Commercial Landscaping Blog, San Jose | Bay Area | Santa Clara, CA

9 Tips for Sustainable Landscaping Services

Written by Gene Ebertowski, President | Aug 27, 2014 1:00:00 PM

9 Eco Friendly Landscaping Strategies to Help Green Your Property

During the past 15 Years of FloraTerra, we have implemented best landscape practices that have assisted our customers to help 'green' their commercial properties with drought tolerant landscaping, producing higher occupancy rates, increased profits, a better public presentation and a robust and, more healthy landscaping.

9 Eco Friendly Strategies to Help Green your Property

  1. Proper Plant Placement - Using native plants and others drought resistant species is ideal for water efficient landscaping, helping to reduce water costs and helps the environment as they grow and thrive locally and require less fertilizer, pesticides and water.
  2. Lawn Area - Consider replacing high-maintenance lawn areas that are not necessary for curb appeal or for low-maintenance landscapes. Planting low maintenance perennials, the installation of mulch or establishing no-mow zones will save time, money and resources, including water, fertilizers and less labor and equipment to manage.
  3. Organic Mulching - Using adequate amounts of mulch can improve and retain soil moisture and reduce irrigation watering. The use of decorative rock or gravel as mulch lessens soil temperature, reduces weeds and requires less frequent applications for future replenishment.
  4. Perennial Flowers - Perennial flowers can offer the same beauty as seasonal or annual flower plantings with less cost for maintenance and plant replacement. The initial investment to replace flowers with perennial color often pays off in one or two rotations, and the flowers continue to bloom year after year - larger and more vibrant. Perennials also can act as a future resource as you can propagate them to beautify other areas throughout your landscape.
  5. Energy Efficient Landscaping - Use of evergreen shade trees on the western and northwestern sides of your property will cut down on exposure to the colder temperatures and wind. Situating Deciduous trees on eastern and southern exposures limit the summer's intense heat but allow winter sunlight to warm your property. According to some experts, a well-properly planned landscape can reduce air-conditioning costs by up to 40 percent and reduce energy heating costs by up to 50 percent.
  6. Soil Testing - Have your soil tested so the most appropriate plants and turf are selected for your landscaping. Soil rich in organic compost retains more nutrients and water and reduces hard soil compaction. Promote the use of organic material buildup by using organic mulches as opposed to synthetic types, recycled leaf matter and clippings.
  7. Irrigation System – Assessing your sprinkler and proper irrigation maintenance is the interim step in ensuring you get maximum water conservation. A well managed irrigation system can significantly reduce outdoor water consumption, and utilizing drip irrigation or bubblers in place of conventional sprinkler heads cuts down on the water amount that is normally lost to wind drift and runoff.
  8. Conserving Water – Efficient irrigation devices has proven to save water. Bio Swales can slow the runoff of rainwater, help eliminate overload on storm water systems, and reduce erosion.
  9. Sustainable Green Practices – Where feasible, revert to "old-method" of maintenance. One way that helps is by, pruning shrubs naturally instead of power hedge trimming; natural pruning reduces pollution and is healthier for the plants material, accentuating a natural look. Also, grass cycling with mulching mowers, recycles the lawn debris reducing debris costs by eliminating the need haul away the debris to an off-site landfill and has also proven to reduce fertilizer costs.

Need to Conserve Water? Leave it up to one of our Certified Water Management Experts!

Regardless if you own or manage an Apartment Complex, or have a single Retail Center, FloraTerra is very experienced in the area of commercial and multi-residential landscaping, let us help you with your next landscaping project.

Drought Tolerant Landscaping for Commercial Properties

FloraTerra  is a Leading Landscape company that provides sustainable landscaping services in and around the San Francisco bay area, we provide drought resistant landscaping designs for apartment landscaping, retail shopping malls and hoa landscaping services , we provide complete range of landscaping services for communities, real estate developers and commercial property owners.

Get Our FREE Landscaping Drought Guide by Clicking Below

 

 

San Jose | Santa Clara | Milpitas | Palo Alto | Sunnyvale | Redwood Shores | Union City | Fremont