Sustainable Landscapes

Sustainable landscapes are a growing trend, yet we find it becoming more common that sustainable landscaping is not fully understood.

By definition, a sustainable landscape should be made up of entirely native plants that are accustomed to the regions climate. Those plants should be environmentally friendly and easily maintained without bringing in additional resources such as: water, fertilizer or pesticides.

While clients say they want a sustainable landscape, the designs usually end up being a hybrid version. Depending on what part of the country you are in having a sustainable landscape can be challenging. If you live in a desert area then you may not find have a yard full of cactus that appealing, so it becomes necessary to add non-native plants.

REO Maintenance

Landscape Escapes has been surprisingly busy with REO contracts this year, however it appears that this side of the business is beginning to level out. With the commercial side of the business projected to be hit hardest over the next twelve months it will be interesting to see where business will trend this coming year.

Tree Vase

I stumbled across these tree vases today. Follow link: TREE VASE

I think they are pretty cool and definitely have a place in specific applications. Thanks to Studio G for finding them.

Like the pictures show, using them in a commercial application where large trees are surrounded by concrete, or other hardscape material provides a few advantages: the first is that it provides nice curb appeal, the second benefit is that it would provide some protection to the tree from pedestrians.

Fort Worth made it onto the list of 23 metro areas were the recession is beginning to slow according to the Adversity Index from Moodys and MSNBC. Since we already passed sales from last year, it looks like 2010 is going to be great!

Follow link: to story.

That's What I Call Recycling!

Follow the link in the title...

This is a great story about how one company was able to recycle a whole building that was no longer needed. It will make you think twice about discarding old items and what impact it could have on another persons life.

We need more stories like this!

Benefits of micro-irrigation

Irrigation systems that were installed during new construction were designed based on the layout of the landscape at the time of installation. The problem is that the landscape will change or evolve over the years, and some contractors fail to take into account the plant growth patterns of pre-existing landscapes. Often times I see only one sprinkler head along the home foundation to water the whole planting bed. This works on new plantings, but as the plants grow they will eventually start blocking that spray head. As we run across more and more systems like the one’s mentioned above, it become more evident that we need to educate our clients on the benefits of micro-irrigation.

I try to stress the benefits of having micro-irrigation installed in all planting areas to my clients. The two main advantages of having micro-irrigation in planting areas are reduced water use and direct application to root zones for healthier plants. Spray heads do have their place in covering larger areas, but in most beds using spray heads also deliver water to areas that don’t need it. With micro-irrigation, tubes with fittings on the end are run to individual plants or specific areas. These tubes are easily spliced for additions, or you can move them to different areas of your planting bed as plants are moved or added. This makes it easier to change the layout of your system as your planting beds grow and change.

It is usually recommended that you don’t mix various heads on the same zone, but don’t worry if you already have a system installed. Manufacturers are now coming out with products that allow you to switch a spray head within a zone into a micro-irrigation point. In the DFW area temperatures hover around 100 degrees during the summer, so help us save water and irrigate your plants roots using a micro-irrigation method. Your plants will thank you.

Your landscape & hardscape team:
Landscape Escapes LLC

Are electric lawm mowers really green

I'm not sold on the fact that electric lawn mowers are really all that green.

The one point I can't refute is the fact that gas powered mowers have emissions, but I have a hard time believing a 30 minute jaunt using a small gas powered engine has any more effect on global warming than me baking a roast all day. This is especially true if you maintain the equipment properly and keep it running at peak performance. This includes changing the oil and spark plug at least once a year and also keeping the blades sharpened. The amount of maintenance will depend on how frequent you use the equipment.

I remember when electric mowers were first introduced there were a lot of complaints on how much electricity they actually used. I'm sure there have been technological advances since then, but they are still burning electricity that may be produced from a coal burning power plant. Either way you are using fossil fuel to power them. Many estimate that it takes twice as long to mow a small yard with an electric mower than the gas powered version.

Some will argue that using an electric mower is the equivalent of burning a 100 watt light bulb. That's great, but a 100 watt light bulb is only good for so many hours, starts loosing efficiency and ultimately needs to be replaced. Just like light bulb repairs, there is not a big demand for electric lawn mower repair. Gas engines last on average at least twice a long as electric mowers, so gas powered mowers are least likely to be filling up our land fills.

After all, you can always give a small gas powered engine a 2nd life for something fun, like building a go-cart! Nothing says quality time with the kids like a go-cart ride in the spring.