Fact to Figure Into Your Water Consumption

July 15, 2014

85% of the world population lives in the driest half of the planet.

783 million people do not have access to clean water and almost 2.5 billion do not have access to adequate sanitation.

Various estimates indicate that, based on business as usual, ~3.5 planets Earth would be needed to sustain a global population achieving the current lifestyle of the average European or North American.

With expected increases in population, by 2030, food demand is predicted to increase by 50% (70% by 2050)

Water availability is expected to decrease in many regions. Yet future global agricultural water consumption alone is estimated to increase by ~19% by 2050, and will be even greater in the absence of any technological progress or policy intervention.

Water for irrigation and food production constitutes one of the greatest pressures on freshwater resources. Agriculture accounts for ~70% of global freshwater withdrawals (up to 90% in some fast-growing economies).

Economic growth and individual wealth are shifting diets from predominantly starch-based to meat and dairy, which require more water. This dietary shift is the greatest to impact on water consumption over the past 30 years.

Welcome to the AquaTurf, Inc. Blog

When it comes to landscape lighting, a little goes a long way. This is because your eyes need less light outdoors than they do indoors in order to see light, shadows, and patterns.

In planning your outdoor lighting placement, take a minute to walk around your yard during the day, and then again at night. Notice the differences? Envision what you home actually looks like- and then imagine how you would like your home to be viewed. Apply the following tips, and you will have a perfect combination to display your beautiful home.

Aquaturf provides only the highest quality professional commercial snow removal, ice control, snow plowing to corporate and commercial clients across the Vinton, Virginia area. Today Aquaturf sets the standard for safety, timeliness, and efficiency in the services it provides to both its corporate and commercial clients. Promoting safety is our main goal.

When a storm hits, time is of the essence. There is a critical window of opportunity during which we must do our jobs. Snow and ice removal being a primary service we provide, the Aquaturf team motto is “Do it Right the First Time.” We are dedicated to striving to deliver professional, effective, and timely service to our customers.

Aquaturf has grown exponentially by building a solid reputation of providing timely, quality service, while maintaining a high standard of safety for customers, tenants, and employees. We’ve built our reputation providing our clients with peace of mind when it snows.

sales@aquaturfva.com

(540) 890-4600

By being fortunate enough to live in the United States, many of these issues we will never have to face personally. However, by increasing awareness that water shortage is a struggle of survival millions faces daily; we can better gauge the value of it in our lives. By understanding the value of water we can alter bad habits created now, and modify the way water consumption habits are formed for the next generation.

Pests or Protectors

Aug. 29, 2014

Commercial Snow Removal

Nov. 15, 2014

Insects have gotten a bad rap over the years and it seems like whenever we see one of the little creepy crawly we run for a can of bug spray and kill everything that moves in the lawn. True, some insects can do substantial damage to the lawn, but unless you see that type of problem, it is better to let Mother Nature run the show. Often, in our attempt to eradicate the little critters we also remove all the beneficial insects that do far more good than the insects we're trying to remove.

Of course, if you really have a bad infestation of say fleas and ticks, or perhaps grubs are turning your lawn into Swiss cheese, go ahead and treat. Some common insects found in turf grass are ants, chinch bugs, cutworms, mites, and sod worms. The lawn should be monitored by these pests March-September and treated ONLY as necessary. Insect damage will usually appear as irregular yellowing followed by dead spots in the lawn. But don't just treat a lawn with insecticides just to be on the safe side. When problems occur, take care of them then.

Best Time of Year to Plant

Aug. 1, 2014

When is the best time of the year to plant trees, shrubs and perennials? This is one of the more frequently asked questions this time of year. Generally speaking, April or May is the best time to plant in our area. Spring plantings have all summer and fall to grow and acclimate.

The second best time to plant is late October or beginning of November. For these reasons:

Days are cooler
Rain is more frequent
Plants are headed into the dormant periods
The ground is not frozen

When planting in the heat of the summer, add watering
wells or bowls made from topsoil or mulch. These added
water retainers will keep the moisture around the root
zones or the base of the plant. There are a few exceptions
to the fall planting rule. It has been found that some trees
do not establish very well when planted in the fall. Most
nut trees such as Oaks don’t transplant well. Also Birch
trees have a tough time establishing when planted in the
fall.

Container plants have a better survival rate than baled and
burlap trees this time of the year. Plants in containers are
less likely to go into transplanting shock in the fall landscape.
Here are some late season tips to ensure late season survival.

Water frequently
(Hydration helps the plant survive the cold, dry winter wind)

Mulching
By insulating the roots with a two inch layer of organic mulch this will help the plant roots survive the fluctuating warm to cold temperatures.

Light Pruning
Removing broken, dead, or weak branching structures so heavy ice and snow does not damage the plants.

Caring for your plants until they have established will give you years to enjoy them and create the beautiful landscape design you desire.

Redesigning Landscape

Lighting For Your Needs

oct. 15, 2014

The basics

Overall Lighting: Overall light provides illumination for a whole room or space. It does the same thing to the exterior of a home.
Task: Task lighting is used for a specific purpose, such as to light a path. With anything, a strategic plan is a must with landscape lighting!
Accent: Accent lighting draws attention to an object or area. This is usually accomplished with spotlights or floodlights. Every light is custom made with a purpose in mind. Having this insight will save you time and money in the long run. So study up before purchasing!

THINGS TO CONSIDEr

Entires: Place lights either to each side of a door or overhead at front, back, and side entry doors. Besides adding a nice finished exterior to our home, studies show that homes that have sufficient exterior landscape lighting are less likely to be victim of burglary.

Driveway: Low-voltage landscape lighting is a good option along a driveway.

Steps: Steps should be lite for safety; either the risers or the treads is sufficient.

Deck/Patio: Lighting can be used to illuminate specific task areas (like what was mentioned earlier) on a deck or patio, such as a kitch or cooking spot. As well as railing and seating areas. Uplighting, which is harder o accomplish outside, can be used on a deck or patio to send light up on an umbrella or deck "ceiling" for an indirect effect. This is a great used of landscape lighting.