Greener Gardens adds services, diversifies client base
When the economic slowdown took a large bite out of Greener Gardens' business, diversification became the company's path to growing once again.
Launched in 2000, the St. Cloud-based company earned $800,000 its first year and hit $1.5 million in 2008, but revenue fell last year by 27 percent to $1.1 million.
To stave off a continued free-fall, founder Steve Heake expanded his offerings to include drainage, grading, fountains, pavers and installation of retaining walls.
New and Upcoming Projects
Great news Spring Time is here and our projects have begun;LA Pan De Vida,Pilot Truck Center in Haines City & Birchmier Construction job Westpoint Commons!
New project starting will be for the Lincoln Building-Birchmier Construction!! Landscape,Irrigation & Sod!!
We have some upcoming projects for Osceola Park-Walkn Sticks-Arnco Construction in St.Cloud,we will be Landscaping,Irrigation & Sod,what we do best!
Sod Types - Pros and Cons
St. Augustine Sod is lush looking and is higher end grass but it requires irrigation and maintenance in order to keep cinch bugs and fungus away. It is prone to frost damage.
Bahia Sod has become more popular because it is easier to maintain. Bahia is drought tolerant, cold tolerant and it is available in seed. It is tough and durable. It does not require an irrigation system but does need water when first installed to establish its root system. It is not as lush looking as St. Augustine Sod. It is average looking in appearance and will grow seed heads.
Zoysia Sod is looks similar to Bermuda, has lower water requirements that St. Augustine and can be cut with normal mower. It is costly to install and is costly to treat for weeds and insects. Zoysia will turn brown without regular watering.
Bermuda is usually used on golf courses. It has high traffic tolerance, and is drought tolerant. It requires high maintenance and can be costly to treat. A special mower is required for Bermuda grass.
New Rules for Landscape Water Use
New rules were adopted in Orange County in September 2009 and went into effect October 2010. Five main componenets of the new rules are:
- 1. No more than 60 percent of the planted area on lots in new subdivision can be turf.
- 2. All plans greater than one-half acre must use a landscape architect, someone trained in botany and plant materials who knows what types of plants would use the least amount of water.
- 3. Plans should incorporate existing trees into landscape plans because older trees need less water than new ones.
- 4. Prohibits the planting of turf in landscaping strips in front of commercial centers, using instead Florida native groundcovers that require less water.
- 5. Lists water needs of plants and prohibits more than 20 percent highwater use plants.