Executive-2019-summer

and flowers lining a walkway, a healthy expanse of green grass can easily be overlooked as an asset on commercial property. But if that lawn turns brown or patchy, it can immediately draw unwanted attention. Bryde said one of the best ways to keep grass healthy is to make sure it stays on a regular professional fertilization program. “People like to do it themselves, but it doesn’t look as good as when it’s done professionally,” he said. “It’s easy to miss chemical rounds if you do it yourself and if so, you will see the effects as soon as three months down the road.” A common problem HOAs and private residences have with their turf is compacted lawns brought on by heavy foot traffic. “Aeration can help your lawn grow stronger roots and let the turf breathe,” Lesko said. He recommends aerating once a year in the early summer for warm season grass, like Bermuda or zoysia and in late September or early October for cold season turf, like fescue. Another common problem for any lawn owner is overwatering. “One good soaking once a week is all a healthy lawn needs,” Lesko said. “If you properly water from the beginning, you will train your turf to root down far enough to get the natural water.” Luckily there is a slew of new technology available to help businesses with their irrigation issues. Irrigation systems often have rain sensors to stop unneeded watering, but newer smart water systems can recommend a watering schedule based on the weather forecast. These smart water systems can also come with smart clocks that connect to your phone so you can remotely control your watering. These smart clocks can also be retrofitted to older systems. Another trend these companies are seeing is customers creatively using hardscape to create more useable and connective outdoor space. “People want to be outside,” Russell said. “We’re seeing more walking trails, outdoor work areas, sitting areas and outdoor classrooms.” Previously ignored places, like alleyways, are being spruced up using slate chips, pots of flowers or synthetic turf to turn them into nooks where employees can eat lunch, read or play a hole of putt-putt golf. “Offices, rather than building a gym, are giving their employees memberships to nearby gyms and building trails connecting to them,” Russell said. Whether building outdoor space for employees and customers, planting pops of summer color or staying on top of lawn, tree and shrub care, a professional landscape company can develop a weekly maintenance plan that will help ensure the health and beauty of a business’s landscape this summer and for years into the future. 4 Seasons Landscape Group the EXECUTIVE 9