Excellence in Irrigation

Landscape Maintenance Details

Our program is a complete landscape maintenance package that includes our qualified personnel.  The irrigation system run times are monitored to provide correct precipitation rates.  Plant growth is allowed to grow naturally and pruned to provide the best look, best bloom, and best over all appearance.

All the plant material including turf is checked and treated for disease or fungus problems and will be fertilized as required to keep it healthy.

Our program is to keep your landscape looking good now, as well as for long-term growth and beauty, so as the years go by your investment is increasing as your grounds are maturing.

shrub management program

· The goal of the shrub program is develop a lush, natural appearance, promote flowering and keep pruning and trimming to a minimum for cost-effectiveness for the client.

· Pruning shall be done on an as-needed basis only. The intent of this style of pruning is to maintain the natural plant appearance.  Shrubs are intended to fill planting spaces as much as possible. Shrubs on slopes are not to be pruned or shaped, but to be allowed to spread naturally.

· Shearing back of shrub stems and branches is not encouraged unless the plant poses a safety hazard.

· All vines shall be kept “pinned” to fences or walls to maximize hardscape cover and provide green appearance.

· All groundcover areas shall be uniformly irrigated to insure consistent growth and plant coverage.

· Groundcover areas shall be kept free of weeds and grasses.

 

tree management program

· The tree program seeks to maximize the growth and health of tree species, while minimizing damage typically caused by improper tree care.

· All new trees shall be staked to allow movement (at least 6”) in the wind. Stakes shall be removed as soon as trees are deemed established in the soil or by one year of planting, whichever comes first.

· Trees shall be deep watered to encourage deep roots and discourage surface root damage. Deep watering is especially important during the warm months (May-September).  Soil moisture will be checked with hand soil probes.

· Trees shall be pruned back only for safety or structural clearance, otherwise, pruning shall be performed as a “thinning” or “opening” to promote tree spread and shading potential. No more than 1/4 to 1/3 of leaf area shall be removed at any time.  International Society of Arboriculture standards is used to guide all tree pruning.

· Trees causing consistent physical damage or nuisance can be recommended for removal. We will  report such hazards and recommend removal as needed.

turf management program

· The goal of the turf management program is to maximize plant health, deepen turf roots, water only as necessary per local evaportrasportation rates and reduce the frequency for fertilizing, mowing and weed control.

· Mowing cycles may vary from 7 days (early spring through summer) to 10 days (late fall through winter) between cuttings. Varied mowing cycles are derived from best management practices for healthy turf and seasonal growth habits of cool season grasses.

· Turf areas shall be edged as needed to maintain appearance. Turf spray nozzles shall be of a height to clear the highest unmowed turf growth height.

· Aerification and dethatching shall be performed in turf areas to promote deep rooting, water penetration and to avoid soil compaction. These shall be performed on an as-needed basis, which will average once every 2 years.

· The goal is to reduce nitrogen applied to turf in order to moderate growth and keep water needs down. This can be accomplished through the use of fertilizers that contain iron to maintain deep green color.

water management program

· The water management program is intended to maximize plant health, minimize water damage to association hardscape and property, and eliminate runoff.

· We will consistently maintain all components of the irrigation system in proper working order, as per manufacture specifications, by inspecting the entire system on an ongoing basis.

· Drip lines and spray heads shall be randomly checked on an ongoing basis such that the entire system is checked each month.  Malfunctioning systems will be corrected immediately.   Methods of detection will include visual sightings of water on association hardscape and property, soil probing, meter monitoring and specific line observations.

· Irrigation controllers and irrigation scheduling shall be performed regularly as weather changes, plant needs and water budget fluctuate; avoiding water penalty charges.  Rescheduling may be required as frequently as once a week depending on weather conditions.

· Irrigation system pressure shall be checked and adjusted at least monthly to insure efficient operation of irrigation stations.

· All irrigation replacement parts shall be as original installation or approved equals.

· Turf spray heads shall be uniform in output and kept adjusted for accurate throw.

· We will list and report all irrigation system damage and inadequacies with the cost estimate of repair and/or replacement.

· Irrigation scheduling will be performed to encourage deep roots, including deep watering through use of multiple repeat cycles. Soil probing shall be used to determine soil moisture depth, overall moisture levels and the need to adjust irrigation schedules. Soils will be allowed to dry to a 50% moisture depletion level between irrigation times in order to avoid root-rot and allow adequate air to be present in the soil.

· Irrigation scheduling will be coordinated with all other maintenance activities, including mowing, aeration and fertilization.

chemical management program

· We have developed a chemical application program which allows us to reduce if not eliminate the presence of weeds, fungus, pests and disease.  We follow a strict application calendar and inspect all plant material on a regular basis; catching damaging pests and disease before outbreak.

· We provide a weed-free landscaped area of total grounds. This is accomplished with the use of pre-emergent and post-emergent chemicals.  Pre-emergent is applied quarterly, and Post-emergent is applied as necessary.

· In accordance to state laws, clients will be made aware of any chemical application and safety precautions prior to treatment.  All chemicals that we use are applied at the lowest rates possible for effectiveness by well trained personnel.

· Fertilizers will be applied to the entire landscape to improve plant health and vigor.  Application of nitrogen and iron-rich fertilizers to turf areas moderate growth and keep water needs down while maintaining the dark green color.