July and early August were warm and dry as normal and our irrigation need was high. MORE
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Let's Meet and Maximize the Value of Your Landscape Spending
Accurate budget planning is key to the success of any business. We understand this very well as we have always provided budgetary information to customers in the fall to assist them with their budgeting process. Knowing that some facility budgets continue to shrink due to the economy, we want to help one save by prioritizing your spending on landscaping. We have worked with many clients to reduce their costs while ensuring that their landscape investment is protected and their curb appeal is maintained.
We are finalizing and sending out our budget proposals and now would like to meet with as many customers as possible during the fall to ensure the proposals we provided meet their specific needs. Please contacts us and let us know if you are interested in working with us and we will provide you with the best budget information possible.
http://www.pacscape.com/services/landscape-renovation.php
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Take Advantage of Water Savings Incentive from Water Districts
In our experience, weather based irrigation is saving 20-40% from historical water usage. As water is expensive, this can add up to significant dollars. In most cases, we are finding a 2 year or less ROI. If a 2 year ROI is not good enough for you, several local water districts have conservation incentive programs.The Tualatin Valley Water District has for several years but Portland just created one. These are two of the largest districts in the area and if you are in one of them, one should absolutely consider converting to weather based irrigation technology to take advantage of the incentive.
Portland: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/water/article/458472
Tualatin Valley Water District: http://www.tvwd.org/media/17317/big_irrigation_application.pdf
We strongly believe that all properties should have some form of weather based irrigation. If you don't have it already, we will be proposing it again as a part of our 2013 budget proposal.
http://www.pacscape.com/sustainable/weather-based-irrigation.php
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2013 Irrigation Running 120% Above Last Year
Every year is different regarding weather and irrigation need. Some years start dry and end wet, while others are exactly opposite. This year, irrigation started earlier than normal but the summer is ending milder than normal. The data in the above graph is from the weather stations that fed our weather based irrigation. Despite the differences in years, as of the end of August, we are running at 120% of last year's irrigation need. It will be interesting to see how fall shapes up.
Unfortunately, you will likely see higher irrigation bills for your irrigation needs May through August. We hate to be the bearer of bad news but you need to be prepared when your bill arrives.
http://www.kgw.com/community/blogs/weather/Summer-not-over---nice-September-expected-221806001.html
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Entering Fall Means Lower Irrigation Need  July and early August were warm and dry as normal and our irrigation need was high. However, in late August we normally cool down and the irrigation need drops significantly. This year was no different and that has been the case. Irrigation need is lower than in mid summer. Late summer is one of the most important times to adjust irrigation as the same peak summer program from earlier in the month is unnecessary and wasteful.
This is as much due to the day length as it is the temperatures. Although temperatures can get as high late in August, there is almost two hours less daylight than mid July and it cools down quicker at night. Fall is near and it is important to monitor irrigation need to avoid wasting water.
We monitor the actual irrigation need and the weather forecast throughout the summer to ensure the most appropriate irrigation. Despite the warm weather at the end of August, we have already begun to decrease our irrigation as fall is fast approaching. Time will tell what this fall brings but regardless, we will monitor and adjust the irrigation accordingly. |
Tree Care an Important Winter Priority
 
As trees mature, they need periodic pruning. This service is one that is not typically included in a landscape maintenance program. Pruning of trees is typically limited to smaller trees (up to 15' total height) and simple pedestrian or building clearance.
WHY? Most trees only need pruning every 3-5 years. This makes it difficult to build into an annual maintenance program. In addition, larger trees require specialty equipment to properly prune. Often times tree pruning even requires ladders and/or tree climbing which is often limited or prohibited by landscape contractors' insurance carriers.
TREE PRUNING AS AN ENHANCEMENT. As they grow and develop, most trees need to be pruned and we do or coordinate that work for our clients as an enhanced or extra service. Some trees simply need to be limbed up which can be done from the ground. We typically do this work ourselves. Trees needing thinning require climbing which we contract with several arboriculture companies to complete. Customers may see recommendations for pruning in their budget letter and we are happy to discuss these as an important component of one's long-term site management plan.
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