Blog
Internet Based Irrigation Controllers
We are now installing internet based irrigation controllers that are tied into the local weather stations through the internet to help monitor irrigation needs on a real time basis.
Longboat Key’s Newest Landmark Home Landscaped, and Irrigated By Grants Gardens
The homeowners had a deep appreciation of Polynesian and African architecture and locations and wanted the home to reflect the culture, materials and design themes of those rich cultures. Together with the home builder, Michael K Walker & Associates, they decided to open the home design up by means of a contest. Guy Peterson OFA, was selected with the winning design, that featured a series of connected pavilions utilized design cues that drew from both the Polynesian and African cultures but also incorporated the highly functional and clean lines of modern architecture. Additionally the home utilizes many of the latest green-technologies to have a minimal impact on the local environment.
Landscape Design In Florida Centers Around Water Management
Waterfront areas such as Sarasota or Bradenton even more so as the close proximity to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico prevent serious frosts even in the odd cold snap.
When planning a landscape, a designer can utilize a full palette of plant material with everything from exotic tropical palm trees, fruit trees, ornamentals, cacti and succulents, and of course native trees and shrubs.
Sarasota Landscape Design Is A Blend Of Artistic Expression Built On Sustainable Irrigation and Water Management
A garden is truly a living sculpture. Any landscape design concept should be to provide the garden occupants a pleasant area for entertainment and relaxation. Planning a landscape begins with the desires of the owners as well as the abilities of the land. In Florida, many landscape design concepts need to begin with the natural water in the area. The plans need to extend to consider runoff and how the plants and land will tolerate salt water intrusion from weather events and of course a scarcity of water during Florida's dry season.
Sarasota Landscape Designer Grants Gardens Launches New, Innovative Design Gallery
The new landscape gallery provides a novel way for visitors to view past projects based on clickable tags. The gallery showcases the company's work in a way that will be more relevant for visitors with specific interests.
Visitors interested in a specific location, or design aspect such as "water feature" can simply click the tag to view the related projects. The gallery includes high-quality photos and job descriptions from various landscape design and maintenance jobs around the Sarasota area including the barrier islands.
Is Your Irrigation System Running At Optimum Efficiency?
With the end of the rainy season and the onset of Florida's long dry season it's a great time to take a look at your irrigation system and determine if everything is in order. Below are some tips to help you make sure you are both providing enough water to keep your turn and landscape healthy and not using too much resulting in higher costs, unhealthy plants and breaking water restrictions.
Beneficial Insects Take A Bite Out Of Pests In The Florida Landscape
The State of Florida is currently experiencing the introduction of new harmful insects that specifically feed on plants and trees. In an effort to reduce broad applications of dangerous insecticides, we are exploring the release of beneficial insects into the landscape.
Big Impact From Small Landscape Design Projects
Pathways along properties are a great example of a small space that has lots of potential. While a path along a home or property line may not have a large horizontal surface it also has a large vertical surface to make use of. Florida's climate allows us to use a variety of vines that will cling to vertical surfaces and can provide a stunning backdrop. If the area is under full sun at least 6 hrs per day bougainvillea can be grown and cropped to create a path lined with colorful magenta blooms. Varieties of Jasmine can be planted to provide both a visual feast and a treat for the sense with amazing fragrant blooms and dark thick foliage. Many small to medium sized palm trees are perfect for lining paths or for use in other small spaces. Our professional designers can create an the illusion more space by curving the path or having it wind around other focal points like, bird baths, park benches, large planters or decorative vases.
Waterfront Landscaping Presents Challenges And Opportunities
Projects on Siesta Key, Longboat Key and other Sarasota area properties that are directly on the waterfront require a well-planned design that takes in account several factors.
First and foremost the design has to look great, but because the property is directly on the water extra care is needed to make sure any water that runs off the roof, and hard surfaces of the property is reduced to trapped to keep pollutants and excess fertilizer from washing into the bay.
Rain Gardens Stop Runoff, Remove Pollutants And Return Water To The Aquifer
As the Sarasota area continues to grow one of the challenges developers, architects and city planners will encounter when building a structure or creating a paved road is the effect of a large non-permeable surface has on runoff. Once a large waterproof surface has been created it can generates massive amounts of runoff during a rain storm.
Hardscape Design; From Simple Landscape Decorations To Infrastructure
Other than the term “Landscape Design” no other term in the landscape construction industry is more general than “Hardscape”. Hardscaping can serve many purposes and can be anything from simple pottery in a planted are to large water features, pool decks, stone terraces, pavilions or outdoor fireplaces. Adding hardscape elements to the natural landscape can completely change the nature of a space by adding an artistic focal point, improved access, a new function or enhanced privacy.
Florida Native Plants – Benefits For Home Owner and Community
A presentation recently posted by Grants Gardens featuring detailed information on the differences between Florida native Plants and use of exotics in local landscapes. In this presentation Grant explains how native plants can be a benefit to home owners in landscape maintenance savings, water usage savings, reduce environmental impact and enhance the sustainability of a home.
Irrigation and Runoff Planning Is Essential For Turf At Waterfront Locations
As a landscape designer who believes in a reduced impact on the local environment is always the best way to go I rarely recommend large amounts of turf, especially when that turf is located along Sarasota's canals or bays.
Know Your Palm Trees: A Few Types Of Palms You May Have Never Heard Of
Driving about on Siesta Key or Sarasota roadways you may seem some pretty exotic looking palm trees. While some of these are fairly well-known there are plenty of exotic palm tree species around to keep a tropical plant or gardening enthusiast interested.
Reasons Why Consumers Detest Irrigation Systems
Here are some of the reasons why people become disillusioned with irrigation systems. If you are dissatisfied with your current irrigation system contact Grants Gardens and we will be happy to design and install a custom irrigation system that will perform well without headaches. We also can repair or upgrade current systems to bring them into top performance.
Florida Winter Lawn Care
For those without a skilled lawn maintenance company at their beck and call maintaining a beautiful green lawn of the unpredictable Florida winter can be difficult. Will winters in the Sarasota area are extremely mild, the combination of often, a prolonged dry season with a few cold fronts that can pass through, adds stresses to turf that are not present most of the year.
Landscaper’s Challenge: Diagnosing Citrus Tree Problems
One of the benefits of living in the Sarasota Florida area is being able to grow beautiful and productive citrus trees. Nothing says Florida like being out side in the evening when the fragrance of blooming Orange trees is carried in the air.
Know Your Palm Trees: Specimen Palms Great For Waterfront Locations Like Longboat Key
The wonderful micro-climate on the Sarasota area islands, like Longboat Key, Siesta Key and Lido key create a warmer area making it possible to grow tropical plants from hardiness zones further south. This allows for islands landscapers to select from a large variety of palm trees including some very exotic species to create a tropical paradise in your yard.
The Rugose Spiraling Whitefly A New Challenge For Florida Landscape Maintenance
The Rugose Spiraling Whitefly, also known as Gumbo Limbo Spiraling Whitefly is new Whitefly to South West Florida. This new whitefly is a large, slow-moving insect capable of infesting a wide range of landscape plants such as: Gumbo Limbo, White Bird of Paradise, Mango, Black Olive, Palms, Copperleaf, Cocoplum, Wax Myrtle.
Landscape Maintenance Tips: Rejuvenation Pruning
Are your old hedges looking tired and are not providing privacy? Your hedge may be a candidate for rejuvenation. Rejuvenation pruning is an aggressive pruning practice to restore and reinvigorate hedging plant material. Healthy plants and correct timing are important considerations. The preferred time for rejuvenation/renovative pruning is just before bud break in the early spring. The aggressively pruned shrubs will flush and in a very short space of time take on a healthy vigorous growth habit.
Know Your Palm Trees: Bismarck Palm, Cuban Royal Palm and Canary Island Date Palm
Nothing says Florida like a yard with large palm trees. But in the Sarasota area especially in waterfront locations like Longboat Key, and Siesta Key you can select from a huge variety of palms for your landscape. However with all that variety of palm tree shapes, sizes and colors also comes a variety of conditions suitable for each. To help make sense of things we will be posting updates on different varieties of palm trees to help you in your plant selections.
Grants Gardens Landscape Maintenance Protects Against The Rugose Spiraling Whitefly.
If you have never heard of the Rugose Whitefly then count yourself lucky. This pesky insect is causing problems for many tropical plants in Florida landscapes including gumbo limbo trees, banana trees, black olive trees, mango trees and palm trees. This Whitefly is also a problem for shrubs including copperleaf, cocoplum, wax myrtle, and other plants.
You can spot this pest as the leaves of infested plants will be covered with a whitish waxy substance. The larva of Rugose Spiraling Whitefly arise from eggs attached to the plants leaves in an unsightly spiral pattern. To make matters worse the bugs excrete a sticky goo called “Honey dew” similar to aphids, this intern usually brings black mold which will feed on the honey dew.
Longboat Key and other Beachfront Locations Require Special Considerations For Landscape Designers
Longboat Key's climate and location, while beautiful does present some challenges for large landscape projects. Particularly for waterfront locations when the home owner wants a really impressive tropical landscape that's runs right up to either a canal or beach front.
Landscape Maintenance Practices That Protect Sarasota’s Beauty and Value
The Sarasota area economy prospers when we attract visitors both seasonal and new residents. Everyone who visits our area is impressed with the amazing tropical landscapes with lush exotic plants that line the beachfront homes and neighborhoods of Sarasota and her islands.
Grants Gardens Wants Your Vote For The Sarasota Readers Choice Awards
After years of providing great landscape design and maintenance service for Sarasota's most beautiful locations, Grants Gardens wants your vote. The Sarasota Herald Tribune is holding the Readers Choice Awards and we would be deeply honored if you would put in a good word for the hardworking Landscapers, Arborists, Irrigation specialists and designers at Grants Gardens.
Changing Seasons Brings Irrigation Challenges For Florida Landscapes
During the Florida summer landscapes are usually blessed with plenty of water and optimum growing conditions for the tropical plants Southwest Floridians love. But with fall it's as if a switch is thrown and just like that the rains nearly stop. For many t would seem the solution is simple – just increase your landscape irrigation or water your turf more, however while that is part of the solution it's not the whole story. Coupled with the dryer conditions is cooler temps and and almost guaranteed cold snap or two. The somewhat unpredictable temperatures of our area during the winter months can make applying the correct amount of water to your landscape more challenging.
Be Safe While Lighting Up Your Landscape For the Holidays
Holiday lights add cheer to the season, but if not properly installed and cared for, they can become a hazard. Make your holiday a safe one by inspecting and testing your lights before hanging them. Use caution with placement and use, and never leave the lights unattended if you are not home. Use extension cords […]
Add a splash of color to your landscape for the holidays – but plan ahead!
Looking to add some additional color to your landscape for your holiday guests? Grants Gardens can make your home more festive by adding some colorful plantings including beautiful flowers with your landscape maintenance service. We love to add color to landscapes, however please remember it’s the season (as in snowbird season) and you should plan […]
A New service offered to our Maintenance Customers – Irrigation Seasonal Tune Up
This service will take place twice yearly to coincide with daylight savings to ensure the Timer/Controller is working efficiently before and after the harsh summer.
This service is in addition to the maintenance included in your landscape contract where sprinkler heads/rotators are checked.
Grant's Gardens
1465 Northgate Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34234
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