October 2008 Newsletter
What your Commercial Landscaper can do for You
There is more to landscaping than planting some annuals and turning on the sprinkler.
Landscapes in high-traffic areas such as strip malls, shopping malls and pedestrian plazas
take a beating-intentional and otherwise. Contracting with a commercial landscaper can give
you peace of mind that whatever happens to your property, it can and will be fixed promptly
and efficiently. Just a few things that routinely happen to commercial landscapes: graffiti,
run-over sprinkler heads, kicked sprinkler heads, stolen plants, insect infestation, litter,
leaf litter, storm damage and more. Commercial landscapers can take care of each of these
situations to help you put your best foot forward.
Permits and More
A good reason to hire a landscaper certified by the FNGLA, the governing body of commercial
landscapers, is that your certified commercial landscape contractor will know what permits
are needed for new installation, and municipal rules and restrictions for landscape maintenance..
A certified commercial landscaping company will also have all of the necessary insurance and
pesticide licenses and training to keep you and your customers safe and happy. There is more to
building a sidewalk than putting in a few bricks in the sand. Let a certified commercial landscape
professional install your new landscaping and hardscape to keep your business current with all
construction and accessibility regulations.
According to "Drought Monitor", conditions around Charlotte have improved slightly.
The seasonal forecast indicates that the drought will be ongoing for the next several
months, but some additional improvement is expected during the second half of October,
if not beyond.
Fall is in the Air
Fall is in the air and so are the sounds of school busses and football games. While you have been gearing up for school activities and cheering on your favorite team, we have been preparing for another busy planting season.
Fall is an excellent time for planting. Perennials, shrubs and trees have plenty of time for their roots to establish in surrounding soil before the ground freezes. Also, Nature assists your new plants in getting established by offering cooler temperatures and normal autumn precipitation levels.
Enjoy fall color in your landscape with the addition of fall annuals. Now is the time to plant pansies, ornamental cabbage, and mums! Call our office for more information about your fall landscape additions. Vicki Ferriss, Seasonal Color Manager, holds a Bachelor of Science Biology & Horticulture and can help plan and maintain your flowers.
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Pollution can lead to Large Fines.
Three streams in western Union County show signs of severe pollution, and regulators who
are investigating don't know yet how it happened.
After examining photos by The Charlotte Observer, an official in the Mooresville office of
the N.C. Division
of Water Quality said the water appears to contain sediment, which frequently comes from
construction sites.
Marcia Allocco said Friday that the agency had identified a construction company that may be
linked to the pollution. However, she did not identify the company and said investigation would
continue this week.
Penalties for sediment pollution could go as high as $25,000 per day, Allocco said. For
first-time offenders, the fine usually is closer to $10,000 per day.
Mecklenburg County in North Carolina is in the USDA's Fire Ant Quarantine Zone because the population is so large. With no natural predators their population is only growing.
Fire ants, due to recent rainfall in Charlotte, NC, are appearing more often and more aggressive than before.
Mounds can be incredibly difficult to see. Even in a small field where the vegetation is just slightly overgrown, it is easy to step right on one.
"You can find them just about anywhere in your landscape: along sidewalks, in the middle of your yard," said Scott Ewers, who works with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension.
While we may not always see them, the insects have been in the area since the early 1900s. The recent heavy rainfall has flooded the ants' homes, driving them to the surface where they've been attacking park employees all over the county.
If you find one, experts say it's best to mark it so others don't step on it. Then, spread your chosen insecticide on and around the mound.
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AllScape hosts Annual Golf Tournament at Springfield Golf Club
On Tuesday, October 14th, 88 AllScape clients, vendors and friends enjoyed a terrific day of golf. The 24 teams started play at 10:30am and finished by 3:00pm.
The winning foursome was made up of:
Scott Watson, Pete Merrill, Chris Berry, & Greg Keith from the Keith Corporation
The second place team was:
Joe Boetto, Steve Setzer, Tom Crawford & Dale Thompson from Southerland, Inc
Longest putt – Brian Knolle from Mann Properties
Accuracy drive – Mark Keenan TLV Engineering
Closest to the pin - Mike Ander
Proceeds and an additional donation from AllScape and Davis Construction totaled $5000 and will be awarded to Ashford Smith. Smith is the recipient of this years' Susan J Barbee Memorial Native American Scholarship Fund.
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