Phoenix Police And Community Helps Charlie Mae Johnson

On November 8th members of the Phoenix Police department, community businesses and volunteers helped Charlie Mae Johnson recover from being the victim of a recent home repair scam.

Ms Johnson, a retiree in her early 70s had paid Roger Guy Stowe $1,200 for new carpet which he never delivered.  The detective who had been given the case, Michelle Dalton from the Phoenix Police Property Crimes Bureau felt the need to do as much as possible in this case and went well beyond her normal duties.

Detective Dalton contacted Angels On Patrol as well as members of the Maryvale Precinct Community Action squad to try to get some assistance for Charlie Mae.  Soon, everyone was offering to pitch in and help, including several community members and businesses who donated carpet, paint and landscaping rock.  “The word got out. People came together. Businesses came together. And today we’re going to do a great thing for Charlie Mae,” Officer Jeff Holmes tells us.

Very early Thursday morning, dozens of volunteers showed up, ready to work. They spent hours painting Charlie Mae’s house, installing new carpet and laying rock in her front yard. Johnson was overwhelmed with gratitude. “I’m very happy this morning. Very happy,” she says. “I got scammed but look what I got.”

“Greens Keeper was very happy to be part of the effort to help out Charlie Mae”, said Kent Jones owner. “We are part of the community and are always looking for ways to help where we can.”

Phoenix detectives warn that a scam like this can happen to anyone. Your best bet is to always go with a  contractor with a good reputation. And never pay all the money up front. “We always say find a licensed contractor, someone that we can verify is a good business person as well as someone who’s got the skills to do what you’re looking for,” Officer Holmes states.

You can see several videos and read more about this community effort by going to the following website; http://www.azfamily.com/home/Phoenix-police-lend-a-hand-to-scam-victim-177935851.html

When it comes to commercial property landscaping 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

Holiday Lighting Safety Tips

Putting Christmas lights in tree branches, around tree trunks, and elsewhere can be easy and fun if you know how to do it. Some people even use "cherry-pickers."

Before you start climbing the branches, though, remember that holiday lights have to plug into an electrical outlet, or at least an extension cord that leads to an outlet. The shorter the stretch between light bulbs and outlet, the less risk you face from frayed wires or other electrical problems. If the tree stands far from an outlet, consider letting the tree stay unlit.

Ways to Install Christmas Lights in Trees
There's no single perfect way to install holiday lights in tree branches. Some people simply toss light strands into the trees. This method doesn't let you control where the strands go, but it can be lot of fun. One caveat, though: a tossed light strand may not reach the highest branches unless you have a strong arm or a short tree.

Another method is to get a long pole or rod, preferably with a hook at the end. If you have no poles that have hooks, untwist a coat hanger until it's as flat and straight as a pole, and use its head for a hook. (Better still, combine pole and hanger by taping them together.) Drape a string of lights over the hook and extend the pole over one of the tree's branches. Turn the pole until the strand slips off of the hook and onto the branch; it should dangle from the branch like a kite string. If possible, grab the dangling end of the lights strand with the hook and wrap it around the branch so as to secure them to each other.

Cherry Picker, Bucket Truck, Aerial Lift
People who decorate really tall trees and high branches often use a bucket truck, sometimes also called a lift truck, aerial lift or cherry-picker. The driver rolls the truck up to a location, enters a bucket big enough for a human being and his tools and lights, and by manipulating the controls raises the bucket into the air.

You can do it yourself — but it’s not easy. "Only trained persons shall operate an aerial lift," says the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration 's rule 1910.67(c)(2)(ii). If you raise the bucket too fast, it can rip through a tree's branches. What’s more, according to an article in Communications Technology, a magazine for (among others) people who string wires in high places, "An average bucket truck weighs 10,000 pounds and cannot stop on a dime. 

Final Words of Caution and Safety
Whatever method you use to hang Christmas lights in trees, you’ll need to make sure that the lights stay there throughout the winter weather. You can attach lights to branches with specialized tree clips  or the twist ties that come with plastic bags.

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

Why Choose Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance For Your Property?

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

The Xeriscape Landscaping Style

The Phoenix Arizona Metro Area Desert lends itself to a water efficient, creative landscape that many people call a Xeriscape. This term comes from the Greek word xeros, which means dry, and refers to seven horticultural principles which help to ensure that landscapes, wherever they are located, reflect a sensitivity to the local environment and its climate. 

Because we live in the Sonoran Desert, we must use water wisely. Selecting low water use plants and using water efficient irrigation techniques will help you get the most from the water used to establish and maintain your landscape.

We are fortunate in this part of the country to have a year-round growing season and many months of great weather each year. Your Xeriscape can be not only beautiful and water efficient, it also can be an extension of your home and a place for you to relax, unwind and enjoy.

Creating a plan will help you get the most out of your landscape while considering issues like cost, function, aesthetic preferences, maintenance requirements, water efficiency and energy efficiency. You can tailor the plan to suit your taste, your needs and your budget.

Many low water use plants have beautiful flowers or interesting forms. They will help you create a colorful, low-maintenance yard without taxing our limited water resources.

Although turf generally requires more water and more maintenance than low water use plants, sometimes only grass will do. Small turf areas can be incorporated successfully into a Xeriscape if they are properly planned, installed and maintained.

Most plants will need more frequent irrigations during their first year. Usually, you can cut back on watering during the second and subsequent years, after the plants have become established. Also remember that plants need less water during the cooler months. Adjust your irrigation schedule at least four times each year.

The most popular organic mulches in our area are bark chips and wood grindings. These are often used in planting beds and other small areas. The natural drop of leaves, flowers and fruit can also be left on the ground as mulch. Decomposed granite and crushed rock are two of the most popular inorganic mulches. Soil amendments most likely will be needed for turf areas and areas where more water thirsty plants are installed. Because there is quite a variation in soil quality and composition across the Sonoran Desert, soil amendments may be needed when unusual conditions exist.

When properly designed and maintained, Xeriscapes save water, time and money through reduced plant water needs and lower maintenance requirements. But low water use and low maintenance do not mean no water use and no maintenance. All landscapes need some care and most plants need supplemental water.

At Greens Keeper Landscape we want you to know how to take care of your property.  If you don’t want the headache of landscape maintenance we take care of your landscape for you.  To find out how we can help just give us a call at 623-848-8277.

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

Arizona Winter Plantings

As you know Arizona’s climate varies slightly throughout the state, in general, Arizona has a dry climate with hot summers and mild winters. Because of the mild winter weather, many perennials stay green throughout the year in Arizona. Some of these plants take advantage of the cooler temperatures and produce flowers through all or part of our winter season. What follows are three suggestions of colorful winter plantings.

Desert Lavender
Reaching as high as 10 feet high and as wide as8 feet, the dense growth of the desert lavender is ideal for use as a hedge or privacy screen. Desert lavender is drought-tolerant and prefers well-drained, slightly sandy soil in full sun. Spikes of purple flowers bloom throughout the year in mild climates, and the small gray-green leaves are evergreen and have a lavender scent, according to Arizona Arboretum.

Chuparosa
Native to the southwestern United States, chuparosa is a shrub that can reach up to 5 feet high and about as wide. The gray-green leaves are cold- and drought-sensitive and fall from the plant in both of those conditions. In the wild, this plant grows along the rocky slopes of the Arizona deserts. The flowers of the chuparosa are red and tubular, blooming even in winter and attracting hummingbirds to the gardens. The seeds produced once the blooms mature are food for quail and other birds, according to Desert USA.

Firecracker Penstemon
Firecracker penstemon is a perennial herb that grows in full sun and well-drained soil. This plant is drought-tolerant, needing very little additional water once it is established. The red flowers bloom on long stalks throughout the winter in Arizona's mild climate. Firecracker penstemon grows to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide with multiple stalks of flowers. This plant will self-seed, according to the Utah Native Plant Society. If you don't want propagation, cut the flowers before they form seeds.

Rather than having to worry about the lawn and look of your commercial property you can let Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance do all the work for you and take the burden off your shoulders all together.  Give us a call at 623-848-8277 and let’s talk about it.

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

Storing Landscaping Tools For The Winter Months

You don't have to wait until the end of the season to protect your landscape tool investment. It's good practice to rinse your tools off after each use, dry them thoroughly and apply a light coat of oil to all metal parts. Use a stiff-bristle brush to clean stubborn, hard-to-remove dirt. If you make this a routine, you won't have to do much at the end of the season when it comes to preparing your commercial landscaping tools for winter storage.

You should have a designated space or worktable where you can inspect your tools and have any necessary maintenance preformed. Covering the area with newspaper or plastic sheeting will not only protect the area, but it will also make it faster to clean up after the maintenance is done.

Be sure to store your tools off the ground and away from moisture and other elements. Garages and basements with direct outdoor access are good storage places as long as they are dry. If you don't have a place to store your tools and equipment, you may want to consider building or purchasing a tool shed.

Before having your equipment stored for the off-season, sharpen or replace blades on tools that cut or dig. Your properties digging and cutting tools' blades get worn down over time, but filing can easily sharpen any nicked or dull blades. Hone and maintain the sharp edge of all cutting tools with a medium-grit sharpening stone. For faster cutting, wet the stone with water or lubricate it with honing oil, depending on the type of stone you're using.

Safety Alert! Your staff should always wear heavy gloves when cleaning or sharpening sharp cutting tools. Wear goggles when using a wire brush to remove rust and dirt.

Sharpen very dull hedge trimmer blades by moving a file away from and diagonally across the sharp edge, making sure you maintain the factory bevel. Then decrease the angle slightly and hone just the last 1/16" of the blade with a sharpening stone. If your trimmer has a serrated blade, do not attempt to sharpen it.

Most digging tools aren't sold sharpened, so they should be sharpen from the very start. The more your digging tools are used, the duller they get. The working edge should be filed to a 45-degree bevel with the proper file.

Of course if you are using Greens Keeper to maintain your commercial property you don’t have to worry about maintenance or storage of your tools for the winter season.

More importantly you can let Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance do all the work for you and take the burden off your shoulders all together.  Give us a call at 623-848-8277 and let’s talk about it.

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

Property Inspectors Making Their Rounds Again

Some cities that had to reduce staff to balance their budgets have recovered enough to re-staff some positions.  One area that was hard hit were the property inspectors.  The rules about unsightly properties were relaxed and the normal inspections and fines were let slide in some cases.

That has begun to change.  If you have some vacant rental properties that you have let deteriorate now might be the time to do a quick clean-up to avoid being fined.  In the past the property owners and managers were warned of the condition and given time to make corrections as a courtesy.

The cities still need funds and fines are always a good source of revenue.  In some cases a citation carries an immediate fine for having committed certain types of common violations, namely those that cause certain hazardous conditions in housing or unsightly conditions for or on neighboring properties.

In the past only those complaints of vegetation overgrowth that indicate a hazardous situation such as blocked traffic visibility or overgrowth that forces pedestrians off the sidewalk into the street would be subject to fines. Other violations of the Weeds and Vegetation Code will be recorded and information about code requirements sent to the property owner or occupant responsible for the site as a warning.  Corrections will be required within a time period contained on the warning.

A person who has not had previous violations of these types is usually given an opportunity to correct the violation and thus avoid the issuance of a citation. For those who receive a citation, preset penalties may be imposed immediately which increase with repeat offenses. The citation process provides the violator with an opportunity for a hearing to contest the violation or request mitigation of the penalty.

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

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

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

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