Tuesday, February 28, 2017

We Can Help With Spring Weed Control

Weed killers are a contact killer, meaning they absorb the chemical through what comes in contact with the leaf surface and then translocates the solution throughout the plant through the plant's metabolism. Since weed killers are dependent on contact, it is very important to get good contact with the weed.

Granular weed killers should be applied when grass is damp and should not be watered for 48 hours after application. The dampness of the grass ensures the granular weed killer will "stick" to the leaf. Water applied too soon after application can wash off the weed killer from the surface of the weed before it can be absorbed.

To get good contact with the weed, don't mow the grass before you decide to apply weed killers. This eliminates leaf area, which in turn decreases your leaf area and ultimately decreases your success of the weed killer. When mowing your grass, plan to leave your grass uncut for two days after application and five days before.

During drought conditions or if you are having trouble getting adequate control, add spreader sticker which will increase the surface tension of the leaf to ensure proper absorption of the weed killer. During stress periods, plants tend to be more defensive and at times the addition of spreader sticker can be beneficial.

Weed killers will not prevent any future weed emergence. There is no persistence of the weed killer in the soil, unlike crabgrass preventer which will last several weeks.

You have enough to do, let us make sure we take of your greenscape worries and make them vanish like a passing storm.

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

Monday, February 27, 2017

Survey Your Property After A Storm

As soon as possible after a monsoon storm you need to survey your commercial property for storm damage.  This applies to your landscaping as much as it does the physical condition of your structures.

You want to make sure your walkways are clear of debris.  Are there branches or other storm related items on the roof areas.  Are they blocking your gutters?  Will they come crashing down with a gust of gravity or just a breath of moving air?  If you have overhead power lines, is there vegetation laying on them.

Has the storm damaged outdoor furniture so that it is a hazard now?  Are your chairs and loungers damaged to the point they are no longer safe to use?

Do you have standing water that may mean you have to change the run-off patterns for your property?

At Greens Keeper Landscaping we will help with your clean-up as well as landscape changes that can reduce future damage and hazards.  We can help you understand and comply with changes in your run-off and standing water challenges.

While removal of fallen trees is many times the most visible part of storm damage, there are others. Water run-off can be damaging as well. Call 623-848-8277

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

This means that if you have things we think could be a liability on your property related to the landscape, we will communicate with you.

Following our next valley storm think of Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance for your repairs and property restoration.  Give us a call at 623-848-8277 to see how we can help you.
Do you have a pre-storm plan that will minimize the damage a storm may cause.  You can make plans that the simple moving of items will reduce the damage to them or the damage they can cause if they become airborne.

You have enough to do, let us make sure we take of your greenscape worries and make them vanish like a passing storm.

Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277

http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net

Friday, February 24, 2017

Professional Landscape Maintenance For Hire


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. Your Professional Landscape Maintenance Company!

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

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

The Difference Between Herbs and Spices

As our readers know we have run out of spices to write about so we are moving on to herbs. First we thought it would be great to understand the difference between the two.

We often hear the term "herbs and spices". As any amateur chef knows, herbs and spices are vital ingredients in many dishes. They add flavor, aroma, color, texture and even nutrients.

Herbs and Spices

But have you ever stopped for a moment to think what the difference is between the two families of food flavor enhancers?

Both spices and herbs are parts of plants (fresh or dried) that are used to enhance the flavor of foods. They’ve also been known to preserve foods, cure illness and enhance cosmetics.

The difference between the two is where they are obtained from a plant.

Herbs come from the leafy and green part of the plant.

Spices are parts of the plant other than the leafy bit such as the root, stem, bulb, bark or seeds.

Examples of herbs include basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, parsley and mint. They are usually grown in more temperate areas than spices and have great medicinal value and are also used in the preparation of cosmetic products.

Spices are usually dried before being used to season foods. Some examples are cinnamon, cloves, ginger and pepper. Unlike herbs, they are grown in more tropical countries. They’ve also been known to preserve foods and some have medicinal value, such as turmeric with its anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal properties.


Despite the above clarification, according to the American Spice Trade Association, spices are defined as “any dried plant product used primarily for seasoning purposes”. This really broadens the definition of spices, allowing it to include herbs, dehydrated veggies, spice blends and spice seeds.

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

Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC\
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com

greenskeeperllc@cox.net

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Zesty Cherry Pie Recipe

To help honor George Washington's birthday we chose to add oranges to cherry pie. Try it with your family and tell us what you think.


Ingredients


For 8 Servings


Crust    
    1⁄2 cup finely ground almonds 
   1 3⁄4 cups white flour    
    1⁄2 cup confectioners' sugar
    1⁄2 cup unsalted butter or\
    1⁄2 cup margarine, chilled and cut into small pieces
    1 large egg, lightly beaten


Filling
    1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
    2 tablespoons orange liqueur or
    1 tablespoon orange extract
    1 teaspoon grated orange zest


Directions


(Note: If time is short you can use refrigerated pie dough.) 

For the Crust: Place almonds, flour and sugar in the work bowl of a food processor, fitted with a metal blade. Scatter butter on top of the mixture and pulse just until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and process just until dough gathers in a ball. Divide the dough into two pieces, one slightly larger than the other, and shape into 1-inch-thick discs. Wrap the dough pieces separately in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes. Heat oven to 375ยบ Fahrenheit.

For the Filling: Combine the cherry pie filling, orange liqueur and orange zest in a medium bowl and mix until thoroughly blended. Place the larger dough on a lightly floured board and roll out into an 11-inch circle. Press the dough into a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom and trim the edges. Roll the smaller dough into a 10-inch circle and cut into 10, 3/4-inch-wide strips. 

Spoon filling onto the pastry dough in the tart pan and spread to an even thickness. Arrange the dough strips in lattice pattern on top of filling. Gently press the ends into pastry shell and seal with the fingertips. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until pastry is golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Remove the ring of the pan and cool.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: 

\
Calories 370; Total fat 16g; Saturated fat 8g;Cholesterol 55mg; Sodium 25mg; Total carbohydrate 52g; Fiber 2g; Protein 5g; Vitamin A 10%DV; Vitamin C 6% DV; Calcium 4%DV; Iron 10%DV *Daily Value.

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


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

Monday, February 20, 2017

Honors Washington’s Birthday

Did You Know?

The Library of Congress says that as stated in the introduction, the federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February is not officially called Presidents' Day. Instead, it is Washington's Birthday. There was an attempt in 1968 to officially name it Presidents' Day. However, this suggestion died in committee. Many states, however, choose to call their own celebration on this day "Presidents' Day."

We know that with banks closed, no mail service and most government offices closed this day sure feels like a federal holiday. Well, officially it is. Today official holiday is the celebration of Washington’s Birthday and is not called President’s day.

So why do you find that nearly every store is having a President’s Day celebration or sale? Stores are always looking for any reason to have a sale and accuracy isn’t a strong suit when it comes to advertising.

Washington's Birthday celebrated during his lifetime.

Many across the newly formed United States celebrated Washington's Birthday in the 17th century while George Washington was still alive. However, it wasn't until 1885 that Chester Arthur signed the bill that made it a federal holiday.

Cherries, Cherries, and More Cherries 

Traditionally, many celebrated and continue to celebrate Washington's Birthday with desserts made with cherries. Cherry pie, cherry cake, bread made with cherries, or just a huge bowl of cherries are often enjoyed on this day. Of course, this relates to the apocryphal story that Washington would not tell a lie when asked if he cut down a cherry tree.

Abraham Lincoln's Birthday is not a Federal Holiday

Even though many states celebrate Abraham Lincoln's birthday concurrently with Washington's birthday, it is not a federally designated holiday.

The Reading of Washington's Farewell Address

On February 22nd of almost every year since 1888, Washington's Farewell Address has been read in the US Senate. While this does not happen on Presidents' Day, it is an annual celebration of Washington's Birthday that stems from 1862 when the Address was read as a way to boost morale during the Civil War.

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

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

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Famous Natural Landmarks Tonto Natural Bridge Payson AZ

Tonto Natural Bridge is a natural arch that is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. The area surrounding the bridge has been made into a state park called Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, which is located off State Route 87, just 10 miles north of Payson. Tonto Natural Bridge stands over a 400-foot-long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point and reaches a height of 183 feet.

When most people think about Arizona, they think about sweltering heat or desert wastelands. But what they don’t realize is that Arizona is a beautiful place with a variety of natural environments from the hot, dry desert to the cool, mountainous pine forests. If you’re looking for a cooler place to visit, then the Rim Country and surrounding open wilderness is where you need to be. The Mogollon Rim pronounced “muggy-own” or “muggy-on”, is a mountain range that extends 400 miles and marks the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau in Arizona. Here you will find the largest ponderosa pine forest in the United States, with wonderfully cool weather, awesome mountain views, and the unmistakable smells of Pine, Juniper, and Oak. Take in the majestic beauty of The Rim and surrounding wilderness as well as one of the most unique natural landmarks in the world, The Tonto Natural Bridge.  This truly is a visitor’s paradis

This natural bridge was first documented by David Gowan, a Scotsman, in 1877 while hiding from hostile Apache tribe members. Gowan was impressed by the location and persuaded his family to emigrate and live there. Gowan also tried to claim the land for himself under squatter's rights.

Gowan family members lived near the bridge until 1948. Their lodge building survives to this day and is included in the National Register of Historic Places.

Park Facilities

Walking trails
   Pine Creek Trail - approximately 0.5-mile long
   Waterfall Trail - approximately 600-foot round trip to waterfall cave.
   Gowan Trail - approximately 0.5-mile long, ending at an observation deck at creek bottom.
    
Picnic tables and recreation area

Gift shop

Portable restrooms

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

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