Have a look at our gorgeous new site: tboslandscaping.com
Synthetic Turf Lawn
You may be surprised to hear that synthetic turf is one of our best-selling products. Many are appreciating the benefits that a turf lawn can provide. We know this can be a heated topic. There are some who feel loyalty to “real grass.” We dig that (pun intended). We like real grass too. Though there are 4 applications in which turf is a wonderful option:
- Heavily shaded areas
- Townhouses/rowhomes
- Poorly draining areas
- No-maintenance yards
Weigh both sides.
We’ve been in the landscaping industry since 2005, and synthetic turf products have changed considerably. Everyone’s got an opinion on it, so rather than defend either side, we decided to be transparent and list the pros & cons right here.
PROS
- No allergens
- No seasonal maintenance costs
- No maintenance time
- No equipment costs
- Kid & pet friendly
- No weeds
- No mole holes
- Looks natural
- Good drainage
- Always looks clean & tidy
- Can install a putting green
CONS
- Not real grass
- Old turf looks fake (particularly the ’90s and earlier versions)
- Higher installation costs
- No natural scent/smell
- Less bugs/insects
- Can make future building projects slower
- Cheap turfs can be rigid/prickly
- Sand below the turf is harder than regular soil
Rainwater Harvesting 101
3
Rainwater is one of the most precious resources in the world. Fortunately here in B.C. we are gifted with an abundance! Unfortunately, the building industry has convinced most home-owners that water is a major threat to their homes and properties, therefore it being important to get rid of it A.S.A.P.! The truth is, if you were to use the correct tools to harness this priceless gift you would be years ahead of the building and development industry! Rainwater Harvesting systems are perfect for indoor use such as flushing toilets and washing clothes, or outdoor use to wash vehicles and pets. Best of all, you can water your lawn and gardens whenever you want in summer months as this no longer controls you by the city watering restrictions! If we install an in-ground drainage system you can additionally reclaim and filter any excess run-off water and use it again!
One of the best ways to use this system is to include a water feature! In doing this, you are able to enjoy and show off the water you are secretly storing underground! If you were to choose to include a pond with fish and plants, this would add even more nutrients to the water for irrigating your landscape! At this stage you would have a mini eco-system on your very own property. A holistic approach based on nature’s intelligent design is always the recommended route, but something as small as a single rain barrel does make a difference in the world.
City storm-water systems have been created to take the water from our roofs and street to direct it into our streams, rivers and oceans carrying harmful chemicals at high velocity. This is extremely damaging to our local eco-systems and is causing greater destruction to plants, fish, and animals than the average person would guess. It’s through small steps like residential rainwater harvesting that will help to heal our local eco-systems and prevent local flooding. We aim to change the world with our clients to create a better world for tomorrow. We hope to partner with you on a rainwater project soon!
The grass on the left side (see picture below) is the RWH finished product!
Written by Rob Thibault
*NEW* Snow Video
We recently created a video to display & explain the basics of our snow removal services. We offer snow removal & salting throughout the entire Lower Mainland from November to Mid April. Let us know if you have a site we can help you manage!
West Coast Pond Stars
You’ve likely heard of Pond Stars, National Geographic’s new, highly anticipated show, which is getting a lot of press lately and it’s easy to see why. The results speak for themselves as the design team builds dream backyards for clients that are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly. We at TBO’S Green Landscape Systems work with the suppliers at Aquascape, the hosts of Pond Stars, and have access to the same materials and equipment as they do. If you’ve seen it on TV, we can build it for you (with your own personal touches added of course) anywhere in the Greater Vancouver area. So when you’re sitting down to watch some Pond Stars and think “That would be nice”, just remember that we are in the business of bringing those wishes to life. We build ponds with designs ranging from feng shui to modern to natural!
Call us to begin your pond design today! +1-604-560-6000
Written by Rob Thibault
We also do snow removal!
Let us keep your business open every possible day this winter. There is no need for you to have downtime because of unfavourable weather conditions. We are here to take away your seasonal headache! If you are a property manager or responsible for any public property which is required to stay open, then we are the company that can serve you best! Our company exists to make your life a little easier every winter because we know what a hassle and liability it truly can be!
**OUR EXPERTISE IS IN**
~ Industrial Shipping Yards ~ Strip Malls ~ Large Stratas ~
Using industry leading cold weather forecasts which are accurate down to the square kilometer, we’ll ensure your car parks and walkways are safely cleared and salted before staff and customers arrive, giving you peace of mind. Whenever our services are required, you can rest assured our machine operators are well-trained and equipped with the right machinery for each site and package. Our team is also focused on conserving resources which translates into minimizing mileage and eliminating salt wastage!
Each snow & ice package includes:
- Identifying and documenting the outdoor areas used by pedestrians most likely affected by ice such as building entrances, car parks, pedestrian walkways, shortcuts, sloped areas, drainage paths, and hazardous areas.
- Taking photos of the property before snow falls to use as a reference during snow clearings to preserve the landscaping and curbs.
- Frequently monitoring the temperature as preventative measures are crucial. Action is essential whenever freezing temperatures (0° Celsius) or snow is forecast.
- Locations for piling snow and ice so we can maximize the usable space and limit the length of melting runoff trails (which later turn to ice).
Call us to request a free quote now!
+1-604-560-6000
Written by Rob Thibault
How to Pick a Contractor
5 STEPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR
If you have been dreaming of a landscape renovation for your backyard and then realized it’s way more work than you care to tackle, your next thought was probably “who could do this for me”? There are a crazy amount of landscape companies in Vancouver, so how do you find the right one for your project? From my experience I would say that the most important question is actually “who can I trust”? The mechanics of most landscape projects are relatively basic – almost any company can create a version of what you are looking for, but who do you really trust to bring your vision to life? Who is passionate about your project? Who do you want to see every single day for the next 2 months? What most people don’t realize when getting into these projects is that challenges will regularly arise, and together these will have to be addressed and discussed on a very regular basis. The crew might need access to your home for power, plumbing, or even the bathroom. Are you ready to trust them in your space to be respectful and professional?
I have been in the business for nearly 10 years and here’s how I suggest you find and interview your future contractor: get referrals from friends or co-workers. This will take some asking around, but it is well worth the effort up front. If someone has already dealt with them and has good feedback, the contractor is a pretty safe bet. Once you get 3-4 names – Google them. Look for online reviews, check their website, social media, just do a little snooping. Do their projects scale and style match yours? After 5 minutes you should be able to get a sense of who their company is and if they are right for your project or not. Keep in mind that almost no one will have a spotless record, and that is actually where you will be able to see the character of your perspective company. When given a bad review did they lash out and accuse the client of being unreasonable or did they offer suggestions and try to make things right? This is where you get to see who you want to work with on a daily basis!
Once you have narrowed down your 2-3 companies to contact, set up meetings with them (preferably within a couple days of each other). Have a clear list of items you want in your new landscape and a few pictures cut out of magazines or printed off Pinterest as examples. Given the scale and complexity of your project the contractors should be able to get you a quote/bid within 1-2 weeks on average. During your meeting make sure they have at least a 2 million dollar liability policy and are registered with WCB. Make sure you get some type of drawings with the quote including dimensions so you are on the same page when it eventually gets built. Without a drawing it always turns into “he said she said” game and both parties end up upset. When it’s all said and done – if there were measurements on the drawing it’s easy to see if the project was done correctly or not.
From there it’s up to you. Do not choose your contractor by price alone. A phrase I picked up from my Australian father-in-law is “when you pay peanuts, expect to get monkeys”. Choose the company that has good communication, a good reputation, and your trust. If you choose the cheapest company to save a few bucks, it generally costs you more in the end. Believe me.
A quick recap:
1- Find contractors through friends & co-workers
2- Google them
3- Meet them and get a quote
4- Make sure they have proper coverage’s and procedures
5- Go with your gut, not bottom dollar
Need more questions to ask your contractor or want to know what to look for?
Here are a few suggestions:
– How many years have they been in business?
– How many years do they guarantee their projects for?
– Are they registered for employee payroll and have a GST number?
– Do they use safe and well maintained equipment (trucks, trailers, machinery, etc.)?
– Are they Certified & qualified for the project at hand?
– Are they members of the BCLNA or any other landscape associations?
– Will they provide clear & accurate quotation in an easy to understand format?
– Are they offering the best solutions, not just cost focused?
– Are they prompt in answering your call and arriving for appointment?
– Are they on the web (not just craigslist) with a website for credibility?
Written by Rob Thibault
Filling in the Gaps – Edible Gardening
Every year during spring and summer there are a few pockets in the garden that are bare because you lost some plants over the winter or it just never filled in. Personally I like gardens that are spaced well and symmetrically – not bursting with little bits of everything! Now is the time to get started on those planting & transplanting project. If you do have shrubs that have taken off and taken over, well… it’s time for a “hack-back” or possibly a relocation.
With these new gaps I would CERTIANLY recommend putting in some edible plants! Rosemary, Mint, and Chives are SUPER hardy, I’ll be impressed if they don’t survive in anyone’s garden. Right now decorative grasses are pretty trendy – so you could put in some chives because at first glance they look the same as a fancy grass. If you need a low-growing hedge or something to line your front door entrance then Rosemary or Mint would be a great choice! They will smell insane-amazing as your company arrives or when the kids brush up against them as they play- and hey, you can always clip and eat them as needed! One of my wife’s favourite teas (and she loves her tea) is FRESH mint tea. She puts on the kettle and while it’s warming up she snags a few sprigs of mint from the back deck, drops them in the tea pot and just like that – she swears it’s the best stuff going!
If you have plants & trees in your yard, you should be getting a steady return on them, not just putting time and cash into maintaining their appearance. Get out there and eat from your garden – there is nothing quite like it and your company will always be impressed!
Written by Rob Thibault
Brick Pavers & All Finishes of Concrete Maintenance
If you have a CONCRETE driveway (exposed aggregate, stamped, or brushed) then every 2-3 years it should be cleaned & sealed. The same goes for BRICK roadways & walkways – they should be cleaned, repaired (for any areas that have sunk), and then sealed. Even if weeds,grass or ants have grown in the cracks or joints they should be removed to make it SHINE like NEW!
When these paved surfaces are not maintained – the sun, chemicals, and general wear and tear can cut the surface life by up to 50%. Just like you paint the house and fix the sink, your paved surfaces need attention to extend their life and keep them functional!
Written by Rob Thibault
Lime Time
liming the lawn
It’s that time of year when the sun starts peaking out a little more often and the temperature seems to be creeping up a little each week! Now is the time to Lime! Before your grass really gets going you should give it a quick dusting to help it start this new growing season well. Most people in the Lower Mainland need to put down Lime in the spring because of all the local rainfall, over watering, and the many tall trees that give us shade. Basically what happens is the rain modifies the soil pH balance and the shade allows the moss and weeds to take over the areas of lawn that aren’t strong enough to survive. This issue left untreated leaves you will a mossy, soggy lawn which nobody enjoys and will likely have to be replaced entirely if left for several years unaddressed. The most accurate way to discover how much lime your yard will require is to get a soil test done (send it to a local lab or buy a kit), and measure your lawn to you get the square footage. However, if you’re a bit more of a cowboy “shootin’ from the hip” the average application works out to be approximately 1 – 40lb bag of lime for every 1000 square feet.
If you have any questions or thoughts please leave them in the “comment” or “reply” section below so we can address those for you!
Written by Rob Thibault
TBO'S GREEN LANDSCAPE SYSTEMS 