Composting is still a popular endeavor and has a variety of benefits. It enriches the soil and reduces the need to apply chemical fertilizers. It also has benefits for the overall environment. Composting reduces the amount of yard and food waste in landfills where they decompose and emit the greenhouse gas methane.

Starting a backyard compost “pile” doesn’t mean leaving all those food scraps and grass clippings in the backyard to become a smelly eyesore. Self-contained, premade containers are available on the market in varying sizes. A properly managed compost pile won’t attract rodents or insect pests. Successful composting requires three ingredients in the right amounts.

Those ingredients are characterized as greens, browns and water. Green materials are those that include items such as vegetable and fruit waste, coffee grounds and grass clippings. The browns are composed of dead leaves, twigs and branches. Moisture is also required for the proper breakdown of the components. Organic materials should be layered, but a composting receptacle that allows for easy turning and mixing of the materials is an easy and convenient alternative.

There are a great many materials that can be composted. They include coffee grounds and filters, eggshells, nutshells, and fruit and vegetable wastes. Also on the list of compostable items are hay, straw, leaves, sawdust, grass clippings and houseplants. Cardboard can also be added, along with pet hair and fireplace ashes.

There are some limitations that should never be added to a compost pile, such as scraps from meat or fish, charcoal ash, dairy products, or pet waste. Black walnut shells release substances that can be harmful to other plants, so omit them.

Compost piles should be located in a dry, shady spot and materials moistened as they’re added. Depending upon the mix of composting materials, individuals can have dark, rich compost ready to use in as little as two weeks, with the average being about two years. For those that lack outdoor space, small mini-units can be purchased for indoor composting that will produce ready-to-use organic material in 2-5 weeks.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

If you’re like most homeowners, you dream of creating a landscape that provides the privacy and beauty you crave. You may want to erect a fence, plant flowers, install a mini orchard, or raise a garden. All of your landscaping dreams can easily be ruined if you live in a community governed by a homeowners association (HOA).

An HOA closely regulates every aspect of landscaping from the types of plantings you can have to the materials, style and height of your fencing. You won’t even get a break during the holidays – HOA rules extend to the way you can decorate, when your holiday lights can be on, and the noise level if you synch your lights to music.

Fencing

One of the goals of HOAs is the uninterrupted view of expansive lawns. Fences interfere with that. You can be required to alter the fence or take it down and be subject to fines. Those rules can also deprive your children of a safe place to play unimpeded. If your landscaping plans include a pool, that restrictive fence rule will come into play since pools are required to have a fence around them.

Plantings

One area in which HOAs excel is in regulating plantings. They have regulations about the length of your grass, hedge trimming, where plants can be located on the property, and even the species of plants that you can place in your yard. The organizations also have instructions about the type of lawn grass you can have, the annuals you plant, and perennials usually won’t be tolerated.

A fruit tree or even two may not raise eyebrows as long as they conform to height requirements, but trying to cultivate even a small garden or herb patch won’t be appreciated. You may even encounter specific guidelines on the color of flowers you can plant.

If you favor drooping tree species, you’re going to be disappointed. HOAs typically have canopy rules that require the bottom branches of trees to remain at least 8 ft. above the ground. Many people are letting dandelions grow as a food source for bees and butterflies – a definite no-no for an HOA. Dandelions and native plants are often considered weeds and you’ll have to eradicate them.

Know The Rules

For some, HOAs provide an ideal environment where conformity is the keyword. If you have visions of pools, fences, or specific trees, bushes and flowers – an HOA can ruin all your landscaping plans. Read the HOA rules thoroughly before you buy since they can vary widely from place to place. It will save trouble and regret later on.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

Creating a beautiful environment can be accomplished through a professional landscaping company, but many people prefer a do-it-yourself approach. There are numerous articles about the importance of planting bushes close to homes to discourage would-be intruders or creating flower beds against homes to improve curb appeal. However, plantings of any type should never touch your home and there are very good reasons for that.

Rodents and Insects

Bushes leaning against the home and flower beds that touch are an open invitation to rodents and a myriad of insects from ants and termites to spiders and mosquitoes. Close plantings also attract wildlife that feed on those pests.

Mold

Bushes and flower beds create a somewhat shaded and moist environment in which multiple types of mold will flourish. Mold spores travel into the home no matter how careful you are and most of the time it’s not a problem. Elevated levels are a health consideration for those with allergies and respiratory conditions, along with those undergoing cancer treatments or who have a comprised immune system.

Siding and Exteriors

When plantings brush or rub against structure exteriors, it increases the wear and tear on those areas. Over time, the areas of contact appear older and are more susceptible to damage from storms. One planting that’s especially detrimental to homes is ivy. As it clings and climbs, it can break through paint, push through and penetrate siding, and crumble brick. It creates an environment where mold can grow and pockets where insect pests can nest.

Fire Hazard

In areas prone to forest fires, plantings that are very close to homes and buildings present a fire hazard. Even if you don’t live in a fire-prone area, if a fire occurs at your home, plantings against your house and other structures make it easier for flames to spread to surrounding homes.

Appearance

The goal of landscaping is to create a beautiful environment around your home and property. Plantings that are too close to structures or leaning against them detract from curb appeal and gives the perception of a home that’s not cared for or well-maintained.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

Whether you are a small business owner or an established real estate developer, good commercial landscaping is critical to making a profit. You want your site to look as good as possible, and it must function for your tenants and customers. No matter what kind of business you have, you need to consider all landscaping options before deciding on what types of plants and flowers you will use. Here is how to get it just right.

Hiring a landscaper to manage your commercial landscaping is one of the most common ways to approach the issue. A good landscaper should be able to work with you to ensure that your plants grow in the areas you specified, that they thrive, and that they look great throughout your property’s ambiance. Be sure to ask questions about their knowledge of local laws and requirements regarding plants. It is also a good idea to find out if they have any training in erosion control or watering issues.

Landscapers are used to maintaining yards and spaces for businesses. Your outdoor areas such as driveways, sidewalks, alleys, parking lots, and more should be well-tended and maintained throughout all seasons. If you are planning to hire a professional landscaper to handle your commercial landscaping, make sure you work with someone who has previous experience working with all kinds of landscapes and outdoor spaces. They should have worked with properties located throughout your neighborhood and are familiar with the challenges involved with working in such a varied and unique environment.

Whether you are working with a landscaper to manage your commercial landscaping or to do the work themselves, it is important to ask questions and understand the cost/benefits of ongoing maintenance. Some landscaping maintenance tasks, such as weeding, may not be necessary. Other tasks, such as mowing, trimming, and mulching, may not be cost-effective with some types of plants. If the purpose of these maintenance tasks is to beautify the outdoor space, it is important to consider the long term effects of the activities and whether they will be worth the investment.

The success of your landscape plan and your commercial landscaping project will depend on your ability to match your landscape and materials appropriately with your target market and your property value. In most cases, a well-designed landscape project that adds value to your home will improve the property’s overall appearance and increase its desirability. Your landscaping design should make the best use of the area it is on and accentuate the unique characteristics of your home, especially the assets that enhance your landscape design. It is important to research your design options so you know what you want to accomplish and the materials you will need. Having a landscape design firm focus on important factors such as your property value, aesthetics, and functionality will help you make the best decisions.

Landscaping companies have many years of experience and are skilled at transforming spaces. They work with different kinds of property and landscaping projects to help companies maximize the areas in which they are able to perform landscaping services. Commercial landscape companies can provide options for commercial spaces such as sports facilities, office complexes, shopping malls, industrial parks, and schools. Many commercial landscaping companies also work on residential properties and landscape design projects to create beautiful outdoor spaces that will complement the property and add value to the building.

Because landscaping is a specialized trade, commercial landscaping companies should hire qualified staff with appropriate training to perform all necessary maintenance tasks. Professional commercial landscape designers, maintenance personnel, and contractors will have to perform pest and weed control, aeration, mulching, and any number of other maintenance tasks. When these professionals are able to perform their job duties proficiently, they can reduce maintenance costs and increase property value. Some of the maintenance tasks included in landscape maintenance include cutting, trimming, and edging, and removing unwanted vegetation and weeds.

Even though most people choose to landscape their yards, few people realize that yards also need to be maintained. Many times, spaces that are created through landscaping become inaccessible or difficult to use due to the prevalence of unwanted plants and other forms of plant life. Landscaping companies can provide a complete landscaping service that includes removing unwanted plants, grass, trees, and shrubs to make spaces easier to use and beautiful. The services that a commercial landscape design company can provide improve the functionality of spaces and increase property value because beautiful outdoor spaces are attractive to all who pass by.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760