One of the most important aspects of landscaping is the installation of an irrigation system. It’s a facet that’s highly overlooked in the South Florida climate. It’s true that the area receives significant rainfall, but plants and trees need water during drier months too, but in different amounts. There are numerous reasons why an irrigation system is an essential feature in the landscape.

Seasonal Needs

There are times of the year when rainfall isn’t as plentiful and an irrigation system will ensure that adequate moisture is provided over the changing seasons.

Type of Plantings

Water requirements vary among plantings. Lawns are a good example. St. Augustine Grass is a common lawn covering and it’s more water-dependent than other species.

Conservation

Irrigation systems are an important way to maintain a beautiful landscape while conserving a critical natural resource. Programmable irrigation systems deliver the correct amount of moisture for the season. Monitoring systems with sensors “know” when water is needed. They automatically apply it and at the correct time of the day to maximize efficiency and minimize the amount of evaporation.

Efficiency

The sprinkler heads of an irrigation system are adjustable. They’re able to apply different rates of water to different areas throughout the landscape. It ensures that numerous types of plantings can be enjoyed in the landscape and moisture application is customized. It also prevents wastage because driveways, streets and sidewalks aren’t being watered along with the landscape.

Multiple Options

Individuals can choose wide-use watering irrigation systems, drip irrigation systems, and a combination of both. Wide-use is what’s typically utilized for lawns and large open areas. Drip irrigation systems are an ideal way to conserve water, particularly when watering flowerbeds. Moisture is delivered slowly at the ground level where it’s need most and prevents flowers from being crushed or drowned from the output of traditional sprinkler heads.

Savings

The efficient watering of landscapes minimizes water waste, which will save money on water bills. It also saves individuals a considerable amount of time and effort over water by hand, which is the most inaccurate and inefficient methods to employ.

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

Most people are surprised to learn that South Florida has a dry season. The entire state is typically characterized as a tropical environment 365 days a year. October through May marks the official dry season and in January, the state can receive as little as 1.5 inches of rainfall.

A lawn is more than just the green space that surrounds homes and businesses. It’s an eco-friendly way to reduce erosion and glare, buffer sound, cool the environment, and filter contaminates. A lush lawn provides curb appeal and increases home values. However, the road to a healthy lawn is dependent upon proper care throughout the year, especially during the dry season.

Fertilizing

Different types of grass have specific care requirements. The most common turf grass in South Florida is St. Augustine grass. The final fertilizer application should be timed for early fall in South Florida. The amount of fertilizer will depend on if the lawn is established or newly created, the type of soil, pH levels, and overall health.

Mowing

Many homeowners keep their lawns too short. The average lawn should be maintained at a height of about three inches. Lower grass heights open the door to insect pests such as nematodes and doesn’t let the grass root as securely.

Short lawns are less resistant to drought. Only 1/3 of the grass height should be removed at one time. To keep a lawn at three inches, mow when it’s about 4-4.5 inches tall. Be sure to keep lawn mower blades sharp so they cut cleanly rather than tearing the grass. Let grass clipping dry before removing them.

Irrigation

During the dry season, irrigation is called for when the grass doesn’t easily recover. It begins to have a blue-green appearance, or it starts to wilt. About ¾ of an inch is usually sufficient during the dry season when turf grass isn’t growing as vigorously and should be applied on an as-needed basis.

Weeds and Insects

Controlling weeds and insects is a year-round task. There are different types of weed killers that can be applied, but it’s essential that homeowners know the difference. There are weed killers for actively growing weeds and herbicides for pre-emerging weeds.

The same is true for insect control. Applying insecticides can actually make a lawn more susceptible to damage and disease. It’s always best to consult with a lawn care professional with the knowledge, training and experience to provide expert guidance.

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

Fertilizer is an essential ingredient for green lawns, healthy vegetables and burgeoning blooms. It’s particularly important if the soil is less than optimal. Fertilizer provides edible and decorative plantings with a steady supply of the nutrients needed for strong growth. The first order of business is understanding what the labeling on fertilizer means.

Fertilizer bags will have three numbers listed in bold, for instance 12-12-12. The first number is the amount of nitrogen the fertilizer contains, the second is phosphorous, and the third is potassium. The fertilizer will also contain smaller amounts of other nutrients. Nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are the three major ingredients with which gardeners should be concerned.

Nitrogen is used for strong leaf growth and healthy green color. Phosphorus provides the nutrients required for plants to sustain faster growth, fight disease, form strong roots, and produce fruits, flowers and seeds. Potassium helps in fighting disease, producing strong stems, and faster, sustained growth. The nutrients are released over time.

If an organic-based fertilizer is selected, the bag will show an N-P-K ratio and the numbers will be smaller. They’re as potent as traditional, synthetic fertilizers, but the numbers in organic fertilizer represents the nutrients that are immediately available to plants once the compound has been applied. It also contains components that are released over time.

Applying a fertilizer high in nitrogen stimulates leaf growth. If applied to flowering plants, it will encourage growth rather than flowers or fruits. However, a fertilizer high in nitrogen is a good idea for lettuce, spinach and other leafy, green vegetables in food gardens.

Phosphorus promotes root growth and encourages fruit and flower production. It’s valuable in vegetable gardens for edible root crops such as onions and carrots, along with cucumbers and tomatoes for good yields. It also provides new plantings with a boost for root formation. Potassium levels are necessary for producing vigorous, sturdy and hearty plants.

Individuals need to choose their fertilizer carefully to match the effects they want to achieve – growth, fruit or flowers. Applying the wrong fertilizer mix, or applying it at the incorrect time of the year, will damage plants or a lawn and it may require the services of a professional landscaper to correct.

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

Now is the time to begin planning your summer landscape that will turn heads – and it does require planning. It’s important to understand what you want to accomplish. Some want a place to entertain, while others are just seeking a place to relax from a hard day. Still others are contemplating changes to make their property more attractive to buyers.

Whether you’re going to install new plantings or create an entirely new area, begin with what you like about your current landscape, plan around it, and try to envision what it would look like with the proposed alterations. You may discover that you’re already half way to realizing your dreamscape. If you lack inspiration, ideas are as close as an Internet search.

There are so many things that you can do with a modern landscape and it pays to plan early since landscapers are typically booked months in advance. A landscape professional can also help you with ideas and show you options that you may not know even exist. Planning early also gives you additional time to research options and their cost.

One of the reasons for early planning is that landscapes are dynamic creations with a life of their own. Color themes change, plants die back and new blossoms take their place. Trees may suffer damage from storms and need to be removed. You’ll also need to consider the size of trees and bushes when they’re mature, and how long the landscape renovation project will take to complete.

Hard features in your landscape run the gamut from swimming pools, fountains and fish ponds to patios, decks and outdoor kitchens. You can even host movie nights outdoors with modern systems encompassing video, Internet and streaming services through wireless connections. Installing those types of additions will require more time and be more expensive.

It doesn’t matter whether you just want to make a few changes to accommodate specific needs or want an entire redesign, start thinking about the changes you want to make to the landscape before summer arrives. You may find that with the options and opportunities available, you may arrive at a completely different plan than what you first envisioned.

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

A lot has been said about the powerful effects of a beautifully designed landscape on employee moral and productivity. Multiple studies have proven the beneficial effects, but few business owners think about the effect landscaping has on retaining established customers, acquiring new clients, or the overall value of their enterprise.

Curb Appeal

Curb appeal isn’t just for homes. Perception is everything and landscaping is equally applicable for commercial endeavors. A landscape that’s well cared for and inviting welcomes established customers and subconsciously imparts an air of enhanced professionalism. Studies have shown that more than 70 percent of individuals interviewed would conduct commerce with businesses that incorporated trees and flowers in their surroundings.

Increased Value

Including green spaces in business environments adds to property values. It’s equally true whether it’s an office building or a housing complex. Available outdoor spaces are essentially an expansion of the business environment. Companies that ignore the potential inherent in professional landscaping are effectively sending clients to their competitors.

Without green spaces, the perception of customers is that of an enterprise that cares only about the financial side of the business. Today’s customers are more likely to conduct business with companies that utilize green spaces. Depending on the building, it can also aid in lessening heating/cooling costs.

Healthy, Happy Employees

Flowers and trees are an easy way to brighten outdoor atmospheres. Numerous research projects have proven that employees are happier, experience less stress, and are more productive when companies provide attractive outdoor features. That translates into reduced healthcare costs and it’s beneficial in attracting the best talent to businesses.

Green Marketing

Companies erect signage to let people know where they’re located ranging from potential employees to delivery drivers. What many business owners don’t know is that landscaping around the signage makes the company more easily identifiable. Flowers and shrubs are an easy way for business owners to call attention to their enterprise and stand out from competitors. It’s a form of green marketing that’s highly effective and often overlooked.

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

Potential customers abound in the landscaping business, but they have to know about the company before they can hire them. That requires networking, marketing, and building brand recognition. It’s not a process that happens overnight. Even the largest and most well-known landscapers must continually work to acquire new customers. The following are tips for drumming up new business.

No Job Is Too Little

There’s a wealth of smaller projects just waiting for landscapers. They’re especially beneficial for young and smaller companies as a means of gaining brand recognition, obtaining online reviews and getting the company’s name out to the public.

Websites and Social Media

A website is essential since the majority of customers will perform an online search before making a call. The company website is an important and effective marketing tool to announce anything from referral programs to veteran discounts. It’s the equivalent of word-of-mouth advertising – one of the most effective advertising methods available. Don’t neglect social media marketing, it’s a powerful tool.

Start Advertising Early

Don’t wait until spring is in full bloom to get the company’s name in front of potential clients. People begin planning their projects early and companies need to advertise any discounts or special deals before the landscaping season begins in earnest through any means possible to call attention to the business.

Focus on Customer Needs

This requires that the company understands the demographic they’re serving and their unique needs, while highlighting the company’s services. Customers may want lawns seeded, fertilized or mowed; flowers, vines, bushes and trees planted; irrigation systems installed; or pest control performed. They may also be seeking a whole new makeover for their property.

Empathy and Customer Service

It’s critical that landscapers listen, understand and empathize with clients. Individuals will state what they want, but there’s typically an underlying and unspoken desire of what they want to accomplish through the work. It can take time to draw clients out and determine their pain points. It’s well worth the effort for landscapers to take that time to get to know and understand their client.

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

When the work is done, a newly installed landscape is a wonder to behold. Maintaining that beautiful environment isn’t as easy. It will take effort and work on your part, along with an understanding of the plants in your care. If you travel frequently or don’t have the time to devote to the task, your best solution is to hire a professional landscaping company.

Lawns

A manicured lawn requires regular mowing, but be sure not to remove more than one-third of the height of the grass. Cutting too frequently or too short stresses the grass and makes it more susceptible to drought, heat, sunburn, insects and weeds. Always make sure lawn mower blades are sharp so they cut cleanly.

Weeds

A weed is a nutrient thief, often deceptively disguised as a flowering plant. Weeds rob the soil of nutrients that desirable plants need to thrive and they find their way into your landscape through multiple means. Remove weed blossoms so more don’t sprout and eliminate the entire plant if it’s possible to do so without causing too much disturbance to lawn or flower beds.

Fertilizer

Different plants have their own unique fertilizer needs. Native plants will require less fertilizer as they’ve evolved to local soil and climate conditions. Non-native plants may need certain combinations of nutrients to keep them healthy. Established plants will have different needs than those that are newly planted.

Pruning and Deadheading

Trees and bushes are pruned to remove damaged branches and stimulate growth. Pruning during the dormant season is essential before new spring growth appears. Trees and shrubs that are actively growing require more water and over-pruning deprive them of their natural ability to shade themselves against the sun. For flowers, deadheading may be required to keep them looking attractive and prevent them from propagating themselves throughout the garden.

Water

Moisture is essential, even in South Florida’s humid climate, and all plants don’t have the same water requirements. Too much or too little moisture is equally damaging. If you’re watering by hand or with sprinklers attached to the garden hose, be sure to water late at night or before dawn to minimize evaporation.

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

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of working the soil to help plants grow. There are also a number of maintenance tasks that will need to be performed in the landscape such as cutting back vines and bushes, or trimming and pruning trees to keep them healthy and attractive. Before jumping into any outdoor tasks, it’s important for individuals to have the right tools for the job.

Protective Clothing

Protective clothing encompasses a variety of items for performing yard work. Canvas work pants or jeans protect legs against flying grass when mowing or weed eating. Long-sleeved shirts provide the same protections for arms.

For those that will be digging in the soil, using compost or applying manure, or mulching, gloves are critical. They protect against injuries ranging from splinters to thorns, but there’s an even more serious reason for gloves. Soil can contain a variety of naturally occurring bacteria, fungi and viruses that can make people very ill.

Helmets

From tree pruning to cleaning the gutters, the potential always exists for a fall. Those accidents result in thousands of instances of injuries, disability and even fatalities across the nation each year. There are different types of protective helmets available that are specially developed for protection while performing specific tasks.

Headphones

Noise-canceling headphones are more than a convenience, they protect your hearing from permanent damage through exposure to the high decibel levels of lawnmowers, weed whackers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, and chippers. The best solution is a set of specially designed headphones, but even plastic, foam or silicone earplugs are preferable to no protection at all.

Goggles

Any type of electric or motorized garden tool has the ability to sling debris into the eyes of the user and anyone else nearby. A good pair of safety goggles is an essential pre-emptive tool for preventing injuries to the eyes. Safety eyeglasses are also available, but don’t provide the same level of protection as goggles.

Other Tools

Yard work can encompass a great many tasks and no one should be without hand tools. They can include a rake, hoe, shears, and small hand tools such a trowel and a long-handled tool for harvesting fruit from home orchards. A small sprayer makes the application of liquid fertilizer, insecticides and herbicides much easier. Don’t forget to include a wheelbarrow for transporting anything around the yard.

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

“You can’t grow cactus in Florida” is a fallacy that many newly minted gardeners will hear. Experienced growers know that there are many types of cacti that grow quite well in the state. While cacti are primarily considered a plant of dry, arid landscapes, they can also flourish in Florida. There are even native cactus species.

Cactus gardening and landscaping has become a trend in the state. The prickly pear cactus is one of the most common types of cactus that individuals will find. It sports yellow blossoms in spring, red fruit in the autumn, can grow up to three feet tall, and spreads readily. It shouldn’t be planted where children or pets will be. However, that’s not the only type of cactus that will grow in the humid environment.

Christmas Cactus

Typically thought of as a short-lived hothouse plant for northern climates, the Christmas cactus is an anomaly that prefers more moisture than desert varieties, along with rich, moist soil. It blooms between February and November and to bloom it requires 13 hours of darkness and cool nights. It’s best grown as a patio plant that can be moved inside if the temperature drops.

Dragon Fruit Cactus

Classified as a member of the cactus family, the most common is Hylocereus Costaricensis. It grows as a vine and will need support. The flowers are one of the largest in the world, extremely fragrant, and bloom for a single night. Moths and bees will be the primary pollinators. It’s best to have two plants for pollination if fruit is desired or hand pollination will be required.

The blossoms give way to bright red, sweet fruits that have a taste described as a cross between a pear and a kiwi. They grow rapidly during the summer months, but rest during the remainder of the year, blooming from July to October.

Night Blooming Cereus

The cactus is unique in that it has no spines and displays a vine-like growth habit. A single plant can grow up to 20 feet in length. The flowers are fragrant, large, and only bloom for a single night.

Triangle Cactus

The Triangle cactus is known by names ranging from barbed wire cactus to sword pear. It has large, white blooms that bloom at night and are attractive to moths and hummingbirds. It features an upright growth habit and can attain a height of 23 feet if left alone. It will also tolerate temperatures of up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

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

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