Enhancements

Enhancements are those projects intended to enhance the appearance of an existing landscape that are outside the scope of an Annual Landscape Maintenance Agreement but fall short of our Design & Installation services. Avid will evaluate the performance of the landscapes under our care and suggest Enhancements for our clients that will either increase asset value or decrease risk and liability. Most commonly, Enhancements are represented by the projects described below but may include many other types of customized projects.

Mulching

Mulching is one of the most beneficial practices in the landscape. Mulch helps control weed germination, insulates against extreme temperatures and moisture loss, gives planting beds a manicured uniform look and can improve soil biology and structure. Avid prefers to mulch planting beds with a dark med/fine bark mulch that has been blended with compost. This combination is dark brown in color and provides a contemporary look that contrasts well with lawn areas and plant material. The bark mulch helps with weed suppression while the compost provides organic matter to soils.

Lawn Renovation

In order to give your lawn the chance to look its best each season we strongly recommend spring renovation which, depending on your specific needs, may include aeration, power-raking, over-seeding, and top-dressing. Generally, services are selected in succeeding order with each building on the benefits of the prior service. All services in combination will provide the best result.

  • Lawn aeration mechanically places holes in your lawn using hollow core spoons that pull the core out and eject it onto the surface of the lawn. Cores are left on the lawn surface to dry where they are subsequently broken down by power-raking or mowing. Aeration has several benefits including alleviation of compaction from foot traffic and improving air, water, and nutrient flow deeper into the soil which encourages greater rooting depth, vigor and drought tolerance.

  • Power-raking utilizes a vertical-tine, mechanical rake (often called a thatcher) to remove as much moss and thatch as possible. This process also helps break down cores previously left on the surface by aeration. The majority of the debris is then raked up and disposed of off-site. When performed in combination with over-seeding, power-raking is an effective rejuvenating process.
  • Over-seeding increases the percentage of desirable grass species including Perennial Rye and Fescue thereby decreasing the percentage of broadleaf weeds and undesirable turf species. Without regular over-seeding, lawns may thin out in shady areas, be more susceptible to weed growth, and will progress toward a climax condition where multiple species of grass make the lawn look patchy and non-uniform.
  • Top-Dressing mechanically spreads an average of 1/4 inch of prescriptive soil mix (typically 80% sand/20% compost) over your lawn area to help protect seed during germination and help amend soil texture over time to firm up the surface, aid drainage and improve soil porosity and organic matter.
Lawn Care
Lawn Care

Lawn Renovation

In order to give your lawn the chance to look its best each season we strongly recommend spring renovation which, depending on your specific needs, may include aeration, power-raking, over-seeding, and top-dressing. Generally, services are selected in succeeding order with each building on the benefits of the prior service. All services in combination will provide the best result.

  • Lawn aeration mechanically places holes in your lawn using hollow core spoons that pull the core out and eject it onto the surface of the lawn. Cores are left on the lawn surface to dry where they are subsequently broken down by power-raking or mowing. Aeration has several benefits including alleviation of compaction from foot traffic and improving air, water, and nutrient flow deeper into the soil which encourages greater rooting depth, vigor and drought tolerance.

  • Power-raking utilizes a vertical-tine, mechanical rake (often called a thatcher) to remove as much moss and thatch as possible. This process also helps break down cores previously left on the surface by aeration. The majority of the debris is then raked up and disposed of off-site. When performed in combination with over-seeding, power-raking is an effective rejuvenating process.
  • Over-seeding increases the percentage of desirable grass species including Perennial Rye and Fescue thereby decreasing the percentage of broadleaf weeds and undesirable turf species. Without regular over-seeding, lawns may thin out in shady areas, be more susceptible to weed growth, and will progress toward a climax condition where multiple species of grass make the lawn look patchy and non-uniform.
  • Top-Dressing mechanically spreads an average of 1/4 inch of prescriptive soil mix (typically 80% sand/20% compost) over your lawn area to help protect seed during germination and help amend soil texture over time to firm up the surface, aid drainage and improve soil porosity and organic matter.

Planting Bed Renovation

A contemporary mix of ornamental grasses, perennials, and shrubs can refresh the look of your property. Augmenting with landscape boulders, small rockeries, and dry creek bed areas can create further interest and tie areas of your property together for a cohesive look.

Planting bed renovation may include a complete overhaul of a bed area or some strategic plant removals, transplanting, and infill. Good candidates for this are bed areas that create a major impression for homeowners, tenants, and guests along major paths to entry or site frontages where plant mortality has left bare areas. Alternatively, dense plantings where plants have become overgrown, requiring excess pruning can be common place as well. New landscapes are often overplanted by developers eager to create instant appeal with smaller nursery stock. Subsequent long-term owners and property managers should recognize the need to remove some plant material over time to allow favored plants more room to grow.

Landscape Cleanup

Often at the start of a new maintenance relationship, properties are in need of a cleanup as a means to reset the site to the desired appearance and help set expectations for our work going forward. This is common when our predecessor has deferred basic maintenance services and some catch up is needed. When needed, we will propose a cleanup service alongside our maintenance proposal.

Landscape Cleanup

Often at the start of a new maintenance relationship, properties are in need of a cleanup as a means to reset the site to the desired appearance and help set expectations for our work going forward. This is common when our predecessor has deferred basic maintenance services and some catch up is needed. When needed, we will propose a cleanup service alongside our maintenance proposal.