by Amanda Goodman

azfamily.com

Posted on February 9, 2015 at 6:45 PM

Updated yesterday at 11:17 PM

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The City of Tempe is rolling out a new program it says will help residents win the war on weeds in their yards.

It's called Tempe Landscape Referral.

"The City uses its, basically, bulk purchasing ability to get you the best rate possible," said city council member Kolby Granville.

Using that power, the City of Tempe has contracted with three landscaping companies to offer discounted rates for basic yard upkeep.

"You contract with them, they do the work. You pay on a monthly basis: $35 a month for the front yard and $70 a month during the summer months," Councilor Granville said.

Each company has been pre-screened and has agreed to a pre-negotiated price. That's the extent of the City's involvement unless a dispute arises.

Read more from the original source:
Tempe rolls out landscaping referral program

Serving the Western & Northwest Suburbs of Greater Chicagoland

A.G. Landscape Materials, Inc., located in Roselle, IL in Chicagos Northwest Suburbs, is a company that evolved from A.G. VanGundy Landscape, Inc., which is a company that was started in 1980 as a design/build firm. Throughout the years of working on landscape projects we have gained 1st hand knowledge of landscaping materials. Weve worked with it all, from fill dirt and grading to high end award winning brick paving and plant installations. Because of our experience with landscape materials on a vast variety of projects, weve become one of the Chicago areas leading resources for landscape materials.

Our customers can have us deliver their materials to their driveway or they can come to our yard, located in Roselle, IL and pick it up themselves. We pride ourselves on getting our bulk customers into our yard, loaded with their material and on their way to their job within a matter of minutes while providing friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable service.

Not sure which type of material you need? A member of our staff is available to help walk you through your project. We can help with everything from assisting you with your planning to getting you the right materials. Our inventory includes (but isnt limited to):

Topsoil, GO Compost, Garden Mix, Fill Dirt

Several Types of Mulches (Premium Hardwood Bark, Double Ground Hardwood, Dyed Red, Dyed Brown, and Aromatic Cedar)

Gravel

Decorative Stone

Sod & Seed

Weed Control Fabric & Erosion Control Fabric

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Chicago Western & Northwest Suburbs Landscape Design ...

The recent storms have dumped a load of snow across Nebraska, but the warmer temperatures are welcome. Take advantage of the warm weather to scout for potential issues in your landscape.

Heavy snow and ice build-up on plants can cause some problems. Extensive build-up can lead to limb breakage or even splits on limbs and trunks.

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Originally posted here:
Warm days a good time to check yard for storm damage

2014 Bristol Athletic Hall of Fame inductees include: (back row, left to right) Warren Rensehausen, William Harper, Dino Martino, Bruce Marshall, Jerry Burke, Brian Flynn, Thom Flynn, Mike Flynn, John Flynn, Halsey Herreshoff, Albert Quito (seated, left to right) Keith Medeiros, Maggie (Flynn) Morris, Patty (Flynn) Palmer and Christy Belisle.

The 2014 inductees into the Bristol Athletic Hall of Fame include several swimmers, a championship wrestler, an Americas Cup sailor and even a bull rider.

2014 Bristol Athletic Hall of Fame inductees include: (back row, left to right) Warren Rensehausen, William Harper, Dino Martino, Bruce Marshall, Jerry Burke, Brian Flynn, Thom Flynn, Mike Flynn, John Flynn, Halsey Herreshoff, Albert Quito (seated, left to right) Keith Medeiros, Maggie (Flynn) Morris, Patty (Flynn) Palmer and Christy Belisle.

Some inductees are honored for their athletic prowess, others for their coaching leadership, and some for their administrative talents. All have contributed extensively to the local sorts landscape over the years. The inductees include:

Brian Flynn

Brian Flynn was an all-state swimmer for LaSalle Academy, and earned a second-team allstate coaches award for the 100 yard freestyle swim as a sophomore. As a junior, he won the RIIL State Championship in the 50 yard freestyles and 100 yard freestyle. Mr. Flynn was ranked in the top 10 for New England in the 50 yard freestyle and the 100 yard freestyle that year. At Iona College, Mr. Flynn was named rookie of the year in 199394 and also played water polo. In 2014, he was named the Westchester Toughman AquaBike Champion.

Margaret Flynn Morris

Captain of the Bay View Academy swim team, Margaret Flynn Morris placed first in the 15- to 18-year-old freestyle relays at the Rhode Island Age Group Swim Championships in the 1980s. She qualified for the New England YMCA Swim Championships at Brown University in 1987 before competing on the Bentley College swimming and diving team from 1990-1994, winning MVP in 1991.

Michael Flynn

Michael Flynn was a second-team all-state swimmer for both the 200 yard individual medley and the 100 butterfly while swimming for LaSalle. He received the Paul San Souci Outstanding Swimmer Award in 1992. He went on to be a member of the Marist varsity swim team and was named to the of the All Metropolitan Collegiate Swimming/Diving team. In 2008, Mr. Flynn received the Greater Southern Dutchess Regional Chamber of Commerce Forty under 40 Award. He is the director of marketing and business development for Stribbons, Inc.

Continue reading here:
Meet the Bristol Athletic Hall of Fame class of 2014

PLANS for an eight turbine wind farm have been rejected by councillors in the Scottish Borders.

Developers wanted to build the 110 yard high turbines near Romanno Bridge in Peeblesshire.

Stevenson Hill Wind Energy, on behalf of West Coast Energy, also applied to construct a new access road from the A701 Edinburgh to Moffat road.

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The application drew 125 letters of objection and one of support.

They wanted to build the turbines along the ridges of the peaks of Green Knows, Hag Law and Wether Law.

At a meeting in Newtown St Boswells members of the Scottish Borders Council's planning applications committee raised concerns

about its visual impact on the landscape and

neighbouring communities.

Archaeologists had also claimed it would cause unacceptable harm to four scheduled monuments of national importance and an historic

Link:
Wind farm plan rejected by councillors

Hillsborough, NC (919) 801-0211

Beautifying Landscapes in North Carolina and Virginia since 2002

1012 foot Nellie Stevens Screen Ideal for solving screening challenges as well as for use in stand-alone plantings or groupings.

Nellie Stevens Holly: Considered by some to be the Grand Dame of southern landscapes, Nellie Stevens Holly is valued for its rich green foliage, vibrant red berries as well as its heat and drought tolerance once established. This beautiful holly can also comfortably push into the 6b climate zone regions of the coastal Northeast and Middle Atlantic. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and will grow about 12 or more per year. It is very adaptable to shearing and can be kept to a desired height and width with regular pruning. (Height can reach 30 feet with 12 feet of width if not pruned.)

Green Giant Arborvitae: This great evergreen plant was developed by crossing the Western Red Cedar and Leyland Cypress. It has the great attributes of fast growth associated with the Leyland but none of the problems such as weak root systems, etc. This evergreen is used extensively in landscapes to provide screening solutions. It is adaptable from full-sun to a fairly heavy amount of shade which is not the norm with coniferous evergreens. This tree does not like shearing and therefore should be used where it can grow unimpeded. Growth of up to 2 feet or more per year. (Height can reach 40 feet with width of 15 feet.)

Check out our other Spring Into Summer 2014 Sale specimens, but hurry as our inventory is limited!

Read the original:
Landscape Design, Large Specimen & Mature Trees, Hardy ...

Conyers Garden Club awarded the landscape plaque for January to Gail Roberson and Dumont Camp at 3672 Sweet Briar Lane. The green color and lush texture of their fescue lawn, evident even in winter, requires a fertilizing schedule in fall and spring. Fall over-seeding is sometimes necessary to maintain the coverage. Pine straw islands add contrast to the yard. The homeowners also plant a vegetable garden each spring. (Special Photo)

Conyers Garden Club awarded the landscape plaque for January to Gail Roberson and Dumont Camp at 3672 Sweet Briar Lane. The green color and lush texture of their fescue lawn, evident even in winter, requires a fertilizing schedule in fall and spring. Fall over-seeding is sometimes necessary to maintain the coverage. Pine straw islands add contrast to the yard. The homeowners also plant a vegetable garden each spring.

Link:
SCRAPBOOK: Garden Club awards yard of the month for January

Master Gardener Barb Landa trims a plant growing on a trellis at a James City County residence. (Ann M. Efimetz / February 17, 2014)

There is no time like the present to get your yard ready for spring. Despite chilly temperatures, there is much to be done around the landscape that can provide a seamless transition into warm weather.

Cosmetic considerations including gathering dead branches and mulching that can can be done now. And, the overall consensus of garden and landscape experts, is that the optimal time for pruning trees, shrubs and bushes is upon us.

"The main thing to do in the winter is to prune your trees," said Sue Liddell, a Peninsula Tree Steward. Tree Stewards are Master Gardeners with advanced training, volunteering under the guidance of Virginia Cooperative Extension. "I think people want to wait for a nice day to prune, but it is better to do it in the cold weather when the tree is dormant."

Residents from James City or New Kent counties, or City of Williamsburg are able to sign up for hands-on pruning instructions at the home or neighborhood. Registration for the instructions run through this Sunday, Jan. 25. Register at http://www.jccwmg.org/pruningclass.htm.

The Virginia Cooperative Extension offers a clearinghouse of information regarding pruning. Of top importance is to remove dead, damaged, diseased or dangerous limbs.

Liddell said that people can even plant trees now as long as the soil is workable. Planting now can actually give the roots the chance to get established before warm weather sets in.

"If people are thinking of planting a tree, they could think of planting an oak or an ash, something that will last 100 or 200 years. A tree like that is eight times more valuable to the environment than a small cherry tree."

Master Gardener Jordan Westenhaver has a certified wildlife habitat at her home off Penniman Road. That is a program offered through the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Her emphasis is choosing plants for wildlife, birds and insects.

"It is a wonderful program that teaches you how to incorporate trees, shrubs and ground covers to create the right conditions for critters," she said.

See the article here:
Time to get the yard ready for spring in Williamsburg

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Find more essays from each of the panelists at this year's Economic Forecast Breakfast at http://www.columbian.com/economicforecast

Every business, small or large, must attract new customers and deepen loyalty among current ones if they are going to grow. But today's communications landscape is undergoing seismic shifts, and savvy business owners are changing their marketing strategies to reach the people they depend on for business success.

Migration of marketing efforts from traditional to digital and social is expected to accelerate dramatically, according to nearly every expert. Gone are the days when a big advertising campaign or piles of expensive brochures were commonplace.

Few companies have the budget for a Super Bowl ad, but anyone might post that rare YouTube video that goes viral. It's this level playing field that gives small and midsize businesses opportunities to compete effectively for customers' share of mind and wallet like never before.

Here are five trends and transformations that all businesses, but especially smaller ones, can benefit from in the new marketing paradigm.

Keep your website tuned up. Don't think of that recent website redo as a "one and done" effort. Continue to build out features that keep your content fresh and your technology up to date. As with all things, technological advances make systems and platforms obsolete faster than most businesses can keep up with. A plan that offers ongoing improvements will extend the life of your initial investment.

Everyone's telling your story now, thanks to social media. Surveys say people trust recommendations from friends and colleagues upward of 10 times more than advertisers' claims. What are people saying about your brand on Facebook or on sites like Amazon or Angie's List? And social is not just for consumers anymore; even B2B companies must look to social media sites like LinkedIn and Twitter to check the buzz about their company. People tune out traditional advertising and tune in to referrals and recommendations from friends and colleagues. Savvy marketers track feedback and engage in social media to help influence the influencers.

If you aren't doing video yet, you're already late to the party. Video is skyrocketing as the most preferred, most effective way to connect with your customers. Whether you're using 6-second Vine videos, uploading to a YouTube channel, or embedding videos on your website and in your presentations, making video a core part of your marketing plan is a must in 2015.

View original post here:
Henning: Marketing must embrace digital, social media aspects

Integrated Approach to Low Water and Native Plants in Large Landscapes
Little boy helping landscape yard.

By: Teton Trees

Read more from the original source:
Integrated Approach to Low Water and Native Plants in Large Landscapes - Video