Desert Landscape, Design, Home and Garden, Landscape Design, Landscape Design, Landscape Design, Uncategorized

Landscape Design Part 1: Desert Landscaping

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Larry

Landscape design is something that can be tailored to particular areas and climates, like the desert Southwest. This article from About.COM lists some plants that do very well in Arizona.

Desert Plants and Landscape Design

These desert plants are great choices for people who don’t want to spend lots of time working in the yard, but want a nice, colorful look in their desert garden.Keep in mind that all of these plants will thrive in the Phoenix area, but not in other parts of Arizona, where we have everything from low desert to high desert and even sub-alpine conditions.

Bougainvillea (at left)
Oleander
Texas Sage / Purple Sage
Lantana
Pampas Grass
Fairy Duster

To read more about using desert plants in your landscape design, please visit http://phoenix.about.com/od/desertplantsandflowers/a/desertplants.htm

Landscape Design in Arizona

Arizona is a diverse environment for landscape design. The plants that grow here reflect this bio-diversity. A bougainvillea would do well down here, but not as well in the White Mountains or the northern end of the state. Another thing to consider is placement with a bougainvillea. They do well where they can get a lot of sunshine. They are also very drought tolerant, but will grow quickly when watered. While there are several varieties of bougainvillea , the variety with the magenta colored leaves does the best as it is incredibly hardy. In addition to their hardiness, they are also surprisingly versatile. You can let them grow into a bush, let them be vines, or even be ground cover to keep weeds out. Be warned however, that if you let them grow wild, you will need to trim them.

Principles of Landscape Design

Landscaping design operates under various principles, and one of them is how adaptable a plant is to a desert environment. A professional company would be capable of guiding you on plant selection, placement and many other tips to improve your home’s yard.

Green ServPro is a landscape design company based in Arizona.

Landscape Design Part 1: Desert Landscaping
Landscape Design Part 2: Tropical and Sub-Tropical Landscaping
Landscape Design Part 3: Rock Gardens

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

Uncategorized

Sprinkler Repair and The Dreaded Yard Fountain

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Larry

Sprinkler repair is a good strategy to follow from winter to spring. During winter your plants need less water, and go dormant. You can check out your sprinklers to see if there is any damage to the heads or pipes simply by turning them on.

Look for the Yard Fountain: A Sign that you Need Sprinkler Repair

Sprinklers that need sprinkler repair are fairly obvious. You either have a pool of water that starts to well up at the surface when you turn on the sprinkler, or even worse, the dreaded lawn fountain. When we refer to a lawn fountain, we’re not referring to something made of terra cotta, or resin. We’re talking about a gusher of water that springs up, usually someplace that you do not want water to be as a rule.

What Causes Sprinklers to Need Sprinkler Repair

Any sprinkler system uses some form of pressurized water to spray from retractable nozzles. When they work right, these nozzles deliver a fine spray of water that nourishes both the roots and the leaf structures above ground. An irrigation system in need of sprinkler repair, however, either dribbles, or fountains up, completely out of control. Sometimes it can even flood into the street, and if you live anywhere with a homeowner’s association, then you end up on their bad side too. Sprinkler systems are usually a combination of metal and plastic pipes and nozzles. Like any link in a chained system, when one thing goes, it can impact the entire system.

Sprinklers are not too complex as a rule. Even ones set on a timer or that are fairly high-tech operate under the same principles as the simplest ones. However, whether they are complicated or simple, a sprinkler like all devices will sooner need sprinkler repair.
-Christy
Christy Snyder is an expert on sprinklers and is the owner and operator of Green ServPro, a chandler-based landscape service company.

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

Lawn, Lawn Care, Lawn Maintenance

Lawn Maintenance Tips Part 1

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Larry

Lawn maintenance is made up of three procedures that interconnect: seeding, fertilizing, and watering. In this three part article series, we will explore seeding.

According to this article from Wikipedia:

Early autumn, spring, and early summer are the primary seasons to seed, lay sod, plant ‘liners’, or ‘sprig’ new lawns, when the soil is warmer and air cooler. Seeding is the least expensive, but takes longer for the lawn to establish; deeper rooting, though, can make for a more durable lawn. Aerating just before planting/seeding will promote deeper root growth and will help thicken turf. To read more of this article, please visit the source article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawn. Seeding is just the first step of lawn maintenance.

The first thing to do when selecting grass seed for lawn maintenance is to pick the seed that works well in Arizona. Grass is broken down into two main categories: warm season and cool season. Cool season grasses do better in cooler climates, but they need a lot of water, or they’ll brown over in the summer. Warm season grasses are heat tolerant, however they brown over and go dormant in cooler temperatures. There are six types of grass seed used for lawns: Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, buffalo grass, perennial rye, Bermuda, and Zoysia.

Kentucky bluegrass does well in cooler seasons like Autumn and early spring, and is widely used in North America. It’s used for homes as well as parks and playing fields. Fescue is a category of grass seed, and there are usually three types: fine, tall, and turf type. Native to North America, buffalo grass matures well and makes a lawn that is both uniform and has very impressive tolerances for heat, drought, and cold. Used in the Southwestern United States for overseeding during cooler winter months, perennial rye grass makes a durable lawn that lasts well. Bermuda grass requires low water and is an excellent choice for Southern US states because they it hasa high tolerance for traffic. Zoysia grass is fine textured and forms a thick mat after it establishes itself, however, because of its slow growth rates, it can take up to three years for a zoysia lawn to be fully established. A lawn maintenance company would be able to determine which type of grass seed to plant.

Read Part 1 of this series
Read Part 2 of this series
Read Part 3 of this series

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

Home and Garden, Landscape Design, Landscaping, Uncategorized

Landscape Design on a Professional Level

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Larry

Landscape design mixes several elements. One of the most admired forms of landscape design is the classic Japanese garden.

Types of Landscape Design

This article excerpt from the Balboa Park Japanese Friendship Garden shows the many elements of sound landscape design:

The Japanese Friendship Garden is designed to present an atmosphere of elegant simplicity (shibui) and quiet beauty. Representing a new concept in the development of a Japanese garden outside of Japan, the design is guided by the original principles of the Japanese garden while incorporating elements of the regional landscape and climate. A garden is always in a state of change but the basic elements of trees, shrubs, rocks and water designed in natural balance create a peaceful, harmonious, and transcendental environment conducive to contemplation and meditation.

These are some of its elements

Entrance Plaza:

The Plaza welcomes visitors with its inviting space. It is open to the westerly winds and, symbolically, to Yokohama, San Diego’s sister city.

The Entrance Stone:

To the right of the Entry Gate, the Entrance Stone is inscribed with the kanji symbols of the Garden’s name, San-Kei-En. The Stone was a gift to the Garden from the San Diego-Yokohama Sister City Society.

To read more about the landscape design elements used in the Japanese Friendship Garden, and to see images of the garden, visit their site.

Landscape Design Services Create Your Perfect Garden

Some elements of landscape design are timeless and appropriate for a lot of environments. The simplicity of a Zen garden can work in the serene beauty of Kyoto and the sere desert of Arizona. Some elements however, won’t work in Arizona, particularly plants that require a more temperate or colder climate. When in doubt, contact a professional landscape design company.

Green ServPro is a Prescott, Arizona based landscape design company that has been in business since 2010

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

Home and Garden, Lawn, Lawn Care

Time for Lawn Maintenance?

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Larry

So, be honest here. It is time for lawn maintenance?

Looks like its time for lawn maintenance to us…

Green ServPro is a lawn maintenance company serving East Valley Cities like Gilbert, Tempe, Mesa, and Prescott.

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

Home and Garden, Irrigation and Sprinkler Service, Sprinkler Repair, Sprinklers

Get Sprinkler Repair for New Years

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Larry

Do you have a New Year’s resolution to fix things that are broken in your life, such as repairing your sprinkler? Sprinkler repair is often better than replacement for a couple of reasons.

Sprinkler Repair is Cheaper Than Replacement

Makes sense. Installing a new sprinkler system is expensive, a sprinkler repair is cheap.

Sprinkler Repair Reduces Your Water Bill

Sprinkler repair helps drop your water bill each month. Hey, that may fit into another New Year’s Resolution: be better with money next year.

Sprinkler Repair is Good for your Plants and Home

A sprinkler repair job helps to protect your plants from over-watering and the water sensitive areas of your property from flooding.

Green Servpro is a landscaping company in Prescott Arizona that offers sprinkler repair.

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

Lawn, Lawn Care

Lawn Maintenance and Property Values

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Larry

Is lawn maintenance part of property estimates? Not completely, however, it is one factor that is used to determine mean property values in an area. If an area has homes that are kept up and landscaped well, they are assessed at a much higher value than homes that are dilapidated and run down. First off, what part of your property is considered the lawn?

Your Lawn and Lawn Maintenance

A lawn is an area of aesthetic and recreational land planted with grasses or other durable plants and can be defined by four characteristics: It is composed only of grass species; it is subject to weed and pest control; it is subject to practices aimed at maintaining its green color; and it is regularly mowed to ensure an acceptable length.[1] Low ornamental meadows in natural landscaping styles are a contemporary option of a lawn. In recreational contexts, the specialised names turf, pitch, field or green may be used, depending on the sport and the continent. The term lawn, referring to a managed grass space, dates to no earlier than the 16th century. Tied to suburban expansion and the creation of the household aesthetic, the lawn is an important aspect of the interaction between the natural environment and the constructed urban and suburban space. To read more of this article, please click here. Whether in a large open city park or your own front yard, lawns require lawn maintenance.

Why People Prefer Lawns and Lawn Maintenance

Lawns add a bit of beauty to your home. While a lot of people try to save money by getting gravel and desert landscaping, such landscaping is not for everyone. There is actually another surprising reason to have a lawn as opposed to gravel. As they are a natural repository for moisture then can help to cool your home. Temperatures drop by 10 degrees off a lawn that has had proper lawn maintenance and watering done.

Lawn Maintenance and You

Some people can do their own lawn, particularly in a smaller space, however, it is often better to call in a company to help you with your lawn, as it can be a bit tricky without the proper seed and fertilizer. If you do need a lawn maintenance company, go with someone local.

Green ServPro is a Prescott-based landscaping and lawn maintenance company.

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, Sprinklers

Get Sprinkler Repair Before the Spring

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Larry

Christmas is Over, Get Sprinkler Repair in Time For Spring — Get a Gift For Your Home-Sprinkler Repair

Now that Christmas is over, have you thought about sprinkler repair? No? You should. Spring will be here before you know it.

Spring Temperatures and Sprinkler Repair

Arizona doesn’t have seasons, it has micro-seasons. So we are coming up on the first of the warmer micro seasons in Arizona, the Arizona spring. Warmer temperatures mean that plants start to grow. You’re going to need sprinkler repair to make sure your sprinklers are working correctly.

Sprinkler Repair Helps Your Plants to Get Watered Properly

If you haven’t looked at your sprinklers in a while, you may need sprinkler repair and fairly quickly. Spring in Arizona can start as early as late January during a warmer year. Too much water can rot the root networks of your plants, and too little water can starve your plants.

Get Sprinkler Repair on Your Terms, Not Your Sprinkler’s

A company that offers sprinkler repair can check out your sprinkler heads and pipes to make sure they’re working alright. You don’t want to look out your window and see a fountain of water unexpectedly pop up. If you fix it proactively, you will have one less thing to be worried about.

Spring is coming fast. Get sprinkler repair done today, and be prepared.

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

Design, Home and Garden, Landscape Design, Landscape Design, Landscape Design, Landscaping, Uncategorized

Who Hires a Landscape Designer

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Larry

Hire a Landscape Designer | (928) 356-8167

A landscape designer is a specialist in curb appeal, or the appearance of your home. Beautiful landscaping in any area serves as a reminder of nature, even in the middle of a bustling city, as this article about the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park shows.

The Japanese Friendship Garden, also known as San Kei En　is a Japanese Garden within Balboa Park, San Diego. It is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city Yokohama that binds the two cultures to create a unique experience for visitors from all over the world. Representing a new concept in the development of a Japanese garden outside of Japan, the Japanese Friendship Garden is designed to present an atmosphere of elegant simplicity (shibui) and quiet beauty. The design is guided by the original principles of the Japanese garden while incorporating elements of the regional landscape and climate.

A garden is always in a state of change but the basic elements of trees, shrubs, rocks and water designed in natural balance create a peaceful, harmonious, and transcendental environment conducive to contemplation and meditation.

To read more about the Japanese Friendship garden and the elements of landscape design it uses, please click here.

An underlying theme like a Zen garden, or a tropical oasis is a good thing in landscape design, and is fairly customizable. Some themes can even be mixed and matched. Be warned however, that you want to make sure that you aren’t mixing things that will overpower each other.

As to who would would hire a landscape design professional, there are some clear demographics. Women are more likely to than men, upper middle class families and small businesses are more likely to hire than lower income families and corporations.

A beautiful landscape helps us to reset from the stress of life. And one of the best first steps to take is to hire a professional with landscape design

Green Servpro is a landscape design company based in Prescott, AZ, and serving the entire Greater Phoenix area.

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

Design, Home and Garden, Landscape Design, Landscaping

Landscape Design

Posted on December 17, 2012December 6, 2022 by Larry

Sound landscape design is composed of many different elements, as this article from Colorado State shows:

Elements of Sound Landscape Design

The principles of landscape design include the elements of unity, scale, balance, simplicity, variety, emphasis, and sequence as they apply to line, form, texture, and color. These elements are interconnected.

Landscape design is a process of developing practical and pleasing outdoor living space.

Unity attracts and holds attention. It organizes view into orderly groups with emphasis.

Form is determined by the line, direction, and arrangement of branches and twigs. The resulting mass influences the scale. For unity, repeat the topography form in plant forms.

Horizontal and spreading forms emphasis the lateral extent and breath of space. They are comfortable because it corresponds with the natural direction of eye movement.

Rounded forms are most common in plant materials. They allow for easy eye movement and create a pleasant undulation that leads itself to plant groupings.

Vase-shaped trees define a comfortable “people space” beneath the canopy.

Lines are a powerful design element that define rooms and connect people to the landscape.For a professional touch, use sweeping bold lines and curves rather than small zigzags and small wavy curves.

To read more of this article, please click here.

Landscape Design: Location, Location, Location!

Incorporating line, unity and form are just some of the elements that a good landscape designer will employ. There is also the use of color and how much upkeep is necessary. Planting a jacaranda or a cottonwood tree near a pool looks lovely, for example, until you get tired of constantly cleaning out your pool and filter.

Also, mixing plants that need different watering levels is another thing. A desert environment doesn’t need as much water as a tropical flower/plant bed. Roses look lovely, but if you plant them too close together, you can end up with an out of control thicket. Landscape design is also about the right type of plants to put in the ground.

A good landscape design company will know to avoid invasive plants like Bermuda grass.

As you see, it’s not just about digging a hole, and putting a plant or some seeds in the ground. You have to do a bit of homework, or contact a landscape design professional.

Green ServPro is a Prescott landscape design company.

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