http://www.dallasnews.com/incoming/20120223-how-does-detergent-in-gray-water-affect-landscape-plants.ece

Electric technology is making quick progress in many areas due to the huge investments that are being made in battery technology by the automobile and related manufactoring businesses. There are now companies that are making high quality, riding electric mowers that can mow up to 1.5 acres on a single charge. That is more than adequate for the typical homeowner. Even better is that most homeowners only use the equipment once per week so the 18 hour charge time at a 120v outlet is no big deal. There are many advantages to electric equipment. The most attractive is that because there are few moving parts they are very durable and don’t require a lot of recurring maintenance like oil changes. You don’t have to worry about bad fuel or accumulation of water in the fuel because electricity is one of the most consistent fuel sources available.

For commercial operators the technology is still not practical. We need equipment that can run 6 hours or more per day. Charge times are much too long for daily use. Its a nice thing to say but the reality is there are very, very few customers out there who would be willing to pay a premium price for their vendors to use all electric equipment. However, with rising fuel prices a reality and technology quickly advancing there will come a “tipping point” where electric equipment will make economic sense and will be adopted. HSG will be one of the first to adopt when that takes place.

For now, good combustion is the most reliable and practical way to go.

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It is in vogue now to diversify any business. Add services to grow your top line, your bottom line, your middle line, and any other line that you can think of. In this particular instance, a land clearing company had gone into the landscape maintenance business. I am sure their thought process went something like this………..

“I mean, its logical, business is slow and any idiot can maintain a landscape, right? Well of course they can! Its just a bunch of high school dropouts making huge coin doing something so simple and ripping people off and making huge money. I will go out and get some of their customers and only charge half what they charge and still make money. Stupid landscapers, I will show them.”

A vendor shared a conversation about this particular company buying flowers. “How many flowers did the other company buy last year? Really? Wow! They don’t need that many! Let’s just do half that many. They won’t notice. We will just stick them in the same holes we pull the others out of.”

I wasn’t surprised. You see this type of thing a lot. I could analyze this and ask obvious questions like “What the hell was their bid based on if they didn’t know how many flowers the job needed?” or ” Maybe they should learn how to properly prepare an annual bed.” But it really doesn’t matter. Most of the time these companies don’t last but you have to wonder what was going through the customer’s mind when they signed that agreement for 50% of what they were paying the other company. Did they really think the other guy was ripping them off?

How horrible of a job do we do(as an industry) of explaining to people the art of our business and what “good” landscaping is and what it costs to do it? Is it us or do people simply not care? Are people who make decisions like this the same ones that change their oil every 15 thousand miles because its cheaper? I am not sure. I know for a fact that proper maintenance costs a fraction more short term and an order of magnitude less long term. But we don’t always “sell” the customer that reality.

There are people who care about their landscaping and understand the value it holds to their property overall. Sometimes I think that percentage is getting smaller and smaller (these are our potential customers). There are companies who do a very good job of molding perception in their favor regardless of what the facts are. “Never let the truth get in the way of a good story” so to speak. We are huge XYZ and have XYZ so we are really good and you should use us. Or another classic, “We decided to do landscape maintenance because we suck at everything else we do and can’t stay busy.” Well, that last quote probably isn’t what they said word for word, but you get my drift.

Hire a professional. Hire HSG!

Florida has abundant surface-water resources—rivers, streams, springs, lakes, and oceanfronts, which contribute to the potential for nonpoint-source pollution that occurs when fertilizers and chemicals are moved by rain or irrigation water into water resources. How lawns and landscapes are fertilized and irrigated can have a direct impact on the natural environment, so it is imperative that both landscape maintenance professionals and homeowners adopt the environmentally friendly maintenance practices.

Horticulture Services Group offers the very best in residential and commercial landscape design/build, maintenance, fertilization, irrigation and so much more. Everything we do is done with the oversight of a degreed Plant and Soil Science Professional with over 12 years maintaining some of the most beautiful and admired landscapes in the South. We provide landscaping services in Fort Walton Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Valparaiso, Niceville, Crestview, Navarre, Okaloosa Island, Destin, Sandestin, Santa Rosa Beach, Miramar Beach, and surrounding areas of Northwest FL. Call us today at 850-603-9783 and we would be happy to assist you.

A great way to landscape in the winter is by planting holly bushes.  Their bright green leaves and ruby red berries add a definitive and festive color to any area. And with the Holiday Season around the corner, the branches are extremely useful for wreaths and centerpieces.

Of course, it is important to care for your holly after you plant it by removing dead and broken branches. You should also thin the other branches out so they are close to the trunk. It is also wise to make sure that the lower branches are the same length (or even a little longer) as the higher ones so that they can get the same amount of sunlight.

While removing the dead branches, it is also imperative to remove the diseased ones as soon as you spot them. While you are doing that, remove any pests by hand that may be on your plant. To keep them away, spray the leaves with insecticide or soapy water.

For the plant’s health, make sure you water them – but not too much. An excess of water will cause the roots to drown.

Last but not least, fertilize the holly with coffee grounds. The grounds provide an excellent source of needed minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and copper. This will help your plant to be as strong and colorful as it can possibly be.

With holly, the Destin landscape (and other surrounding areas) will look festive and be something your whole family can enjoy.