Green Landscape Green Irrigation

In this day and age, it seems every time we turn on the radio, there are more and more commercials incorporating the term "green" in their message. Personally, I think this name is a misnomer in the respect that many products listed within what is considered as "Green" spec building are anything but green. To a landscape contractor, or a backyard landscape, green means just that, "green".

A correct example of green is when I jokingly tell our hard working employees laying sod, "Hey guys, remember, Green side up!" Don't laugh, a friend of mine from Illinois who is in the landscape industry had a crew lay 4 pallets of sod green side down.....Don't ask, just laugh and take it for what it is, then learn and move on like he did!

We call recycled door and window products "green". We say that if a building is within a certain distance from public transportation depots, it is located in a "green" zone, and the list goes on and on. Green and recycling, in the sense of the word, makes perfect sense, if it is done correctly, in a sensible manor, and free of politics and the need to create jobs in exchange for votes.
My example, is, that when I got out of school, I worked for a disposal company while building Naturescape Landscape Company. The recycling movement came on very strong in the late 80's and early 90's, and there was this need to create work, so, everyone jumped on board without seeing the whole picture. Rather than have programs where participants such as homeowners and tenants separate recyclables in various colored plastic bags, thousands of recycle bins were distributed. A special use truck body was designed just for curbside separation. Further, by keeping "green" waste (this time the term is used correctly) such as lawn clippings from landfills, we created a yard waste truck to carry the waste to the compost site to be recycled into compost and fertilizers. We then expanded the recycle program into appliances. Rather than placing everything into one truck which would take the items to a facility where they would be sorted, we now have 4 trucks driving on roads, (most are diesel powered) using fuel, and employing a 300% larger workforce, for less collected revenue than what one truck used to do the entire job for. We still can recycle, we simply don't need 4 trucks on the roads, let alone the amount of employees running up costs.

Saving resources is a great thing, if for two reasons standing side by side before all things, that being to first, save money, while at the same time, saving resources.

This brings me to the topic of the thread, Green Landscape, Green irrigation. We have found ourselves made wiser not only by choice, rather from legislation, and everyone knows that anytime Uncle Sam places his nose in the affairs of private enterprise how much more efficient and cost effective operations are right? I think not...Remember, oh, about 15 years or so ago, when the water district that served Encinitas placed a huge water scare on everyone, passing the word though very effective marketing that we would run out of water if we all did not conserve? And, thankfully, everyone listened, water usage was cut back by I have forgotten what percentage now...Remember that? Well, if you remember that, you also remember that the same water district that published the literature, rewarded all who followed their request by increasing the water rates by a little more than the percentage of usage that had now not been used. That's right, rather than laying people off and finding ways to downsize their overhead, they just bumped the rates to compensate as all government has done.

You may ask, "does mean I feel that saving resources is a bad thing?" Absolutely not. Does this mean Naturescape will not be installing smart watering systems? Nope. We now offer a full line of water wise (correct term used here) "green" spec equipment (incorrect term used there) to tend your properties needs. I simply thought that before I entered the topic I wanted to write about, that the proper stage be set for you all.

With all that was just said, I am very proud to announce that Naturescape Landscape Company was just awarded a contract for a mixed usage (commercial-residential) in Solana Beach, California, that is "Green Certified" weather the name is correct for the type of building or not. Sorry, I had to throw that in there. We will be installing a water wise irrigation system using a rain sensor and moisture control system, and incorporate low water drought resisitant plants.

The building will take full advantage of being located within the morning fog layer of the ocean, and that fog, waters plants very effectively. We have designed the system around shade and sun zones, taken into consideration that plant beds near hardscape surfaces will dry faster and need more accurately directed water. The controller or clock as some irrigation techs call it, has the ability to start and stop water 48 times per day for as little as one minute per interval. Using so many time intervals allows water the soak into the ground where it benefits the plants, and not run down the sidewalk where as it carries dirt from the street, pollutes the ocean.

To credit the builder, he has made almost every requirement to allow this building to be called "green". He even went as far as to use brick pavers in his parking lot to help prevent water run off and allow it to enter the ground. Building green makes perfect sense, and there is allot more in it for you than just helping the environment. That makes it a win-win!

If you or someone you know wants to make a water wise "green" landscape, have them give us a call at 858-794-8444, or you can check us out on the web at www.naturescapelandscape.com