What It Means to Manage a Landscape

A landscaper is a company that not just designs and installs landscaping for residential and commercial properties, but one that goes beyond just maintenance to management of the landscape design.  They follow strict guidelines so you can have peace of mind:

Mowing

Mowing frequency is customized based on the different growth rates of the seasons.  Certain grasses will be mowed more than others: for example, St. Augustine turf will be cut up to 44 times per year and Bahia turf will be cut up to 21 times per year.

Rotary mowers will be used and the blades will be kept sharp and maintained so grass is not torn.  Height of grass will be determined for optimal health of lawn.

Mowing patterns will ensure an even distribution of clippings for appearance and protection, and clippings will remain on turf to restore nutrients for a healthy lawn.

Edging and Trimming

Plant beds, curbs, roadways, driveways, trees, and buildings will be neatly edged and trimmed to maintain a desirable shape.

After edging and trimming, walkways and patios will be cleared to maintain a clean, well-groomed appearance.

Edging and trimming will coincide with mowing and areas inaccessible to mowers will be maintained with other equipment.

All debris created by our company will be promptly removed.

Fertilization and Control of Weeds, Insects, and Disease

Various percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium will be determined based on different seasons and environmental conditions.  St. Augustine turf will be fertilized four times per year.

Soil tests will be performed once per year to evaluate pH and nutrient content.

It is the sole responsibility of our company to treat for insects, disease, or weeds.

All state and federal regulations will be strictly followed when applying pesticide or herbicide products.  These treatments will be performed by trained technicians only.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Here's the Scoop on St. Augustine Lawn Maintenance

In this blog post we are going to cover one of the most commonly seen varieties of grass used in Florida lawns, St. Augustine, also known as Carpet, Wire, Buffalo, or Charleston grass.  St. Augustine is used primarily in tropical and subtropical areas and usually requires a sprinkler system.  Because St. Augustine turf is very thick and dense, it crowds out weeds and other unwanted grasses.  It has a lovely dark green uniform color year round as long as its maintenance needs are fully met.

Fun facts about St. Augustine grass include:

• It has been used for lawns in Florida since the 1890s.
• It is native to the Gulf of Mexico and Mediterranean regions.
• It has a high level of salt tolerance for beach landscaping. 
• A new variety was developed in 2008 that is resistant to chinch bugs.
• It grows only in coastal regions.
• Propagation is by plug, sod, or stolon - seed propagation was only recently made possible.

The best way to describe a St. Augustine lawn is that it is like a carpet in its thickness, spreading and growing its runners of grass so that nothing else can penetrate it.  This species of grass performs well in many soil conditions with consistent fertilization and attention to its moisture needs.  We will not only install and maintain your St. Augustine lawn, but we also understand the watering necessary to maintain it.

Alternatively, if you would prefer a softer lawn that is similar to the ones found in Northern climates or on golf courses, you may want to learn more about zoysia grass. 

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Zoysia Grass for Soft, Fine Florida Lawns

Did you think lush, soft lawns in Florida were only to be found at golf courses?  Or even worse, did you think you had to give up a fine textured lawn when you moved to the sunny, warm Florida climate? Fortunately more and more of our customers are discovering the beauty of zoysia grass, a variety of turf that was introduced in the United States in 1900 from Korea.  

Zoysia is often seen used on golf courses where a dense, low-cut turf is desired.  It does go dormant in winter though, so you cannot expect a full year of bright green grass as you can with St. Augustine lawns.  But if St. Augustine grass seems too rough and heavy to you, consider zoysia.  It requires about the same level of care and watering but you can walk barefoot in zoysia and it feels lovely.  

Once established, zoysia holds its own against weeds and other grasses. When watering, the rules are consistent: water in early morning and water deeply, wetting the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Generally zoysia does not have many insect, disease, or thatch problems if properly maintained.  

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

What is the easiest lawn to maintain in Florida?

"Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises." - Pedro Calderon de la Barca

Here in the northern coastal region of the Sunshine State you see a few main types of turf for commercial and residential lawns: Bahia, Zoysia, Bermuda, or St. Augustine. There are too many pros and cons to count for each variety, but there is an easy answer to the question posed: What is the easiest lawn or grass to maintain in Florida?

The answer is: One that is maintained by a professional.

Having a beautiful, healthy lawn is a challenge in Florida any time of the year. It is advisable to have a landscape expert install and maintain your lawn and irrigation system for the best possible outcome, month after month and year after year. Landscaping pros offer truly full service when it comes to creating and caring for a beautiful Florida landscape. 

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚