Of Course References Are Always Right???

When speaking with a commercial property owner or manager about doing the maintenance for their property a common question is if we can give them references.  While you may believe that is a good idea you might want to think that process through.

It reminds us about the old say of having the “Fox watch the chicken coup.”  Probably not a good idea.

Asking any contractor to give you their references leads to this question.  Will he give you a list of customers and former customers to call?  Would he give you the contact information from an unhappy former customer?  That doesn’t seem very likely.

In this day and age of computer and internet communications you would think that a quick check of one of the many “reference sites” would give you a good idea of who to hire.  Two things you may want to consider, is the normal human condition, that people will post a complaint long before they will post a complement.  Some vendors actual hire or reward people to leave “good or great” ratings.  In some cases people have been hired to post negative reports without ever using the contractor.  While the reference sites try to avoid having this occur there is no truly effective way to stop it from happening.

There are websites that openly sell their services to “repair” a companies’ online reputation.

One of the best ways to find out an overall view of any contractor is to speak with other property managers and owners and ask if they can give you someone that they have used and are or were happy with.

Do your homework and ask around to find the real story about your next contractor.  Some old fashion leg work will give you a much better idea of who to hire.  Asking the contractor or using reference sites are not likely to give you the true and full picture.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want rock gardens, 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

Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance to the Rescue

At Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance our year-round, total-care approach is what makes us the preferred facility maintenance provider for many commercial properties here in the Phoenix Metro Area

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.

It doesn’t matter what you think of for your commercial property landscape and ground care needs Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance is ready to help.

We help you maintain maximum curb appeal that with have a positive affect on your bottom line.  The better your property looks the better your tenants will feel about being there.

Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance prides itself in creating detailed landscape strategies and implementation plans to fit each commercial client’s individual needs from general maintenance, to re-landscaping, irrigation repair, and lawn treatment with fertilizer and other treatments. Our goal is to make every property impeccable and of the highest quality on a consistent basis.

Greens Keeper has an in-depth knowledge of the landscape and lawn maintenance industry, and a thorough understanding of the central Arizona desert climate and terrain. We use our experience and expertise to provide services that result in consistently beautiful appearances, while offering practical and very cost effective application methods.

Your commercial properties’ lawns require the right balance of three major sources; fertilizer, sunlight and water. Greens Keeper specializes in maintenance of your  irrigation systems to provide the right amount of water for your landscape's needs.

Our customized maintenance services cater to commercial property owners and managers, covering office buildings, retail centers, hotels, multifamily dwellings and condo associations.

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

As We Approach Winter Here Are Some Landscapting Care Tips

Four Quick Tips
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

Hire Greens Keeper Commercial Landscape Maintenance

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

Famous Natural Landmarks: Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness

The Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness is a 112,500 acres wilderness area located in northern Arizona and southern Utah, United States, within the arid Colorado Plateau region. The wilderness is composed of broad plateaus, tall escarpments, and deep canyons.

The Paria River flows through the wilderness before joining the Colorado River at Lee's Ferry, Arizona.

The U.S. Congress designated the wilderness area in 1984 and it was largely incorporated into the new Vermilion Cliffs National Monument proclaimed in 2000 by executive order of President Bill Clinton.

Both the wilderness area and the National Monument are administered by the federal Bureau of Land Management. The Paria River in northern Arizona carved its own smaller version of the Grand Canyon. Some of the rock formations, including The Wave, are just as spectacular.

The Colorado Plateau and its river basins are of immense value in the Earth sciences, specifically chronostratigraphy, as the region contains multiple terrain features exposing miles-thick contiguous rock columns that geologists and paleobiologists use as reference strata of the geologic record.

Visitors need a permit from the Bureau of Land Management -- the permit for an overnight trek comes with a “human waste bag,” so if you want to visit this natural wonder, you'll have to prepare to pack your waste.

The Paria Contact Station is 50 miles east of Kanab. You can hire a guide through the Bureau of Land Management.

Ancient petroglyphs, granaries, and campsites indicate that ancestral Puebloan people utilized the Wilderness between AD 200 and AD 1200. They hunted mule deer and bighorn sheep and grew corn, beans, and squash in the lower end of the canyon. Paiute people later occupied and traveled much of the area before Europeans arrived. Because no habitations or large villages have been found in the canyon, researchers believe the canyon was primarily used as a travel route.

The first documented Europeans in the area were Fathers Francisco Atanasio Domínguez and Silvestre Vélez de Escalante of the Dominguez-Escalante Expedition. The expedition stopped at the mouth of the Paria River in 1776 after they unsuccessfully attempted to establish a route from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Monterey, California. The 19th century drew outlaws who hid out in the Wilderness and prospectors who mined gold, uranium, and other minerals.

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

Spice of the Week: Saffron

Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the "saffron crocus". Saffron crocus grows to 8–12 in and bears up to four flowers, each with three vivid crimson stigmas, which are the distal end of a carpel. The styles and stigmas, called threads, are collected and dried to be used mainly as a seasoning and coloring agent in food. Saffron, long among the world's most costly spices by weight, is native to Southwest Asia and was probably first cultivated in or near Greece. As a genetically monomorphic clone, it was slowly propagated throughout much of Eurasia and was later brought to parts of North Africa, North America, and Oceania.

Saffron's taste and iodoform or hay-like fragrance result from the chemicals picrocrocin and safranal. It also contains a carotenoid pigment, crocin, which imparts a rich golden-yellow hue to dishes and textiles. Its recorded history is attested in a 7th-century BC Assyrian botanical treatise compiled under Ashurbanipal, and it has been traded and used for over four millennia. Iran now accounts for approximately 90% of the world production of saffron.

A degree of uncertainty surrounds the origin of the English word "saffron". It might stem from the 12th-century Old French term safran, which comes from the Latin word safranum or from Arabic, az-za'faran, having unknown origin. Safranum comes from the Persian intercessor za'farān.

The domesticated saffron crocus, Crocus sativus, is an autumn-flowering perennial plant unknown in the wild. Its progenitors are possibly the eastern Mediterranean autumn-flowering Crocus cartwrightianus, which is also known as "wild saffron" and originated in Greece. The saffron crocus probably resulted when C. cartwrightianus was subjected to extensive artificial selection by growers seeking longer stigmata. C. thomasii and C. pallasii are other possible sources.

It is a sterile triploid form, which means that three homologous sets of chromosomes compose each specimen's genetic complement; C. sativus bears eight chromosomal bodies per set, making for 24 in total. Being sterile, the purple flowers of C. sativus fail to produce viable seeds; reproduction hinges on human assistance: clusters of corms, underground, bulb-like, starch-storing organs, must be dug up, divided, and replanted. A corm survives for one season, producing via this vegetative division up to ten "cormlets" that can grow into new plants in the next season. The compact corms are small, brown globules that can measure as large as 2.0 in in diameter, have a flat base, and are shrouded in a dense mat of parallel fibres; this coat is referred to as the "corm tunic". Corms also bear vertical fibres, thin and net-like, that grow up to 1 inch above the plant's neck.

The plant grows to a height of 8–12 in, and sprouts 5–11 white and non-photosynthetic leaves known as cataphylls. These membrane-like structures cover and protect the crocus's 5 to 11 true leaves as they bud and develop. The latter are thin, straight, and blade-like green foliage leaves, which are 1–3 mm in diameter, which either expand after the flowers have opened ("hysteranthous") or do so simultaneously with their blooming ("synanthous"). C. sativus cataphylls are suspected by some to manifest prior to blooming when the plant is irrigated relatively early in the growing season. Its floral axes, or flower-bearing structures, bear bracteoles, or specialised leaves, that sprout from the flower stems; the latter are known as pedicels. After aestivating in spring, the plant sends up its true leaves, each up to 16 in in length. In autumn, purple buds appear. Only in October, after most other flowering plants have released their seeds, do its brilliantly hued flowers develop; they range from a light pastel shade of lilac to a darker and more striated mauve. The flowers possess a sweet, honey-like fragrance. Upon flowering, plants average less than 12 in in height. A three-pronged style emerges from each flower. Each prong terminates with a vivid crimson stigma 0.98–1.18 in in length.

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

Treat Your Weeds In The Winter

Most, if not all of you have some winter weeds growing in your lawn. Winter weeds begin germinating when the weather cools down during the fall. They grow very slowly for a while then basically just sit there during the coldest months. They certainly haven’t grown much this year because we’ve had so much cold weather.

Many businessowners put out pre-emergence herbicides in the fall to prevent most of these weeds from ever coming up, but it doesn’t always get them all. Nothing is 100% in control and pre-emergence herbicides don’t stop most perennial weeds.

The winter weeds remain relatively small from the time they come up in the fall through most of January and early February. But once the weather begins to warm-up in late February and March, look out. They begin to grow quickly the rest of the spring. This is usually when everyone wants to take action to kill these weeds because the lawn is still mostly brown and just beginning to green up and the weeds stick out like a sore thumb.

Though dormant plants are less vulnerable during the winter, weed prevention during the cold months requires attention and precision. You can use preventive tools to avoid problems during peak growing seasons.

Use A Preemergent

Preemergent is an herbicide that is effective as a preventive measure for weed control. It cannot be used as a weed killer. It is formulated to stop an enzyme necessary for plant germination. Established plants will be unaffected.

Preemergent works best in cool to cold temperatures. Since Texas winters tend to be warm, Texan gardeners can take advantage of the unique winter conditions. Preemergents are most effective when the air settles between 55°F and 60°F on fall and winter nights. You can also spread a second layer of preemergent as winter breaks when the daytime temperatures reach between 65°F and 70°F.

Turn Your Soil

Winter is also a great time to start fresh if you’ve been having incessant problems. Turning your soil allows the dirt beneath the surface to aerate. Aeration increases oxygen levels and brings the nutrients from the deep soil to the surface. You can also often uproot weeds that have been creating long and tough root systems.

There are many Texas weeds that thrive in compact, malnourished topsoil. These weeds will choke out grass and flowers to maintain a low, carpeted coverage area. The yellow woodsorrel and creeping buttercup are great examples. These weeds don’t fare well in winter, so take advantage and dig them up from the root. You’ll simultaneously create a bed for stronger and more beautiful grasses and flowers to set their roots.

With a strong combination of herbicides, preemergents, and proper attention, next year’s lawn could be your most weed-free triumph yet. Just remember that even a dormant lawn is still working beneath the surface to be ready for spring – and you should too!

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

Let Us Help You Solve Your Problems

Landscape Maintenance wise that is... We are a service oriented family owned business specializing in commercial landscape maintenance.  As always we strive to keep your landscape safe, clean and beautiful. At the same time keeping your costs as low as possible.

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.

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.

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.  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.

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

How Do You Honor Veterans' Day

World War I. known at the time as “The Great War”, officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

An Act approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday, a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."

On that same day, President Eisenhower sent a letter to the Honorable Harvey V. Higley, Administrator of Veterans' Affairs (VA), designating him as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.

In 1958, the White House advised VA's General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee's chairman.

The Uniform Holiday Bill was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97, which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veteran’s service organizations and the American people.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

From All Of Us At Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance... Thank For Your Service!.

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

Natural Landscapes: The Great Blue Hole, Belize

This underwater sinkhole is 1,000 feet wide and 375 feet deep, and a major scuba diving attraction. It is part of the Belize Barrier Reef, which is in turn part of the Mesoamerican Reef. This hole is believed to have formed during the recent ice ages, when a submerged limestone cave system collapsed due to changes in the sea level. Huge stalactites and stalagmites are found in the hole, which contain records of past climates.

The Great Blue Hole is a giant submarine sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 43 miles from the mainland and Belize City. It was formed during several episodes of quaternary glaciation when sea levels were much lower. Analysis of stalactites found in the Great Blue Hole shows that formation took place 153,000; 66,000; 60,000; and 15,000 years ago. As the ocean began to rise again, the cave was flooded. The Great Blue Hole is a part of the larger Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

This site was made famous by Jacques Cousteau, who declared it one of the top ten scuba diving sites in the world. In 1971 he brought his ship, the Calypso, to the hole to chart its depths. Investigations by this expedition confirmed the hole's origin as typical karst limestone formations, formed before rises in sea level in at least four stages, leaving ledges at depths of 69 ft, 161 ft, and 299 ft. Stalactites were retrieved from submerged caves, confirming their previous formation above sea level. Some of these stalactites were also off-vertical by 5˚ in a consistent orientation, indicating that there had also been some past geological shift and tilting of the underlying plateau, followed by a long period in the current plane.

Initial measured depth of Great Blue Hole was 410 ft which is the most often cited depth up to this day. An expedition by the Cambrian Foundation in 1997 measured the hole's depth as 407 ft at its deepest point. This difference in measurement can be explained by ongoing sedimentation or by imprecision in measurements. The expedition's goal was to collect core samples from the Blue Hole's floor and document the cave system. To accomplish these tasks, all of the divers had to be certified in cave diving and mixed gases.

This is a popular spot among recreational scuba divers who are lured by the opportunity to dive in sometimes crystal-clear water and meet several species of fish, including Midnight Parrotfish, Caribbean reef shark, and other juvenile fish species. Other species of sharks, such as the bull shark and hammerheads, have been reported there, but are not regularly sighted. Usually, day trips to the Great Blue Hole are full-day trips from the coastal tourist communities in Belize.

On-shore caves of similar formation, as large collapsed sinkholes, are well known in Belize and in the Yucatán Peninsula, where they are known as cenotes. Unlike the mainland cenotes which often link to underwater cave systems, there is little evidence of horizontal development in the Blue Hole.

In 2012 Discovery Channel ranked the Great Blue Hole as number one on its list of "The 10 Most Amazing Places on Earth".

Even though the Great Blue Hole is considered a 'bucket-list dive', one should be aware that it is not for divers of all skill levels – a prerequisite is logging more than 24 dives. It is also not a 'colorful dive', instead, divers witness a dark cave with impressive stalactites.

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

Spice of the Week: Star Anise Seed

Illicium verum is a medium-sized native evergreen tree of northeast Vietnam and southwest China. 

The spice is commonly called Star Anise, star anise seed, Chinese star anise or badiam that closely resembles anise in flavor is obtained from the star-shaped pericarp of the fruit of Illicium velum which are harvested just before ripening. Star anise oil is a highly fragrant oil used in cooking, perfumery, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and skin creams. About 90% of the world's star anise crop is used for extraction of shikimic acid, a chemical intermediate used in the synthesis of oseltamivir.

Star anise contains anethole, the same ingredient that gives the unrelated anise its flavor. Recently, star anise has come into use in the West as a less expensive substitute for anise in baking, as well as in liquor production, most distinctively in the production of the liquor Galliano. It is also used in the production of sambuca, pastis, and many types of absinthe.[citation needed] Star anise enhances the flavour of meat. It is used as a spice in preparation of biryani and masala chai all over the Indian subcontinent. It is widely used in Chinese cuisine, and in Indian cuisine where it is a major component of garam masala, and in Malay and Indonesian cuisines. It is widely grown for commercial use in China, India, and most other countries in Asia. Star anise is an ingredient of the traditional five-spice powder of Chinese cooking. It is also a major ingredient in the making of phở, a Vietnamese noodle soup.It is also used in the French recipe of mulled wine : called vin chaud (hot wine).

Medicinal Use
Star anise is the major source of the chemical compound shikimic acid, a primary precursor in the pharmaceutical synthesis of anti-influenza drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu). Shikimic acid is produced by most autotrophic organisms, and whilst it can be obtained in commercial quantities elsewhere, star anise remains the usual industrial source. In 2005, a temporary shortage of star anise was caused by its use in the production of Tamiflu. Later that year, a method for the production of shikimic acid using bacteria was discovered. Roche now derives some of the raw material it needs from fermentation by E. coli bacteria. The 2009 swine flu outbreak led to another series of shortages, as stocks of Tamiflu were built up around the world, sending prices soaring.

Star anise is grown in four provinces in China and harvested between March and May. It is also found in the south of New South Wales.[citation needed] The shikimic acid is extracted from the seeds in a 10-stage manufacturing process which takes a year.

In traditional Chinese medicine, star anise is considered a warm and moving herb, and used to assist in relieving cold-stagnation in the middle jiao.

Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum), a similar tree, is highly toxic and inedible; in Japan, it has instead been burned as incense. Cases of illness, including "serious neurological effects, such as seizures", reported after using star anise tea, may be a result of deliberate economically motivated adulteration with this species. Japanese star anise contains anisatin, which causes severe inflammation of the kidneys, urinary tract, and digestive organs. The toxicity of I. anisatum, also known as shikimi, is caused by its potent neurotoxins anisatin, neoanisatin, and pseudoanisatin, which are noncompetitive antagonists of GABA receptors.

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

What Are Winter Weeds

In the Arizona desert area like the Phoenix Metro area our climate leads to much different growth patterns that found in the rest of the country.

Weeds compete for water, nutrients and sunlight and reduce the vigor and growth of ornamental landscape plants. A weed is any plant that interferes with the management objective for an area of land at a particular time. Weeds are usually plants that are very prolific, invasive, competitive, harmful, destructive, or difficult to control. Weeds detract from the appearance of landscapes and can be hosts for disease causing organisms and insects. They may also provide shelter and food for insects and rodents that feed on ornamental plants and invade buildings. The important aspects of this weed definition are that a plant is a weed only in the eyes of the person considering it a weed and that a plant is only a weed at a specific time and place. Thus, landscape managers should be cautious about using weed control measures such as soil sterilents that preclude alternate land uses in future years.

Annual plants live for only one growing season. They are referred to as winter annuals if they germinate, grow, flower and produce seed during the fall and winter or as summer annuals if they germinate, grow, flower and produce seed during the spring and summer. Common summer annuals in desert landscapes include spurges, pigweeds, and puncturevine. Common winter annuals include London rocket, thistles, little mallow, redstem filaree, annual bluegrass, mediterraneangrass, and wild barley.

Biennial plants require parts of two seasons to grow, flower and produce seed. In Arizona, biennials typically germinate in the fall, grow a basal rosette of leaves during the winter, and then flower and produce seed in the spring and early summer. Some annual weeds in Arizona may grow as biennials during parts of two seasons when favorable moisture and temperature conditions exist (e.g., camphorweed, little mallow, and Russian thistle). Biennials are not common in Arizona, are not that different from winter annuals in our climate, and can be managed using the strategies discussed for annual weeds. The survival or reoccurrence of annual and biennial weeds in a landscape depends on the production of seed by weeds in the landscape and on the movement of seeds in to the landscape by animals, wind, and water.

Being able to distinguish between dicot and monocot weeds is important because some herbicides will control dicot but not monocot weeds and vice versa. In addition, herbicides that control grasses may not control sedges. Purple and yellow nutsedge are two common sedges in Arizona landscapes that can be very difficult to control because they are perennials with extensive underground root and rhizome systems. 

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

Can We Help With Your Commercial Landscape Maintenance

Commercial Landscape maintenance, or groundskeeping, is the art and vocation of keeping a commercial property landscape healthy, clean, safe and attractive, typically in a garden, yard, park, Institutional setting or business property. Using tools, supplies, knowledge, physical exertion and skills, a groundskeeper may plan or carry out annual plantings and harvestings, periodic weeding and fertilizing, other gardening, lawn care, snow removal, driveway and path maintenance, shrub pruning, topiary, lighting, fencing, swimming pool care, runoff drainage, and irrigation, and other jobs for protecting and improving the topsoil, plants, and garden accessories.

Groundskeepers may also deal with local animals (including birds, rodents, reptiles, insects, and domestic animals or pets), and create means to attract or repel them, as desired or necessary. A garden may also be designed to include exotic animals, such as a koi pond. In larger estates, groundskeepers may be responsible for providing and maintaining habitat for wild animals.

A commercial property manager is a person or firm charged with operating a real estate property for a fee, when the owner is unable to personally attend to such details, or is not interested in doing so. The property may be individual title owned or it may be owned under sectional title, share block company owned and may be registered for residential, commercial office and retail or industrial use.

Typical duties expected of a property manager include finding/evicting and generally dealing with tenants and coordinating with the owner's wishes. Such arrangements may require the property manager to collect rents, and pay necessary expenses and taxes, maintaining the appearance, landscape and physical buildings, making periodic reports to the owner, or the owner may simply delegate specific tasks and deal with others directly.

A commercial property manager may arrange for a wide variety of services, as may be requested by the owner of the property, for a fee. Where a dwelling (vacation home, second home) is only periodically occupied, the property manager might arrange for heightened security monitoring, house-sitting, storage and shipping of goods, and other local sub-contracting necessary to make the property comfortable when the owner is in residence (utilities, systems operating, supplies and staff on hand, etc.). Property management can also include commercial properties where the property manager may operate the business, as well as managing the property. Some jurisdictions may require a property manager to be licensed for the profession.

The commercial property manager has a primary responsibility to the landlord and a secondary responsibility to the tenant or business customer. The relationship the property manager has with the landlord and with the tenant are crucial in forming the expectations of both parties to the lease since both parties will seek and expect certain rights and benefits out of it.

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

Zika and Mosquito Prevention On Your Mind?

 Zika has now caused two outbreaks in the Miami area, infecting tourists from Texas, New York and Taiwan. The virus has infected hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people across Latin America and thousands have carried it back to the U.S. It's the height of mosquito season in the northern hemisphere and people are beginning to ask, "Should I be worried?"

Mosquitoes really bug us as the summer starts rolling in, but as luck would have it there are some types of plants that really bug the bugs. insect-repelling plants do so with their naturally occurring fragrances. Place these plants in areas where guests will be often such as by a seating area or a doorway.

Citronella Grass
Lemon-scented plants such as citronella grass keep mosquitoes at bay. Known for its distinct smell, citronella grass is the most commonly used natural ingredient in mosquito repellents. When buying Citronella, make sure you buy Cybopogon nardus or Citronella winterianus, which are true varieties. The living plant is the most effective at repelling pests. It is a low maintenance plant that does best in warmer climates and can be planted directly in a sunny area in the ground.

Catmint
Catmint (catnip) can be found thriving almost anywhere. It is from the mint family and grows abundantly both as a commercial plant and as a weed. It is very easy to take care of but a word of caution it may invade other areas. However, if you are willing to forgo this plant’s insidious nature, they are amazing mosquito repellants. In a study at Iowa State University, catmint was found to be ten times more effective than DEET, the chemical used in most insect repellants. 

Rosemary
Another great mosquito repellent is rosemary. Rosemary is an herb that many of us are very familiar with and their woody scent is exactly what keeps mosquitoes away. They do best in hot and dry climates and thrive in containers, which may be ideal for areas with winters. They can also be pruned into all sorts of shapes and sizes and make great borders or decorations. 

Basil
Basil is another herb that can also double as a pest repellent. The pungent smell the basil leaves give off are what keep pests at bay. And since all kinds of basil work to keep flies and mosquitoes at bay, feel free to explore and find the right types of basil to mix into your garden. This herb likes to be kept damp, needs good drainage, and enjoys lots of sun. You can plant basil in containers or in the garden, alone or with other flowers, as long as both plants meet the same requirements.

Lavender
Have you ever noticed that insects or even rabbits and other animals have never decimated your lavender plant? It is because of their lovely fragrance, which comes from its essential oils that are found on the leaves of the plant. It is even argued that lavender oil hinders a mosquito’s ability to smell! This plant is very tough and drought-resistant once established, and only needs full sun and good drainage and it thrives in warmer areas.

Scented Geraniums
Scented geraniums seem to be a popular mosquito repelling plant and the favored scent seems to be lemon scented, which is reminiscent of citronella grass. They are beautiful blooms with a strong fragrance that keep several types of pests away. These fast growing plants like warm, sunny, and dry climates, perfect for our desert climate.’’ 

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

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

Natural Landscapes: Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is celebrated around the world everywhere throughout the world for its extraordinary scenes and geothermal action. The Old Faithful Geyser is a standout amongst the most well-known however there are numerous other intriguing characteristics of the recreation center incorporating the excellent subalpine woods.

Yellowstone National Park is a national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho. It was established by Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872. Yellowstone was the first National Park here in the U.S. and is also widely held to be the first national park in the world. The park is known for its wildlife and its many geothermal features, especially Old Faithful Geyser, one of its most popular features. It has many types of ecosystems, but the subalpine forest is the most abundant. It is part of the South Central Rockies forests ecoregion.

Native Americans have lived in the Yellowstone region for at least 11,000 years. Aside from visits by mountain men during the early-to-mid-19th century, organized exploration did not begin until the late 1860s. Management and control of the park originally fell under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior, the first being Columbus Delano. However, the U.S. Army was subsequently commissioned to oversee management of Yellowstone for a 30-year period between 1886 and 1916. In 1917, administration of the park was transferred to the National Park Service, which had been created the previous year. Hundreds of structures have been built and are protected for their architectural and historical significance, and researchers have examined more than 1,000 archaeological sites.

Yellowstone National Park spans an area of 3,468.4 square miles, comprising lakes, canyons, rivers and mountain ranges. Yellowstone Lake is one of the largest high-elevation lakes in North America and is centered over the Yellowstone Caldera, the largest supervolcano on the continent. The caldera is considered an active volcano. It has erupted with tremendous force several times in the last two million years. Half of the world's geothermal features are in Yellowstone, fueled by this ongoing volcanism. Lava flows and rocks from volcanic eruptions cover most of the land area of Yellowstone. The park is the centerpiece of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the largest remaining nearly-intact ecosystem in the Earth's northern temperate zone.

Hundreds of species of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles have been documented, including several that are either endangered or threatened. The vast forests and grasslands also include unique species of plants. Yellowstone Park is the largest and most famous megafauna location in the Continental United States. Grizzly bears, wolves, and free-ranging herds of bison and elk live in the park. The Yellowstone Park bison herd is the oldest and largest public bison herd in the United States. Forest fires occur in the park each year; in the large forest fires of 1988, nearly one third of the park was burnt. Yellowstone has numerous recreational opportunities, including hiking, camping, boating, fishing and sightseeing. Paved roads provide close access to the major geothermal areas as well as some of the lakes and waterfalls. During the winter, visitors often access the park by way of guided tours that use either snow coaches or snowmobiles.

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

Spice Of The Week: Dill Weed

Are you a person who likes the spice taste of "Dill"? Some folks think that the only flavor a pickle should come in is Dill. Despite the name, dill weed isn’t a weed at all. Instead, it comes from the feathery leaves of a sturdy, delicate-looking annual.

Dill weed should be harvested at the height of its flavor, just as the flower buds are starting to form. The tiny yellow flower buds are picked right along with the crisp, green leaves, adding a pleasant, slightly lemony aroma that’s missing from dills harvested before flowering. Dill weed should be added toward the end of cooking or in recipes with low or no heat to retain its mild, sweet flavor. 

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is an annual herb in the celery family Apiaceae.  Dill grows up to 16–24 inches, with slender hollow stems and alternate, finely divided, softly delicate leaves 3.9–7.9 in long. The ultimate leaf divisions are 0.039–0.079 in broad, slightly broader than the similar leaves of fennel, which are threadlike, less than 0.039 in broad, but harder in texture. The flowers are white to yellow, in small umbels 0.79–3.54 inches diameter. The seeds are 0.16–0.20 in long and 0.039 in thick, and straight to slightly curved with a longitudinally ridged surface.

Fresh and dried dill leaves (sometimes called "dill weed" to distinguish it from dill seed) are widely used as herbs in Europe and central Asia.

Like caraway, the fernlike leaves of dill are aromatic and are used to flavor many foods such as gravlax (cured salmon) and other fish dishes, borscht and other soups, as well as pickles (where the dill flower is sometimes used). Dill is best when used fresh as it loses its flavor rapidly if dried; however, freeze-dried dill leaves retain their flavor relatively well for a few months.

Dill seed, having a flavor similar to caraway but also resembling that of fresh or dried dill weed, is used as a spice. Dill oil is extracted from the leaves, stems and seeds of the plant. The oil from the seeds is distilled and used in the manufacturing of soaps. 
Dill is the eponymous ingredient in dill pickles: cucumbers preserved in salty brine and/or vinegar.

In central and eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Russia and Finland, dill is a popular culinary herb used in the kitchen along with chives or parsley. Fresh, finely cut dill leaves are used as topping in soups, especially the hot red borsht and the cold borsht mixed with curds, kefir, yoghurt, or sour cream, which is served during hot summer weather and is called okroshka. It is also popular in summer to drink fermented milk (curds, kefir, yoghurt, or buttermilk) mixed with dill (and sometimes other herbs).

In the same way, prepared dill is used as a topping for boiled potatoes covered with fresh butter – especially in summer when there are so-called "new", or young, potatoes. The dill leaves can be mixed with butter, making a dill butter, which can serve the same purpose. Dill leaves mixed with tvorog form one of the traditional cheese spreads used for sandwiches. Fresh dill leaves are used all year round as an ingredient in salads, e.g., one made of lettuce, fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, the way basil leaves are used in Italy and Greece.

Fun Fact: Dill weed has been cultivated since 3,000 BC. And its name is thought to come from the ancient Norse word “dilla,” meaning “to soothe or lull.”

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