Commercial landscaping is typically a job left to the professionals because it requires a lot of expertise, hard work, and the right equipment to design and implement a landscape that compliments the property and invites residents, customers, or other guests onto the property.

Since we all like to make a good first impression, here are several considerations for landscaping a commercial property.

Assessing the Property’s Needs

Before planting bushes, creating flower gardens or putting down new grass it is important to have a master landscape design plan for the property. Commercial landscapers will visit the property and then sit down with you to discuss a plan to create cohesive landscaping for the property.

A commercial landscaper will help you consider questions such as:

• Do you want low maintenance plants?
• Do you want to achieve a high-end look?
• Will children and/or pets be using the landscaped areas?
• What areas of the landscaped property have high traffic?

They will make sure that you are happy with the entire plan.

Landscape Design and Selection

After the initial designing is complete, your landscaper will also take into consideration other factors needed to make the landscape perfect. Some of these critical factors include:

• Soil
• Local weather
• Amount of sun per day

Choosing the right plants and other landscaping features to accommodate these factors ensure that your plants will thrive and the property will look great for years to come.

Proper Landscaping and Planting Techniques

When it comes time to do the actual work, commercial landscapers are skilled and experienced in planting new shrubs. For example:

• How close should shrubs be planted so they look right once mature and fully grown?
• How deep should flower bushes be planted?
• How much water do newly planted shrubs and gardens need?

Ongoing Commercial Landscape Maintenance Support

When the landscaping is installed and the work is completed, landscaping maintenance is important to maintain the health of the plants and longevity of other components such as retaining walls, bark mulch, and so on.

Your commercial landscape maintenance company can take care of this for you or give you suggestions and techniques to use. Typically, we recommend that the best option is that the professional from the landscape company is hired to check your landscaping once a week.

Hire a Professional Commercial Landscaper

A well landscaped and maintained property attracts and leaves a good impression on clients, residents, guests, and passer-byers. Neighboring properties will also admire your property!

If you are looking for that great first impression, plus a commercial landscape maintenance company who can maintain your beautifully landscaped property for years to come, contact Terra Firma Lawn and Garden.

Our landscape company is headquartered in Port Coquitlam, BC and specializes in commercial landscape design and maintenance throughout the Lower Mainland.

From time to time we have clients ask us if they really need an ongoing commercial landscape management company take care of their property.

The answer we give is always yes!

We firmly believe that landscape maintenance is very important and should be done with perfection in order to:

Guard the investment you have already made.

You likely used a significant budget to plant those gardens, build retaining walls, etc. and you want to keep them in pristine condition to avoid repair/replacement costs.

Protect the health of your established landscape.

It can take years for a tree to fill out to the perfect height and shape or for that row of hedges to grow close enough together to provide privacy. You don’t want to risk losing your established landscaping because it wasn't properly cared for.

Save yourself the time and energy required to co-ordinate landscaping.

You likely already have a lot on the go. If you hire a full service landscaping company you won’t have to research when to prune or remember when to fertilize, etc.

Keep up with the changing seasons.

Each lawn and garden has different needs based on the time of year. For example, leaves need to be cleaned up in the Fall. The lawn needs to be aerated and power raked in the Spring. Depending on the specific weather we get each year, this list of “To Do’s” can change, and it requires expertise to know what is best for the property based on a number of changing factors.

Here are just some aspects of our full service commercial landscape maintenance services (it's more than just “lawn mowing”):

• Seasonal yard clean-up (typically in Fall and Spring)
• Lawn aeration and power-raking
• Top dressing and/or reseeding
• Organic fertilizer and weed control
• Flower and perennial planting
• Lawn and garden editing
• Weeding and raking
• Hedge trimming
• Tree pruning

Our qualified landscapers also perform plant health evaluations and provide Property Manager and Strata Reports so that you stay informed on what we are doing with the landscape of your property.

With over 25 years’ experience in commercial landscaping, we service the Lower Mainland while using chemical free and organic landscaping practices.

Learn more about our Commercial Landscape Management services or contact Terra Firma directly to request a custom quote for your property. We offer free site evaluations and estimates!

Hiring a professional and trusted commercial landscape management company to take care of your property or properties is a significant decision to make.

Not only is there the monthly cost of having a commercial landscaping business on your expense report but there are other factors to think about. For example:

• Can they offer all the services your property needs?
• Is their crew experienced and friendly?
• Will they provide the care to protect and improve the health of the landscaping?
• Will they keep you updated with reports?

Here are several more important questions you should ask when gathering commercial landscape contracts.

What service plans do you offer?

Anyone can mow a lawn. You should hire a commercial landscaping company based on their full range of services, which can include services like seasonal cleanup, fertilization, pruning, weed control, garden maintenance, hedge trimming, and plant health evaluations.

Be sure to inquire what services are included in your plan and the flexibility to adjust the services, based on the needs of your property.

What is your experience?

This is where the credentials of the company come handy. It is important that you consider the experience of the company. However, do not be quick to dismiss young landscapers. With youth comes the creativity and technological advances that you might just find useful.

Longevity of the company often means that they have been around for a while and as such they do have previous customers. It is also important that you get a landscaper who is easy to communicate with, and is capable of transforming your wishes into reality.

What memberships do you hold?

Reputable landscaping companies in British Columbia should hold various memberships, such as:

• B.C.L.N.A. (British Columbia Landscape Nursery Association)
• H.O.A. (Condominium Home Owners Association of B.C.)

Can you name a few of your clients? Do you have any client references?

As with many industries, some landscaping companies may be cautious about giving out the names of their clients for privacy issues. However, if you are serious about hiring the company they will probably name a few clients and be able to provide the name and phone number of a client or two for you to call.

What is your level of horticulture knowledge ?

A company’s knowledge of horticulture can significantly impact the health of various vegetation grown on your property. It is important that you arm yourself with a list of flowers and plants that you want to have in your landscape and also ask for their input. It would be commendable if the company can provide you with a sketch incorporating your wishes.

Do you use organic gardening practices?

If this is important to you, ask if they use organic or chemical-free practices.

Do you have an in-house construction support team?

It can be beneficial (though not necessary) if the commercial landscape maintenance company has additional trades on staff or available. These professionals could take care of carpentry, paving, drainage, retaining walls, and other areas that impact the overall look of the property. If your property includes a swimming pool then you may also want to find out if they have knowledge of pools and fountain.

How much do you charge?

It’s important to get a quote from several different commercial landscape management companies to get an idea of what a property like yours will cost to maintain.

However, do not be lured by price alone. Look at what each company is offering and make your pick based on who is giving you the best value for money, based on their experience.

It is also important that you read from the same script with the company as far as payment mode is concerned. Some companies may require making partial payments upfront before completing the rest when the job is complete.

Contact Terra Firma Lawn and Garden

Terra Firma Lawn and Garden offers complimentary site evaluations and free quotes for commercial properties throughout the Lower Mainland.

Contact us today by calling 1-604-761-5296 to learn more about what our commercial landscaping contracts can offer you.

It becomes obvious when you need to call in for landscaping maintenance when the grass is growing fast in the Spring or when all the leaves drop and need to be cleaned up in the Fall. But what about in the “off season” when it doesn’t seem like the grass and garden is doing anything?

Yes, the landscaping still needs to be tended to in order to ensure overall health and longevity.

Here are five reasons why you should consider an all-season landscaping maintenance contract for your commercial property.

1. Weed Control

Regular landscaping limit weed growth and prevent weeds from taking over. This in turn keeps the grass and plants healthy.

2. Prevents Overgrowth

A little work each week or every other week reduces the need for a huge site property cleanup each Spring or Fall. This keeps the property from looking unkempt, regardless of the time of year.

3. Keeps Property in Pristine Condition

A commercial landscaper can keep plants looking their best year-round by pruning unhealthy parts of the plants. If your property was professionally landscaped, it likely has plants that bloom at various times of the year. This means each type of plant has its own custom maintenance schedule as they bloom and need pruning at different times of the year.

4. Freshly Manicured Gardens

Plants that are vibrant and freshly pruned or cleaned will impress all guests who visit the property.

5. Financial Sense

Having a landscaper on site on a regular basis also ensures healthy plant life and reduces the risk of having to replace plants later on.

Ultimately, having an ongoing annual professional landscaping maintenance contract will help produce consistently impressive results. The property will always look tidy, beautiful, and well-groomed.

Contact Terra Firma Lawn and Garden at 1-604-761-5296 to get a free on site evaluation and quote for your commercial property!

Have you decided to renovate your yard and garden area?

Homeowners and commercial property owners alike have a tendency to neglect the landscaping and garden, which is an integral part of the property that offers the opportunity for fantastic curb appeal. Not to mention, your neighbours and surrounding businesses will appreciate you for improving the overall look of the neighborhood.

You may think that designing and installing your own landscaping will save you money…but in reality, it can actually be a really smart financial decision to hire a professional landscape design company.

Here are ten ways a professional landscape design company can help save you money while increasing the value of your property and making your life easier.

1. Expertise

Taking on the task of renovating your garden yourself is a huge undertaking.  Your garden is far more than just a patch of grass and actually involves many disciplines. Professional landscapers know which plants can grow where and which ones can grow together. If this is not done properly, you may be repurchasing and replanting a few times before you get your garden just right.

2. New Ideas

A landscape design company is full of ideas of how to transform your space that you have never thought of before. This isn’t just because they are experienced – it is also because they are creative designers who have the ability to see the big picture and know how to bring all the small details together.

3. Special Features

A landscaping company can incorporate items like retaining walls into the design to create walkways, patios, and other functional or aesthetic spaces.

4. Ability to Handle Unexpected Issues

As with any renovation, a landscaping project can have unexpected issues come up. Landscapers have a wealth of experience when it comes to navigating and avoiding problems. They know what to check for before these problems arise and they know how best to deal with the issues when they can’t be avoided. This expertise and ability to handle unexpected problems can help you save both time and money when it comes to having your finished yard ready to enjoy.

5. Crew and Equipment

A landscaping company has the crew and equipment ready to go. This means you don’t have to worry about borrowing your brother-in-law’s truck or asking your teenage neighbor to help shovel loads of bark mulch.

6. Personalized Finished Product

Landscaping companies are able to help you design a yard that meets your needs. Perhaps your busy lifestyle requires a low-maintenance garden. A landscaper can also incorporate plants that require less water, chemical applications, or attract butterflies. Landscapers can create an ultra-modern garden with artificial turf or a more traditional garden with gazebo and fountain. Ultimately, the landscaping is a natural extension of the building should blend in seamlessly.

7. Sustainable Landscaping

A landscaping company understands what type of plants will thrive given your property's soil, drainage, and even the number of hours of sun versus shade. This provides a sustainable lawn and garden that will thrive for years to come.

8. Realistic Timeline and Budget

By giving you a realistic timeline and budget, landscaping companies can help you better plan for your future so you will know how to budget going forward. You won’t spend countless weekends working on finishing the yard and garden while wishing you were relaxing at the lake.

9. Access to Contractor Pricing

Landscape companies can get you bulk discounts on supplies like plants, bark mulch, and gravel, as well as products that you may not find at your local nursery or hardware store. This is because they have many clients and buy large amounts of supplies.

10. Increase Property Value

A landscape design company has the ability to design and install a yard that has the ability to WOW, which ultimately increases your property value in the long run.

Do you want to benefit from using a professional landscaping company?

Contact Terra Firma Lawn and Garden by calling 1-604-761-5296.

Terra Firma’s snow removal division offers both snow removal contracts as well as last minute snow removal services for when the weather may catch you off guard. We are ready around the clock with a professional, experienced team and reliable fleet of equipment across the Lower Mainland to clear the snow and keep your parking lots and sidewalks safe.

Commercial, Industrial & Strata – Contracts and Last Minute Emergency Snow Removal

Be prepared for when the snow hits and call our snow division at 1-604-761-5296 today for a FREE quote for snow removal services this winter! CLICK HERE to be redirected to our snow removal website.

Why should you call us for snow removal?

• We are available around the clock - 24 hours a day / 7 days a week dispatch.
• We offer discounts for early bookings - it pays to plan ahead!
• We provide snow removal services for commercial and strata.
• Our team is professional and fully equipped, with decades of combined experience in snow clearing and de-icing.

Our Snow Removal Services

We offer a full range of reliable and efficient snow and ice removal services to keep your property safe for residents and patrons despite the weather conditions. This includes:

• Salting and De-Icing
• Parking Lot Snow Plowing
• Sidewalk Snow Removal
• Safety Checks & Monitoring

Our full fleet of equipment that helps us keep your property free of snow and ice includes salt trucks, snow plow trucks, backhoes, ATVs with plows and salters, and bobcats.

Cities We Service

Our snow removal contractors service the following cities throughout the Lower Mainland:

• Coquitlam
• Port Coquitlam
• Port Moody
• Burnaby
• New Westminster
• Surrey
• Langley
• Pitt Meadows

Have peace of mind this winter and call us NOW at 1-604-761-5296!  We look forward to serving you!

Having a nicely landscaped garden adds so much to your yard and overall life.  As with everything though, it needs to be maintained on a regular basis.  If it is not maintained, flowers may start to droop, weeds can start to get out of hand, tiles can become dull.  Basically, your garden will lose its sheen.

So the question is, how do you keep it looking so beautiful and welcoming?

For starters, it's very important to consider your lawn care. Your lawn is pretty much the equivalent of your carpet, but for outdoors. This is what will cover the most surface in your garden and it is what people will first notice. It's also what will have the biggest impact on someone who is just passing by. If it's green and vibrant then your garden will look great, but if its dead, then the best landscaping in the world won't save the look of your garden.

Lawn care has many factors, but most important, is to avoid trampling on your garden. This means that you should avoid walking on it too regularly, as well as ensure that when you get the landscaping done, to place patio and stepping stones so that you can avoid walking on the grass.

Next, make sure that you water your lawn regularly – a big part of lawn care – and this may mean getting sprinklers to make sure it never goes to long without some nourishment. Look into the top soil you used as well and make sure it is nutritious. Also, it definitely helps to sprinkle some fertilizer around from time to time.

Lawn mowing is also important and if you want your garden to look tidy then lawn mowing is perhaps the best way to achieve this. Getting professional lawn mowing can help to ensure the garden always looks great and that you don't put yourself out trying to maintain it.

Finally be sure to keep the rest of your landscape looking good too. This means hosing down the patio, cleaning weeds out of the grout, and sweeping if leaves collect. You can also add a new lick of paint on occasion to your garden furniture and don't forget to paint the outside walls of the house either to add to that 'bright' and clean look.

Think you have the gardening maintenance down pat?  Leave it to a professional landscaping company like Terra Firma Lawn and Garden Services.  Get a quote for landscaping in Coquitlam and the Vancouver area today!

There are many reasons why you should take the landscaping of your yard very seriously:

(1.)  If your yard is well kept, you can really enjoy the time you spend in it, whether is be sunbathing, playing sports, or just relaxing with friends.

(2.) Children have somewhere to play that is safe and right outside your door. It gives them a reason to get outside for fresh air and healthy activity.

(3.)  Proper lawn care and even ground can prevent injuries.

(4.)  You don't want to have a garden that is overgrown, dying (as plants choke each other etc.), covered in weeds, and not particularly well laid out.

(5.)  It can be embarrassing if you have guests over who are sure to notice the deterioration of your garden and think that you aren't putting any effort into looking after your home.

(6.)  Many homes will have rooms that look out onto the garden. You want to have a pleasant view.

(7.)  Your plants and lawn will last longer if you have proper landscape maintenance.

(8.)  If you plan to sell your home, you can best bet that it will be much harder to sell if your yard is unruly or unpleasant to look at.  On the flip side, a beautiful yard will make your home much more attractive and appealing.  It's all about curb appeal!  Even if you have a nice home on the inside, people may completely bypass it if they aren't impressed with the state of your yard, and this could make you lose potential buyers.

(9.)  It is unfair to other people in your neighborhood if you don't take pride in your landscaping because it then knocks down the property value of the neighborhood.  No one wants to have to look at junky or unkept yards every time they leave their house.

(10.)  A great garden is a essentially an excellent place to be from a therapeutic perspective therapeutic.  Think of it as being able to take a mini-vacation every day right in your own yard! You could even look into getting a zen meditation garden.

Too big of a task to take on yourself?  Not enough time in your day?  Don't have the proper knowledge when it comes to plants, flowers, and lawns?  Call a professional landscaping company to handle this for you and save money in the long run by getting things done the RIGHT way off the bat! 

Call us - Terra Firma Lawn and Garden Services for landscaping in Coquitlam, Vancouver, and the Lower Mainland.

Creating a beautiful home goes beyond designing a great interior; you also need to think about the outside appearance of your home. The landscape design you choose can help to enhance the curb appeal and increase the value of your home. This is the first sight that prospective buyers will see when they visit your home and it is important to create a great first impression. The following tips will help you in your landscape design efforts.

Consider your space

The available space will determine the best landscaping design. It is important to come up with a plan that will make use of this space in the best possible way. You can use bushes to drown out noise from the street and other features to get the best overall effect. Remember to plan the spacing carefully and note that large plants can make a small space look even smaller. It is a good idea to have a mental picture of what you want the end results to look like before you start planting.

Consider your climate

When looking for the best plants for your property, it is a good idea to consider the weather in your region. Look for plants that are ideal for your climate so that you can get the best results. You should also think about the water requirements so that you can get plants that will withstand the weather.

If you do not get a lot of rain in your area, choose drought resistant plants that do not need plenty of water. It is important to note that grass usually needs more water than plants. Installing gravel and other types of ground cover on parts of the lawn can help to save water.

Buy the best plants

It is a good idea to buy plants from a reputable nursery or garden center where you can be sure of the quality. You can also get the best information from gardening experts who know all about the best plants for your region.

Do your homework and learn the best ways to take care of the plants and get the best tips to get rid of pests while ensuring that you use the best mulch and the safest products. If you are on a budget, you can work on the space in phases. Dividing the project into different phases will help you to keep track of the progress and you can make necessary adjustments as you move along.

Consider the neighborhood

While there is nothing wrong with trying to be unique, you should get some inspiration from the neighborhood to avoid sticking out like a sore thumb. No one wants to live in the "weird looking" house on the street and you should try as much as possible to stick within the general theme. Choosing the same plant or tree varieties will help to enhance your property.

Our Coquitlam landscaping can offer advice and detailed consultation that will help you to make substantial savings while creating the best landscaping design for your home. We offer several design choices that are ideal for your property and your location.

Contact us for a FREE quote if you are looking for a landscape designer in Vancouver & area.

Everyone needs a hobby, what’s yours? If the answer is gardening, then you’re in the right place. If it’s not, then you should seriously rethink your priorities. Landscaping is an easy way to improve your property value. If you don't have the budget for it, but you can do it on your own and save money if you tap into your creative side. For all those money minded people, think of it as an investment. Does it tickle your fancy now? A good landscaping job can really improve the exterior of your house. You don’t want to be the only one on your block with a barren front yard. Here are a few gardening tips to help you along the way.

(1)  Nothing Says Welcome like Flowers

Think back to all the weddings you’ve attended, what was the first thing you noticed at the entrance? I’m pretty sure it was the flowers inviting you in. The sight of flowers is enough to set a pleasant tone. Remember what they say about first impressions. So, if the inside of your house isn’t very pleasant, then you should think about making that impression at the door. Planting a wide assortment of beautiful flowers near the entrance makes a great first impression.

(2)  Too Much Is Not Always a Good Thing

Just because you can plant something anywhere, doesn’t mean you should. True strength lies in not flaunting it. Actually it’s just too much work. You don’t just plant flowers; you also need to maintain them. Imagine the work required if you fill every available space with plants and flowers. Find a balance between. “Man that looks good” and “What the hell was I thinking?”

(3)  You’ll Need to Dig Deep to Find the Truth

Before making any large scale purchases of fertilizer, make sure you check your soil. Dig deep – about six to seven inches – and collect samples to be tested. You should only make decisions based on facts. Once you get the results of the test back, you’ll know exactly what your soil is missing.

(4)  Nurture Them, Don’t Cripple Them

Plants are like children, you give them what they need but never in excess. You nurture them till they become self reliant. One inch of water per week is enough for a plant to survive. The scarcity of water will encourage the roots of the plant to grow deeper and find groundwater. Once they hit groundwater your job will become much simpler. Summer is a trying time for plants, so water them every five days to prevent them from drying.

(5)  Too Many Choices, What To Do?

If you go to a plant nursery, you’ll be flabbergasted by the choice of flowers. It’s an explosion of colors to choose from. You know what happens when you have too many choices, you make bad decisions. A color wheel can help you in a situation such as this. Colors that are on opposite sides of each other in a color wheel go well together, so pair flowers according to this.

Gardening is a subtle art, one that involves a lot of creativity. Just remember that at the end of the day it’s all about creating art.

Contact Terra Firma Lawn & Garden for your planting and gardening needs in Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, and the Vancouver area.