Commercial Landscaping Blog for The San Jose | Bay Area, CA

There are so many different types of commercial properties in the Bay Area. From large multi complex buildings to single building properties and no two landscapes are similar.

At FloraTerra we have had some clients that have asked questions about the management of their water and how we can help them on their commercial properties. Considering the immediate bay area drought and water agency restrictions, you’re certainly not alone and have someone that you can turn to if you need help in this area. With those challenges in our forefront, let’s take a look at some common water management challenges we see on commercial landscapes and some solutions on how to manage them. 

Chances are landscaping is high on your priority list, and rightfully so. Maintaining high maintenance landscaping is a budget expense that seems to creep up, some of the costs include sprinkler and irrigation repairs, replacing dead flowers and tree pruning just to name a few. In spite of the many reasons renovation gets pushed off, there is supporting evidence that property managers and building owners should consider the cost of upgrading older high maintenance landscaping.

FloraTerra implements strategies to help our clients green their properties, yielding improved public perception, increased profits, and greener landscaping.

Sustainable landscape management encourages the systems created by nature: healthy soils supporting healthy plants. The foundation of "sustainable green landscaping" requires the plants and soils to be viewed as extensions of one another, existing in a perfect symbiotic relationship. This holistic, "bottom up" focus contrasts with the conventional maintenance mindset of treating specific plant health conditions from the "top down" through the application of synthetic chemicals and materials.

Understanding all environmental conditions within a landscape, including public use patterns as well aesthetic expectations is vital to creating a successful maintenance program. Our programs are continuously adjusted to meet the needs of our client’s properties.

The plantings around your properties building perimeter can make a big difference in many ways. Having the right plants to tolerate the cold weather is part of the equation for great foundation plants but plant material that is interfering with window views, walk way and crowding out the others is another factor to consider. Planting the right combination of foliage and plants will ultimately impact your landscaping design one way or the other. The real challenge for most commercial properties is deciding on the right balance of plants that can tolerate the cold and fit into your design.

The Buck Stops With These 4 Expectations

If you find yourself wondering if your landscape service provider is going to show up, it’s time to rethink things. Is it time to raise your expectations? Are you looking to partner with a landscape maintenance company that will do more than just show up?

If so, here are a few valuable tips to consider for the future.

When searching for a tree care service, finding the right tree care and arborist is a very important decision for your corporate landscaping.

Here’s 5 Idea’s to consider before making that final decision:

This is an important time of the year for many Bay Area property managers that are finalizing 2015 Years Budgets.

Establishing the appropriate landscape budget can help you control expenditures while planning for next year’s budget. Your budget should include the appropriate line items like basic landscape maintenance, tree pruning and other related expenses, but there 3 New trends not to consider.

Are you thinking of expanding the size of your  building, installing a court yard patio area, removing your lawn, or digging for a new building foundation? If you have any projects in mind, please remember to consider how they may impact the health of your trees in the construction zone. 

Winter time is a great time to refresh your bark mulch. Mulching is beneficial for your property but can also cause damage if not installed appropriately. The damaging effects occur when mulch is applied in excessive amounts. Suffocation occurs when the bark is piled around the base of your trees and plants. The effects of excessive mulching cause decay because of the high water retention rate inviting disease and harmful pathogens to enter into the plants bark. 

Many property managers and building owners have heard the term “Certified Arborist” or understand what separates Certified Arborists from " Professional Landscape Companies ".

Certified Arborists have received their accredited experience and certification from the International Society of Arboriculture. Any landscape company can tell you they’re an Arborist, but there’s no way of knowing their level of expertise without checking on it first. Unqualified “landscapers” are the ones that say they can do it all !