Commercial landscaping is expensive.
Between mowing, edging, fertilizing, and everything between, it can be difficult for property owners to maintain the appearance of their landscaping.
When dealing with drought conditions in California, Nevada and surrounding areas, commercial property owners should keep in mind that sustainable landscape management is critical to protecting both the environment and their bottom lines.
Large swathes of traditional lush, natural grass lawns waste water, time and money.
Maintenance
You can expect your natural lawn to require the following types of maintenance week after week:
- Extensive watering, mowing and trimming
- Pick up of cuttings, rocks and litter
- Ground and grass damage inspection and repair
- Pest extermination and control
Non-Grass Solutions
For business owners not attached to their lawns, the best way to reduce waste is to get rid of grass and use a combination of low-maintenance alternatives:
- Drought-Tolerant Plants: Many stunning ground cover plants in a variety of colors retain moisture without a lot of watering and work well with rocks and mulch.
- Artwork: Sculptures that fit in with the brand and style of a business distract visitors from the lack of grass.
- People-Focused Installations: Bike paths, walkways and meetings spots accented with small areas of plants make a business more inviting.
Grass Solutions
If a business must have natural lawns, the best way to help reduce maintenance-related waste is by making routine changes:
- Cut Less: Allowing grass to grow only an inch or two longer keeps natural lawns greener longer. Higher grass is healthier, retains more water, shades roots and costs less to maintain.
- Alter Irrigation: A drip system instead of sprinklers supplies water slowly to the roots instead of to blades where hot sunlight often causes rapid evaporation.
- Improve Monitoring: Watering systems that monitor soil and weather conditions only use water when it’s needed most.
Ultimate Solution
The best method by far to keep lush grassy areas while also reducing maintenance is by installing artificial grass that needs zero watering or cutting.
Artificial grass can also be used in combination with non-grass methods to create unique walkways and conversation spots. Unlike natural grass, artificial options require no weeding or reseeding. Maintenance involves only light rinsing of stained or soiled areas, litter pickup and damaged spot repair.