Author: Jackson Holliday

The Five Best Perennials to Xeriscape a Walkway

Published on by Jackson Holliday

A perennial is a plant that persists for many growing seasons, unlike an annual which only lasts one growing season (for more information, check out our blog post on the difference between annuals and perennials). There is such a wide variety of perennial plants that it’s easy to incorporate them into any type of landscape, including a xeriscape. Xeriscaping is the practice of conserving water through landscaping. This trend is growing in popularity not only because it’s good for the environment, it also saves property owners money on water costs and requires less time needed for replanting. Paths and walkways are great places to plant drought-resistant perennials to ensure that everyone who visits your property enjoys beautiful landscaping especially as they enter buildings or along parking areas. Here are five of the best perennials to create a beautiful xeriscaped walkway.

Lavender Hidcote Lavender

Lavender Hidcote is a tall, purple flower known for its wonderful fragrance and its tendency to attract butterflies. It prefers hot, sunny and dry air and well-drained soil, making it the perfect choice for western climates. Lavender Hidcote does not require regular watering and will thrive on just 9-12 inches of rain per year. You can expect to see this plant bloom in mid to late summer.

 

YarrowYarrow

Yarrow consists of flower heads full of small, tightly packed flowers and aromatic leaves. This plant blooms from mid-summer to fall and typically grows to be two to four feet tall. It grows best when planted in well-drained soil with full sun. Yarrow is known for being durable and tolerating dry spell, so it is a perfect low-maintenance yet beautiful addition to any walkway.

 

EchinaceaConeflower

Echinacea, better known as coneflowers, are colorful daisy-like flowers that bloom from mid-summer to early fall and can grow up to five feet tall. They thrive in areas with full sun and poor soil. These plants are drought resistant and do not require fertilization. You will see beautiful flowers return year after year with very little work if you choose this plant for your property.

 

Hens and Chicks Hens and Chicks

Hens and Chicks are succulent plants that get their name from their rosette shape and their ability to produce multiple offspring. They come in a range of colors from green to beautiful pinks and reds. Hens and Chicks are best grown in poor soil with full sun and require very little water. Since these plants thrive in rocky soils, they are perfect for planting in the cracks of stone walkways. Just be sure you stepping stones are raised as these plants will not tolerate much foot traffic.

 

Lady’s MantleLady's mantle

Lady’s Mantle is a clumping perennial that forms green foliage made up of soft, scallop-shaped leaves and yellow-green flowers which bloom in late spring to early summer. It makes for the perfect ground cover to define the boundaries of a walkway or outdoor path. Lady’s Mantle can tolerate full shade or full sun. It does not need to be watered often unless it is planted in full sun or during high temperatures, making it a relatively low-maintenance option.

What is the Difference Between Perennials and Annuals?

Published on by Jackson Holliday

What exactly is the difference between perennials and annuals? The dictionary defines them as:

Perennial: lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time; enduring or continually recurring.

Annual: occurring once every year.

Flowers

Perennial flowers continue to grow year after year by remaining dormant through the winter. Annual flowers are planted in the spring and summer and die once the season is over.

Both types of flower have their advantages and disadvantages. Annuals are typically cheaper than perennials so they can be added for a beautiful display of color throughout the spring and summer seasons at a lower cost upfront. Perennials are sustainable; they last for years and withstand a variety of weather conditions. They require less maintenance than annuals since they don’t need to be replanted each year and they can even be divided to make more flowers after several growing seasons.

Terracare Associates recommends planting a combination of annuals and perennials to create the most beautiful landscapes. Attractive landscaping can add significant value to your property, so contact us today to make sure your property is in top shape for spring.

The Benefits of Creating Outdoor Space on Your Commercial Property

Published on by Jackson Holliday

Many property owners think improving their property’s landscape only adds aesthetic value, therefore many believe implementing new landscape projects won’t pay off.  In fact, maintaining and enhancing your property, not only adds value, it can add usefulness too.  However, creating functional outdoor space for employees can be a great investment to attract employees to the property. Research shows that spending the entire day indoors can have negative effects on mental and physical health, causing employees to be less productive and to feel dissatisfied in the workplace. Giving employees an outlet to escape the office and get some fresh air has countless benefits. Spending as little as 20 minutes a day outside can improve memory, reduce stress, encourage team building and improve social interaction. Companies that offer employees access to an outdoor space attract workers and support an employee-centric company culture, which can increase the employee retention rate and attract more applicants.

There’s a variety of ways to create an outdoor space for your company, no matter what type of property you have.

Rooftops or balconiesRooftop

For buildings located in urban areas with limited space, rooftop green spaces are a great option. If you install outlets and a Wi-Fi connection, employees can enjoy a nice change of scenery without straying too far from their desks.

 

 

 

Patio

Patios

If you have pre-existing green space on your property, building a patio is an easy way to give your employees a place to escape the office. It can be used as a place to re-charge while eating lunch, or a peaceful alternative to the conference room for meetings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking trailsWalking trail

If your office building is on a large plot of land, creating a walking trail encourages exercise and team building. Employees can take a quick walk to get their creative juices flowing, or have business discussions that would have otherwise taken place over cubicle walls. As an added bonus, companies that encourage exercise as part of a wellness program often receive discounted rates on healthcare.

 

 

 

 

If you’re interesting in enhancing the outdoor space on your commercial property, Terracare Associates can help. Just check out our website to see the variety of services we offer to make your dream a reality.

The Three Biggest Landscaping Trends for 2017

Published on by Jackson Holliday

Environmentally friendly landscaping practices have been growing in popularity for many years, and 2017 is no exception. The biggest landscaping trends this year focus on protecting the environment and preserving local resources.

  1. NaturescapingNaturescaping

Naturescaping is a landscape concept that involves selecting plants for your property that grow naturally in the area.  Since these types of plants are already evolved to grow under local conditions, the landscaping does not need to be drastically changed to suit them. Not only is this type of landscaping low maintenance, it is environmentally friendly because it requires less watering, less pesticide use and less fertilizer.

  1. Water conservation

Regulating water use is a top priority during drought conditions, but water conservation tends to slip people’s minds when precipitation levels return to normal. However, water regulations are becoming the new norm year-round due to unpredictable weather conditions across the United States. Choosing drought-resistant plants for your property can drastically reduce the amount of water needed for irrigation. Drip irrigation is another great way to accomplish this. Drip irrigation drips water slowlyDrip system onto the roots of a plant through a system of pipes and valves, rather than saturating plants with a sprinkler system. This minimizes nutrient loss and greatly increases the efficiency of watering. The simplest way to conserve water is to reduce unnecessary water usage before it happens by regularly checking irrigation equipment for leaks and cracks.

 

  1. Technical advances in irrigation

New technology is constantly being developed to help landscapers and property owners more easily and effectively manage irrigation on their properties. One of the most popular innovations is wireless irrigation controllers that run on Wi-Fi. These are used in conjunction with rain sensors, so they can track weather trends in the area and soil moisture levels to detect how much water needs to be dispensed on your property.

Visit our website website to learn how Terracare Associates can help you and your properties keep up with the latest landscaping trends.

What is Sustainable Landscaping?

Published on by Jackson Holliday

The term ‘sustainable’ is everywhere, but what does it mean to our landscapes? The common perception is that sustainability in the landscape means drought resistant spaces that require little or no additional water, which are maintained with an unkempt aesthetic and mulched with rock. This is completely inaccurate. Sustainable landscapes get a bad rap because they are often installed improperly, and almost always misunderstood. There is a much more meaningful, and appealing approach to sustainable landscaping that is generally unknown.

So what are the main characteristics of a proper sustainable landscape? Sustainable landscaping

Sustainable landscapes are planned as complex ecosystems. Similar to nature, sustainable landscapes (also called regenerative landscapes) consider even the smallest niches to ensure the health and function of the complete system. These considerations start at the soil, move through the plant canopy and touch everything in between.

While they do generally require less water than a traditional landscape, the reality is more nuanced. They are designed with specific features and species that are able to thrive in the ecosystem in which they are placed. We have all seen soggy spots and dry spots in our own yards. Sustainable landscapes address these features as separate microclimates that require different materials. The soggy spots would house plants that require more water, while the dry spots would be populated with species acclimated to more arid conditions.

Soil Health

Sustainable landscapes place a high priority on soil health. Without healthy soil you cannot have a healthy ecosystem. Regenerative landscapes add organic matter and soil biology to the soil. Critters like bacteria, fungi and other microbial creatures are the most important part of the soil. These creatures and the soil they create are the “immune system” of the planet. Regenerative landscapes passively build soil health as they mature, strengthening the entire system.

NatSustainable landscapingive Plants

Native plant species are another big part of regenerative landscapes. Natives are perfectly adapted to local conditions like precipitation, temperatures, pests and seasonal changes. If natives don’t pack enough punch for your space, many great cultivars have been developed for superior color and foliage displays.

 

What can sustainable landscapes be?

Sustainable landscapes can be anything. They can carry almost any aesthetic; natural and wild looking, or clean and compartmentalized. -Even with the same plant palette. They can display blocks of color, or show off muted textures. Turf can also be installed and maintained sustainably. Harvard Yard has been doing it that way for years!

The quickest way to build a truly sustainable landscape is to start from the beginning, but with enough foresight and thought, existing landscapes can be transitioned to a regenerative space.

Pockets can be carved out of a commercial landscape to keep the budget under control, or entire campuses can be transitioned to make a bold statement to your clients and your employees.

If you need direction for your regenerative landscape, reach out. Let’s see what Terracare Associates and your organization can build together.

 

Team Spotlight: Terracare Success is Teamwork

Published on by Jackson Holliday

Steve, Lalo and Larenzo

Steve Valdez, Lorenzo Acosta, Lalo Chavez and Mario Ramos in Colorado landscape operations at Terracare Associates -TCA are an example of how much more can be accomplished when people work together. Teamwork almost seems a cliché, but at TCA it is the essence of a productive operation. Each part of their operation is held up by the trust and hard work of the other. With a combined 60 years of experience between them, they are an invaluable asset to TCA. This dynamic quad is described by co-workers and supervisors as dedicated and dependable team members who can always be counted on to get the job done and to do it well.

“I am extremely lucky to be able to work with Lalo, Steve, Lorenzo and Mario. They bring a new level of professionalism and a get it done attitude unlike any I have ever seen,” said Nate Adams, Colorado landscape branch manager at TCA.

They not only do their jobs well, they have the expertise and problem solving skills to give our customers top-notch service every day. Each one of them shows up with a great attitude and a passion for their work that shines through in each job they complete.

“We make a great team because we are able to communicate openly with each other,” said Steve. “We’re able to take each other’s ideas and work as a team, use technology and adjust our practices to efficiently get services to our clients and support our field crews.”

MarioSteve, Lorenzo, Lalo and Mario make up the field leadership team in Colorado and are responsible for deploying field crews, prioritizing projects, making recommendations on maintenance improvements and handling all on-site emergencies. The field leadership team works closely with account managers, whose main responsibility is to communicate directly with the customers and review assignments with the team. Account managers have an open book policy with field leadership teams to ensure that they are comfortable making suggestions. This open line of communication is the key to excellent customer service.

In addition to ongoing meetings with account managers, the team has scheduled weekly meetings to evaluate property maintenance, site performance and discuss their successes and improvements. They pride themselves on communicating openly with their crews and supporting their work and recommendations to produce the best possible outcome for each client. This is what teamwork is all about.

This field leadership team in Colorado has been working together for more than three years and it shows.

“I’m glad we can play our part in making the company stronger and growing with it. It really is a great place to work,” said Steve.

Team Spotlight: Giving Thanks to Tino Alba

Published on by Jackson Holliday

 

This is our second feature in the Team Terracare Employee Spotlight series. This series highlights our hardworking and dedicated team members.

 

In this edition of our Spotlight series, we’re showcasing Tino Alba, a Senior Account Manager based in our Dallas / Fort Worth branch.

 

20161020_112654It started with a good old baseball game.   Bruce Verdick, Vice President of Texas operation first met Tino Alba playing in a men’s softball league back in the early 90s. Over many games and social events associated with the league, Bruce and Tino became friends, and eventually, Tino joined Bruce’s team in 1992. Over the years, they’ve developed a deep friendship and have continued to work together ever since.

 

Bruce describes Tino as, “an old school, honest guy who is a natural born leader, customer centric and extremely reliable. Through his hard work and dedication, Tino creates deep respect from his field crews and colleagues. He sets and maintains high standards, for both himself and the team which drive outstanding and consistent results for our client’s year round.”

 

Tino is a Senior Account Manager leading one of Terracare Associates’ largest accounts, the City of Grapevine. Tino has been essential in creating a strong, trusting public-private partnership with the historic city and tourist destination. Each year, the city welcomes more than 20 million visitors and is home to more than 50,000 citizens. The city boasts more than 22 miles of paved and natural trails, an 8,000-acre recreation lake, Lake Grapevine, 48 parks, a botanical garden, and many more attractions. Presenting a clean, well-kept and beautiful landscape is a high priority for the City of Grapevine – and Tino and his team are eager to deliver, taking pride in high-quality work. Regularly, Tino meets with the City of Grapevine to discuss current and future projects, regular maintenance and to troubleshoot any problems that might occur. He works with his crews to ensure the teams are delivering top-notch service and results to keep the City of Grapevine and other clients looking pristine.

 

The City of Grapevine recently received the Award of Excellence from the National Association of Landscape Professionals.  This prestigious national recognition for superior landscape maintenance services is given to a few hundred properties across the country each year.

 

We give our thanks to Tino Alba and his crews for a job well done.

 

Interested in joining Tino and our stellar team in the Greater Dallas / Ft. Worth area? We’re hiring! https://myterracare.com/careers/

Tips for Driving Safely with Snowplows

Published on by Jackson Holliday

Winter is just around the corner. Municipalities, cities, DOTs, and others are gearing up for the winter by preparing their snowplow crews and equipment. We can all learn valuable lessons from these agencies by preparing our vehicles and ourselves for the upcoming season.

 

Snowplows serve to make the community and roads passable during the worst winter weather. Snowplows are fitted with heavy, wide plows on the front of the truck to clear as much snow and ice from the road as possible – this means sometimes they may cross the centerline, shoulder of the road or make other moves in their effort to provide a driving surface the general public can navigate. If you encounter a plow, slow down and give them the space they need to perform their task. Your best chance to arrive at your destination safely is to stay behind the plow as the worst of the conditions are in front of the plow. It’s important that everyone, from individual drivers to plow operators, stay safe on the road to get home safely so here are some tips.

 

Prepare your vehicle

It is good practice to maintain your vehicle year round, however it is especially important to winterize your vehicle to avoid the dangers of frigid winter weather.

Check the following before snow begins to fall:

 

  • Wiper blades and windshield washer fluid
  • Battery
  • Ignition system
  • Brakes
  • Electrical system
  • Tires
  • Antifreeze
  • Heater and defrost system

 

Additionally it’s recommended to carry blankets, booster cable, a flashlight and extra batteries, snow scraper and shovel.

 

When driving:

  • Give snowplows room to do their job. It’s best practice to not tailgate or try to pass a snowplow while it’s in working.
  • As a general rule, stay at least 200 feet behind a snowplow.
  • Plows pushing snow can create a cloud which can blind drivers who are following too closely.
  • These are large, heavy vehicles and the drivers are intent on their task at hand, don’t be another distraction to the plow driver. They cannot stop in a short distance.
  • There may be spreaders on trucks to distribute salt or sand on the road, these can cause damage to cars if driving too close, stay back to protect your car and you.
  • Always turn on your headlights, and have plenty of fuel and wiper fluid (carrying an extra gallon is a good idea) and have appropriate tires for winter driving conditions.
  • Don’t over estimate your braking capabilities, many 4 X 4 vehicles are heavier than normal, thus the braking distance is greater. Your traction is determined by weight and tire tread. Sand or cat litter in your trunk will add weight and can be used if you do need help with traction.
  • Leave extra space between you and the vehicles in front and behind you.
  • Bridge decks freeze first so take extra caution when driving on these.
  • Remember to always buckle up!
  • Ignore the phone and email until you get to your destination. There are other people on the road that deserve your attention.
  • Most importantly, SLOW DOWN!

 

It is not too late to get help with your snow removal needs. Send us a note or give us a call, we’ll get back to you with a proposal and estimate for how we can help you.

Team Spotlight: Chris Prowse

Published on by Jackson Holliday

Welcome to our first Team Terracare Employee Spotlight feature series. In this series we will showcase our amazing team members and highlight their work, achievements and what get’s them excited to come to work every day.

 

Last month, TCA won the NALP Award of Excellence for the City of Carlsbad.  One of many outstanding team members working on this property is Chris Prowse.  We kick off the Spotlight series featuring Chris.

 

Baseball diamonds are the center pieces of many city parks.  As a part-time team member from San Diego, California branch, Chris Prowse takes ownership in his work and helps maintain all of the baseball fields and diamonds for the City of Carlsbad parks system. Baseball diamonds are a specialty of Carlsbad Park’s upkeep. As a crew member, he maintains all the city’s baseballs fields by cutting the grass, grading the infield dirt so water runs off instead of forming puddles, raking and dragging the infield after use to keep it level, safe and playable.

 screen-shot-2016-10-12-at-12-08-25-pm

Chris is a part-time employee. He uses this job as his retirement project, a way of spending time outdoors and staying active. His goal is to train others to learn his trade since there is a skill and a method around the upkeep of baseball fields. 

 

We asked Chris’ manager, Amanda Haas, about him. Here is what she had to say: “Chris is a team player and extremely knowledgeable. He is easy to work with and is thorough in his work. It’s a pleasure having him on the crew.”

 

Want to work with Chris? We’re hiring in San Diego.

The Autumn Landscape Checklist

Published on by Jackson Holliday

Just in time for winter, autumn is an ideal time to prepare your landscape

Autumn months are optimal times for improving, preparing and caring for your landscape and property. Every region of the country experiences different winter weather so while property managers need to prepare accordingly to their region, there are a few tasks that are applicable to every landscape.

Mark Slicker, Business Development Manager in Dallas / Fort Worth, shared a few of these general tips for property managers:
  • Change out any summer seasonal color for winter seasonal color. Install a variety of flowers which will handle the winter months such as Pansy, Viola, Dianthus, Cabbage, Kale and Dusty Miller.
  • Prune. This is the time to prune trees and shrubs to minimize any possible damage which might occur during ice and snow storms. We recommend pruning magnolias, live oaks and wax myrtles.
  • 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.
  • 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. The great part about perennials is once the plant is established and healthy, these plants can easily be divided and replanted in other areas of the property. 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 as the plant will take this with everything else it’s gathering to survive and transports it directly to the growing point of the plant.
  • Aerate. No matter the style of aeration, the 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

  

Need help cleaning and preparing your property this fall? Contact us for a free assessment on how and where to best work with you to exceed your property’s needs.