challenge
This retirement complex and community needed to drastically reduce costs and improve the overall look of their property. The client also wanted to reduce waste, create a more relaxing environment and add plenty of color year round.
solution
Since turf maintenance can account for half of overall landscape costs our renovation plan included:
- Elimination of two acres of turf grass replaced with low to medium water use plant materials.
- Planted shrubs and flowering perennials such as Medland roses and purple Lavender to add lush color throughout.
- Conversion of 100% of the property's irrigation system from an overhead spray to a drip system.
results
Turfgrass is one of the highest water requirement plant materials. Removal facilitated a major reduction in water costs among other remarkable results:
- Client now uses 65% - 77% less water annually.
- Yearly landscape maintenance costs reduced by over 33%.
- Eliminated 100% of gas powered mowers and machinery translating into a decrease in noise pollution, fuel reduction and sending lower emissions and pollutants into the air.
- Less plant protection pesticides and fertilizers are now required – reducing the use and production of these products is a great contribution towards protecting the environment.
Drip systems emit water at the root so now there is relatively no water waste or spillage on adjacent concrete walkways, buildings and structures. Elimination of water spray means asphalt driveways and parking lots are less plagued by labor intensive weed maintenance or costly rot and siding replacement and re-paving or re-sealing.
The residents comment that while they used to be disturbed in the morning by noisy lawn mowers, they now are pleasantly awakened by the sound of birds chirping in the new blossoming plants.