Author Archives: Larry

Landscape Design

Landscape Design and Remodeling Part 2

Posted on by Larry

Part two of a two part series explores landscape remodeling.

Landscape Remodeling The Elements You’ll Need

Landscape Design to Fit Your Taste | (928) 356-8167
Landscape Design to Fit Your Taste | (928) 356-8167

Principles of landscape design include a fair amount of synergy, and knowing what works as well as what doesn’t.  What makes a memorable landscape is the little touches.  A garden can be made beautiful with the help of grass, wood, flowers, rocks, ponds, and fountains. If you want to make your garden more natural, you should go for fewer rocks and more plants. However, if you do not want to spend a lot of money and time on maintenance, then you should go for hardscape or rock gardens.. Whatever you choose,wen it works it really works, and when it doesn’t well, it is more infamous than great.

The Disneyland Hotel is a prime example of this.  When the Disneyland Hotel went through landscape remodeling because the park expanded, it took away a lot of the charm, leaving a lot of fans of the place disillusioned.  You obviously don’t want your own landscape remodeling to illicit a similar response.  To be fair, you’re also most not dealing with 10 acres, but still the principles are applicable even for a smaller property.

What is Your Style: Know This Before You Get Landscape Design

Your taste should always be considered when you’re consulting with a landscape design service.  If you love the cultures of Asia, then an Old West motif would not fit your needs.  Or if you love desert landscape, then an English country garden wouldn’t be right either.  Whatever your design, make sure you have accessibility in mind too.

Accessibility includes things that link elements of your landscape remodeling project together such as pathways, and elements that serve as a bridge.

So, start getting an idea in your mind of what you want to see.  Then get on the phone to a landscape design service to make it all come alive for you.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
http://www.greenservpro.com

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Design, Landscape Design

Landscape Design and Remodeling Part 1

Posted on by Larry

Landscape design is another strategy for successfully remodeling your home.  And it helps in surprising ways…

Why You Should Get Landscape Design

Landscape Design in Prescott, AZ
Landscape Design in Prescott, AZ | Call Us Today | (928) 356-8167

When most people think of remodeling, they concentrate their efforts on the inside of their home, however, your home is not just the rooms you have, it is also the landscaping around your home as well. Landscape remodeling is a strategy that’s often neglected or forgotten about.

Are you thinking of bringing life to your dull lawns? Do you dream of entertaining your friends in your stunning home garden? Instead of keeping on renovating the interior of your home, why not try something different; improve the landscape of your house. Having a beautiful pool, beautiful flowers, and probably a fountain can prove to be much more than just inviting for your visitors; it can also be used as a relaxing lawn for you to run away from your worries. There are several ways by which you can remodel your landscape. But should you do it yourself, or call in a service to do it for you?

Save Time and Trouble: Hire a Landscape Design Service

Even though you can do it by yourself, it is recommended that you let an expert landscape design company do the work for you and bring your dreams to reality. A general idea: After you have decided that you want to improve the landscape of your home, the first thing that you need is to prepare a layout or a rough sketch.

In the rough sketch you should at least try to make a general outline of how you would want your lawn to look like. In the layout you can separate areas such as ponds, dining spaces, sitting area, fountains etc. When preparing the sketch, you have to be creative. You can also use the internet to look for more ideas. You can proceed to the next stage only if you are satisfied with the rough layout for your landscape design.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
http://www.greenservpro.com

Prescott Landscape Maintenance

Landscape Design and Your Home

Posted on by Larry

Landscape design is more than just putting some roses in and deciding whether to plant azaleas or not…

Landscape Design and Your Home

Landscape Design-Prescott | 480-420-0902
Landscape Design-Prescott | 480-420-0902

First off, what is landscape design?  Well, according to this excerpt from Wikipedia, Landscape design focuses on both the integrated master landscape planning of a property and the specific garden design of landscape elements and plants within it. The practical, aesthetic, horticultural, and environmental sustainability components merit Landscape design inclusion. It is often divided into hardscape design and softscape design. Landscape designers often collaborate with related disciplines such as architecture and geography, soils and civil engineering, surveying, landscape contracting, botany, and artisan specialties. Design project focus can tend towards: in landscape design – artistic composition and artisanship, horticultural finesse and expertise, and a detailed site involvement emphasis from concepts through construction; whereas in landscape architecture – focus of urban planning, city and regional parks, civic and corporate landscapes, large scale interdisciplinary projects, and delegation to contractors after completing designs. There can be significant overlap of talents and skills, depending on the education, licensing, and experience of the professional. Both landscape designers and landscape architects practice landscape design [READ MORE]

Landscape remodeling is another form of this, as it takes existing elements and either replaces them or puts in features to complement them.  All forms of landscape design are basically a bridge between architecture and designing garden space.  Psychologically garden space is very valuable.

Landscape Design and Stress Reduction

An old saying is that a “thing of beauty is a joy forever.”  Landscape design is a proven way of relieving stress, by giving you something positive and beautiful to look at.  Can landscaping really make that much difference?  Well, people with high morale have a proven lower stress ratio.  And pride in your home or property is a great way of achieving morale.

So, keep your home clean, and redecorate when you can afford it.  And one of the best ways that you can redecorate is to get landscape design services done.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
http://www.greenservpro.com

Irrigation and Sprinkler Service

Sprinkler Repair

Posted on by Larry

Sprinkler repair helps to repair a sophisticated pressure system:  your sprinkler.  You want to keep your sprinklers in good condition for a lot of reasons.

Sprinkler System Repair and your HOA

Sprinkler Repair in Prescott | 480-420-0902
Sprinkler Repair in Prescott | 480-420-0902

If you need to repair your sprinkler, it’s never a good idea to wait.  Why?  Well, for one, your Homeowner’s Association may decide to fine you.  Homeowner’s associations are usually in place to keep property values up, even though sometimes they fail miserably.

Regardless, if you are violation of the agreement that you signed when you purchased the home, such as a sprinkler in need of repair, you could face fines of up to $500.  In addition to the HOA, you may find that you are also in trouble with the city in terms of damages, and an inordinately high water bill next month.  So sprinkler repair is not a “I’ll get around to fixing it problem.”  There is another set of reasons you want to fix it as quickly as  you can.

Sprinkler Repair and Property Damage

Water can damage untreated concrete, as well as decking and patio furniture.  It also can ruin plants that are sensitive to too much water, such as cacti or succulents.  So the cost to repair your sprinkler in Prescott may be actually cheaper than replacing your plants, decking or concrete.

Water that is left standing also acts as a perfect magnet for termites, which obviously you do not want eating away at the foundations of your  home.  Water puddles also are breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and also draw cockroaches and other pests including rats and pigeons.  So, every time you turn on the sprinkler, you’ll get a yard fountain as well as flooding on your property.  Too much water can also kill your lawn, and leave you with a mud bog instead.  All of this can come from a broken sprinkler.

So as you see, leaving problems for a better time is rarely a good idea.  And doing sprinkler repair should be towards the top of your list.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167

Lawn Care

Lawn Care

Posted on by Larry

Lawn care is about knowing what not to do as well as what to do.  Why?  Well, you could end up ruining your lawn…

Lawn Care: What Not To Do

Get Lawn Care in Prescott | (928) 356-8167
Get Lawn Care in Prescott | (928) 356-8167

First thing you should never do where good lawn care is concerned is to over-fertilize.  Read the instructions on your fertilizer carefully.  Too much fertilizer, particularly chemical fertilizers can burn your lawn, killing the grass.   You also need to be aware of when and when not to fertilize your lawn.  You never want to fertilize a lawn that has just been watered for example, as it can also lead to chemical burns.

As to when to fertilize your lawn, it depends on the species.  If you have a Kentucky bluegrass, fescue or perennial ryegrass, you usually have to fertilize four times a year, twice in the spring, and twice in the fall, never in the summer.  The combination of the higher temperatures and the chemicals present in the fertilizer can lead to burning.  You also want to make sure that you water correctly as well as fertilize.

Lawn Care What to Do

Smart lawn care includes watering.  Always make sure you water your lawn and give it the appropriate amount of water for the type of grass you have.  Grass from cooler climates need more water in Arizona than warmer temperature grasses like Bermuda grass.  The heat of the summer can bake moisture out of your lawn, so remember to water in the evening after the sun’s gone down or in the very early morning before sunup.    This will help to keep the moisture on the lawn longer, and stop evaporation.  Besides watering and fertilizing, know how often you should mow your lawn.

A good rule of thumb is every ten days.  When you are mowing your lawn, make sure that you don’t cut your grass too short to avoid damaging the plants.  Make sure you carefully weed your lawn too.  While some garden ‘experts’ advocate simply mowing your weeds down along with your grass.  As a professional lawn care service in Prescott, we generally don’t advocate this strategy as by mowing the weeds, you can also disperse their seeds and spread the weeds to other part of your lawn.

Hopefully this post has cleared up some common misconceptions about how to take care of your lawn.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
http://www.greenservpro.com

 

Lawn

Lawn Care and Fertilizing Your Lawn

Posted on by Larry

Fertilizing your lawn is one key component of lawn care.  The right type of fertilizer can work wonders.  The wrong type can burn your lawn.  How can you tell which is which?

High Percentage Nitrogen Fertilizer:   Good Lawn Maintenance?

Lawn Care in Prescott, AZ | (928) 356-8167
Lawn Care in Prescott, AZ | (928) 356-8167

A lot of people jump to the conclusion that it is better to use a lawn fertilizer with a 10-10-10 ratio as part of good lawn maintenance. Nitrogen fertilizer with a high percentage isn’t a bad idea in and of itself, however.  It is how much you use, and how much you put down.

Assuming the amount you put down on the lawn is adjusted accordingly, the  higher the nitrogen percentage , the less you’ll need. In addition, with controlled-release fertilizer, even though the percentage nitrogen in the product may be high, the risk of burning the lawn is low.  Fast release nitrogen fertilizers, on the other hand often contain high levels of salt and can easily burn your lawn.  Maintaining your lawn properly is all about following instructions or calling a professional lawn care service in.    And what about organic fertilizer?

Organic Fertilizer and Lawn Care

Regardless of whether a fertilizer is organic or chemical based it must be able to be converted into a form that the grass can use.  Organic fertilizers lower the chance of burning grass. However,  many organic nitrogen fertilizers have a low nitrogen percentage, meaning you’ll need to use more.   Some materials, like compost, are not fertilizers as such, they’re soil conditioners.

Both organic and some synthetic fertilizer sources require microbes in the soil to break them down.   So if it is too cold outside, the fertilizers will not work effectively.  Inversely, if it is too hot you could burn your lawn.  As you see there is a lot to consider when you do lawn care.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
CONTACT US

Landscape Remodel, Landscape Remodeling

Landscape Remodeling: Reasons Why You Should Do It Part 2

Posted on by Larry

You may need a landscape remodel, particularly if your property is looking run down.  Why?  Well, for one, it’s about the impression that you make.

Time For a New Look:  Call For a Landscape Remodel

Landscape Remodeling |
Call Us Today | (928) 356-8167

There are a lot of popular home and garden makeover shows on cable.  Why is that?  Because people want their homes to reflect their true personalities.  If your property needs a landscape remodel, however, it is because your property doesn’t reflect the real you.  Are you a run down person?  Of course you aren’t! So why shouldn’t your lawn and garden reflect you as well?  You’re a beautiful person, and kept up, so your garden should be too.

Landscape remodeling can give your property a brand new look, and usually with some very simple changes.  Installing a water garden with water lilies gives a wonderful cooling effect to your home, while calling to mind exotic and peaceful places throughout the world.   Maybe, though, you came to Arizona and fell in love with the desert.

 

Landscape Remodeling:  It’s All About You

Landscape remodeling takes the dreams that you have for your home, and makes them become a reality.  If you love the desert, maybe desert landscaping better fits what you want.  Whatever your taste, the right service can help you get your property looking the way you want it to.  And there are other reasons why you should.

Not only does a landscape remodel make your home look better, it is one less thing that can cause you stress.  In fact, property that has had landscape remodeling done can be relaxing, because you have created a pleasant environment both for yourself and your family.

So, let’s see, better reflection of who you are, less stress, beautiful environment.  that pretty much covers all of it.  So what are you waiting for?  Call for a landscape remodel today.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
CONTACT US

 

 

Landscape Design

Landscape Remodeling: Reasons Why You Should Do It Part 1

Posted on by Larry

You may be wondering why you need to think about remodeling your landscape.  Well first off, let’s get into aesthetics.

Landscape Remodeling and Your Homeowner’s Association

Need landscape remodeling?
Give Us a Call
(928) 356-8167

Like them or hate them, HOAs are a part of a lot of major cities.  A lot of the time, they require you to keep up your property.  Simple landscaping may not be enough.  Let’s say you have two ficus trees in your front yard.  Ficus trees can be good shade trees, but did you know however, that if they’re exposed to freezing temperatures, the leaves as well as the branches can die off?  Some growth may come back, but it is usually at the bottom, and you’re stuck with a tree that is largely dead.  The other ficus tree is doing alright, however, but now your yard’s overall design is out of balance.  Or maybe all of  your plants are doing well.

Too well in fact.  Your bougainvillea is tangling with your Japanese honeysuckle,  and your roses are growing together into a giant rose mass.  Landscape remodeling helps to solve problems such as these.  However, sometimes it isn’t your plants that need the attention. Sometimes, you may find that other parts of your yard need such work.

Landscape Remodeling  and Garden Types

Your house is hot and uncomfortable during the summer unless you set your air conditioning really low, which makes your cooling bill go through the roof.  The problem seems even worse at night, and you can’t figure out why.  You have tinted windows,  any southern exposures are shaded by your patio, your insulation is fairly new, and you have both reflective blinds and insulated drapes.  The problem may not be with your home, it may be that you need to remodel your landscape.

For example, desert pavement reflects heat back up.  Desert pavement is hardened clay soil, gravel, and rocks.  And guess what the desert landscaping in your front yard is?  That’s right, desert pavement. It may be a good idea to have a landscape remodeling service come in and totally redo your landscape to one more conducive to cooler temperatures such as a lawn or traditional green space.

Your landscape is part of your home and property.  However, if you’re tired of, it may be time for a change.  Call a landscape remodeling service today.

If you need a landscape remodel, give GreenServ Pro a call today.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
http://www.greenservpro.com

 

Sprinkler Repair

Sprinkler System Repair and your HOA

Posted on by Larry

There is another reason to get sprinkler system repair, and we’ll give you a clue:  you probably send them a check every month.  That’s right your Homeowner’s Association.

Sprinkler System Repair Keeps You Out of Trouble

Get Sprinkler Repair Today | Call Us | (928) 356-8167
Get Sprinkler Repair Today | Call Us | (928) 356-8167

Love them or hate them, homeowner’s associations are all over the US.  One of the rules that many HOAs universally seem to have is upkeep of your property.  If you have a broken sprinkler, it may be tempting to just let it slide a while.  That is until you get that lovely note from your HOA in your mailbox, and you start down a slippery slope.
Why?  Well, a broken sprinkler system floods, and usually floods places that are  the most vulnerable, the most likely to make a mess, and the places most likely to be visible, in this case, your front yard.  A couple of times, your homeowner’s association won’t notice, but if mud starts building up, or your neighbors complain, you could find yourself facing the board, and having to fix the problem on their terms, which are usually more expensive.

Calling a Sprinkler Repair Service Helps to Save Time and Money

Calling in a sprinkler repair service should be your first step, once you’ve detected the damage.  Why?  Well, unless you know full well what you’re doing, you could end up making the problem worse.  Let’s say it’s a busted sprinkler head.  You say, “I’ve got this.”  So you go to the home improvement store closest to you and find the sprinkler system aisle.  And then your eyes glaze at the bewildering number of sprinkler heads.  You pull out the broken head and try to match it, and finally call over a helpful hardware clerk.  He leads you to the right spot, and there is a nice cardboard hopper that’s empty.  He checks the part and tells you it’s on back order, and he can get it for you…in 6-8 weeks.

In that time, you will have most likely gotten a second notice from your HOA to fix the problem, or face legal action.  You could also make the problem worse in another way, by putting the head on wrong, or accidentally tripping a valve.  Then instead of one yard fountain, you have a dozen.  Avoid these scenarios by calling a sprinkler repair service in Prescott.

Green ServPro is a Prescott based service specializing in sprinkler repair, outdoor lighting, lawn care, and landscape design.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
http://www.greenservpro.com

Irrigation and Sprinkler Service

Sprinklers and Irrigation System Repair

Posted on by Larry

When you need to fix your sprinkler, it is good to know what type of sprinkler you have. There are several types of sprinklers out there.

Know Your Sprinkler for Sprinkler Repair

Sprinkler system repair in Prescott
Sprinkler System repair | Call Us Today | (928) 356-8167

When it’s working, and doesn’t need sprinkler repair, a lawn sprinkler system uniformly waters your lawn,and work on both flat areas and sloped lawns.  The type of sprinkler head you have is usually determined by how much space you have to cover.  A sprinkler designed for a golf course is more powerful, as it has much more lawn to cover, obviously.  Usually the ones that are on people’s lawns usually pop up for a quick early morning or evening spray, then they retract. A drip irrigation system is usually something different.  It is a water-saving device that is used often to water bedding plants like flowers or shrubs.

Like a lot of products, there are sprinklers that are very elaborate, and some that are quite simple.  All of them however, have a network of underground pipes and valves, as well as the sprinkler heads themselves. On more sophisticated sprinkler systems is an automatic timer, allowing you to water your lawn when it works the best.  A good sprinkler repair service can fix your system, regardless of how complex it is.

Common Causes of Sprinkler System Failure

Sprinkler systems are nothing more than a network of pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads.  As a rule they should be low maintenance, however, the water that is in the pipes is under pressure.  Sprinkler heads have gotten better than they used to be, when they were made of PVC or other types of plastic.  Plastic sprinkler heads work well in other parts of the country, but they don’t work well in Arizona as they become brittle with the heat and can snap off, sending up a fountain.  Valves also can rust shut or jam.  When that or any other sprinkler problem happens, you want to call in a sprinkler repair service in Prescott.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
http://www.greenservpro.com