Clean Up After Halloween Pranks

Quoting an expert about the damage toilet paper can do is difficult--multiple toilet paper manufacturers decline to admit that their product could be employed in any way other than its noble, intended use--and even landscape contractors grow cagey when offering advice. "Get out what you can before it rains," recommends a representative of Country South Landscape Service in Atlanta, Ga. Would one use a rake to do this job? "Yeah, or a long pole. There's no special way of doing it, just get it," he says. When asked to identify himself, the man hung up.

Toilet paper victims are more willing to speak on the record. A friend woke to find his parents' lawn "rolled" on a few occasions in the late 90s. If you just start yanking on it, it tears, and then you have all these little pieces up there. To get those bits down, The best way I found was to basically take a pool cue, tie a candle to the end of it, and reach up with the flame to light the strands on fire. She cautions against using this method on branches near the house and power lines, but adds that the way the toilet paper burns, it's probably not going to catch anything on fire. And the ash is so tiny, you don't even have to clean that up.

For homeowners wary of lighting trees ablaze and also a little tentative about scaling a ladder with a rake, there's always the old hose and nozzle. Though it contradicts the advice of landscaper No. 1, water can be used to get down errant strands, says a third landscaper, Using a nozzle set to a concentrated beam, "just spray portions where the toilet paper connects with the limb "It'll fall off, theoretically."

Egg, Pumpkin, Or Paint On The House

Take the egg, for instance. First, sponging cool water onto the front and back of the stain, allowing water to soak in and "loosen the egg. Next, gently scrub the egg with a soft nylon brush, adding as a cleaning agent a solvent-free, protein-based stain remover like Clorox Stain-Out.

If that fails, mixing 1 teaspoon of a mild pH-balanced detergent (nonalkaline, nonbleaching) with a cup of lukewarm water and blotting the spot. Then, mix 1 tablespoon of household ammonia with a half-cup of water and blot the spot again. Sponge it with clean water, then dry with a clean cloth. "Always test these cleaners on an inconspicuous area," to make sure the surface won't be further damaged when the cleaner is applied.

Cleaning off paint, such as graffiti is a bit trickier, but Motsenbocker has a Lift-Off product formulated for that as well. This item, No. 4, "doesn't distinguish between types of paint," says Motsenbocker's Patty Ducey-Brooks, so prepare to repaint the entire area. Many types of solvents can remove paint--lacquer thinners, industrial degreasers, our old pal methylene chloride--but this product merits a specific mention because it's water-based, biodegradeable, and generally easier to deal with than stronger chemicals. Unlike a solvent, which melds with the paint as it works, the Motsenbocker formula breaks the molecular bond between the surface and the paint, producing a solid paint chip that flakes off, to be thrown away.

Some light-colored paint or ink graffiti can be concealed by simply priming and painting over the damage. Porous brick and concrete often need the pressure-washer treatment. Pasquill of the Anti-Vandalism committee, whose paint crew has "vast experience" cleaning acts of graffiti, says "it can get fairly complicated, depending on the material or substrate." Pasquill does have one universal recommendation, though--"clean it quickly."

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want commercial desert landscaping, lush lawns 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

Need Help With "Stuff" That Needs Hauled Away?

Some times Junk is not another man’s treasure, it is just plain-old, ordinary, everyday junk. 

Webster’s Dictionary tells us that the noun junk is;

1. any old or discarded material, as metal, paper, or rags.

2. anything that is regarded as worthless, meaningless, or contemptible; trash.

3. old cable or cordage used when untwisted for making gaskets, swabs, oakum, etc.

We aren’t sure how it happens.  Slowly but surely “junk” just seems to accumulate.  One theory is that “junk” results from the missing socks from wash machines all over and must somehow turn into the junk that accumulates in nooks and crannies everywhere.  I’m not sure that there is a sound scientific theory to support that but it does brighten my day.

At Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance we are ready to 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.  Give us a quick call so we can solve your problems.

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

Yes You Can Have Weeds In Artificial Turf

No they aren’t plastic weeds.  They are real live growing weeds in your never water never mow fake green grass. Did they mention that even with artificial turf you can have the same hassle with weeds that you experience in a regular greenscape.

As long as your artificial grass is laid with the proper surface preparation there will be no weeds growing through the turf. When purchasing synthetic turf from, you should be given the choice of either installing it yourself, or having our professional and experienced installation team doing it for you. Either way, as long as all the steps are followed in our installation guide, you should have no issues with weeds growing through the grass.

Just when you thought it was safe to throw away your landscaping gloves, out pops a weed in your synthetic turf installation! Crab grass and broadleaf weeds poke through the drainage holes and now your client has more maintenance than they bargained for with their artificial grass. Help eliminate this issue with my preventative care tips! This month I will show you how avoid those unwanted weeds that creep through artificial turf.

Place a weed suppressor below the artificial turf after removing the natural grass. Made from non-woven sheer black fabric, Anti Weed Fabric is designed to prevent weeds from growing inside your artificial turf. This fabric will still allow for proper drainage, as well. Find a weed fabric to easily conforms to your landscape contour and lays flat underneath your synthetic grass. Weed Fabric is sold in rolls and is proven to have the best results in weed prevention.

Before installing Anti Weed Fabric below synthetic turf, the subgrade should be free of debris and rocks to allow the fabric to lay flat and conform to the compacted subgrade materials. Secure the weed fabric with staples and/or nails every 2-to-3 feet in the center and 1 foot on center around all edges. We recommend staples because the fabric will stay more secure through foot traffic and the elements.

Roll out each section of weed fabric and overlap the edges of each section with a minimum of 6 inches. Secure these sections with either staples and/or nails every 2-to-3 feet on the center and 1 foot on center around all edges. Remember: weeds are a sneaky bunch, so protect your artificial grass installations with weed anti weed fabric!

Keep in mind that over time dust will turn into dirt and airborne weed seeds will find their way into and growing on your artifical grass.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want commercial desert landscaping, lush lawns 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

Famous Natural Landscapes: Zabriskie Point

One of the most unique Natural Landscapes are the Hills at Zabriskie Point, in Death Valley, California. Zabriskie Point is a part of Amargosa Range located east of Death Valley in Death Valley National Park in California, United States noted for its erosional landscape. It is composed of sediments from Furnace Creek Lake, which dried up 5 million years ago, long before Death Valley came into existence. The location was named after Christian Brevoort Zabriskie, vice-president and general manager of the Pacific Coast Borax Company in the early 20th century. The company's twenty-mule teams were used to transport borax from its mining operations in Death Valley.

Millions of years prior to the actual sinking and widening of Death Valley and the existence of Lake Manly, another lake covered a large portion of Death Valley including the area around Zabriskie Point. This ancient lake began forming approximately nine million years ago. During several million years of the lake's existence, sediments were collecting at the bottom in the form of saline muds, gravels from nearby mountains, and ash falls from the then-active Black Mountain volcanic field. These sediments combined to form what we today call the Furnace Creek Formation. The climate along Furnace Creek Lake was dry, but not nearly as dry as in the present. Camels, mastodons, horses, carnivores, and birds left tracks in the lakeshore muds, along with fossilized grass and reeds. Borates, which made up a large portion of Death Valley's historical past were concentrated in the lakebeds from hot spring waters and alteration of rhyolite in the nearby volcanic field. Weathering and alteration by thermal waters are also responsible for the variety of colors represented there.

Regional mountains building to the west influenced the climate to become more and more arid, causing the lake to dry up, and creating a dry lake. Subsequent widening and sinking of Death Valley and the additional uplift of today's Black Mountains tilted the area. This provided the necessary relief to accomplish the erosion that produced the badlands we see today. The dark-colored material capping the badland ridges is lava from eruptions that occurred three to five million years ago. This hard lava cap has retarded erosion in many places and possibly explains why Manly Beacon, the high outcrop to the right, is much higher than other portion of the badlands. Manly Beacon was named in honor of William L. Manly, who along with John Rogers, guided members of the ill-fated Forty-niners out of Death Valley during the gold rush of 1849.

The primary source of borate minerals gathered from Death Valley's playas is Furnace Creek Formation. The Formation is made up of over 5,000 feet of mudstone, siltstone, and conglomerate. The borates were concentrated in these lakebeds from hot spring waters and altered rhyolite from nearby volcanic fields.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want commercial desert landscaping, lush lawns 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: Oregano

Oregano  scientific name Origanum vulgare is a common species of Origanum, a genus of the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is native to temperate western and southwestern Eurasia and the Mediterranean region. Oregano is a perennial herb, growing from 7.9–31.5 inches tall, with opposite leaves 0.39–1.57 inches long. Oregano will grow in a pH range between 6.0 (mildly acidic) and 9.0 (strongly alkaline), with a preferred range between 6.0 and 8.0. The flowers are purple, 0.12–0.16 inches long, produced in erect spikes. It is sometimes called wild marjoram, and its close relative O. majorana is known as sweet marjoram.

Oregano is the anglicised form of the Italian word origano, or possibly of the medieval Latin organum; this latter is used in at least one Old English work. Both were drawn from the Classical Latin term origanum, which probably referred specifically to sweet marjoram, and was itself a derivation from the Greek ὀρίγανον (origanon), which simply referred to "an acrid herb". The etymology of the Greek term is often given as oros ὄρος "mountain" + ganos γάνος "brightness".

Oregano is related to the herb marjoram, sometimes being referred to as wild marjoram. Oregano has purple flowers and spade-shaped, olive-green leaves. It is a perennial, although it is grown as an annual in colder climates, as it often does not survive the winter. Oregano is planted in early spring, the plants being spaced 12 inches apart in fairly dry soil, with full sun. It prefers a hot, relatively dry climate, but does well in other environments.[citation needed]

Many subspecies and strains of oregano have been developed by humans over centuries for their unique flavors or other characteristics. Tastes range from spicy or astringent to more complicated and sweet. Simple oregano sold in garden stores as Origanum vulgare may have a bland taste and larger, less-dense leaves, and is not considered the best for culinary use, with a taste less remarkable and pungent. It can pollinate other more sophisticated strains, but the offspring are rarely better in quality.

The related species, Origanum onites (Greece, Turkey) and O. syriacum (West Asia), have similar flavours. A closely related plant is marjoram from Turkey, which differs significantly in taste though, because phenolic compounds are missing from its essential oil. Some varieties show a flavour intermediate between oregano and marjoram.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want desert landscaping, lush lawns 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

Special Touches For Fall

Your greenscape needs a little extra attention this fall and will have an advantage over lawns that are left to fend for themselves until spring. Because turfgrass is about 75% water, when the plant loses more water through the leaves than it absorbs through the roots, winter drought stress sets in. 

Your grass will eventually stop growing and enters a dormant state. While the plant may not be dead, taking appropriate action in the fall can help the turf recover during the winter and come back rejuvenated next spring.

Here at Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance we recommend these steps to nurse drought-stricken turf areas back to health:

1. Mow Higher: Though fall rains can spur vigorous blade growth, resisting the urge to mow can be beneficial. Drought stress is not eliminated after one or two waterings or rain showers, so give the turf some additional time to encourage root growth and depth before mowing. Apply the “1/3 Rule” – remove the top third of the blade height – when mowing to avoid additional stress.

2. Remove the Thatch Layer: Thatch build up can prevent water and nutrients from absorbing into the soil where the plant roots need it most. Use a thatch remover, for mowers, to lift the thatch from the turf. Collect the thatch removed and use it as compost.

3. Aerate: Aeration is key to any healthy lawn. You should aerate twice a year, in the fall and spring, and especially after drought stress. Aerating relieves soil compaction, encourages root growth, improves water absorption and prepares the soil for overseeding and fertilizing. 

4. Overseed and Fertilize: Overseed to fill in thin or bare areas, and apply a starter fertilizer with higher levels of phosphorus to establish the new root system. If your greenscape does not require overseeding, simply apply a fertilizer with higher levels of nitrogen, which will encourage growth and recovery.

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

We Listen to What our Customers Want and Need

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 

Plant of the Week: Cilantro (Coriander)

Coriander, also known as cilantro or Chinese parsley, is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. All parts of the plant are edible, but the fresh leaves and the dried seeds are the parts most traditionally used in cooking.

Coriander is native to regions spanning from southern Europe and northern Africa to southwestern Asia. It is a soft plant growing to 20 in tall. The leaves are variable in shape, broadly lobed at the base of the plant, and slender and feathery higher on the flowering stems. The flowers are borne in small umbels, white or very pale pink, asymmetrical, with the petals pointing away from the center of the umbel longer 0.20–0.24 in than those pointing toward it 0.039–0.118 in long. The fruit is a globular, dry schizocarp 0.12–0.20 inches in diameter.

Coriander grows wild over a wide area of Western Asia and southern Europe, prompting the comment, "It is hard to define exactly where this plant is wild and where it only recently established itself." Fifteen desiccated mericarps were found in the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B level of the Nahal Hemar Cave in Israel, which may be the oldest archaeological find of coriander. About half a liter (a pint) of coriander mericarps was recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamen, and because this plant does not grow wild in Egypt, Zohary and Hopf interpret this find as proof that coriander was cultivated by the ancient Egyptians.

Coriander seems to have been cultivated in Greece since at least the second millennium BC. One of the Linear B tablets recovered from Pylos refers to the species as being cultivated for the manufacture of perfumes, it apparently was used in two forms: as a spice for its seeds and as a herb for the flavor of its leaves. This appears to be confirmed by archaeological evidence from the same period; the large quantities of the species retrieved from an Early Bronze Age layer at Sitagroi in Macedonia could point to cultivation of the species at that time.

Coriander was brought to the British colonies in North America in 1670, and was one of the first spices cultivated by early settlers.

All parts of the plant are edible, but the fresh leaves and the dried seeds are the parts most traditionally used in cooking. Coriander is used in cuisines throughout the world.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want desert landscaping, lush lawns 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

Famous Landmarks: Egyptian Pyramids

While the Phoenix Metro area is considered to be in the middle of a desert we aren't famous for a landmark like Egypt is. The Egyptian pyramids are ancient pyramid-shaped masonry structures that are considered oie of the wonders of the world.

As of November 2008, sources cite either 118 or 138 as the number of identified Egyptian pyramids. Most were built as tombs for the country's pharaohs and their consorts during the Old and Middle Kingdom periods.

The earliest known Egyptian pyramids are found at Saqqara, northwest of Memphis. The earliest among these is the Pyramid of Djoser (constructed 2630 BC–2611 BC) which was built during the third dynasty. This pyramid and its surrounding complex were designed by the architect Imhotep, and are generally considered to be the world's oldest monumental structures constructed of dressed masonry.

The most famous Egyptian pyramids are those found at Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo. Several of the Giza pyramids are counted among the largest structures ever built. The Pyramid of Khufu at Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid. It is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence.

By the time of the Early Dynastic Period, those with sufficient means were buried in bench-like structures known as mastabas.

The second historically-documented Egyptian pyramid is attributed to the architect Imhotep, who planned what Egyptologists believe to be a tomb for the pharaoh Djoser. Imhotep is credited with being the first to conceive the notion of stacking mastabas on top of each other, creating an edifice composed of a number of "steps" that decreased in size towards its apex. The result was the Pyramid of Djoser, which was designed to serve as a gigantic stairway by which the soul of the deceased pharaoh could ascend to the heavens. Such was the importance of Imhotep's achievement that he was deified by later Egyptians.

The most prolific pyramid-building phase coincided with the greatest degree of absolutist rule. It was during this time that the most famous pyramids, the Giza pyramid complex, were built. Over time, as authority became less centralized, the ability and willingness to harness the resources required for construction on a massive scale decreased, and later pyramids were smaller, less well-built and often hastily constructed.

Long after the end of Egypt's own pyramid-building period, a burst of pyramid-building occurred in what is present-day Sudan, after much of Egypt came under the rule of the kings of Napata. While Napatan rule was brief, ending in 661 BC, Egyptian culture made an indelible impression, and during the later Kingdom of Meroë (approximately in the period between 300 BCE – 300 CE), this flowered into a full-blown pyramid-building revival, which saw more than two hundred Egyptian-inspired indigenous royal pyramid-tombs constructed in the vicinity of the kingdom's capital cities.

The shape of Egyptian pyramids is thought to represent the primordial mound from which the Egyptians believed the earth was created. The shape of a pyramid is thought to be representative of the descending rays of the sun, and most pyramids were faced with polished, highly reflective white limestone, in order to give them a brilliant appearance when viewed from a distance. Pyramids were often also named in ways that referred to solar luminescence. For example, the formal name of the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur The Southern Shining Pyramid, and that of Senwosret at el-Lahun was Senwosret is Shining.

While it is generally agreed that pyramids were burial monuments, there is continued disagreement on the particular theological principles that might have given rise to them. One suggestion is that they were designed as a type of "resurrection machine."

The Egyptians believed the dark area of the night sky around which the stars appear to revolve was the physical gateway into the heavens. One of the narrow shafts that extend from the main burial chamber through the entire body of the Great Pyramid points directly towards the center of this part of the sky. This suggests the pyramid may have been designed to serve as a means to magically launch the deceased pharaoh's soul directly into the abode of the gods.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want commercial desert landscaping, lush lawns 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

When Do You Trim Your Palm Trees?

In the Phoenix metro area many commercial properties feature beautiful Queen Palm Trees (Syagrus romanzoffiana).  These tall and majestic landscape icons have several specialized needs to maintain their look, health and safety.

As the property owner or manager you need to understand what and when your palm trees need some Tender Loving Care.

Fertilizing
Most landscape palms will require fertilization once or twice a year. Not just any fertilizer will do, however.  Palm trees have special needs that must be met with specially formulated fertilizers that target specific nutrient deficiencies.  You should also apply regular maintenance fertilizers to healthy trees.

Pruning or Trimming
Your typical care and maintenance for the health of your Palm Tree includes Pruning cautiously. Palm Tree Care - Pruning. Even though this article is on the timing of pruning your palm trees always remember that Palm trees are still low maintenance trees.

Most palm trees shed their fronds naturally, but other palms drop the fronds after some time. When it is necessary to prune the palm trees, never remove fronds that do not hang below a line parallel to the ground.

Pruning palms can reduce their vigor, transmit diseases, reduce their health nutritionally, affect cold hardiness and lower their tolerance to handle windstorms. So what pruning should be done on a palm tree? Remove only badly damaged or dead fronds, also remove flowers.

If Palms' fronds are yellow, brown or broken prune them off. Remove loose petioles or boots by hand. If they don't pull off, leave them on.

Care of Palm Trees include removing Palm flower and fruit stalks. The formation of fruit and seed takes strength away from Palm Trees unnecessarily. When mature, fruits may provide food for pests such as rodents and birds. Palms, such as date Palm Trees, produce infertile (where there are no male trees near by) or fertile fruit that will later drop, make a mess or stain concrete surfaces. The seeds of some Palms such as Fan Palm Trees (Washingtonia robusta/filifera) will germinate in undesired areas of the landscape.

Proper care includes that some clumping Palms may need to be thinned out or new growth pruned off if the Palm Trees are getting too big for the space in which the Palms are growing.

Let Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance take care of your properties palm trees and take the load off your shoulders.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you have 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

Make Sure You Choose 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

Ten Facts About Grasses You May Not Know

Grasses are often considered valuable for their aesthetic qualities, but there is much more to these plants than meets the eye. All grasses are in the Poaceae family, which is one of the most abundant families of plants on earth. From pasture grasses for animal consumption to food crops, such as oat and barley, for human consumption, grasses make up the world's most significant food source. 

While there are more than 10,000 varieties of plants in the Poaceae family, different types of grasses have some similarities. All grasses produce seeds that are monocotyledonous, which means that each seed produces only one leaf sprout. Additionally, most grasses are herbaceous, so they don't produce woody stems, and they die back to the ground at the end of the growing season.

Grasses are invaluable assets to our planet and its inhabitants. With a better understanding and appreciation for grasses, you may never look at your lawn the same way again. Here are 10 unusual facts you may not know about the Poaceae family of plants:

1. About 1,400 species of grasses exist in the United States.
2. Grasses make up about 26% of the plant life on earth.
3. By weight, turfgrass is 75 to 80% water. 
4. Varieties of grass grow on all continents, even in polar regions. Antarctic hairgrass (Deschampsia Antarctica) is the only member of the Poaceae family native to Antarctica.
5. A healthy greenscape can increase your commercial property value by up to 20%.
6. Grass-covered lawns, prairies and hillsides help prevent erosion by keeping soil in place with their root systems.
7. Grass lawns improve air quality by producing oxygen and trapping airborne dust particles and other contaminants.
8. Commercial property landscapes that include grass lawns, trees and shrubs can reduce the air temperature surrounding the property by up to 14 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. Giant bamboo, which can grow up to 151 feet tall, is the largest variety of grass.
10. A 2,500 square foot grass greenscape produces enough oxygen for four people.

No matter where you live or what type of grass you have, your lawn is likely to require at least occasional irrigation to keep it green during extended summer dry spells.

The right time: Water early in the morning.

Why timing matters: Early morning is the best time to give your lawn a drink. The warming sun will soon dry the grass and lessen the chance of disease. Avoid nighttime watering, which can encourage disease because of prolonged moisture, and afternoon watering, which is subject to significant water loss from evaporation.

When it's necessary to water, do so once or twice a week, long enough to wet the soil several inches down. This encourages deep roots compared with frequent, but shallow, irrigation, and it will make your lawn more drought-tolerant.

Because grasses have a positive impact on climate, clean water and air quality, every homeowner can take part in supporting a healthy environment. While you're probably not growing giant bamboo or Arctic hairgrass, maintaining your greenscape is a simple way to improve your air quality while increasing the value of your commercial property.

No matter what you call it, you don’t need to worry about your lawn maintenance. It doesn’t matter to us whether you want desert landscaping, lush lawns 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 Uluru, Northern Territory, Australia

The sandstone rock is a sacred site for the Native Australians, who believe that spirits of the dead live here. Climbing Uluru is a popular activity. However, the proposition to ban climbing has been considered lately. Therefore, it might be a good idea to hurry up and visit Uluru now.

Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock and officially gazetted as "Uluru / Ayers Rock", is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory in central Australia. It lies 208 mi south west of the nearest large town, Alice Springs, 280 mi by road.

Kata Tjuta and Uluru are the two major features of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara Anangu, the Aboriginal people of the area. The area around the formation is home to an abundance of springs, waterholes, rock caves, and ancient paintings. Uluru is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The local Anangu, the Pitjantjatjara people, call the landmark Uluṟu (Aboriginal pronunciation: [uluɻu]). This word is a proper noun, with no further particular meaning in the Pitjantjatjara dialect, although it is used as a local family name by the senior Traditional Owners of Uluru.

On 19 July 1873, the surveyor William Gosse sighted the landmark and named it Ayers Rock in honour of the then Chief Secretary of South Australia, Sir Henry Ayers. Since then, both names have been used.

In 1993, a dual naming policy was adopted that allowed official names that consist of both the traditional Aboriginal name and the English name. On 15 December 1993, it was renamed "Ayers Rock / Uluru" and became the first official dual-named feature in the Northern Territory. The order of the dual names was officially reversed to "Uluru / Ayers Rock" on 6 November 2002 following a request from the Regional Tourism Association in Alice Springs.
Description

Uluru is one of Australia's most recognisable natural landmarks. The sandstone formation stands 1,142 ft high, rising 2,831 ft above sea level with most of its bulk lying underground, and has a total circumference of 5.8 mi. Both Uluru and the nearby Kata Tjuta formation have great cultural significance for the Aṉangu people, the traditional inhabitants of the area, who lead walking tours to inform visitors about the local flora and fauna, bush food and the Aboriginal dreamtime stories of the area.

Uluru is notable for appearing to change colour at different times of the day and year, most notably when it glows red at dawn and sunset.

Kata Tjuta, also called Mount Olga or The Olgas, lies 16 mi west of Uluru. Special viewing areas with road access and parking have been constructed to give tourists the best views of both sites at dawn and dusk.

No matter what you call it, you don’t need to worry about your lawn maintenance. It doesn’t matter to us whether you want desert landscaping, lush lawns 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: Basil

Basil, Ocimum basilicum, also called great basil or Saint-Joseph's-wort, is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae (mints). It is also called the "king of herbs" and the "royal herb". The name "basil" comes from Greek βασιλικόν φυτόν (basilikón phutón), "royal/kingly plant".

Basil is possibly native to India, and has been cultivated there for more than 5,000 years. It was thoroughly familiar to the Greek authors Theophrastus and Dioscorides. It is a hardy annual plant, best known as a culinary herb prominently featured in Italian cuisine, and also plays a major role in Southeast Asian cuisines of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Taiwan. Depending on the species and cultivar, the leaves may taste somewhat like anise, with a strong, pungent, often sweet smell.

There are many varieties of Ocimum basilicum, as well as several related species or species hybrids also called basil. The type used in Italian food is typically called sweet basil (or Genovese basil), as opposed to Thai basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora), lemon basil (O. X citriodorum), and holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), which are used in Asia. While most common varieties of basil are treated as annuals, some are perennial in warm, tropical climates, including holy basil and a cultivar known as "African blue".

The word basil comes from the Greek βασιλεύς (basileus), meaning "king", as it has come to be associated with the Feast of the Cross commemorating the finding of the True Cross by St. Helena, mother of the emperor Constantine I. The herbalist John Gerard noted that those stung by scorpions would feel no pain if they ate of basil, and Nicholas Culpeper noted of basil that it was "an herb of Mars and under the Scorpion, and therefore called Basilicon", relating it to basilisk. The Oxford English Dictionary quotes speculations that basil may have been used in "some royal unguent, bath, or medicine". Basil is still considered the "king of herbs" by many cookery authors.

Basil is most commonly used fresh in cooked recipes. In general, it is added at the last moment, as cooking quickly destroys the flavor. The fresh herb can be kept for a short time in plastic bags in the refrigerator, or for a longer period in the freezer, after being blanched quickly in boiling water. The dried herb also loses most of its flavor, and what little flavor remains tastes very different, with a weak coumarin flavor, like hay.


Basil is one of the main ingredients in pesto—a green Italian oil-and-herb sauce.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want desert landscaping, lush lawns 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

Weeds! How To Control Them... Is That Your Question?

Fighting crabgrass, dandelions, clover, or other tough to kill weeds? We offer solutions to get you the the commercial property greenscape you deserve.

Weeds Defined

First a weed is any plant growing where it is not wanted. Lawn weeds belong to one of three categories: broadleaf, grassy, or grass-like. A typical broadleaf weed is a dandelion. Crabgrass is in the grassy weed category, while nutsedge would be classified as a grass-like weed.

They're the scourge of homeowners everywhere: those dandelions, crabgrass, and clumps of clover that appear out of nowhere. It's not fair, after all the work you put into your lawn. Fortunately, there are several simple steps you can take to take care of weeds in your yard.

Prevention and Maintenance

How To Help A Lawn That's Full Of Weeds
When it almost seems as though you have more broadleaf weeds than grass in your yard, you can still get the lawn you want. For best results, try a weed & feed product that feeds and controls weeds at the same time, like Scotts® Turf Builder® Weed & Feed.

How To Help A Lawn With A Few Weeds
When you see a broadleaf weed here and there, it's tempting just to pull them out by hand. Trouble is, the roots often break, and the parts that remain sprout new weeds. You're better off using a product like Scotts® Touch Up® Weed Control for Your Lawn or check out the line of weed control products from Ortho. A weed control product labeled safe for lawns will target weeds and leave the lawn unharmed when used as directed.

Weed Prevention
Annual grassy weeds, like crabgrass, can be prevented in the spring so they don't become a problem in the summer. Applying a pre-emergent weed killer, like Scotts® Turf Builder® Halts® Crabgrass Preventer with Lawn Food or Scotts® Halts® Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer in the spring, stops the weed seeds before they germinate.

Proper Lawn Care Is The Best Medicine
When your lawn is stressed, it's ripe for takeover by weeds. A few simple steps can protect it.

Deep Watering: Watering deeply and infrequently helps your lawn compete by encouraging deeper root growth.
   
Set your lawn mower higher: Mowing at the proper height, usually one of the 2 highest setting on your mower, helps the grass grow thick to shade weed seeds, so it's harder for them to grow.
   
Proper Feeding: Feeding at regularly, like every 6-8 weeks during the growing season with Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Food, helps your lawn thicken up and fill in bare spots, making them less welcoming to weeds

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want desert landscaping, lush lawns 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

Commercial Landscape Care... Solved!

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