Category: Landscaping

When you invest in your business’s appearance, you invest in your employees, yourself and your company. We always recommend the business owner’s landscape according to what their business and its environment’s needs are. Many times businesses can benefit from a complete refresh of all of their appearance’s elements, while other times, just one major change is needed to overhaul their image. When the latter is the case, it is often a business turf that needs revamping. Turf landscaping can dramatically alter a business’ appearance into a more refined, polished and professional appearance.

What is turf landscaping?

Many people are not familiar with the term ‘turf landscaping’. Turf landscaping simply refers to the improvement or design of one’s lawn. This can be through the addition of decorative elements, laying a new turf of grass or lawn maintenance. 

Turf landscaping is becoming increasingly popular for commercial properties. Wondering why? It’s because it’s a smart business decision, here’s why.

Why investing in turf landscaping is a smart business decision

Instantly polished appearance and curb appeal

There’s little that’s more impressive than a striking span of turfgrass. More than trees, shrubs or flowers, turf landscaping can instantly update your building’s curb appeal. It’s an inviting setting for both clients and employees and serves as a blank slate for more impressive landscaping designs or decorative elements. Without further additions, however, turfgrass is still impressive on its own, making the bare minimum of turf landscaping a cost-effective method of updating a business’ curb appeal.

Energy conservation for your business

Through a process called evapotranspiration, turf grasses can absorb solar radiation or what most people know as sunlight. This usually gives off heat, however, with the absorption by the turfgrass, there is less heat in the environment. This reduces the need for air conditioning and overall, reduces a business’ energy bill.

Urban heating, which is caused by concrete buildings and pavements, creates heat in the atmosphere and a building’s environment. However, because turfgrass is an evaporative cooler, surroundings in commercial property will be cooler. This does not just reduce the need for air conditioning within a building, but it also makes the environment more comfortable. 

Increased commercial property value

Turf landscaping is a major feature for a commercial property. It can greatly increase the rental or selling value of commercial property as it is highly valued by tenants and potential owners. People interested in commercial properties understand the value of turf landscaping and also end up viewing the property as a more attractive and enjoyable space for themselves, clients, customers and employees.

Noise and glare reduction

When compared with concrete, bare ground, the pavement or another hard surface, turfgrass is more effective at absorbing sounds than other businesses. This is an excellent feature for businesses near busy streets that require quiet spaces such as yoga studios, doctors offices or law firms. 

Additionally, turf landscaping includes the planting and maintenance of grass as well as trees and shrubs. Trees and shrubs are effective at blocking sunlight from peaking at offices and causing uncomfortable work environments (e.g. sunlight glares often hit computer screens and obscure employees’ visions).

Environmental – erosion control, air purification

Healthy turfgrass absorbs carbon dioxide from the air and replaces it with oxygen. It also transpires water into the air, increasing humidity and decreasing pollutants. This enables your business to have healthier air quality, an especially important factor for businesses or commercial properties based in urban areas. The grass is also effective at controlling stormwater runoff by allowing the water to soak into the soil slowly, reducing the chance of flooding on your premises.

Which type of turf is right for my business?

There are many different varieties of turfgrass available for businesses including:

• Buffalo grass
  • Produces a lush lawn and is one of the most popular in Australia
• Zoysia grass
  • This turfgrass is soft and low-irritating, making it perfect for businesses that use their turf for entertaining clients, customers and employees
• Queensland Blue Couch
  • Thrives in humidity and stays green for the majority of the year
• Couch grass 
  • Easy to maintain and cost-effective option
• Kikuyu grass
  • Grows quickly but perfect for high wear and tear

Are you in need of turf landscaping for your business? At Civil and Scape, we have a deep understanding of the latest turf landscaping trends. Our team is trained in advising business owners on what will work best for their company.  We provide proactive and sustainable solutions, ensuring to deliver a successful outcome. 

Work with our team today for a seamless experience and perfect execution. Browse through our gallery to view our past projects.
Want to have a chat? Give us a call on 1300 457 457 or shoot us a message here.

Sustainability in our world is becoming increasingly important, in every aspect. Whether it’s how we eat, entertain ourselves or live, we must do our part to live sustainably. Sustainability is affected by every part of our lives, including our public space’s landscape. Many clients are surprised to know that sustainability can be achieved through their landscape.

With technology developed over the years, in addition to smart and local choices, the environment can benefit through landscaping options. These options are available from Civil and Scape. We’ll gladly give advice about what elements you can include in your landscape to make it more sustainable. Your Civil and Scape landscaper will be able to guide you through the below options and figure out what works best for your commercial space.

Why should you try to achieve sustainability in your landscape and landscape design?

It may not be obvious to some why sustainability is important and why you should include it in your landscape. Before we get into how you can achieve sustainability in your landscape, let’s take a look at why you should.

• Become a haven for local birds and insects.
• Become more attractive to your customers by drawing attention to the sustainability of the landscape. This is especially effective if your target market is made up of eco-conscious people.
• Enhance your building’s aesthetic by contrasting the lush greenery of nature with industrial concrete and brick.
• Benefit financially by cutting out the use of unsustainable and harmful chemicals, reducing your water usage and conserving energy, fertilisers and resources.

5 ways you can achieve sustainability in your landscape

1. Use native plants
   A large part of sustainable landscaping involves planting native species of plants, shrubs and trees. It does not only harmonise much better with the climate and soil of Australia, giving you a more low-maintenance but healthier looking landscape, but it also saves water and what it would have financially cost to sustain it. Plants like eucalyptus trees, lemon myrtle, banksia and kangaroo paw can thrive in an Australian landscape, encourage local animals and cut your costs.
   
2. Include solar-powered lighting
   One of the most common but under-utilised elements in landscaping is solar-powered lighting. While it’s not a new invention, you’d be surprised to know that not many businesses use it. However, in Australia and especially Sydney, we are lucky enough to be graced with sunlight the majority of the year, which is why we should capitalise on features like solar-powered lighting. They reduce energy bills and your company’s footprint.
   
   Try lining your accessway with solar lights or highlighting your entrance. It’s a great way to draw attention to your business at night. In Sydney’s climate, you’re almost guaranteed to have steady illumination throughout the year.
   
3. Implement a proper stormwater management system
   Stormwater management, while the responsibility of the city, is the responsibility of private business owners. If not managed properly, it can cause your business severe financial and structural damage through flooding, encourage weed invasion, pollute nearby natural resources and promote stream erosion. Additionally, native species usually rely on such flow regimes for spawning, juvenile development, and migration. Without proper stormwater management, this can be severely affected. Ensure that you approach a professional company, such as Civil and Scape, to implement the proper stormwater management system for your business.
   
4. Use trees as a natural form of shade
   Using trees as a natural form of shade and privacy is a great way to introduce sustainability into your company. Australia can often get hot, causing glares to frequently peep into offices and cause inconveniences. Use native shady trees such as tree waratah, maple trees and tulipwood. These are great options for providing cool shade on those sunny days.
   
   Additionally, many office buildings that are close together suffer from not enough privacy. While there is not much that you can do about the location, there is something you can do to increase your privacy–shady trees! Trees with tall branches and big leaves can provide privacy without you having to close your blinds and block the sunlight.
   
5. Reduce water usage
   Reducing your water usage is one of the easiest ways to achieve sustainability in your landscape. It does not only cut your water bill but it ensures that you aren’t overusing one of the earth’s most precious resources. Trying cutting your company’s water usage in its landscape with these methods:
   

• Use native trees
• Create hydrazones
• Use timed irrigation systems

Are you in need of sustainable commercial landscaping services for your building? At Civil and Scape, we have a deep understanding of all aspects of landscaping, construction and maintenance which allows us to take a forward-thinking and unique approach.

We provide proactive and sustainable solutions, ensuring to deliver a successful outcome.

Work with our team today for a seamless experience and perfect execution. Browse through our gallery to view our past projects.

Want to have a chat? Give us a call on 1300 457 457 or shoot us a message here.

As of November 2019, Grand Landscape Services will be known as Civil and Scape.

The past 16 years have been an incredible journey for us. Our team has grown and so have our projects!

Coming from humble beginnings, we now proudly boast a large selection of civil and landscaping projects completed successfully for various clients. As a result, we decided to rebrand our company and select a new name which best reflects our capabilities and services.

We are still the same great people, with the same great service, only with a name and logo that best reflect our services and growth.

The team at Civil and Scape thank you for your continuous support over the years and look forward to future successes with you all. We hope you love our new identity just as much as we do!