Category: Uncategorized

Areas Covered By Landscaping Professionals

As a homeowner, there could be several reasons why you might be looking at landscaping companies to determine your best option. No matter the size, scope or difficulty of your project, the pros at Greenside are here to help.

As a top landscaping company, we handle a variety of project types. In general, the work of a landscaper is split into three broad categories – small projects, large projects, and general property management. Let’s look at some basics on each, and what you might need us for within each area.

Small Projects

Small projects will generally be the type that require a few months to plan and schedule – this lead time allows for proper discovery and assessment, site analysis, design and basic estimates.

For the most part, we’re talking here about projects like small garden installations or existing plant bed expansions. It’s best to think about speaking to our pros here in spring or early summer if you’re looking at a fall project, or in late summer or fall for a spring project.

Large Projects

For larger projects, which involve things like larger designs, patios, retaining walls, fire pits, water features and other hardscape elements. These custom projects will take at least six months to design and plan in most cases – the more moving parts, the longer the planning. You may have to consult with sub-contractors or develop unique solutions for your situation as part of this process.

Property Management

A very different area that landscapers handle is basic professional management and maintenance of a property. This can include everything from basic lawn care and fertilization up to more detailed maintenance areas, and we can schedule a wide array of frequencies with you depending on your needs. There will sometimes be a short lead-in time to get on a regular schedule here, as we have an existing client list that’s prescheduled into the spring. Call us as soon as possible to get on this list if you’re interested.

For more on the kinds of projects we can help with, speak to the pros at Greenside today.

Environmentally Conscious Landscaping, Part 2

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the general themes you should follow when it comes to getting project approval from environmental conservation groups that might hold sway in your property area. If your property sits on or near certain environmentally sensitive areas, compliance with these bodies is a must for achieving the landscaping you desire.

At Greenside, we can help. In this blog, we’ll go over some of the specific characteristics that are often found in environmentally-friendly landscapes – the sort that don’t run into issues with these kinds of commissions.

Native Plants and Plant Diversity

Using your local government environmental agency or online lists, search for plants that are native to your area and community. Planting these will allow plants that are already present in this system to cross-support soil biology and insects, allowing new plants to fit more easily into the system. You don’t have to use only native plants, but a good mix with a base of native items is a nice place to start.

Now, one thing this does not mean: Simply choosing a couple native plants you like, then strewing them across your entire landscaping area. You need plant diversity, with different complementary plants in various areas to help sustain each other.

Limited Mechanical Maintenance

Reducing human footprint is the name of the game here, and a big area involves selecting landscaping that doesn’t require too much mechanical maintenance – things like lawn mowing, pruning and others that cause both noise and pollution. There are plenty of plants and options out there that fit this classification.

Lowered Consumption

Various chemicals like herbicides, pesticides and fertilizer can damage the environment, and the added water needed to distribute them doesn’t help. Do some research to find out which of these chemicals your system really needs, and which are mostly for show.

Bee and Butterfly Habitats

If a conservation commission is breathing down your neck, creation of habitats for these major pollinators can go a long way. Both bees and butterflies are struggling as a species, which in turn threatens many crops that rely on these insects. A good environment for them will create a cycle that supports other species and the entire area.

Seasonal Considerations

To keep the landscaping beautiful year-round but also keep up with environmental concerns, use perennials along with seasonal plants to keep things going all year long.

Sustainability

Eventually, your goal should be creating a landscape that could sustain itself even if you stopped actively tending to it. This is achieved by using both organic and other plants, native plants, and the incorporation of stone and other hardscape elements to help the evolving land around them.

For more on creating an environmentally friendly landscape, or to learn about any of our lawn care or other expert services, speak to the pros at Greenside today.

Environmentally Conscious Landscaping, Part 1

If you have a property that’s in or near any environmentally sensitive area, a more common reality than many homeowners realize, certain landscaping elements can be a bit difficult to assess. Due to local conservation commissions and regulations in place to protect these kinds of areas – rules that are often stricter than state guidelines, even – there might be limitations on the kinds of landscaping projects and lawn care you can take part in.

At Greenside, we’re here to help if this is the case on your property. Here are some basic tips we can offer when it comes to designing a great landscape without breaking any environmental laws or regulations.

Clear Goals

If you’re already dealing with a conservation commission or another governing body that takes issue with your landscaping, or even if you fear this might be the case in the future, the biggest thing you can do is be extremely clear about your plans and goals for your space. Are you looking for more recreational areas or sunlight? What about tree removal or lawn care areas that may impact the environment? Make these areas as plain as you can.

In cases where your project deals with low spots, high spots or tree removal, you may have to submit an application to one of these commissions. It makes no sense to fight this or take a combative attitude – this will only reduce your chances of success.

Buffer Between Landscaping and Water Resources

If your landscaping is near a water resource, such as a watershed of any kind, you need to set aside an area to separate your landscape from this resource and filter any run-off that might take place. If you’re removing trees from landscaping, they often function well as buffer zone items.

Ecologically Friendly Lawn Considerations

In many cases, the bodies you’ll run into here view larger lawns as a big negative. They consume lots of water and fertilizer, which can pollute nearby water sources.

To help combat this, think about environmentally friendly changes to your lawn. Our lawn expert professionals can show you grass blends that use less water and fertilizer, plus come with fewer mowing needs – this in turn cuts down on pollution and gasoline consumption.

For more on how to get a great landscape without environmental regulation concerns, or for any of our landscaping services, speak to the pros at Greenside today.