Commercial Landscape Management

Caretaker Landscape Management is a full service commercial landscape management company.  We have been offering commercial landscape management to clients throughout the Valley for over 20 years.  As a commercial landscape management company, we manage all aspects of your urban environment, including; plant growth and development, nutritional needs, water needs, vegetation management and much more.  Our crews are highly educated in all commercial landscape management practices needed to keep your landscaping healthy and aesthetically pleasing, including; pruning, fertilization, mowing, renovation and overseeding, weed control and water management.. 

Licenses, Certifications, & Affiliations

         Certified Arborist - (5 on Staff)

         CLP Certified Landscape Professional (6 on staff), University of Arizona

         CDLP Certified Desert Landscape Professional, Desert Botanical Gardens

         CTGP Certified Turf-Grass Professional, University of Georgia

         CTGP Certified Turf-grass Professional, University of Arizona

         Master Gardner University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension

         QP State Certification for pesticide applications, Arizona

         Certified for backflow installation, maintenance & repair - (2 on staff)

         Certified Irrigation Technicians - (10 on staff)

         A-21 License (080472) commercial landscape contractor & irrigation repair

         C-62 License (220506) residential minor home improvements

         Founding Member Arizona Association of Community Managers,  AACM

         Founding Affiliate Member Arizona Association of Community Managers

         Member Associated Landscape Contractors of America, ALCA

         Member Arizona Landscape Contractors Association, ALCA

         Member Community Association Institute Central Arizona Chapter

         Member Arizona Nursery Association

         Member International Society of Arboriculture, ISA

         Member Valley Partnership, The Leadership Center, HBACA

         Member Building Owners & Managers Association, BOMA

Recent Awards and Recognitions

ALCAs 33^rd Annual Arizona Excellence in Landscaping Awards Program

         Outstanding Landscape Contractor Of The Year Jim Potts

         Judges Award Commercial Maintenance $50,001 - $150,000 for Willis Ranch

         Judges Award Commercial Maintenance $50,001 - $150,000 for Paseo Crossing

         Award of Distinction Commercial Maintenance under $25,000 for Loma Verde

Pruning

The team at Caretaker Landscape Management has been educated to understand the needs of the different species of shrubs and we prune according to your preferences and industry standards.  Our crews will prune as necessary to maintain the natural shape and healthy growth patterns of individual plants.  We will also prune shrubs when needed to keep sidewalks and curbs clear.  Balled or boxed shapes are discouraged, as over pruning is stressful for shrubs.

Fertilization

Caretaker Landscape Management will fertilize plants once annually to maintain the health and aesthetics of your shrubs.  Fertilization is usually done in February, once the danger of frost damage is past.  Caretaker will monitor the weather patterns and combine that with data collected from previous years to decide when the appropriate time to fertilize will be.  The type of fertilizer used will depend on the specific needs of the shrubs on your property.  Caretaker includes fertilization in your monthly maintenance cost.

Mowing

Mowing is one of the most important practices for proper turf management. Grasses are like most plants if you clip off the growing points (for grass, it's in the crown, where the new leaves develop), the plants branch out and become more dense, which in this case, turns thousands of individual grass plants into a tightly woven turf or a lawn. 

Mowing height depends on the type of turf and the preference of the community, however, Caretaker likes to stick to the one-third rule when mowing: never cut off more than one-third of the grass blade during any one mowing. 

The Caretaker Landscape Management crews will mow and edge turf areas once per week.  When possible, mulching mowers will be used to recycle the clippings back into the turf.  The pieces break down quickly and reduce the amount of fertilizer you have to use by as much as 25 percent.  After each mowing, all walks will be blown free of landscape debris.

Turf Fertilization

Caretaker Landscape Management understands that the type of fertilizer used for your turf will depend of the specific needs of the soil.  We perform soil analysis, at no extra cost, to ensure that we use the proper fertilize to produce the results that you desire.  Caretaker Landscape Management will adjust nutrient amounts and fertilize turf areas six times per year, in order to produce a healthy plant with good color.  Turf fertilization is included in your monthly landscaping cost (maxi cal, gypsum, and sulfur are bid as extra).

Renovation

A common misconception is that your turf needs to be scalped in preparation for overseed.  Caretaker uses the term renovation because we have moved on from the days when landscapers would cut the grass down to the dirt before applying seed.  Renovation prepares your grass for the overseeding process without causing unnecessary stress.  The Caretaker Landscape Management crews will raise the mower height by 50% and reduce the water 15%-20% for two weeks in order to force the grass to store energy and nutrients.  We will then lower the mower to the normal height for one cut and then lower it another 30% for the final cut.  This should leave the stems about 1 -3/4 high for good re-growth in the spring. This completes the renovation process and you are ready to overseed.  Renovation is done in late September or early October.  Caretaker includes labor for renovation in your monthly maintenance cost, unless otherwise requested.

Overseeding

Like anything else, the better quality product that you use to overseed, the better your grass will look.  To ensure that you get the most out of the product you use, Caretaker Landscape Management recommends that you overseed at the rate of 550lbs of pure live seed per acre.  Seed should be applied in two crossing directions, half of the seed in each direction.  During overseed time, watering frequencies should be adjusted to 4-5 times per day for short periods of time until germination.  Once germination has occurred, decrease watering to 2-3 times per day for 2 weeks, and then return to once per day (for a longer duration).  Check with your landscaper to be sure they are using the most effective products and practices to ensure the overseeding process is a success.  Caretaker includes the labor for overseeding in your monthly maintenance cost, unless otherwise requested.  Seed will be billed as extra.

Aeration

When you aerate your lawn, you essentially punch holes in the soil.  Aeration allows for more air and water circulation around your lawns roots, preventing fungal invasions and encouraging healthy growth.  Aeration also makes it easier for your lawn to grow stronger and deeper roots which is essential for survival in times of draught.  You have a couple options when it comes to aeration.  You can hire a landscaper to do the aeration for you, or you can rent an aeration tool from a local hardware store, and tackle the job yourself. 

Caretaker Landscape Management recommends aerating your lawn in the spring when your grass is gearing up for rapid growth.  You should avoid aerating in the heat of summer, or if your grass is very dry, and be sure to give your lawn a good watering for two days before aerating.  Aeration is an easy way to improve your lawn's health. By aerating just once or twice per year, you can ensure that your lawn's roots are strong and healthy.