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

There are many benefits of mulch some of which include moisture retention weed control and landscape appearance, but too much of anything is never a good thing.

Excessive amounts of mulch can harbor problems like disease, pest and create the perfect environment for other challenges like fungal infections around your plants and trees.

A micro thin layer of mulch on the other hand is not enough to block the weeds and control the soils moisture levels.

In most sustainable landscape designs, ornamental landscape beds and perimeter landscaping should receive, 1.5 to 2 inches of mulch. For problematic weed areas, install a 2-3 inch layer of mulch may be necessary.

Many materials available in the bay area for commercial lawn services include fir bark which is very expensive, and fades out over a short period of time. So consider using environmentally friendly recycled materials that have been died with natural colors like mahogany or cedar color and are safe for the environment lasting much longer than conventional fir bark.

With older landscaping, it’s important to provide the best landscaping pruning practices to keep things under control and looking fresh throughout the year.

When the pruning is done correctly, it helps revitalize a plants appearance, keeping it uniform, clean and green. Pruning can certainly help in many ways including extending the plants lifespan. This actually may be one of the most important investments you make in regards to your commercial landscaping service.

If you understand the benefits of renovation pruning , scheduling this important service at the right time of the year helps in many ways. Read on and you’ll understand why it is so important for your commercial landscaping service.

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 landscape companies is deciding on the right balance of plants that can tolerate the cold and fit into your design.

There are many choices when it comes to using low impact landscaping materials. New and non-recyclable materials used in landscapes increase the needs for additional resources for manufacturing and distribution, and then create additional disposal when they are eradicated -- they should be designed to be recycled. Non-recyclable materials generate additional waste in landscapes: disposal sites, large incinerator factories, and multi-square-floating disposal systems in our oceans.

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.

There are a number of ways to reduce the amount of time spent maintaining a landscape. There are also ways to reduce landscape maintenance expenses. However, sometimes it requires some upfront investment of time and/or money to renovate a landscape in order to reduce the amount of maintenance. Below are a few ideas and suggestions.

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.

Every few years or so we experience harsh weather conditions in the bay area, the unusual part about ice is it’s not always plant friendly. Many valued plants can take a hit from an unexpected cold snap. Although one might think that the plant is dead and should be removed or pruned immediately, but we must be careful and mindful of the best landscaping practices.

4 DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS

People want to feel a sense of pride when they walk up to your property. Clients and Property Owners expect their property managers to provide the highest level of outdoor landscaping service. That must include well maintained lawns and lush landscaping. It also means curbs, gutters and landscape frontage that are free of weeds, trash and debris. Ownership expects to see flowering entrances, and pathways that are clear, neat and tidy in appearance. And safety’s a factoring concern throughout the entire year as well: Pro-active landscape maintenance will help mitigate liability.

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.