3 Reasons to Add Mulch this Spring!

We have almost made it through the frigid months of winter! Now is a great time to get out and assess your property’s landscape. When you are doing this, you might have realized that after months of moisture and colder temperatures your landscape beds need help. This is a great time to refresh and add new mulch to your landscape beds. Below are a few benefits your property receives when mulch is added.

Traps moisture in the summer:

During the warmer months of summer, mulch is such a helpful tool. One of the major benefits is the increased amount of moisture your plants receive. This moisture is essential to offset the water restrictions that are sure to come in the summer months. When applied, mulch helps conserve moisture in your landscape beds, keeping your trees, shrubs, and flowers healthy.

Prevents weeds:

Weeds are a common and often unruly problem to your landscape beds. They steal the necessary nutrients and block much needed moisture. Weeds also make your property look unkempt and can turn away potential customers. Using mulch however, is a phenomenal way to naturally combat this invasive weed. Just like other plants, weeds require light and warm soil to survive. When mulch is used, it creates a barrier that prevents weeds from sprouting because they do not have the strength to push through the mulch.

Provides a professional look:

You may have noticed that mulch loses its vibrancy and fades with time. Generally, your mulch has a shelf life of less than a year and after surviving winter, it is time to replace it for best impact. Although this is not the main purpose of mulch, the faded, dull coloring gives off a less than professional appearance. A few mulch options we recommend trying are pine straw or wood mulch for a natural colorful look.

What’s Next:

Do you need help adding mulch to your property or deciding which type of mulch to add? Have a Terracare expert come out and assess your property now!

A Seasonal Landscape Guide: Spring Landscape Maintenance

Commercial Landscape Spring Checklist

Spring is in the air! The trees are blooming, the birds are chirping, and flowers are beginning to poke out of the dirt. This is the perfect time to get your commercial landscape property in pristine condition for the upcoming year. We all want a beautiful commercial property; in this article we will provide a few suggestions for a successful spring season!

Cleanup and Prep:

With the freshness of spring comes plenty of cleanup from the season before. This cleanup is an important first step to restore your commercial property to its former glory. Some keys areas for our Monarch landscape expert to focus on;

  • Cleaning up debris
  • Raking up leftover leaves, sticks or pine needles
  • Trimming back perennials and grasses
  • Removing excess mulch and leaf scraps from the base of your plants
  • Checking any metal edging to make sure that it has not heaved over the winter

Lawn Prep and Maintenance:

Having a well-manicured, green yard is something that will increase the overall appearance of a property and have a lasting impact on the amount traffic and business your company attracts. We recommend starting by aerating your property. This process consists of poking small holes in the lawn, which allows water and fertilizer to seep in and reach the roots effectively. Monarch then recommends the application of both quality fertilizer and pre- emergent weed control. These applications are very helpful in preventing weeds and boosting your plant’s nutrients.

Irrigation System Startup:

Another crucial step when getting your commercial landscape property in order for the upcoming summer heat, is the proper preparation of your irrigation system. This process ranges from checking that the controls are correct, ensuring that the water pressure is unhindered, to replacing damaged parts.  It may seem lengthy and challenging, however all these steps are important to avoid future unnecessary costs.

Spring Planting:

Spring is also a great time for your commercial landscape property to set itself apart from the rest. A great way to do this and also attract more visitors is by adding color to your property. Studies show a beautiful commercial landscape can raise your property value and attractiveness by as much as 20%. To do this Monarch recommends adding some annual color such as snapdragons or latanas which will really make your landscape pop.

What’s Next?

These steps can be challenging and overwhelming for any commercial property owner. This is where Monarch Landscape comes in. Our trained and certified professionals are here to help you achieve the commercial landscape property that you have always dreamed of. Click below to set up a meeting:

A Sister Success Story!

When you picture the typical landscaper, who do you think of? If you are like most people you likely pictured a male. This is because in the landscaping industry, men have historically dominated the positions and have filled most of the roles. However, this norm is changing as more and more women begin to immerse themselves into the landscaping industry. As women join the industry, they are not only filling the positions, they are bringing creativity, insight and an invaluable perspective that has not been in the industry previously. At Terracare, we have been fortunate to have has two incredible sisters that are rising through the company and creating a massive impact as they do.

Sam Earleywine graduated with bachelor’s in biology from Wayne State University in 2012 and the following year began working with TCA as a Maintenance Foreman. Following that, she was promoted to Field Supervisor in 2018 and recently was promoted to an Area Manager in 2020. Sam has had experience managing some of Terracare’s largest projects including the City of Longmont and the Arapahoe County Parks and Recreation District. With Sam managing these projects, she and her crews transformed these projects into award winning properties. For an example, this past year, the parks at Arapahoe County Parks and Recreation District received accreditation from the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and locally from the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC).

And if that weren’t enough, Sam’s sister Aeriell Earleywine also attended Wayne State University as well as the University of Iowa and Front Range Community College. While attending school she also began interning at Terracare. During that time, she began contributing to the company and worked alongside some of our top managers gaining valuable insight from them. After graduating, Aeriell came back to Terracare and became a Foreman. Over the years, she has held various roles such as an Estimator, a Service Operations Manager and is now an Area Manager. Having this vast experience has made Aeriell a great asset to the Terracare Team.

The Branch Manager of our Colorado landscape team, Matt Pharis, could not be more thrilled to have the two Earleywine sister on his team, “I have had the opportunity to work with Sam and Aeriell for a relatively short amount of time, but in that time several things were apparent. It was clear to see their passion for the green industry, their incredible talent, and their desire to learn and grow. They always have positive attitudes and  words of encouragement for all crew members making them feel appreciated. In my 25 plus year career, I have not seen such raw talent. Sam and Aeriell are the future of our industry and it will be exciting to watch them shine and be difference makers here at Terracare.”

Terracare is beyond grateful to have these two sisters on our team and cannot wait to see what their futures hold as they continue their journey with Terracare!

Terracare and E-470 Public Highway Authority Expand Their Partnership

E-470 Public Highway Authority is a 75-mph tollway that forms a 47-mile semi-circular beltway around the eastern edge of the Denver metropolitan area. The tollway provides access to Denver International Airport and connects in the south to the I-25/C-470 interchange in Douglas County, and runs to the I-25/Northwest Parkway interchange (a current client) in Adams County to the north.

Terracare has had a relationship with the Authority since the inception of the tollway and is the current roadside mowing provider. At the beginning of the year, E-470 began the process of selecting a new snow provider. Through this relationship with E-470, Terracare is excited to announce that we will be expanding our services to the Authority and will be their snow provider for the next 10 years with the potential for an additional 10 years!

The combination of E-470 and the Northwest Parkway interchange means that Terracare will be providing snow maintenance for over half of the loop around the Denver Metro area! We are looking forward to providing safe and clear roads for the next 10 years!

TCA Expands into a New Territory

The City of Lancaster, the hub of the Antelope Valley, is just one hour north of Los Angeles. This bustling city of over 160,000 offers an array of outdoor experiences, local shopping, restaurants and entertainment. Along with that, Lancaster is home to fourteen parks throughout the city including Lancaster’s massive, 35 field, National Soccer Center, that attracts visitors from around the world.

This year the City of Lancaster started the search for a new company to maintain their nearly 8 million square feet of parks as well as the city’s over 6 million square feet of streetscapes, medians, parkways, government facilities and parking lots. This was a very important decision for the city. They had high hopes for the quality of the landscape and also wanted to find a company that would come alongside the city and partner with them.

Over the summer they made the switch to Terracare for the next 3 plus years! Our crews are currently serving the community each day and following through on our promise to the city and its residents. We are excited to collaborate with the City of Lancaster as we strive to build relationships and beautify grounds.

 

 

 

Twelve New Properties in Livermore!

Livermore is a city in California located approximately 45 miles east of the San Francisco Bay area. The city is home to over 90,000 residents, and boasts over 40 parks, open spaces, as well as miles of trails and bike lanes. In 2013 the city was looking to hire a landscape contractor to maintain their parks and streetscapes throughout the city. Terracare was chosen and has been on the ground maintaining the landscape since.

This year the Livermore Area Recreation Park District (LARPD), a division of the City of Livermore, made the decision to put out two separate groupings of parks and facilities out for bidding. The first of these encompassed five different sites including the popular Robert Livermore Community Center and Ravenswood Historical Site. The second grouping included seven different parks and trails throughout the city. Happy with all the work Terracare has done throughout the city, LARPD, decided to continue the partnership and award both of the extensions on to TCA.

Starting in July, Terracare began maintaining the first five properties and come September, will also begin work on the next seven parks and trails. We are very excited to continue this partnership with Livermore and are pleased to provide the residents and visitors a pristine landscape that they can enjoy and take pride in!

Terracare is Rocklin Ready!

Located approximately 22 miles from Sacramento, is one of the fastest growing cities in California, Rocklin. The city has become a preferred location to live, work, visit, and grow a business, due to Rocklin’s convenient location, excellent schools and universities, and their abundant recreational opportunities.

The city desired a landscape partner that could grow alongside them and provide the community a pristine landscape. This year, Terracare was chosen to be this partner and is currently on the ground in Rocklin. It’s now Terracare’s responsibility to maintain over 4 million square feet of landscape, right of way maintenance and trash removal for the city’s parks and medians. Our great  work creates a beautiful and well-kept environment that gives residents a sense of pride in their community.

Terracare is currently serving the community each day and following through on our promise to the city and its residents. We are excited to collaborate with the City of Rocklin as we strive to build relationships, beautify grounds.

The Importance of Campus Landscapes

What attracts students and parents to a school? One major factor that might go overlooked is the curb appeal of the campus environment. A well-maintained landscape will draw them in and add a level of pride and beauty, which will contribute to their decision. Below are three recommendations to add value to your school or campus and increase enrollment.

Entryways and Medians

One of the first things a potential student or parent sees when they are making that initial drive to explore the school or campus are the medians leading into the parking lot of the school. The school sign and the median landscaping surrounding it are the first impression of the educational institution. This makes entryways and medians that much more important. Many families capture visual images to help remember the campus and it’s important that yours stands out. We recommend having beautiful, eye-catching flowers and plants that guide visitors as they make their way to their parking spot.

Green Spaces

Having well maintained green spaces are vital when it comes to schools. No matter what age the students are, they all appreciate having open spaces. These spaces provide opportunities for relaxation, physical fitness and a place to connect with others. In addition to that, green spaces provide vegetation that help with carbon levels ensuring that the students are breathing cleaner air. Another perk of green spaces is noise reduction, helping students with their ability to study.

Shade Trees

Planting trees on your property are also a great way to make your landscape more attractive to prospective students or parents who are deciding on the school. Shade trees provide students with comfortable places to relax and stay cooler out of direct sunlight. Additionally, choosing trees that are known for providing shade and planting them strategically around your property can save you up to 30% on your building’s heating and cooling costs. For suggestions on shade trees click here:

What’s next?

Here at Terracare, we have a proven track record of providing high quality landscape maintenance at educational institutions. From Colorado Christian University to St. Mary’s Academy, we have a vast amount of experience maintaining educational institutions. Our experts can help with any landscaping needs or enhancements you may have at your school. For all of your campus landscape maintenance needs please contact Terracare below:
Contact Us

2018 NALP Awards of Excellence Winners

Terracare Associates captures SEVEN prestigious National Awards of Excellence for Landscape Maintenance Services

Our Terracare team is proud to announce that we were awarded seven 2018 Awards of Excellence by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). This achievement recognizes the Terracare team for outstanding landscape maintenance and installation services honoring the following properties: 17Seventeen McKinney Construction Project, Centennial Center Park, Grapevine Public Safety Building, One Legacy West, The REC of Grapevine, The Source, and Wind Crest Retirement Community. We have built a strong partnership with our clients and are thrilled to share this award with each one of them. Our teams work diligently each day to bring out the best in every property.

17Seventeen McKinney Construction Project, Texas-

Located in the heart of Uptown Dallas, this property features 19 stories of office space. It is also connected to a luxury apartment building by a one-acre amenity deck on the seventh floor. Terracare restored this amenity deck to reflect the rest of the upscale property. Many challenges arose during the completion of this project including sinking soil conditions and scheduling. Our crews met these issues with intuitive and cost effective solutions. We provided the client an atmosphere that was aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable for both the employees and the residents.

Centennial Center Park, Colorado-

Serving as a focal point for the city of Centennial’s nearly 110,000 residents, this iconic park allows people of all ages to relax and gather to build a sense of community. Along with an awarding winning playground, the park also contains an amphitheater with large turf seating, a coffee shelter, a large picnic shelter and plaza, a native butte, walking gardens, and a creek that flows along the west side of the park. By keeping the park’s landscape in pristine condition, the city’s’ residents have the opportunity to grow in community while taking in the beautiful scenery that the park offers.

Grapevine Public Safety Building, Texas-

This project is located on 104,000 square feet and includes both the police and fire department, the city jail, police dispatch, information technology services, the municipal court and two indoor kennels for the city’s K9 units. Given a shortened deadline due to a highly anticipated grand opening, our amazing team was able to meet this challenge. We created a property that reflects the pride and importance of the organizations that call the Public Safety Building home.

One Legacy West, Texas-

One Legacy West is a 14-story, five star office tower located in the booming Legacy West area of Plano, Texas. Terracare was able to match the landscape of this property with the building’s breathtaking interior. To achieve this, we provided the client with ongoing maintenance of the project as well as enhancements throughout the property. Our incredible team has been overcoming the intense Texas heat and water restrictions to allow greenery to flourish. Water conservation has been crucial to this property and will continue to be a priority.

The REC of Grapevine, Texas-

The REC of Grapevine is the crown jewel of Grapevine Parks and Recreation. It is located on 108,000 square feet. This includes 7,000 square feet of fitness rooms, a state-of-the-art senior center, an indoor pool, multipurpose rooms and game rooms. By resolving the poor soil conditions and installing a drip irrigation system we were able to provide the residents of Grapevine a facility where they can enjoy a healthier lifestyle and also enjoy the community.

The Source, Colorado-

The Source is a bustling artisan food market in Denver’s River North Arts District. When the client decided to renovate their parking lot, they realized it was also the perfect time to update their landscape. The Source is located in an old iron works building. When it came time to complete the new landscape the client wanted an atmosphere with a more organic feel. Furthermore, the client desired a beautiful landscape that their guests could admire as they make their way to the entrance. To accomplish this, our crews started work at three in the morning every day to avoid the Denver traffic. In addition to that they had to use innovative techniques to address issues. These issues included lack of curb, runoff issues and a limited tree install space.

Wind Crest Retirement Community, Colorado-

Wind Crest Retirement Community encompasses over 84 acres and allows for an upscale living center for those ages 62 and older. The client’s primary objective for this property is to provide a safe environment for all of the individuals who visit and live there. Moreover, the client requests a well-maintained and beautiful landscape for the residents to enjoy. Our landscape gives the current residents with spectacular surroundings and encourages future residents to join the community. Being able to use the landscape as a selling point to potential residents is very important to the client.

Terracare is very proud of all the hard work that our teams do day to day on these and all of the properties that we are privileged to partner with. We value and applaud the teams at Terracare. Thank you for your hard work and congratulations!

Commercial Landscaping Fall Checklist

Fall is here! The leaves are changing and the weather is beginning to cool down. This is the perfect time to get your commercial landscape property in pristine condition and ready for the winter weather. While every region of the country experiences different winter weather, there are a few tasks that are applicable to every landscape.

CamelliaReplace Seasonal Color

Fall is an amazing time to change out summer seasonal color with flowers and plants that can handle the winter months. A few suggestions for winter color include Pansy, Viola, Dianthus, Cabbage, Kale and Winter Camellia. For more information on winter seasonal color click here: Winter Plants

Aerate

No matter the style of aeration, fall is the best time to aerate the green spaces and grassy areas on your property. Aeration opens the soil and promotes a better environment for grass roots.

Reshape trees

Conduct major re-shaping of shade trees (oaks, aspens, poplars, elms and birches) as needed after the first freeze when plants go dormant. This is a good time to remove dead or excess plant materials that stands out on bare limbs.

Prune

This is the time to prune trees and shrubs to minimize any possible damage, which may occur during ice and snowstorms. After the spring and summer growing seasons, overgrown branches and limbs can cause damage to your property. Removing damaged or diseased limbs will contribute to the overall health of the tree and also help with the prevention falling limbs. Trees should be pruned to allow “room” for sunlight and breezes to naturally flow through. For more pruning tips click below:
Fall Pruning

Install new plant material

Plant roots grow anytime the soil temperature are 40 degrees or higher – this is typical during the fall. Cooler temperatures and more moisture means newly sowed plants can focus on establishing heartier root systems.  If a root system is established in the fall, then when spring arrives, this expanded root system can support and take advantage of the full surge of spring growth. It also means it is more likely to survive during the summer heat.

Divide and replant perennials

A benefit to including perennials into your landscape property is that they can be divided and replanted after they become established and healthy. Now is a good time to do this task. Perennial flowers such as iris, day lily, coneflower, coreopsis, and lavender are great examples.

Control weeds

Weeds are just like other plants in your landscape. They are saving the last bits of sunlight, water and nutrients to survive through the winter. Now is the time to apply weed killing compounds to stop their growth.

What’s Next?

These steps can be challenging and overwhelming for any commercial property owner. This is where Terracare Associates comes in. Our trained and certified professionals are here to help you achieve the commercial landscape property that you have always dreamed of. Click below to set up a meeting:
Contact us