If you’re planning to have work performed in your landscape, plan early. Don’t wait any longer if you haven’t already scheduled your project. It doesn’t matter whether you’re planning a full-scale remodel of your outdoor environment or just want to add a small water feature in the backyard – landscaping companies are in high and are often booked for months in advance.

The promising news is that they may also be able to work you in if your project isn’t too extensive. The range of services offered will depend on the individual landscape company, but can encompass any or all of the following.

Plantings

Landscape companies are best known for their planting services for flowerbeds, vines, bushes and trees. They’re highly-trained in the requirements of an extensive array of plants and are able to give them the best possible start in your yard.

Irrigation Systems

Landscape companies design and install traditional irrigation systems. They also work with sustainable systems that feature low water consumption and savings for clients.

Lawn Care

Maintaining a lush, green lawn can require considerable time, effort, and individuals can inadvertently do more harm than good for their lawn if they’re not careful. A landscaping company has highly-skilled technicians that know the optimal way to mow different species of grass, fertilize in the correct amount and at the right time, water effectively, and prevent disease and animal pests.

Hardscapes

These are the non-plant features that can be added to landscapes for interest and enjoyment. Hardscapes include such items as pool surroundings, walkways, statuary, pergolas, firepits, and lighting that enhances outdoor spaces.

Maintenance

Landscapers work with residential and commercial clients to install and maintain environments year-round. That can include trimming and pruning trees for their health and the safety of people and homes, tending to a backyard citrus grove, or removing fruits from palm trees.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

Some people have a natural talent for designing attractive gardens and the ability to plant almost anything and make it thrive. For those that don’t have those skills, a landscape designer is the solution. The following are key elements when hiring a landscaping company.

On-Site Inspection

Always expect an on-site inspection from the selected landscape company. The inspection process enables the company to explore the soil, choose compatible plants, and plan for every contingency, including an irrigation system if needed. It allows the estimator to create an accurate estimate so homeowners don’t experience any surprises later on.

The inspection includes accessibility to the property and any existing features that might be disturbed during the landscaping process. The inspector will note any potential problem areas such as slopes and cliffs, along with the placement of utility lines and property boundaries. Landscaping company can also design landscapes around themes, along with those that that are child- and pet-friendly.

Soil

The South Florida soil doesn’t retain moisture or nutrients well. While native plants have adapted to the soil, not all plantings are able to do so. They may require extra moisture, fertilization, or protection from the afternoon sun. Landscapers are knowledgeable about plant requirements.

Plantings

Individuals may have their heart set on certain plantings in their landscape, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Landscape designers are cognizant of the space requirements of mature bushes, shrubs and trees and help clients choose the best plants for their specific circumstances.

Sustainability

There’s a decided trend toward sustainable landscapes. The design utilizes plants that thrive in existing conditions and often relies on native plants. It also includes irrigation systems that use less water and save clients money.

Ultimate Usage

Homeowners should tell the landscaping professionals how the area to be addressed will be used. It provides information the experts can utilize to craft a landscape that accommodates the client’s aesthetics, while facilitating their intended use and lifestyle.

Gardeners in Florida are fortunate in the extensive range of flowering plants that will thrive in the sub-tropical climate. While people in other parts of the U.S. typically need to plant multiple types of flowers for successive blooms, the following flowers will look great year-round in South Florida.

Gaillardia

Also known as blanket flower, it begins blooming in early summer and continues until a frost occurs. They’re tolerant of heat, drought, and sandy soils. The brightly-colored red and yellow daisy-like flowers are heavy bloomers. Most varieties are 12 to 18 inches high, but some can grow up to 3 ft. tall.

Gerbera Daisy

Available with brilliant red, yellow, orange purple, pink or white blooms, they look great in the garden and can be used as cut flowers. Eager bloomers, they can break into blossom at any time and the flowers last for several weeks. They like the sun, but need afternoon shade, growing 10 to 18 in. high.

Ixora

Known as West Indian Jasmine, the shrub blooms year-round and each flower cluster can last 6 to 8 weeks. Blossoms are abundant and available in bright red, yellow, orange, pink or white. It doesn’t tolerate alkaline soils and needs full sun, growing 4 to 15 ft. tall and 4 to 10 ft. wide.

Pentas

A bush with star-shaped blooms, it attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators. Blossoms are red, purple, lavender, white or pink. It needs full sun and grows 18 to 36 in. tall, but some species can reach 6 ft. in height. In South Florida it can even bloom into the winter months.

Salvia

The red, white or pink tubular blossoms appear spring through fall, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. It typically grows 3 to 4 ft. tall. Use care in choosing a species, as some can spread where they’re not wanted. They’re drought tolerant.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

Maintaining a lush, green lawn is a priority for many people. What they don’t know is that their mowing practices may actually be damaging their grass in multiple ways. It doesn’t matter what type of grass is seeded or how hardy it’s supposed to be, employing correct practices will help it thrive.

Sharp Blades

Sharp blades are key to ensure cuts are clean. Dull blades rip and tear blades of grass. Blades need to be replaced or sharpened if the cut ends appear ragged. The grass tips will also appear gray where they were cut. Lawn grass that’s been ripped rather than cut is highly susceptible to disease, along with insect infestations.

Direction

Alter the direction in which you mow. You may have worked out a method for mowing that minimizes the number of passes you have to make. Mowing in the same direction each time can create ruts in the soil. When you mow in the same direction each time, grass is bent in a single direction and inconsistencies in length can occur.

Mow Weekly

When your lawn receives enough moisture, it will typically grow enough each week to warrant being mowed. Be aware of the needs of the variety planted.

Height Matters

• Each species of grass has an optimal length that it should be kept. The University of Florida recommends the following:
• Bahia grass – 3 to 4 in.
• Bermuda grass – 5 to 5.5 in.
• Carpet grass – 1.5 to 2 in.
• Centipede grass – 1.5 to 2 in.
• St. Augustine grass – 2.5 to 4 in
• Zoysia grass – 1 to 3 in.

Water, Fertilizer and Weed Control

The average lawn only needs 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week to thrive during the growing season. Choose a slow-release fertilizer and apply appropriately to prevent burning the lawn. Dig up weeds by hand and use caution when applying weed killer.

Hire a Professional

If you don’t have the time or don’t feel confident about the many tasks associated with a lush lawn, hire a professional lawn service. They can install irrigation if needed. The experts will know how much fertilizer to apply and when, the appropriate methods to deal with insect pests, and can install irrigation.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

On average, a lawn in South Florida will need mowing once a week if it’s getting enough water
and nutrients for proper growth. However, that schedule may not be the healthiest option for
your lawn if there’s been a significant length of time with no rain or you don’t have irrigation.
Mowing frequency will also depend on the type of grass that’s planted in the lawn.
South Florida is known for its generous rainfall totals. You may need to mow twice a week if
rainfall has been plentiful. Conversely, mowing every 2 weeks during a dry spell could be
sufficient. The seasons also play an important role in mowing. You’ll mow more often during
the spring and summer months. Your mowing frequency will be radically reduced, or
eliminated, during the autumn and winter months when grass goes dormant.
Much will depend on the species of grass that’s planted. The University of Florida recommends
the following as the optimal grass heights:
 Bahia grass – 3 to 4 in.
 Bermuda grass – 5 to 5.5 in.
 Carpet grass – 1.5 to 2 in.
 Centipede grass – 1.5 to 2 in.
 St. Augustine grass – 2.5 to 4 in.
 Zoysia grass – 1 to 3 in.
Dwarf varieties of St. Augustine grass, Seville, Jade, and Palmetto (Delmar) are the only cultivars
that should be mowed at less than 3 inches.
Mowers
To keep grass healthy and looking attractive, make sure lawn mower blades are sharp. Dull
blades don’t cut – they tear. Dull blades are detrimental to your lawn – signs of dull blades can
include:
 Grass looks ragged
 White tips on grass
 A brownish hue
Mowing with dull blades makes grass more susceptible to disease. Blades should be replaced –
or at least sharpened – once a year, and more frequently if you notice tearing rather than a
smooth cut. Use caution over uneven terrain. It’s easy to scalp high spots.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760