Author: Petalon Landscape

HOA Complex Landscape, Commercial Lawn Services, East Bay, CA

Effective Drought Resistant Landscaping Ideas

Written by Petalon Landscape on September 1, 2022. Posted in Blog.

Water Conservation Techniques that Work

As the drought drags on from year to year, water conservation continues to be a huge priority for business owners in Santa Clara and the surrounding communities. With strict ordinances on water use, it’s hard to design a drought-tolerant landscape plan without help from an expert.

Petalon Landscape Management, Inc. can install high-efficiency irrigation systems and plant drought-friendly plants and trees for a beautiful, earth-friendly commercial landscape.

Keep reading for the top four drought-resistant landscaping ideas from our experienced team.

Proven Drought Tolerant Landscaping Techniques

Put our drought management techniques, such as low water plantings, artificial grass, mulching, and upgraded water management techniques, to work for you. Save time and money and gain peace of mind by hiring us to implement these and other water-saving landscape techniques for your commercial property.

1. Low Water Plantings

Santa Clara Valley Water District has an approved plant list to help residents conserve water through smart landscape designs. Examples include:

Perennials, such as sand verbena, silvery yarrow, and African daisies
Shrubs and trees such as yellow jugflower, lemon verbena, bougainvillea, and bamboo shrub trees
Groundcover and grasses that require less water

2. Artificial Grass

You can save thousands of dollars and conserve water by installing artificial grass on your commercial property. Use it in the courtyard, entryways, and other areas that see a lot of foot traffic. You will save money on lawncare and lower your water bill.

3. Mulching Trees and Shrubs

Mulch holds in water and keeps your topsoil moist. Additionally, it can prevent the sun from leaving the ground parched around your plants. Without mulch, your trees and shrubs will need constant watering.

4. Upgraded Water Management

Petalon Landscape Management can implement a water management strategy for you. This includes designing systems with advanced features such as smart controllers and providing services like:

Low water irrigation system installation
Smart irrigation management
Conservation-minded drainage solutions
Skilled repair of leaky irrigation systems

Additional Drought Resistant Landscaping Ideas

With the right soil, plants, trees, and irrigation, you can conserve water and minimize the effects of drought. Discuss the following ideas with your landscape management team:

Grow California-native plants
Minimize turf, which requires a lot of water to grow and thrive
Group similar plants together to simplify watering
Implement on-site rainwater collection
Maintain your irrigation system to stop leaks

Our team can implement these and other techniques to create sustainable landscapes on your commercial property.

Petalon Landscape Management, Inc. serves commercial property managers and owners in Santa Clara, Redwood City, Palo Alto, Livermore, and Morgan Hill. Call 408-453-3998 or contact us online to discuss more drought resistant landscaping ideas.

Drought Tolerant Plants and Landscape, Save Water. Bay Area, CA

Is It Time to Rip Out Your Grass?

Written by Petalon Landscape on June 27, 2022. Posted in Blog, Drought Tolerant Landscaping, Landscape Installation, Water Management.

Seeing the Tell-Tale Signs? Is It Time to Rip Out Your Grass?

Consider a Landscape Makeover with Drought Resistant Plantings

If you frequently have bare spots or dull and brownish patches on your lawn, you may want to think about a long-term solution. Maybe it’s time to rip out your grass and replace it with low maintenance ground cover.

Here are a few signs that your grass is in trouble:

Lawn is overwhelmed by weeds
There are many bare spots in your turf
Grass covers only 50% of your commercial landscape
Dry grass turns pink or yellow, instead of brown
Watering doesn’t revitalize your grass

One or more of these signs may indicate it’s best to stop wasting time, effort, and water on your grass. Switch to drought resistant landscaping, a much better use of valuable resources and of your commercial landscaping budget.

At Petalon Landscape Management Inc., our landscape maintenance team in the San Francisco Bay Area is ready and waiting should you decide to remove the old grass and start anew.

Repair or Re-Do Your Lawn?

If more than half your property is riddled with weeds and bare spots, it may be time to start over. There are three main ways to do so:

Herbicide: A gentle but effective herbicide will kill your grass. This isn’t our first recommendation due to the potential contamination of fresh water sources. However, if you’re in a hurry and other methods aren’t practical, our experts will recommend the safest options on the market.
Manual removal: Using a sod cutter allows our pros to quickly remove strips of unhealthy turf. Talk to us about getting our experienced landscapers to cut the turf and turn the strips over to create a natural compost. This is also a great way to fill in a hole or create a decorative mound.
Solarization: As part of this method, we’ll use plastic, cardboard, or newspapers to cover the lawn and deprive it of light, moisture, and nutrients.

Some commercial landowners in the SF Bay Area decide to rip out their grass as part of their drought management strategy. Others do it to help their struggling lawn thrive. Either way, our team will support you with the information you need to make the right call.

Take the Right Steps to Replace Your Grass for a Landscape Makeover

Wondering if it’s time to rip out your grass? Underperforming, diseased, and non-thriving grass looks bad and can make it harder to revitalize your lawn. It may be the best decision to replace it now and obtain better results in the future with plantings that require less water and care.

If you decide instead that you need new grass, there are two methods of starting over: sodding, and planting grass seed. Planting sod gives you quicker results but costs more than starting over with seed.

Our landscapers have the experience needed to make the right call about removing or replacing your lawn. We can also provide commercial lawn care services to prevent future issues with a failing lawn.

Petalon Landscape Management Inc. is proud to serve commercial property managers and owners in the entire SF Bay Area, including Pleasanton, San Jose, Walnut Creek, Redwood City and Hayward, and Morgan Hill and Gilroy areas. Call 408-453-3998 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.

Pest Resistant Landscapes, Walnut Creek, CA

Taking Care of Trees During the Summer

Written by Petalon Landscape on May 20, 2022. Posted in Blog, Tree Care, Tree Health, Water Management.

Checklist for Taking Care of Trees During the Summer

From Root to Crown, Certified Arborists Look Out for Your Trees

Even with a trusted partner such as Petalon Landscape Management on the job, it’s important to know how to care for trees on your commercial property in the San Francisco Bay Area. Follow these tips and let our certified arborists know when pests, disease, and other signs threaten your trees.

Tips for Easy, Breezy Summer Tree Care

Follow these steps to take care of your trees during the summer.

Deep water trees for healthy roots. Regular watering keeps your trees healthy from the roots up. This is especially important during the hottest months of the year. Use a deep watering method to ensure moisture reaches into the soil and root system. Ideally, you can use a soaker hose installed by our team to create a steady drip.
Restore the soil with mulching. To maintain soil quality and keep it rich in nutrients and oxygen, it’s important to mulch around your trees each summer. In the forest, this process happens naturally. However, in an urban setting, you’ll need to provide the right ‘debris’ that benefits your landscaping. Mulching your landscape suppresses weeds, keeps the soil moist, and reduces competition with other plants.
Check for pest infestations. Even the healthiest looking tree may have hidden pest problems. You can check your trees once a week to look for signs of pests, including:
- Leaking tree sap
- Boreholes
- Dead bark
- Fine webbing on leaves and twigs (not spiderwebs)
- Chewed or curled foliage
- Clumps of webbing with caterpillars inside
- New growth covered in or wilting from masses of pests

These simple, visual inspections can help prevent major infestations or the spread of disease between landscaping maintenance appointments.

Know when to prune trees in summer. Typically, it’s best to prune trees during their dormant season; for most species this is early winter. However, you may sometimes need to prune trees back in the summer. Here are signs that it’s time for summer pruning:
- Dead branches
- Damaged branches
- Signs of pests or disease

Removing dead or damaged limbs and branches can help your trees remain healthy for many seasons to come. Rely on the Petalon crew for tree pruning services and to help look after your trees throughout the long, hot summer days.

Fertilize on schedule. Slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring benefits your trees all summer long. If you miss spring fertilization, ask your landscaper to feed the trees with an appropriate fertilizer for the season. Contact Petalon for experienced tree care services as part of your commercial landscape management needs.

These are just a few proven strategies that Petalon’s reliable network of certified arborists and experienced landscapers can apply to your commercial property. Feel free to browse our blog for more advice and tips on tree care in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Petalon Landscape Management, Inc. has been taking care of trees during the summer and every other season since 2004. Contact us online today or call 408-453-3998 to schedule a consultation on the best tree care strategy for your commercial property in San Francisco and the surrounding communities.

Water Saving Plans Can Result in Rebates

Written by Petalon Landscape on May 12, 2022. Posted in Blog, Drought Tolerant Landscaping, Irrigation, Landscape Maintenance, Tree Care, Water Management.

Roll Out Water Saving Plans that can Result in Rebates

Implement Water-Conserving Landscape Strategies

drought tolerant plants great for saving water

The Santa Clara Valley Authority is now offering rebates for qualified customers who submit their applications by June 30, 2022. As the weather warms up, many commercial property owners are thinking about how to spruce up their landscaping. As always, water-saving measures will typically be a big part of any landscaping strategy.

Now, however, there’s a huge incentive to invest in drought-resistant plants and efficient irrigation systems. Learn more about this exciting opportunity to recover up to $50,000 for your business. With the help of award-winning landscapers at Petalon Landscape Management, Inc. you can score a win for the environment and your budget.

Who Is Eligible?

The Santa Clara Valley Authority is targeting residents and businesses, asking everyone to convert from high to low-water use landscaping. This could include lawn reduction in favor of drought-resistant plants and xeriscaping as well as retrofitting leaky, inefficient irrigation systems with high-efficiency irrigation upgrades.

You may qualify for up to $50,000 in rebates for a commercial or multi-family property (more than 4 units). Keep in mind that maximum rebates may increase for cost-sharing areas. The official deadline is June 30,2022, but funds may deplete before then, so apply as soon as possible to improve your chances of receiving a rebate.

What Are the Different Types of Rebates?

Santa Clara Valley Water Authority has four rebate categories for water conservation on commercial properties:

Landscape conversion rebate: Receive up to $2 per square foot to convert lawns to low-water-use landscaping. Petalon offers drought-friendly landscaping services to save water and help you earn a rebate.
In-line drip irrigation conversion rebate: Get reimbursement for upgrading from overhead sprinklers to in-line drip irrigation in your existing planting beds.
Irrigation equipment upgrade rebate: Receive assistance with replacing inefficient irrigation hardware with irrigation controllers, rain sensors, and other water-friendly equipment. Petalon has experienced landscape designers who plan and install efficient irrigation systems to help you qualify for the rebate and save money on water costs.
Rainwater capture rebate. Capture rainwater from existing gutters and downspouts using cisterns, rain barrels, and rain gardens.

How Can You Apply?

Thanks to the comprehensive Online Application Portal you can apply for and check the status of all rebates in one place. You can also access the following information:

Rebate program details
Steps to apply
Program requirements
Qualifying equipment or plants

You may also qualify for other subsidies and rebates. Find out more about rebate caps and crucial information to improve your chances of getting a rebate.

Petalon Landscape Management, Inc. offers drought-friendly landscaping and irrigation system installation services throughout the Santa Clara Valley. Contact us today or call 408-453-3998 to schedule a consultation on water-saving plans that can result in rebates.

Hotel and Commercial Building Landscape Services, East Bay, CA

Why Artificial Grass Installation Can Be Better than Natural Grass?

Written by Petalon Landscape on April 22, 2022. Posted in Blog, Drought Tolerant Landscaping, Lawn Care, Water Management.

Artificial Grass Installation Can Be Better than Natural Grass – Here’s Why

Benefits of Artificial Grass for Bay Area Properties

As the weather warms up, residential and commercial property owners begin to think about sprucing up their lawns. Beautiful green grass soothes the eye and forms the largest part of many landscapes. However, there are numerous problems with natural grass that property owners would love to avoid. Find out why artificial grass installation can be better than natural grass.

The award-winning team at Petalon Landscape Management, Inc. can install artificial turf on your property in the Bay Area.

Problems Inherent in Natural Grass Lawns

If you have pets that like to dig or areas of heavy foot traffic on your lawn, you might have bald or brown spots that mar the aesthetics of your property. Here are a few other issues that can occur with natural grass:

Poor growth due to unhealthy soil.
Danger of fungal growth that can damage your lawn.
Weeds can take root and choke your natural grass.
Grasshoppers, ants, and grubs are just a few of the pests that thrive in natural grass. These pests attract gophers, birds, and other animals that can damage your lawn and outdoor furniture.
Pollens and allergens in natural grass lawns can make it difficult for individuals with allergies to spend time outdoors.
Poor drainage in your natural lawn can cause a muddy mess following a storm.
High water bills due to dry conditions and thirsty natural turf requiring daily irrigation.

In contrast, artificial grass can eliminate many of these issues.

How Artificial Grass Can Improve Your Lawn

Artificial grass has a more consistent texture than natural grass, which may prevent slips and falls. That’s just one reason many property owners opt for artificial turf, particularly for commercial property lawns.

Here are more ways natural-looking artificial grass can improve your outdoor living space:

Enjoy green grass you don’t have to mow or water.
Avoid pollen and allergens and breathe more easily around your home or place of business.
Discourage bugs and other pests from making themselves at home.
Avoid high water bills associated with watering natural grass.
Boast a lush green lawn with little to no maintenance. You don’t even need soil!

At Petalon Landscape Management Inc., we are focused on customer satisfaction and committed to creating beautiful, healthy outdoor living spaces in the Bay Area.

If you would like more information on why artificial grass installation can be better than natural grass, we have the answers you need. Contact us today to schedule a consultation for your residential and commercial property in the San Francisco Bay Area. Call 408-453-3998 for a quote.

Irrigation Management Services, Bay Area, CA

10 Water Saving Ideas for Your Landscaping

Written by Petalon Landscape on December 28, 2021. Posted in Blog, Drought Tolerant Landscaping, Irrigation, Water Management.

Update Your Water Management Strategies

Water management is always a top priority for landscaping in the Bay Area. Our team provides these great ideas to conserve water while hydrating your lawn, trees, and shrubs.

10 Ways to Save More Water in Your Commercial Landscaping

We can help you implement some of these ideas in your landscape maintenance strategy.

Choose the right water delivery schedules. Work with your Petalon landscaping team to prioritize large trees and shrubs during water restrictions. These features form the backbone of your landscape design and are harder to replace than smaller shrubs and flowers.
Choose an efficient delivery method. In periods of low rain, drip irrigation makes every drop count. It sends water where plants and trees need it the most, targeting root systems for maximum benefits. Work with your landscaper to choose from a variety of options, including small sprays or drips. It’s important to minimize spray onto hard surfaces where the water will evaporate quickly. Additionally, we have drought-friendly irrigation solutions for Bay Area properties.
Mornings are the best time to water plants. Set your schedule for the early morning hours to avoid excess evaporation and give your plants a boost for the day. Alternatively, schedule the watering cycle for late afternoon or early evening after the sun has gone down.
Do you really need a big lawn? By filling in some of the lawn with drought-friendly ornamental plants, you can still enjoy a patch of green while minimizing water-hungry grass. For example, consider a mix of ground cover and shrubs as a border around a central, smaller lawn. Check with your lawn pros to choose the right grass to conserve as much water as possible.
Install a meadow. It’s a rather fun, fanciful option that can take the drag out of drought management. Meadows include native or water-friendly plants and a wide variety of them. Your landscape designer can help you decide between a contemporary or traditional look. Special touches such as fairy circles or stone pathways can add to the stylish effect without compromising safety or security.
Trade out your lawn for ground cover. Low-water ground covers typically need much less water than grass. Speak with your Petalon landscaping team to learn more about ground cover that resembles grass. Consider micro clover or woolly thyme as a basis for a more biodiverse lawn.
Create hydro zones. Hydro zones are a method of grouping plants with similar water needs together. It creates specific areas to watch for distress and wilting without requiring the same scrutiny for your entire landscape plan.
Request a soil test. A healthy landscape starts with healthy soil. Our technicians can test the soil for pH (ideal range is 6 to 7), water retention, and healthy drainage. We can treat your soil with compost, mulch, and worm castings to develop a better balance.
Mulch your shrubs, trees, and plants. Mulching is helpful for many reasons, including water retention and preventing weeds, which rob your landscape of precious moisture.
Invest in smart technology. Our team can install smart controllers, automatic rain shut-off sensors, and other devices that help conserve water on your property.

Petalon’s water wise experts can help you brainstorm additional landscape drought management ideas.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation on any of these 10 water saving ideas for your landscaping in the San Francisco Bay Area. Call 408-453-3998 for a quote.

Lawn Drainage, Complete Landscape Services and Irrigation, Walnut Creek, CA

Drainage Maintenance for Commercial Landscapes

Written by Petalon Landscape on October 28, 2021. Posted in Blog, Irrigation, Landscape Maintenance, Water Management.

Prepare Your Bay Area Property for Winter Rain

Winter is coming and December to March can bring three to four inches of rain to your San Francisco Bay Area commercial property. That’s twice as much or more than the rainfall in any other month. Despite the drought, it’s important to prepare your soil for the relative deluge of the wet season.

Petalon provides comprehensive landscaping services, including installation and repair of drainage systems. You can trust our pros to ensure proper drainage maintenance for commercial landscapes in the Bay Area.

Consequences of Poor Drainage

During the rainy season, improper drainage or compacted soil can cause a slew of problems for the grass and plants on your commercial property. Throughout the warmer part of the year, drought conditions shrink and compact the soil, making it difficult for nutrients and water to reach plant roots. As winter approaches and brings rainfall, the water pooling around ground cover and plants creates a soggy mess that can lead to root rot and diseases that leave your landscaping weak and vulnerable.

Signs of drainage issues:

Foul odors
Gray, red, or orange spots in the soil
Insect infestation
Moss growing even though you didn’t plant it
Standing water around plants

If you notice any of these signs, reach out to Petalon promptly. We can provide the necessary maintenance to ensure that your landscape thrives through the rainy season and beyond with proper drainage and loose, healthy soil.

Why Invest in Drainage Maintenance?

Whether you represent an HOA, college campus, or corporation, investing in a drainage maintenance program can benefit your landscape in the following ways:

Eliminate swampy areas: Our technicians ensure your soil receives just the right amount of moisture without drowning or drying out.
Install suitable drainage plus an irrigation system: Whether it’s raining every day or sunny and dry, good drainage and the right irrigation system provide your plants, trees and lawns with the proper amount of water.
Maintain sanitary conditions: Without proper drainage, excess moisture creates a haven for certain pests, such as mosquitoes, bacteria and fungal diseases that can threaten the health and well-being of employees, customers, and visitors.
Protect your buildings: Proper drainage systems steer water away from your building foundations.

Petalon provides comprehensive commercial drainage installation, repair, and maintenance.

Contact us today to schedule drainage maintenance for commercial landscapes in the SF Bay Area. Call 408-453-3998 for a free quote. Areas we serve include Pleasanton, San Jose, Walnut Creek, Redwood City and Hayward, and the Morgan Hill and Gilroy areas.

Natural Replacements for Lawns

Written by Petalon Landscape on September 30, 2021. Posted in Blog, Landscape Installation.

Best Options for Natural Replacements for Lawns

Choose Alternatives to Grass from Wildflowers to Moss

Traditional grass requires a lot of time, water, and money to maintain. Typically, it also needs chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides to remain in pristine condition. However, there’s another way to carpet the lawn of your retail, commercial, campus, or large estate property.

The good news is that you don’t have to go all in. Instead, you can follow the pattern of many businesses and homeowners by transforming a portion of your landscaping to grass alternatives. Learn more about natural replacements for lawns available through Petalon’s landscape management service.

What Natural Replacements Are Ideal for Lawns?

From wildflowers to fescue to clover to moss, there are many natural replacements for lawns.

Fescue: Although technically a type of grass, fescue does well in hot and cold climates and has a high drought tolerance. If overseeded for two to four years, it naturally takes over your traditional grass, and you can let it overgrow to create undulating waves reminiscent of a meadow and perfect for large estates.
Dutch clover: This plant pulls nitrogen from the air to help nourish your soil. Growing 4 to 6 inches tall, it does well in shady areas where traditional grass might not grow well. It’s also a great idea for groundcover for large shady spaces on large estates or campuses.
Wildflowers: It costs less than $100 to sow dozens of varieties of wildflowers over a 3,000 square foot area. Your Petalon crew can lay down polyethylene to kill your problematic grass and seed a test area with wildflowers. With little to no watering required, you can enjoy a beautiful space full of diverse wildflowers that customers, guests, and visitors love. This is a great idea for HOAs looking to save money on water and lawn care. Wildflowers also attract bees and butterflies, turning the bed into an impromptu habitat.
Mosses: Ornamental mosses make a great alternative to grass in wet, shady areas. Keep in mind that while moss feels great underfoot, it doesn’t handle heavy traffic well, so it’s not recommended for busy areas of your lawn.

Looking for more green alternatives that can help you comply with strict water usage rules? Consult with the experienced landscaping team at Petalon to learn more about drought-resistant plants and trees to incorporate into your commercial landscaping. We serve the entire SF Bay Area including Pleasanton, San Jose, Walnut Creek, Redwood City and Hayward, and Morgan Hill and Gilroy areas.

Contact Petalon today to find out about your alternatives for natural replacements for lawns. Call 408-453-3998 for a quote.

Water Management Ideas for Bay Area Commercial Properties

Written by Petalon Landscape on July 29, 2021. Posted in Blog, Water Management.

Water Management Ideas for Bay Area Commercial Properties

Conserve Water with Smart Commercial Landscaping Strategies

With many communities in the Bay Area restricting water usage, it’s important to save every possible drop. The team at Petalon has put together these water management ideas for Bay Area commercial properties. We can help you conserve water without sacrificing your lush landscape.

Water Conservation Tips from Veteran Landscapers

Here are the landscape maintenance strategies we employ to cut down on water usage for our commercial clients:

Electronic controllers. Irrigation controllers allow you to set your irrigation system to come on at specified times. You can also specify the duration to ensure plants get enough water without wasting a drop.
Timing of watering. We can set your irrigation system to turn on in the morning, so plants and trees have plenty of time to absorb the moisture. Watering your plants at night can lead to puddles that cause root rot, insect infestation, and fungal growth. Plants and soil naturally absorb less water at night, so watering after sundown can prove detrimental.
Underground and drip systems. Drip systems are easy to install underground, where water won’t evaporate too quickly. These systems drip water just where you need it. You can adapt drip systems to the toughest terrain in the Bay Area — simply install the irrigation system on the surface and cover it with mulch.
Don’t water dormant grasses. Some grasses go dormant during hot, dry weather. They will come back when the weather turns wet and cool. You can conserve water by letting them remain dormant instead of watering them year-round. Dormant grasses include Kentucky bluegrass and Ryegrass.
Watch for runoff, broken heads, and hoses. Avoid applying water faster than it can soak into the soil. Leaks from broken heads and hoses can also waste water.

Petalon’s landscapers can help you create colorful, drought-tolerant landscapes using native and low-water plants. It’s also important to repair or replace your outdated irrigation system, which can help save money on your water bill.

Water Management Suggestions from the EPA

According to the EPA, grouping plants by the amount of water they use and limiting the amount of grass on your commercial property can also save a lot of water. By hiring professionals such as the experienced landscapers at Petalon, you can gradually improve the quality of your soil, which increases water retention and helps you maintain a lush landscape.

Our landscape designs include climate-appropriate plant selection. Regular landscape maintenance services such as pruning can save water and keep your property looking well-groomed. We also offer comprehensive irrigation management.

Contact Petalon today to request a water-saving evaluation or to learn more water management ideas for Bay Area commercial properties. Call 408-453-3998 to get a quote for your property in the SF Bay Area, including Pleasanton, San Jose, Walnut Creek, Redwood City, Hayward, Morgan Hill, and Gilroy.