We are one of Utah’s largest professional full service maintenance and landscaping companies; providing services for over 200 projects, including: municipalities, commercial, and high-end residential properties in Utah and Salt Lake Counties. Below are a list services that we provide.
Turf Care and Maintenance Landscape Maintenance Pictures
Here at Elite Grounds, we are committed to staying the leader in professional grounds and landscape maintenance. We do this by hiring and training committed professionals to the industry. Turf maintenance and care is the most common item in your maintenance proposal. Here are a few things to know and keep in mind to have a great looking lawn:
Bluegrass types should be mowed at 2 1/2" to 3 1/2" height for maximum turf health.
Grass clippings are not thatch. 90% of the blades of grass is water and finely-cut-up blades of grass that will dry up and disappear.
Thatch is caused by the sheath around the grass being pushed too tall and then not being decomposed by Micro Organisms.
Too much water kills Micro Organisms and causes the soil to become anaerobic (lack in natural Micro Organisms).
The quality and performance of fertilizers vary greatly. The highest quality fertilizers are often homogenous fertilizers where every pill has the same analysis, unlike blends that mix pellets of different analysis.
Good recycling mowers will chop up the grass into smaller pieces and shoot them down so they are not seen. A recycling program will put nutrients and other needed elements back into your turf soil profile.
A healthy and thick lawn will choke out many of the weeds that normally grow there.
Core aerating is a very beneficial process. It opens up the soil profile and allows water and nutrients to reach the soil profile easier. In many soils, aerating can be useful if done a couple of times each year. It is not necessary to do aerating only in the early spring.
Weed Control in Planted Areas
Weed control in flower and shrub beds is one of the most difficult challenges in ground maintenance. Here are some of the how’s and why’s:
There are annual weeds and perennial weeds. Annual weeds die each year and come back from seeds. Perennial weeds return each year from their roots and spread by seeds and/or new shoots from their root systems.
Pre-emergent's control the sprouting of seeds and/or root development. Because some pre-emergent attack roots more than others, it is important to identify the birds to be treated. For example: an annual flower bed should not use a chemical that will "root prune." This will cause the flowers and plants to be smaller. Most pre-emergent's last only 4-5 months.
Foliar sprays (like Round-Up) are trans-located through the leaf and not the soil. Temperatures about 65°F are a critical component for foliar sprays to work properly.
Pre-emergent will not work on plants that already have an established root system.
Most hand picking of weeds do not kill the plant and the remaining live root will send up new shoots to replace the ones pulled.
A combination of chemical control and hand pulling will give the bed the best long-term look.
Tree and Shrub Maintenance
Pruning should be down for the following reasons:
Increase flowers and fruiting - The proper pruning of roses will produce more flowers and if thinned will produce larger flowers. In a similar technique to ensure a larger fruit crop of apples, pick off (thin) some of the apples on each branch. Timing is critical because pruning in the wrong season can decrease flowering or fruit. Cutting back a forsythia during winter will reduce the spring bloom because you have cut off most of the flower buds.
To direct plant growth - A plant can be directed to grow in specific directions. By carefully pruning the plant you can force new growth and flowers. At the same time, improper pruning can become harmful to a plant and flower production. For example, a Potentilla that is hedged will lose its ability to produce abundant flowers and will become thin and spotty. That same plant can be thinned and pruned once a year to keep the size and will produce hundreds of beautiful flowers.
Repair and prevent damage - Broken branches and stems on trees and shrubs provide an entryway for insects and pathogens. Proper pruning will promote quicker wound closure and protect the tree and shrub.
