June 12, 2008
Commercial Investment Real Estate
Green Grounds: Sustainable landscaping can save money and the environment
By Margie Holly
Commercial
property owners and managers know that maintaining a building’s
exterior grounds can be a significant balance-sheet factor. Increasing
curb appeal through landscaping can impress current and potential
tenants as well as boost a property’s market value. Building a
relationship with a commercial landscape contractor who specializes in
design, irrigation, and horticulture consulting can help property
owners and managers identify and execute cost-saving measures to
improve property appearance and value.
Reduce Water to Increase Cash
Implementing
an effective irrigation system is the first step toward saving money
through landscaping. Depending on a property’s prior water usage, the
use of proper irrigation techniques often saves property owners 20
percent to 40 percent annually on water bills, according to
www.irrigation.org . Landscape contractors can help determine a
property’s most-effective irrigation system and maintenance process.
Existing
irrigation systems always should be analyzed before a new system or
renovation is implemented. The audit of the existing system will
identify common problems such as water spraying onto sidewalks, old and
faulty nozzle heads, and inefficient nozzle-head placement and size. In
the long run, these problems can result in significant water loss.
Simply removing or replacing outdated sprinkler heads can result in
water savings of 5 percent to 20 percent. Once the current system has
been reviewed, a landscape contractor can provide guidance as to which
irrigation system best meets the property’s needs. Some options are
discussed below.
Drip Irrigation. This popular
system uses “drippers” to maximize moisture levels in the soil by
slowly applying water directly to plants’ roots. This process limits
the amount of water lost due to sun or wind because the appropriate
moisture level is focused directly in the soil where growth occurs.
Microsprinklers. These are used
to disperse water over plants covering wide, large, or odd-shaped
areas. These sprinklers are spread farther apart than drippers,
dispersing water over a larger area.
Smart-Water Application Technology.
This approach uses sensing equipment that adjusts water application to
accommodate conditions such as slopes and soil density. SWAT provides
just enough moisture to maintain a healthy landscape without wasting
water.
Following the audit of the current system and
implementation of the new system, property managers should design a
seasonal inspection plan to maximize efficiency and minimize water
usage. Landscape contractors can assist in determining any necessary
changes.
Overall, efficient irrigation systems not only reduce
water waste, they also prevent plant loss. Over- or under-watering can
kill plants, which are costly to replace. Installing a well-managed
irrigation system helps to minimize this risk.
The Right Plants
The
plant material used in the landscape for a commercial property also is
an important cost-saving factor. A horticulturist can help to determine
which type of landscaping is the most appropriate and efficient for a
property based on factors such as climate, property size, and location.
As the landscape is developed, the landscape contractor can identify
plants that will prosper on the site. It’s wise to choose
climate-appropriate plant materials and to consider factors such as sun
exposure, natural rainfall, and soil type. Knowing the
evapotranspiration rate, the rate at which a plant uses and loses
water, is very helpful in determining which plants will thrive. Plant
diversification also is important to promote the increase of beneficial
organisms while decreasing pest problems.
After plant types are
determined, there are additional ways to save using ongoing maintenance
practices. Hand pruning plants when possible creates a natural
appearance while minimizing the use of gas-powered equipment. Mulching
around plants and trees also decreases the need for mowing and line
trimming, as well as preserves soil moisture. These minimal efforts
maximize energy consumption while reducing costs.
A long-term
maintenance plan is key to protecting a property’s landscape.
Throughout the landscape’s life cycle, regular inspections help
identify any needs for updates or improvements. For healthy turf,
regular soil testing will determine the need for soil amendments, which
could help reduce dependency on fertilizers as well as excessive
irrigation.
A well-planned landscape, irrigation system, and
maintenance schedule maximizes a property’s value. By working closely
with a landscape contractor, property managers and owners not only
maintain visually appealing surroundings, but they also can reduce
water waste, energy consumption, and costs.
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