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Author: Petalon Landscape

Why Plan Your Drainage Maintenance in Late Summer?

Prepare Your Landscape for the Cooler Months

Late summer or early fall is the ideal time to book your drainage maintenance service appointment. This critical landscaping to-do is most important heading into the fall and winter months. As the weather turns cooler, the rains usually come and can flood your walkways and landscapes or wash away bark mulch and topsoil. This is also a good time to review your irrigation system for any mis-aimed sprays or broken heads. Have them fixed to prevent unnecessary and excessive water consumption.   

An often-overlooked aspect, the drainage system is instrumental in protecting your commercial property from water damage and seasonal disruptions. Petalon’s landscape management professionals explain how timely drainage repairs can keep water damage issues at bay and minimize your water bills.

Seasonal and Timely Maintenance for Drainage Systems

From grading problems and soil compaction, to clogged downspouts or damaged and broken drain pipes, there are a number of issues that can impact your drainage system. When left untreated, here are some of the problems that you may have to deal with:

  • Soggy Landscape: Standing water on your lawn and garden is not just an eye sore, it is also inconvenient for your employees and visitors to walk around the premises. Moreover, standing water is a health hazard, as it becomes a breeding ground for disease-spreading mosquitoes, bacteria and parasites. 
  • Soil Erosion: Improper drainage can cause soil erosion in various areas of your commercial landscape. The faster the flow of water, the higher the potential damage.
  • Erosion near the building’s foundation could lead to moisture or water leakage at the lower levels, or in severe cases, even cause the foundation to shift.
  • Erosion around the roots of large trees in your yard could weaken their structural integrity. A tree with weak roots is a safety hazard during storms or heavy winds.
  • Soil erosion may destroy your pretty flower beds. It could also wash away the bark, mulch and topsoil, especially as you head into the rainy, stormy, fall and winter months. In fact, landscape erosion could trigger changes in the existing drainage of your property, leading to more drainage issues in the future.

Scheduling a drainage maintenance appointment during late summer or early fall will allow your landscape management company to detect problems early and contain them before they pose a threat to your property. The Petalon crew addresses the following during a typical drainage service: 

  • Prevent blockages from falling leaves or debris accumulation
  • Control pest problems in soggy soil in a timely manner
  • Remove rotting plants and clean up mossy walkways
  • Complete all repair work before heading into the cooler months that bring inclement weather

We also review your irrigation system for any broken sprinkler heads, misaligned sprays, or leaks in the nozzles, hoses, valves, or other components of the system.

At Petalon Landscape Management Inc., we offer an integrated approach to drainage repairs and irrigation management, which can help you significantly lower your property maintenance expenses. Our knowledgeable and experienced team offers prompt and affordable services to keep your landscape healthy, safe and attractive.

From municipalities and HOA communities, to corporate campuses and shopping centers, we serve a range of commercial clients throughout the Bay Area.

Call 408-453-3998 to book a late summer drainage maintenance service. You can also contact us online to request a quote for our commercial landscaping services.

Pest Control for Top Tree Pests

Your Top Tree Pests Need Control!

Integrated Pest Control Services for Healthy, Beautiful Trees

Pest Control

The trees and plants on your Bay Area property are constantly under threat from various natural elements. While years of drought may have already weakened mature trees in your area, new, destructive pests are further impacting their health and longevity. At Petalon, we have a network of skilled, ISA-certified professionals who are well-versed with the area’s top tree pests that need control. Our integrated pest control services will cure existing infestations and our maintenance services will help your trees remain disease and pest-free for years to come.

Eliminate Tree Pests with Expert Pest Control Services

In recent years, the San Francisco Bay Area has witnessed a massive influx of invasive tree pests. This includes the Gold Spotted Oak Borer, Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer, Shot Hole Borer (Ambrosia Beetle) and Asian citrus psyllid (known to attack citrus trees in particular). Unfortunately, some of your most treasured ornamental and fruit-bearing trees are at maximum risk due to these pests. If they target any of the trees on your property, you will notice signs such as:

  • Staining, discoloration, leaks or gumming on the bark
  • Sagging, wilting or dead branches
  • Trees losing leaves, or leaves full of holes

At Petalon, we use a combination of pest management tools to combat current infestations and prevent future ones.

  • We use environment-friendly, organic solutions and biological insecticides.
  • We pick bugs off the leaves by hand, wherever required.
  • We advise on changes in irrigation or watering techniques, which can lead to naturally pest-resistant landscapes.
  • We use synthetic pesticides sparingly, and only if our green pest control measures do not successfully manage the insects or disease that are harming your trees.

Comprehensive Tree Care for Healthy, Flourishing Landscapes

As part of an integrated approach to controlling pests, we offer other several other short-term and long-term tree care services.

  • Proactive pest control: Our tree care experts conduct periodic inspections to check for early signs of tree pests or diseases, and provide timely applications of organic pest control measures. 
  • Annual maintenance: As part of our year-round tree care plan, we offer trimming, pruning and fertilization for maintaining the beauty and longevity of your trees.
  • Soil analysis and irrigation: We do a soil analysis to check for drainage issues that could potentially cause root problems, pests and disease. Based on our findings, we advise corrective measures in your watering techniques or irrigation systems to keep your trees vibrant and disease-free.
  • Treescape design and planning: Our network of trusted ISA-certified arborists can also help you design and plant pest-resistant treescapes that suit your lot size, soil conditions and sun exposure.

Integrated pest management is a holistic method of making your landscape naturally resistant to pests and diseases. From the selection of trees and plants, to proper irrigation and fertilization and timely application of pest control measures, every aspect requires a proactive approach.

At Petalon Landscape Management, we have the knowledge, experience and skills to ward off damaging pests and insects, nurture your trees back to health, and prevent recurrence in the future. Our comprehensive tree care strategies will help you achieve and maintain stunning, flourishing landscapes.

We serve a wide range of commercial properties in the San Francisco Bay Area, including San Jose, Pleasanton, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Fremont, and Mountain View, CA.

Book a tree pest control appointment and get a systematic assessment to plan for short-term and long-term tree care. Call 408-453-3998 or contact us online to discuss your requirements.

Seasonal Irrigation Maintenance

Seasonal Irrigation Maintenance for Your Commercial Landscape

Learn Why Mid-Season Tune Ups Are Important

Irrigation Maintenance

Summer can be particularly stressful for the turf, plants and trees on your commercial property. Extreme heat, humidity or other climatic variations during this time may take a toll on the appearance of the landscape and thereby, the value of your property. At Petalon, we believe that a well-tuned, perfectly timed irrigation system makes all the difference between a good and a great landscape. With hot, sunny days in the coming months, it is the season for irrigation maintenance and sprinkler tune-ups.

Benefits of seasonal irrigation maintenance

From spring through fall, your sprinkler system works hard to cool the grounds and nourish your landscape. Summer months are especially grueling on your irrigation system as it sees maximum usage during this time.

A timely irrigation maintenance service will:

  • Keep the sprinkler system in top shape and maximize its performance.
  • Adjust seasonal watering variations, correct any overwatering issues and keep your utility bills in check.
  • Find and fix damage, misalignment issues, or leaks in the valves, nozzles, hoses, or other components of the system.
  • Reprogram the system settings or modify watering schedules based on any recent changes in the landscape design, contouring, shading or placement of new trees.

In fact, regular irrigation evaluation and maintenance will also give you better insights into your current irrigation system’s capabilities, performance and expected longevity. This will help you budget for an upgrade and invest in a technologically advanced system when the time is right.

At Petalon Landscape Management Inc., we help you save time, money and resources through our seasonal irrigation maintenance services. Our trained and certified water management specialists will inspect your systems and make the necessary adjustments to keep it running smoothly throughout the summer months. A thorough, mid-season tune-up will address the varying needs of your lawn, shrubs and trees, and help you maintain a vibrant landscape.

Our knowledgeable and experienced irrigation management team caters to a growing and diverse base of commercial properties across Santa Clara County. We serve all areas of Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Redwood City, Los Gatos, and San Jose, CA.

Routine irrigation system tune-ups are critical for maintaining a healthy, flourishing landscape. Call 408-453-3998 to schedule your seasonal irrigation maintenance service or contact us online for a quote.

Integrate Pest Control into Your Landscape Management Services

A Sustainable Approach to Flourishing Landscapes

Pest Management

A lush, healthy landscape requires optimum design and plant selection, timely nourishment and care, and adequate protection against insects, pests and diseases. Routine maintenance activities, such as mowing, pruning, fertilizing and cleanups are critical. However, it is equally important to integrate pest control into your landscaping management services.

At Petalon Landscape Management, we believe in a proactive, ecosystem-based strategy that keeps your landscape free of pests and pest damage. This includes making your trees and plants resistant to almost all landscape-damaging creatures, such as caterpillars, aphids, mites, wood-boring insects, burrowing vermin, even skunks, possums, raccoons and more. Our comprehensive approach focuses on sustainable solutions that address pest problems, while minimizing the risks to people and the environment. Read on to learn more.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Your Bay Area Landscape

What is integrated pest control all about? It is a multi-pronged strategy that methodically addresses pest issues at various levels. The key steps for incorporating IPM into your landscape are:

  • Identification: We carefully monitor and accurately identify pests on your property to narrow down the environmental factors that impact their growth and proliferation.
  • Tolerance: We review the identified species, their biology and likely impact on your landscape. This helps us determine whether your grass, plants, shrubs and trees can tolerate and neutralize the threat on their own or will need intervention to fight the infestation.
  • Timely Response: If we see the need for immediate attention, we devise a combination of biological, cultural, physical and chemical control measures to keep your landscape free of pests, insects and vermin. Our trained professionals will work on a detailed treatment strategy, seek your approval and give you regular progress updates.

A Snapshot of Integrated Pest Control Measures

  • Biological Control: Simply put, this is a strategy where pest kills pest. We use biological insecticides that contain certain microorganisms that are natural enemies of the targeted pests.
  • Cultural Control: These measures focus on reducing the pest’s establishment and reproduction, as well as spread and survival. For example, we sometimes advise clients to simply modify irrigation patterns or watering techniques. This can help reduce fungal disease infections and kill certain weeds, thus, offering better protection to your landscape. 
  • Physical Controls: We incorporate strategic physical measures to deter pests or make the environment unsuitable for them, including the use of traps for rodents. We don’t shy away from picking bugs off plants by hand. In fact, we find that this is often far more effective and considerably safer for the environment, compared to using synthetic pesticides.
  • Chemical Controls: When all other measures fall short, we use synthetic pesticides sparingly. We select only those products that are safe for the air, soil quality, water quality, other beneficial organisms, and for humans and pets.

By integrating pest control into your landscape management services, we focus on growing healthy, pest-resistant plants and turf. Protect your landscape and property and ensure long-term prevention of pests and pest damage with Petalon’s integrated pest control services. Our professional expertise, decades of experience and personalized services has led to a growing base of happy customers across HOAs, municipalities, and retail and corporate complexes.

We serve the landscaping needs of commercial properties across Santa Clara County, including Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Mountain View, Redwood City and Palo Alto.

Contact us online for a quote or call 408-453-3998 to learn more about our integrated pest control services for commercial properties in Santa Clara County.

Is Drought Tolerant Landscaping Still Required for Bay Area Properties?

What are the Benefits?

drought-tolerant-plants-silicon-valley

After the frequent winter storms and heavy rain in the beginning of this year, the Bay Area has officially bid goodbye to the drought. In fact, by March 2019, the entire state of California came out of drought for the first time since December 2011. While this is excellent news for residents who have faced severe water shortage issues, do commercial properties in the Bay Area still need drought-tolerant landscaping? The answer is, YES. Just because water is plentiful now, does not mean you should be less concerned about conserving it.

As a leading landscaping company in the Bay Area, Petalon Landscape Management offers innovative landscaping ideas and technology-driven water management techniques. With deep knowledge and expertise in this area, we have helped several commercial properties and HOAs maximize their investment in drought-resistant landscaping.

Benefits of Upgrading to Drought-Tolerant Landscaping

Whether you are in the middle of a severe water crisis, or you have some respite with plenty of rainfall and deep snow in the mountains, upgrading to landscaping that requires less water is always a great investment.

  • Cost Savings: Plants that need very little water will save you money on your water bills. Besides, these hardy plants can survive extreme heat and dry weather conditions, so you will not have to spend on replacing wilted or dead plants. Additionally, the state water department and local municipalities have been offering attractive rebates for turf replacement to Bay Area commercial properties. Even single family residences that do away with their lawns and invest in sustainable landscaping are eligible for rebates as high as $2,000.  
  • Resource Conservation: From conserving water to using less pesticides and fertilizers, xeriscaping has a positive impact on the environment. Moreover, planting native, water-wise plants and shrubs is a step towards reinforcing the natural habitat that supports our native birds and wildlife.
  • Low Maintenance: With a landscape that has minimal grass and low water consuming plants, you can reduce your mowing, trimming and irrigation. Due to their extensive root systems, drought-resistant plants not only tap deep into the ground, but also hold down the soil, and prevent wind and rain erosion. Which means, you don’t have to worry about improving drainage or building retaining walls.
  • Enhanced Property Value and Brand Image: A well-designed, sustainable landscape will potentially boost the value of your property. Moreover, your water smart commercial landscaping could be a talking point while promoting your brand and business. Impress potential tenants and clients by showcasing your conservation and environment-friendly efforts.
  • Unique Aesthetics: It is a misconception that low water use landscaping is all about pebbles, rocks and mulch. In fact, there are some beautiful, water-wise plants and shrubs that come in great colors and textures and add a unique aesthetic appeal. Some species also offer soft, walkable and expansive ground cover.

There is no telling when the Bay Area dry spell will relapse. Weather experts suggest that the region needs plenty more rain and snow in the upcoming winter. No matter how the conditions evolve, it makes good business sense to upgrade your existing landscaping today and enjoy its many benefits for years to come.

For smart and cost-effective drought-tolerant landscaping, count on the experienced commercial landscapers at Petalon. We can transform your property through comprehensive water management strategies, including turf reduction, efficient irrigation and stunning hardscaping.

Property owners, developers and managers across Santa Clara County, including Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Redwood City, Mountain View, Los Gatos and Palo Alto depend on us for sustainable commercial landscaping solutions.

Call 408-453-3998 to learn why drought-tolerant landscaping is still crucial for your Bay Area property. You can also contact us online for a quote.

Seasonal Flower Planting Services

Add Life to Your Commercial Property with Seasonal Flower Planting

Hire an Experienced Landscape Management Company

seasonal-flower-plantings-fremont-ca

The colors and textures that come with seasonal flower plantings will add life to any tired landscape. A burst of vibrant blooms will not only enhance curb appeal, but also make your property inviting all year round. Petalon Landscape Management offers budget-friendly, low-maintenance planting ideas to beautify commercial landscapes. Whether it is passersby, tenants, employees or visitors, your commercial landscape will get noticed when it’s designed and installed by our seasonal flower planting specialists.

We Keep Your Commercial Property Fresh and Blooming in Every Season

Before selecting the plants that will add life to your commercial landscape, our seasonal flower planting specialists consider several factors.

  • Climatic Variations: Due to micro-climates within the Bay Area, every neighborhood may experience varying temperatures and humidity levels. We take into account the specific weather pattern in your area to create a healthy mix of plants that will flower in each season. Your landscape will showcase an abundance of colorful blooms all year round.
  • Soil Type: The type of soil on your property is instrumental in determining the fertilizing needs and blooming quality of flowering plants. We ensure that your new, flowering landscape is easy to maintain and produces masses of bright, colorful blossoms.
  • Shading: While some plants do exceedingly well in the shade, others need a minimum number of hours of daily, direct sunlight. We carefully chart out a landscape design and planting pattern based on sun exposure requirements for each species.
  • Drought Tolerance: The Bay Area and its surrounding communities have seen their fair share of drought conditions in the past few years. We consider your irrigation system and water conservation requirements when choosing the best seasonal flowers for your property.
  • Architectural Details: We like to ensure a harmonious design and layout, keeping in mind the existing trees, shrubs and plants, hardscaping elements and architectural details of your commercial property.
  • Theme and Layout: We are flexible in our design approach. If you have a layout in mind, we welcome your ideas and input. If you are not sure what you want, we are happy to propose options based on your preferred theme and budget.

Rejuvenate your commercial property or give it a complete makeover with Petalon’s seasonal flower planting services. We specialize in designing and installing beautiful, flowering landscapes that enhance your curb appeal and stay attractive all year long. Our experienced and knowledgeable gardeners, unparalleled customer service, and expertise in drought condition planting makes us an ideal landscaping partner.

From corporate campuses and municipalities, to HOA communities and shopping centers, we serve a range of commercial clients in cities throughout the Bay Area.

Call 408-453-3998 to know how seasonal flower planting can add new life to your commercial property landscape. You can also contact us online for a quote.

Estate Landscaping Care – Best Practices

Estate Landscaping Care Requires Experience and Skill  

Follow these Best Practices and Maintain Beautiful Grounds

estate landscaping

As managers or owners of large properties, your estate landscaping care needs to differ from residential premises. The extensive acreage, water supply needs, drainage systems and pest management issues pose challenges that are large in scale as well as complexity. Moreover, your estate grounds may feature unique or expensive trees or plants, or varying terrains that need a focused approach for care and maintenance. Hire experienced commercial landscapers who are knowledgeable in estate landscaping care best practices.

At Petalon Landscape Management, we serve a large and diverse client base and understand the unique needs and challenges of large properties and estates. Read on to learn more about estate landscaping from our experts.

Insights into Estate Landscaping Care Best Practices

When it comes to large estates, you want to simplify landscaping care activities and minimize costs without compromising curb appeal. Efficiently managed estates achieve these objectives by adopting several integrated measures.

  • Lawn Care: Invest in quality turf care services, including weekly, monthly and seasonal care. From seeding, mowing, edging and trimming, to fertilization, weed control, thatch removal and aeration, Petalon offers comprehensive lawn care packages.
  • Arbor Care: Protect the health and beauty of the trees on your estate through an annual maintenance program that includes regular pruning, trimming, fertilization and crown control. Our expert arborists consider your neighborhood micro-climate, heat conditions, growing seasons and the specific trees on your property, while planning and overseeing all aspects of tree care.
  • Drought Solutions: More and more estates are adopting sustainable landscaping by:
    • Selecting drought-tolerant plants, trees and groundcover, creating xeriscapes that sustain on available rain water
    • Installing smart irrigation systems with timers or sensor-activated watering, ET-based controllers, reclaimed water solutions, and efficient drainage systems
  • Pest Management: Many estate managers integrate pest management with plant health plans by:
    • Selecting pest and disease-resistant plant varieties
    • Maintaining the soil quality and health for better plant nutrition
    • Altering the micro-environment by preserving and nourishing pest-controlling and soil-enhancing organisms.

To adopt current best practices in estate landscaping care, count on the experienced commercial landscapers at Petalon. We transform landscapes to make them drought resistant and reduce maintenance costs and efforts. In addition to routine lawn care, tree care and pest control services, we specialize in installing smart irrigation systems.

As an award-winning commercial landscaper, we have successfully partnered with several estates in Santa Clara County, including Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Mountain View, Redwood City and Palo Alto.

For design, installation and maintenance of beautiful cost-effective estate landscapes, trust the experienced team at Petalon Landscape Management. Speak to one of our experts at 408-453-3998 or contact us online for a quote.

Grass Types for Low Water Landscaping

Be Smart, Go Green with Your San Jose Area Commercial Property

commercial lawn care

Water-efficient grass and ground cover are becoming popular options for lawns in the drought-prone state of California. Besides saving water, there are several additional benefits. Your property will enjoy year-round curb appeal with minimal maintenance efforts and lower cost. Our team of experts at Petalon shares their top 5 grass types for low water landscaping in the San Jose area.

5 Attractive Water-Wise Grass Options for Your Commercial Property

  1. Buffalo Grass: Being a warm-season grass, it thrives during the hottest times of the year with very little irrigation (1/4 to ½ inch of water per week). Some variants of this grass may save up to 75 percent of the water used to maintain traditional grass. The growth is relatively slow, which reduces maintenance requirements such as mowing, trimming and fertilizing.
  2. Blue Grama: Another attractive warm-season lawn alternative, Blue Grama does well in sandy soil. Requiring minimal watering (also 1/4 to ½ inch per week) once established, it is drought-tolerant and ideal for water-wise landscapes. It is often mixed with Buffalo Grass for lawn areas but can also be used by itself and as a border for rock gardens.
  3. Sheep Fescue: Although it is a cool-season grass, Sheep Fescue tolerates extreme temperatures quite well. Densely tufted and low growing, the fine blue-green (or grey-green) leaves will give your landscape a textured look. Also water-efficient and slow growing, it can thrive without supplemental irrigation.
  4. White Clover: A popular option for drought-prone areas, White Clover offers an attractive, low-maintenance ground cover for your business premises. It stays green all summer with little or no watering and attracts beneficial insects which pollinate your garden. It requires no fertilization (in fact, fertilizers will damage it) and minimal mowing to keep it tidy. In addition to having a mildly pleasant smell, it has a soft, lush and cool feel.
  5. Yarrow: Deep-rooted, drought-resistant Yarrow spreads rather quickly, offering a bright green ground cover for arid climates. Tougher than grass, it is extremely tolerant of high traffic. It thrives in most areas of California requiring no irrigation or fertilization and very little mowing once established.

Count on our drought-tolerant landscaping solutions to make your business stand out. When combined with our water-wise irrigation systems, you will receive significant maintenance cost savings.

Let us help you maintain curb appeal in every season with our weekly gardening programs. Our customers enjoy not only a great quality landscape, but also an opportunity to be part of a “green” lifestyle that is gentle on the environment.

Commercial property owners and managers across the San Jose area, including in Mountain View, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Morgan Hill and Menlo Park depend on our sustainable landscape management services.

Contact us online for a quote or call 408-453-3998 to ask us more about grass types for low water landscaping in the San Jose area.

Selecting a Commercial Landscape Maintenance Company?

Know the Key Aspects to Consider

Commercial Landscape

Often, landscaping services can seem like they are all the same. Everyone promises to do a great job and offers the same list of services. So, how do you select a commercial landscape maintenance company for your San Jose area property? Here is some valuable advice from the Petalon team.

5 Must-Haves for Your Landscaping Service

Find out as much as you can about the landscapers in advance to avoid nasty surprises after the contract is signed.

  1. Experience and training: Examine the company’s background and details about the services they offer. Industry certifications, affiliations, awards, and the number of years in business are indicative of their landscaping experience. Be sure they are qualified and insured to handle all your landscaping needs. Ask if their crew undergoes ongoing training; this will tell you whether they have up to date knowledge of the latest trends and techniques. Talk to current and previous customers to get an idea of what to expect.
  • Dedicated management and operations team: Maintaining a large commercial or multi-unit residential property with annual gardens, mature trees, patios and walkways is labor intensive. It requires dedicated management and as well-structured operations teams. Our highly experienced gardeners can report to your site daily to help you maintain a healthy and vibrant landscape. Having a single point of contact to manage all your landscaping needs makes it convenient and easy to work with us.
  • Flexible resources and modern equipment: Scalable and customizable landscaping services can better fulfill your requirements. From trimming and mowing to fertilization, pest control and landscape enhancements, our tailored solutions help you maintain an attractive property. Using a fleet of state-of-the-art equipment and the latest techniques, we work efficiently, safely and with minimal disruption to your business. 
  • Knowledge about water savings: Water-efficiency is at the forefront of all landscaping practices. It’s critically important to choose a company that follows a sustainable approach, so ask your prospective landscape maintenance providers what they can do to improve your water savings. At Petalon, we provide drought-tolerant landscaping solutions and smart irrigation systems to help our clients reduce costs and save water.
  • Certified arborists for tree care: Pruning, fertilizing, and soil management are critical to preserving the trees on your property. Arborists are knowledgeable and trained to provide proper care for each tree.

Count on our landscape maintenance team to do routine checks and carry out regular tree, plant and turf care. This will keep your property looking its best throughout the year. Our integrated approach to landscape and irrigation maintenance can help jumpstart your water-efficiency initiatives and significantly lower your property maintenance expenses.

Property owners, developers and managers across the San Jose area, including those in, Mountain View, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Morgan Hill and Menlo Park depend on our full-service landscape management programs.Call 408-453-3998 for more tips on how to select a commercial landscape maintenance company. You can also contact us online to request a quote for landscaping services.