Water Management in Arizona…

Water is essential for a healthy landscape. With utility rates on the rise, water usage must be managed better than ever. Our Water Management Specialists utilize the highest level of technology to create specific Water Management programs for each property. Satellite based irrigation controllers and local weather stations, allow us to create an irrigation schedule to use just the right amount of water for your landscaped area… keeping your landscape looking good, while sustaining your water budget in Phoenix AZ.

How often should you water plants in Arizona? Regular watering schedules need to be adjusted throughout the year depending on the temperature and humidity levels of the season. It is a good idea to inspect your plants regularly for signs of overwatering or underwatering and adjust irrigation of plants to present conditions on your property.

Believe it or not, a plant can tell you whether or not it is stressed if you learn how to recognize the signs. Here are a few simple tips to understand what your plant is feeling...

Signs of underwatering:

• Older leaves begin to drop after turning yellow or brown
• Lower part or root zone fells too dry
• Leaves are wilted or dropping
• Leaves begin to curl up
• Stems or branches die back

Signs of overwatering:

• Mushrooms or algae are present near plants
• Top soil is constantly damp
• Leaves turn lighter green or begin to yellow
• Younger shoots are droopy or wilting
• Excessive plant growth
• Leaves are green but feel brittle

Visit our blog often for new articles on landscaping in Phoenix Arizona and surrounding area!

Planting Winter Flowers in Arizona

The weather is cooling and it's time to plant and enjoy the winter blooms!!!  People often think that the winter is a "down time" for vibrant colors in desert landscape.  At ProQual, we take advantage of our Arizona climates by planting a wealth of desert adapted plants that provide colorful winter displays all season.



Among the vast possibilities, a few Arizona Winter flowers to consider are:
·
• Geraniums

• Snapdragons
• Petunias
• Pansies
• Calendula
• Fairy Duster
• Desert Lavender
• Lantana
• White Alyssum

Creating the proper planting conditions is crucial for the survival of winter plants. For best results of an abundance of foliage and blooms, planter beds should contain mulch and plant fertilizer to promote a healthy growth.



Watering is key! To avoid wilting or dying of annual flowers, the soil should be kept slightly moist.  Dry soils, even during the winter months, can cause annual flowers to wilt or die.  Supplement rainfall, and water as needed.  Too much water can cause fungi to grow, which can kill the plants, just as too little water can.

Native flowers and succulents will most likely sustain the winter months unless a severe frost hits them.

Give ProQual a call to see how we can make your community's Winter floral display spectacular!

Happy Halloween from ProQual...!

We hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween tonight!

We really enjoyed delivering a little "treat" to go with all of the "trick" that goes along with daily business. We hope you all enjoyed our Green Pumpkins!

We appreciate our great customers and look forward to finishing 2011 with a BOO-M..!

Arizona's Premier Commercial Landscape Maintenance Company

Quality is How We Roll...!

The Arizona Association of Community Managers is hosting their annual trade show this Friday in Phoenix AZ.

Make sure to come visit the ProQual Landscaping booth and spin the wheel to win one of our newly designed t-shirts! We are in booths 503 & 512.

We hope to see you there!

Friday, October 14th  •  9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Renaissance Glendale Hotel and Spa 

9495 W. Coyotes Blvd. 

Glendale, AZ 85305 


Click image to enlarge:

ProQual Sponsors "Jug Huggers" Team This Weekend...

ProQual Landscaping maintains a fierce commitment to "community" by sponsoring and participating in the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk in Phoenix Arizona this weekend. Many of ProQual's team have loved ones that have been affect by this disease and we are honored to take the opportunity to show our love and support for them. Commercial landscape management in Phoenix is hard work and it is nice to take the time to have some fun together in support of this most worthy cause.

We also want to thank all of the individuals that sacrifice so much of their time and talent to make events like this possible and so successful! We will continue to support breast cancer awareness and look forward to seeing everyone next year.

Sincerely,

Team ProQual

ProQual Serves The Ronald McDonald House

This summer, ProQual partnered with the Ronald McDonald House by volunteering grounds maintenance to enhance the beauty and comfort to it's visitors.  Below is a video high-lighting some of the work we did and the fun we had.  A "Big Thank You" to The Ronald McDonald House for all the good that you do!

Account Manager, Devin Shepard receives ALCA Certification!

One of ProQual's account managers, Devin Shepard, has recently completed a 24 month process to become an Arizona Certified Landscape Professional!  He already has a 4 year degree in Landscape Horticulture from the University of Maine.  Next on his list of professional certifications is ISA Certified Arborist.  Click THIS LINK to read about some of the knowledge Devin has mastered in the ACLA program.

Water Management...

Our Certified Irrigation Water Auditors are at it again, installing ET Water “Smart” Irrigation controllers at one of our communities.

By combining specific site information and current local weather data, ProQual Landscaping is able to generate a custom irrigation schedule. Via wireless modem, daily weather data is downloaded from the nearest weather station and the Irrigation Controllers are precisely adjusted.

Taking weather data and continuously adjusting the clocks has averaged 20%-50% in water savings.

Now that’s a “SMART” move!

Protect Your Trees and Landscaping From Arizona's Monsoons Storms...

The Monsoon Season is in full swing in Arizona. No doubt, you have seen the damaged tress around tow already. Don't give up on protecting your landscape from these high winds!

Here are a few basic tree care tips for avoiding storm damage:

- Plant new trees with their mature size in mind. Do not plant in shallow soils, too close to buildings or wires, or in steep banks. Some trees are more brittle and susceptible to breaking. Do your research before planting to save yourself the heartache of losing a tree after years of care.

- Water, mulch, and fertilize the trees regularly and properly. Prevent the soil from becoming compacted.

- Prune annually (or every two to three years, depending on the variety) even while the trees are still young. Having your trees trimmed by a professional who understands healthy tree structure is your best bet for avoiding problems.

- Avoid digging around roots. If some digging is absolutely necessary, take measures to minimize cutting or any other impairment of the roots.

- Do not top trees! This common but incorrect practice guarantees eventual failure of branches.

A Certified Arborist - a professional who has been certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) can provide your trees with the best possible chance at long-term health and survival. They can quickly recognize potential defects in a tree before they become major threats, or that you may not have noticed yourself. If left to unattended, these defects can lead to branch failure, splitting, or loss of the entire tree. Keep in mind, though, that it is not only your arborist's responsibility to care for your trees. There is a lot you can do to help too.

Protect our Trees From Monsoon and Dust Storm Damage in Arizona...

Damaged trees are all over valley streets an neighborhoods this week. Don't give up on your trees... there are things you can look for to help you recognize and prepare for these Arizona Storms. Research indicates that nearly 75% of tree damage occurring during storms is predictable and preventable. Here are a few warning signs that your trees may be more vulnerable to wind and other severities of our summer weather:


- Dead branches can be unpredictable because they are brittle, and cannot bend under pressure like living tree branches.

- Cracking is a clear indicator of potential branch failure, most cracks tend to lead to splits in severe weather.

- Poor tree composition (branch structure) is hard to identify. Have your Arizona landscape professional look for excessive leaning, long horizontal limbs, crossing branches that rub against each other and create wounds, and narrow crotches (V-shaped instead of U-shaped).

- Multi-trunked trees need special attention and care. Two trunks or leaders that are of identical diameter and have a narrow crotch are not a good sign. In these cases you may want to consult with an Arizona Certified Arborist (tree specialist) to prevent total tree loss.

- Any hollow cavities, decay or fugal growth is a sign of weakness.

- Pests, such as the palo verde boring beetle, can negatively affect tree's health, but they typically target trees that are already sickly.

- Root problems can cause a variety of problems, keep in mind that roots are a tree's anchor. If a significant portion of a mature tree's roots have been crushed or cut, or if the tree is still root-bound from the box it came in from the nursery before it was planted, you may consider removing the tree before Mother Nature removes it for you (without warning).

- Weak roots and a thick canopy is the deadliest combination during a storm.

- Keeping your trees thin is the single most important thing to do to "storm-proof" them. The thicker a tree is, the more susceptible it is to damage in heavy winds. Even for a tree that is otherwise perfectly healthy, overly dense foliage poses a safety hazard during stormy weather. A dense canopy will not allow the wind to easily pass through, and the resistance to wind can cause branches to break or even bring the entire tree down. Can you see some light through your tree branches? This is a good indicator that wind can pass through the tree when needs be.