple of months until the first application breaks down. 

Nutrient ratios are often unknown, and the overall percentage is lower than chemical fertilizers. However, some organic products are actually higher in certain nutrients.

Making a Choice

If you wish to live in harmony with nature and make a lasting improvement in your own patch of earth for generations to come, organic fertilizers outweigh chemicals by leaps and bounds.

More importantly you can let Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance do all the 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

Chemical Use and Commercial Landscapes - Herbicides

Let's face it, Chemicals are all around us in many forms. Some good, some bad and some of them we can't live without. Chemicals are especially effective in the control of pests, whether they are bugs or plants. Here is some quick information on Herbicides, the type of chemical used to handle common plant pests.

Herbicides, also commonly known as weed killers, are pesticides used to kill unwanted plants. Selective herbicides kill specific targets, while leaving the desired crop or plant relatively unharmed. Some of these act by interfering with the growth of the weed and are often synthetic mimics of natural plant hormones. Herbicides used to clear waste ground, industrial sites, railways and railway embankments are not selective and kill all plant material with which they come into contact. Smaller quantities are used in forestry, pasture systems, and management of areas set aside as wildlife habitat.

There are some plants that produce natural herbicides, such as walnuts, or the tree of heaven; such action of natural herbicides, and other related chemical interactions, is called allelopathy.

Herbicides are widely used in agriculture and landscape turf management. In the US, they account for about 70% of all agricultural pesticide use.

Dangers of Herbicides

These chemicals can represent a serious health hazard to adults, but they are especially hazardous to children and pets. Texas A&M University notes that exposure to herbicides can produce mild symptoms, such as rashes, nausea and headaches; but can also result in more dangerous symptoms including seizures and convulsions; and even death. 

Mindful use of herbicides is Important for the health and safety of all. If your landscape is properly maintained, herbicides will generally not be necessary. When they are needed, use them as part of an integrated management program that includes good cultural practices. Remember no single herbicide will control all lawn weeds, and not all herbicides can be used on all lawn species. You must identify your weed problem(s) and turfgrass species before choosing an herbicide. A few of the most serious lawn weeds, such as some perennial grasses, cannot be effectively controlled with herbicides without killing the turfgrass near them as well.

More importantly you can let Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance do all the 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

Minimizing Pesticides For Your Commercial Landscape

You have a wonderful commercial landscape and you want to keep it that way. Bugs can damage plants, but before you spray those bugs away, read on for some important information on Pesticides.

Pesticides can cause significant harm to public health and the environment. Most pesticides contain potentially toxic chemicals that can cause negative health effects such as cancer and neurological and reproductive disorders. In addition, pesticides can migrate into lakes and streams when it rains. Consider consulting with your company’s pest control company to determine if there are less-toxic alternatives to products you are currently using.

Reducing your business’s use of pesticides can also save money. Consider adopting the principles of integrated pest management outlined below to prevent infestations before they start.

Also consider asking your current pest control suppliers to become certified and provide you with a certified service. Several credible certification programs are available, making it easier than ever before to contract for effective, environmentally friendly pest control services. NRDC recommends the following certification programs: EcoWise Certified, GreenPro Certified and Green Shield Certified.

Integrated Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to pest management that helps reduce the use of pesticides.  IPM means preventing infestations before they start, and using pesticides only when necessary. There are various IPM approaches that your company can adopt to decrease its reliance on chemical-based pest control. 

Consider the steps below:
Use native plants, trees, and grasses.
Fill cracks in walls and pavement.
Keep vegetation at least 1 foot away from structures.
Clean food-contaminated dishes right away.
Clean garbage cans often.
Make sure compost bins are properly maintained.

Schools across the country have adopted IPM techniques to reduce children’s exposure to harmful pesticides. In Montgomery County, Maryland, for example, the school district reduced the number of pesticide applications from 5,000 in 1985 to zero in 1989 using IPM techniques. This reduction yielded an annual savings of $1,800 per school. Schools in Montgomery County, Indiana, reduced their annual pest management costs by more than $13,000 through IPM. 

BEE Protective 
Since 2006, honey bees and other pollinators in the U.S. and throughout the world have experienced ongoing and rapid population declines. The continuation of this crisis threatens the stability of ecosystems, the economy, and our food supply, as one in three bites of food are dependent on pollinator services. In 2013, Beyond Pesticides joined with beekeepers and environmental allies in a lawsuit challenging EPA's approval of two neonicotinoid pesticides. These highly toxic, persistent and systemic chemicals have been widely implicated as leading factors in pollinator declines. In order to move action forward on the pollinator crisis, Beyond Pesticides and The Center for Food Safety launched the BEE Protective campaign, a national public education effort to Protect honey bees and wild pollinators from pesticides
 and contaminated landscapes. 

BEE Protective includes a variety of educational materials to help encourage municipalities, campuses, and individual homeowners to adopt policies and practices that protect bees and other pollinators from harmful pesticide applications and create pesticide-free refuges for these beneficial organisms. In addition to scientific and regulatory information, BEE Protective also includes a model community pollinator resolution and a pollinator protection pledge. Pollinators are a vital part of our environment and a barometer for healthy ecosystems. It is an essential priority for everyone to protect these critical species.

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

Choosing The Right Commercial Landscaper

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

Commercial Pool Landscape - Design

Swimming Pool Landscaping can turn the most basic pool and patio into an absolute oasis.  In many cases, it's not until the pool landscaping is completed that a project develops the "wow" factor that people are after. 

Here are some design concepts and tips to consider.

Beauty 
Plants - A tropical plant palette featuring vividly colored flowers is perfect for enhancing the relaxing, resort-like ambiance of a swimming pool and decking area. However, there are also many plant varieties with interesting foliage that will provide much needed texture and foliage appropriate for other design themes. 

Pots - The use of potted plants can transform the most lackluster area of an outdoor space.  The power of these contained beauties is that they are totally portable. Just be sure to water your potted plants more frequently. They dry out much faster because of exposure of the pot to warm air. Use potted plants as a means of transition. For example, place them at the end of a bench wall, on both sides of a door or gate, or beside pool patio furniture to help bring the pool layout together.

Planters - As opposed to potted plants, planters are a permanent feature of your pool landscaping area.  They are typically incorporated into a design as a flat open area in the pool patio, or as an elevated feature adjacent to benches or walls.  Either way, planting beds are a great way to bring diversity and vitality to any poolscape.  

Boulders - If you use boulders, make sure they fit into the theme of the total design.  One of the biggest head-scratchers is when people plop a single boulder around a pool that has no business there.  As a general rule, a pool is either naturalistic or not.  If yours falls into the "not" category, stay away from the boulder.  Now, with that said the proper use of boulders can transform a pool area into an oasis.  Boulders are best utilized when they are used in groups and with an abundance of pool landscaping.  

Privacy
Privacy is a major concern for most pool owners and visitors.  No one wants to feel like they are literally swimming in a fish bowl.  The visual and audible screening properties of natural plants and trees make landscaping one of the most powerful ways to achieve privacy in a swimming pool area.  A good example is to plant a single row of Leland Cypress trees in front of the pool fence, this will give everyone a sense of security.    

Safety
Pool fences are obviously a must with safety. But consider your plants in your safety concerns. Fruit trees and flowers can bring bees and Cacti have thorns. If these plants are part of the landscape have them removed or make sure they are planted far enough away as to not cause a threat to your clients. 

Nothing adds class and sophistication to an outdoor area like properly designed outdoor lighting, but it is also a wonderful safety feature if your pool is open after dusk.  

Maintanence
If you have a pool service, you probably won’t care but if you do your own pool service, these design tips might save you a headache in the long run. 

Plant at least 6 to 8 feet away from the edge of the pool. 

Avoid deciduous trees and plants with spines or cones. Leaf litter from large leaved plants is actually easier to deal with than those with pesky little leaves. Either way, it will pose a problem if you aren’t vigilant on cleaning your filters.  Even worse, plants with invasive root systems can damage a swimming pool over the years. 

Also be sure not to use small pea gravel around your pool because it has a tendency to scatter across the pool deck when stepped on.  Round stone 1 ½" or bigger is perfect because it looks great and stays put.   

And remember, Greens Keeper is here to help with any of your landscaping needs. 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

Commercial Pool Landscapes - Clean Up

There are several interesting challenges that must be addressed when landscaping around a swimming pool. Some of the considerations to keep in mind when landscaping around swimming pools are privacy, safety, beauty and convenience. We have already discussed some of the plant types that would be happiest around pools due to shade and heat. As well as covering the safety of your clients.  

In order to create the look of a beautiful oasis the plants should be colorful and lush, but you want to make sure they won't drop leaves or other litter that could find its way into the pool water. Many plants can become a serious clean up problem in your pool area and No one wants to spend their time skimming and cleaning their pool because the wrong plants were installed. There are plenty of plants that are low on the mess scale that are suitable for planting poolside. Read on and learn what to avoid and for a few no-fuss alternatives.       

Plants To Avoid 

Deciduous 
Large deciduous trees around a swimming pool will ensure that you'll end up fishing all those leaves out of the water! 

Pine
Even needle-bearing evergreen trees can be messy because they tend to shed their needles yearly.
 A good alternative to consider is a broadleaf evergreen such as holly. 

Fruit Producers
Leaves aren't the only cleaning issue you'll find, berries in the pool are no fun either, and can clog up the works, or create stains on the pool floor. 

Flowering Plants
Flowering plants are nice to look at around a pool, especially if you design with perennials for continuously blooming beds. This can be nice for low plants or small bushes, but for larger plants – the debris load can be considerable.

Here are some more examples of poolside plants with low leaf litter.

Good examples for trees are:  
Mediterranean Fan Palm  
Cascalote  
Ironwood  
Mastic Tree  
Fruitless Olive  
Red Gum Tree  

Lower profile bushes might include:
Arizona Rosewood
Mountain Laurel
Dalea
Turpentine Bush
Calliandra
Buddleia
Indian Mallow

At Greenskeeper we can help you select an install plant varieties that are both litter-free and wonderful to look at.  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

Commercial Pool Landscapes and Safety

When you think of pool safety, you might think about fences, no running, and lifeguards on duty. 

However, you also need to consider making sure that your commercial property landscape is safe for your clients as well. 

Plants provide beauty and privacy around a swimming pool. 

They soften the harsh lines of swimming pool equipment and help swimming pools to blend more naturally with the surrounding environment. If you grow plants that are tall enough, they can even form privacy screens around the pool area.

But plants must be chosen wisely. Here are some plants to consider avoiding and some solutions to plants that could cause safety issues.

Fruit Trees and Bushes

Trees with sweet fruits or bushes with berries can make a real mess on your pool deck, But more importantly as you may have already guessed, These plants attract bees. For people who are allergic planting these trees can be a fatal mistake. 

Flowering Plant Varieties 

Flowering plants are nice to look at around a pool, especially if you design with perennials for continuously blooming beds. But as with fruit bearing plants, flowering plants need pollination, which will inevitably end up being bee magnets. 

Thorns

Roses, Cactus or Aloes are absolutely wonderful plants... to look at. These and many other plants contain thorns. Imagine a client tripping and ending up in a cactus, Yeowch! 

However these can still make good poolside plants, with their drought tolerance and little need for shade. When designing your landscaping consider placing these plants in decorative raised beds 3 to 4 feet off the ground and up against the pool fencing. After that an added layer of protection might be hedge type plants placed two feet in front of the raised beds, a sort of plant security fence. 

Just be mindful of what and where when your landscape goes in and don't be afraid to make changes. After all safety of your clientele is of paramount importance.

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

Poolside Plant Info: Tips For Planting Around Pools

Living in Arizona, pools in the summer are a way of life. A fun way for your clients to beat the heat. If you are a business where an outdoor pool is part of life, you are aware of the need of landscaping in that area, but poolside gardens can bring to mind some possible problems.

Planting Around Pools

Planting around pools raises some concerns and challenges.

Typically the first concern is about chlorinated water splashing on the plants.  However, this is actually not a problem for plants. You could even water the plants with the pool water if you wish with no long term health problems for the plant.

Finally, consider the plant’s needs. The pool is likely situated in full sun where there is quite a bit of exposure. And since they will get splashed a lot, avoid plants that prefer dry conditions.
Whether planting them directly in the ground in an area around your pool or growing them in raised beds or containers, there are a number of poolside plants that can make your poolside sing.

Good Plants for Poolside Landscaping

Succulent plants afford a nice way to dress up the area with little debris and are hardy in the dry Arizona environment. The following plants are examples of desert loving poolside plants.

Queen Palm trees sway gently in the breeze and provide light shade
Agave, aloe, and yucca need little maintenance and are heat lovers that are easy to grow in full sun.

Small palms and cycads, like sago palm, bring a tropical look to poolside gardens.

Planting around pools with hardy cactus species, such as Echinocactus and Opuntia, really adds a unique look to the area too, but keep them far enough away that their spines do not pose a threat to anyone.

Lower profile bushes might include:
Arizona Rosewood
Mountain Laurel
Dalea
Turpentine Bush
Calliandra
Buddleia
Indian Mallow

Plants for Poolside Pots

One of the best ways to manage plant care is by using large containers or pots. This allows you to bring in several interesting colors and textures all in one container. The mixes create brilliant shows with plenty of variety. Plants for poolside pots will require additional watering, as containers tend to dry out more quickly than garden beds.

Trailing plants like creeping jenny or desert broom can cascade over the edges of the planter. Then fill in with other flowering or uniquely foliaged species such as:
Lantana
Blue Euphorbia
Tufted Evening Primrose
Germander
Penstemon
Salvia
Verbena

Plants around the pool must be able to withstand the high light reflection off the water. The area around the pool may be tiled or concrete, but either way it gets really hot. Plants will need more frequent irrigation and should be heat loving and drought tolerant. Raise container plants off the hot surface with rollers or saucers. When you do plant, leave plenty of room in the pot for air circulation.

Poolside gardens enhance the area and create an inviting ambiance that your clients won’t be able to wait to take a dip in your beautifully designed oasis.

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

Greens Keeper Commercial Landscape Maintenance

Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC. is a service oriented family owned business specializing in commercial landscape maintenance in the Phoenix Metro area.

Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance has been maintaining commercial properties in the Valley of the Sun, here in Arizona, to the highest level. We have many years of experience here in the valley caring for plants in our desert climate and in commercial property landscapes.  

We are always a reliable source for all of your property maintenance needs. We employ a well educated, fully 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 twelve  months a year! 

We are certified, licensed and insured to meet all local requirements and regulations. Contact our award winning company to schedule a commercial property consultation today. 

We will design and develop a custom program for your specific property and budget needs. You can be on your way to improving 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, our 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