Landscape Management is the profession that designs, builds and maintains outdoor and indoor environments. It could involve installing and maintaining lighting on your property. Landscape management would cover irrigation and water effects as well. This term is as broad as your landscape allows it to be.
On a property with nothing more than a home and a lawn, landscape management can be a highly specific task, encompassing the use of a particular flower to ward away insects. It can be as detailed as needed for the health and beauty of the landscape.
Landscape management can be much greater in scope with a landscape of cascading waterfalls, lighting and various trees, flowers, and plants. Landscape management on this property would cover all of those elements.
*Soil and soil structure are a key aspect in landscape management. In this featured blog below, from the Chapel Valley website, the soil is broken down ‘in-depth’.
Commercial Landscaping Pros Breakdown Soil Tilth, Texture and Structure Basics
Commercial landscaping includes analyzing soil texture, structure, and tilth. Although people often use texture and structure interchangeably, in landscaping, they mean different things. As such, it is best for business owners to have a general understanding of what those differences are and how they impact a landscaper’s decisions. We’ve listed a brief overview of all three concepts in today’s post:
Texture vs. Structure
Texture refers to the various materials used to make up soil and their respective percentages whereas structure does not. It is used to explain the order in which those materials appear in the soil and can be hard to change for obvious reasons. For example, let’s say that the soil has a top layer that is 75% sand and 25% of miscellaneous materials, followed by a thick layer of loam. The area’s texture would typically be classified as sandy loam. From a structural viewpoint, the sand layer would be listed first because of its order. The miscellaneous materials and loam would logically follow.
Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern Soils
Each area or region has its own, inherent terrain. Consequently, soil texture and structure vary throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern portions of the United States. Maryland, Georgia, and Virginia have their fair share of clay. However, it is also common to find loam, sand, muck, gravel, silt, and stone. With that said, the exact texture and structure of a given area’s soil is often determined by commercial landscapers through manual, laboratory, or soil survey means.
A Tiny Peek at Tilth
As for tilth, it is used to describe the soil’s ability to permit plant growth as well as the ease of manual or mechanical manipulation. Despite being classified as a separate component for analysis, the soil’s tilth is dependent on its texture, structure, and regional weather patterns. So in other words, all three concepts are interrelated and should, therefore, be treated as such.
What Role Do They Play?
When making commercial landscaping decisions, professionals will look at the three factors we covered in today’s post. Afterward, they’ll adjust the soil’s texture in ways that best benefit the area’s vegetation. For example, soil that has large amounts of sand may need to be amended with materials that will keep fertilizers and water from dissipating too quickly. Other areas may require the addition of plant-based compost or gravel.
To speak with an expert in soil tilth, texture, and structure, please contact the Chapel Valley Landscape Company. We have been in the commercial landscaping business since the 1960s and are intimately familiar with all three concepts as well as their impact on our service areas’ growing seasons.
*Landscape management can be a very broad term, but the process can get very specific as you will see in this blog below.
Organic plant health care
Organic gardening has numerous benefits that you should seriously consider if you are planning to plant a garden this season. Whether you want to simply use a patch of land in your backyard or want to install a master garden that is environmentally sound, you can decide for yourself how to go about it or obtain the help of a professional garden designer and architect.
Transforming a dead area of your yard or rooftop into something healthy that is also spectacular to look at with lots of colors is a dream come true. There is such a large variety available of landscape designs incorporating shrubs, trees, foliage, flowers, ornamental plants, fruits and vegetables that you can create something magnificent and totally your own individual choices as to contents.
Organic gardening continues to gain popularity as more people realize the benefits that minimize the environmental impact. It is the art and science of soil building, growing, conservation, and pest management. For example, everyone wants the food served to their families to be safe and healthy. Growing organically is a way of taking control so that the foods you serve are full of good things and free of bad things.
Don’t be the person down the street who uses chemical fertilizers on the garden and lawn, sprays pesticides, uses way too much water, and does other applications with the thought that they are the right things to do. They are not.
Upgrading your soil quality, applying compost that you’ve possibly made yourself, and utilizing sustainable gardening practices will yield vigorous growth and bountiful harvests that will be the envy of the neighborhood. In addition, you will have peace of mind because your soil will improve naturally and you have also removed known carcinogens and other dangerous ingredients from the environment and from the yard where your children and pets play. Organic lawn care is safer for your family because you will no longer have a lawn full of poisonous sprays and harmful chemicals mixed in with the soil.
Try your hand at organic gardening if you want a hobby that will provide fantastic and enjoyable results. Follow the way our great grandparents enjoyed their garden and the way people raised food for thousands of years.
*Water management techniques are a significant aspect of landscape management. See how saving rainwater benefitted this property in Arlington, Va.
Water Management with Rain Barrels
Spring is here and we are all watering our laws and plants. That means higher water bills, or does it? Watering plants do not automatically mean higher water bills if you use some water management techniques.
Rain barrels are a great way to integrate water management into your landscaping. Rain barrels can be free standing to catch a few inches of rainwater at a time or can be hooked to your gutter downspout to catch gallons of rain at a time.
There are many types of rain barrels that range in price from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars.
You can find a rain barrel that easily fits in your landscape, or just contact us and we will help you find the perfect barrel. We would suggest a rain barrel that captures at least 40 gallons at a time. Why so big? Well, one inch of rainfall typically generates about 600 gallons of runoff. So, a 40-gallon rain barrel at each downspout will capture plenty of water.
The rainwater you collect is safe to water all your plants. It is free from the typical minerals and chemicals found in municipal water. You can even use it to wash your car or truck.
You can elevate the barrel so you can use a hose, or you can use a watering can and carry the water a short distance. We suggest you let us create a platform for your rain barrel that makes it seem part of your landscape. Then, you can use a hose and let gravity water your plants.
So, before your water bill is higher this summer, let us help you manage your water with rain barrels that fit great into your landscaping. Or better yet, let us landscape around your rain barrel so it won’t even be noticed.
*This blog below writes about two interesting aspects of landscape management. Both help maintains a healthy lawn. The importance of both is discussed as well.
Aeration and Overseeding
Aeration and Overseeding are two of the most important practices that can be done to maintain a healthy lawn. Aeration is performed to solve two problems: soil compaction and thatch.
Lawns naturally have compacted soil, and when it’s loosened, the roots can plunge deeper into the ground to find vital water resources; this essential during times of stress. Thatch is the buildup of dead grass material that lies between the zone of green vegetation and the soil surface; it accumulates when the turf produces organic debris faster than it can be broken down.
By eliminating excessive thatch, the turf will be less vulnerable to pests and disease.
Overseeding is performed with aeration to fill in bare areas of the turf and to thicken existing turf. Excessive foot traffic, pet waste, environmental factors, heat, and lack of water are all factors that lead to the breakdown of grass. When this happens, your grass has hit its peak and needs to be replenished. When overseeding is performed, at least 6 types of turf type should be used.
By doing this, the lawn has a better chance of resisting disease. Overseeding and aerating will also fight unwanted weeds such as crabgrass, nutsedge, and broadleaf. By having a lush lawn, the weeds have less of a chance to grow.
*As previously mentioned, landscape maintenance makes up a large part of landscape management. See how specific tasks can truly benefit your property.
Commercial Landscape Maintenance in GA, VA, and MD: Thatch Happens
Whether you do business in the Southeast or Mid-Atlantic, one thing is certain. Thatch happens. It is a complicated mixture of lignin, hemicelluloses, and cellulose that sits on top of the soil’s surface, blocking a number of things from getting below ground to the plant’s root system. Sometimes it’s blocking quality is beneficial, like during droughts because it helps the soil retain moisture. Other times it’s harmful, like when the roots are desperately in need of fertilization. Consequently, thatch management is an integral part of commercial landscape maintenance.
How do commercial landscaping maintenance crews manage thatch? They start by addressing conditions that often lead to their build-up. For example, the aggressive application of fungicides, pesticides, water, and nitrogen-rich fertilizers will generally contribute to thatch creation. Soil that is acidic, compact, rich in clay, and devoid of microorganisms will add to the problem too as will improper mowing. There are various ways to address these problems. They include, but are not restricted to the following:
- Closely Monitoring Lawn Care Tasks (e.g. irrigation and pesticide application)
- Frequent Soil Testing and Amending (e.g. add lime and earthworms)
- Planting Thatch-Resistant Cultivars
- Routine Core Aeration and Thatch Removal
Thatch removal typically takes place every time the build-up exceeds one inch with some exceptions. The exceptions are during over-seeding when the air temperatures are high, and the turfgrass is under stress or already damaged. If the conditions are right, it is generally performed with thatch rakes and vertical mowers. It should also be mentioned that oftentimes, some thatch is left, especially in the summer months. This is done to protect the turf from drought, pests, and disease.
To learn more about thatch and what commercial landscaping maintenance crews do about it at different times of the year, please contact us at the Chapel Valley Landscape Company. Thatch removal and the other management tasks mentioned are all a part of our commercial landscaping company’s service plans.
*This blog from the Chapel Valley website looks at the commercial side of this critical aspect of landscape management: Irrigation Maintenance.
Maintain Your Landscape Stress-free with Commercial Irrigation Maintenance
With the commercial space you maintain, you want to make sure the landscape looks good at all times. To accomplish this, you need to invest in routine commercial irrigation maintenance, which guarantees that all of the plants, trees, and grass on your property get the water they need to grow and be healthy.
When you get maintenance on a regular basis, you do not have to worry about stress.
Keep Sprinkler Heads Operating Optimally
Sprinkler heads can get pushed out of their ideal position by wild animals, people, or the environment, and moving them back into position is important to distribute water correctly.
Make Seasonal Adjustments
As seasons change, so do the watering requirements. For instance, when the upcoming season has a lot more rain, you might not need to rely on irrigation as much to maintain a healthy landscape.
It mainly involves adjustments to sprinkler heads, timers, and the amount of watering.
Provide Thorough Reports
When you get professional maintenance, you should receive thorough reports for each visit. It is vital to know exactly what you are spending money on in regard to maintenance and repairs.
Make Necessary Repairs
It is not uncommon for sprinkler heads to break, which brings proper watering to a halt. Irrigation maintenance services will ensure these sprinkler heads get replaced.
Fortunately, most irrigation systems do not require a lot of repairs, so there is no need to stress about repairs, especially when you are getting routine maintenance to keep everything in working condition.
Contact us if you are interested in receiving our services.
Landscape management is comprised of irrigation and all of its installation and maintenance needs. Landscape management involves landscape lighting, its installation, and all of its needs as well. It involves planting, watering, fertilizing, mulching, and maintaining all grass, flowers, plants, and trees.
Hopefully, this featured blog sheds light upon the wide scope of aspects that landscape maintenance involves. Also, we hope you have seen how specific landscape management can be. Basically, if it involves your landscape, it involves landscape management.