Summer is finally here! The temperature is going up, which can make it harder to cool down–for you or your yard. You want your yard to be at it’s best, so you can continue to reap the benefits, so here are some simple tips you can implement this summer to keep your yard healthy while the heat is on.

• Plant power: Not all plants are created equal. Some trees and shrubs are better at navigating the hot, dry months of summer than others. We can help you get set up with drought-resistant plants that are better equipped to handle Georgia summers. 
• Maintain upkeep: Pruning is necessary for plants to grow their strongest. Getting rid of the old branches to help the plant focus on growing new, healthy limbs is an essential part of landscape maintenance, no matter what season it is.
• Check the soil: Healthy soil is necessary for healthy plants. Avoid potential problems by making sure you are using the right soil for your plants. With the right soil, trees and shrubs are protected against disease, pests, and other stressors.
• Water well: All plants are unique, and they all need water to survive. Making sure they have enough water (but not too much) is crucial to plant care. Here are some tips for watering trees and shrubs to help them flourish.
• Patrol for pests: Plant pests can be a pain! Be on the lookout for any unusual signs of pest activity on your trees and shrubs so you can prevent any issues before they happen.

At Alternative Environments, we are committed to making the customer happy by keeping your yard in it’s best health. Request an estimate today and see how Alternate Environments can support you and your lawn this summer.

You may not think of summer as prime time for scoring renovation deals, but summer projects are more cost-effective than you’d think. According to Forbes, both indoor and outdoor renovation costs decrease in the summer. Many homeowners don’t want to schedule renovations while the kids are home, and others worry about scheduling conflicts with vacations. That means that if you can swing a summer reno, you can score a great price. Stretch your renovation budget with these home renovation projects with a major ROI.

4 Outdoor Renovations with an Attractive ROI

1. Decks. A well-built deck adds curb appeal, usability, and value to a home. It’s a great way to invest in your property because it adds practical value and great ROI if you decide to sell. You can keep things simple with a classic deck for grilling and lounging, or create an outdoor oasis complete with coordinated fencing, lighting, and more.
2. Outdoor kitchens. Gone are the days when outdoor living meant a few lawn chairs and a charcoal grill. We’ve mastered the art of outdoor entertaining with outdoor kitchen designs for every homeowner. Keep things simple with an outdoor bar and mini fridge, or take your cookouts to the next level with a stone pizza oven and built-in grill.
3. Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces. Fire pits are inexpensive, but they’re an attractive feature for most homeowners. Fire pits give families a place to cook s’mores and roast hot dogs with the kids, and they’re a fun place to hang out with friends or neighbors. If you want to keep things closer to the door, outdoor fireplaces are a great addition to a patio kitchen.
4. Landscaping. Landscape redesigns are a timeless way to improve curb appeal (and thus property value). Our designers expertly incorporate plants, hardscaping, and outdoor lighting elements into the landscape.

Alternative Environments understands that landscape renovation is an investment. We offer a variety of landscape design, installation, and renovations services tailored to your needs (and your budget). Call today to start your Villa Rica landscape design.

Is your lawn looking lackluster this spring? It’s time to schedule your annual aeration and lawn fertilization. Core aeration keeps lawns healthy and maintained, increasing nutrient intake and greening up grass. And fertilization replenishes nutrients lost over the dormant season.

Benefits of Core Aeration and Fertilization

Landscaping industry pros know that they key to healthy grass is annual aeration. Grass-focused businesses like golf courses take it one step further, aerating greens and fairways two to three times each year. Core aeration systematically removes plugs of soil from the landscape to revitalize the grass. Aeration is especially crucial this spring, since the fall drought left many Zoysia and Bermudagrass lawns looking yellow and sickly. What are the benefits of aerating the lawn?

• It reduces soil compaction, allowing roots to grow deeper
• It breaks up layers of thatch (the gnarled buildup of dead grass and debris that forms between the blades and roots)
• It slows the formation of new thatch
• It allows moisture to penetrate the soil, so that water reaches the roots more quickly
• It reduces water runoff
• It helps lawns stay healthy, withstanding the heat and stress of Georgia summers
• It allows oxygen to suffuse through the soil to reach the roots of the grass
• It makes lawns less susceptible to disease
• It helps lawns become more resilient, dense, and springy
• It allows fertilizer to sink more deeply into the soil, reaching the plant’s roots without going to waste

At Alternative Environments, we use green landscaping practices to maintain lawns in Kennesaw. Call today to schedule your core aeration and fertilization.

Alternative Environments is a local landscape and lawn care service with a finger on the pulse of Marietta. We know which spring services you need, and how challenging checking off your to-do list can be. That’s why we’re offering spring specials on the services you want right now.

Refer a Friend

We strive to give every customer the best possible service. That’s why we’re so pleased when you tell your friends about us! When you refer a friend, it means we did our jobs well enough for the ultimate seal of approval: the friend test. We want to thank you for your confidence in our team by giving you $25 off your next service when you refer a friend who signs on with us. Did you find us through Facebook, reviews and testimonials, or a simple Google search? We’d like to thank you for your trust by offering $25 in savings for new service. It’s great to be the new guy!

Construction Services & Commercial Pressure Washing

Does your home need a makeover? We make cosmetic fixes easy. Get $100 off construction services on jobs over $500. Want to wash away the grime of winter? Save $50 on residential pressure washing services.

Save on home improvements this spring. Call Alternative Environments to schedule one of our spring specials.

Spring is a busy time. Between spring cleaning, seasonal community activities, and the looming deadlines of graduations and summer break, it’s hard to find the time to take care of your lawn. Alternative Environments can help. We nurture brown and sparse yards back to health, control weeds, remove unsightly and potentially dangerous tree branches, and take care of a wide range of other lawn care services to keep your yard looking great, no matter how close your neighbors look. And you don’t have to lift a finger! Don’t miss these essential lawn care services for spring.

Lawn Treatment Program

Fertilizer helps grass grow strong and healthy, giving it that rich green hue and lush appearance that every homeowner wants. Before getting started, we’ll get the lay of the land, identifying the specific needs of your landscape. Our lawn care experts will develop a specific treatment program tailored to balance the pH of your yard, enrich the soil, suppress weeds, and help your lawn flourish.

Tree and Shrub Solutions

Winter damage to trees and shrubs often doesn’t appear until spring. As woody plants come out of dormancy, their growth patterns reveal injuries, as well as current battles with insects, disease, and weather. Alternative Environments tends the needs of your trees and shrubs, formulating a long term plan to restore your yard to full health. Our tree and shrub program includes 6 treatments per year, including:

• 3 liquid applications of dormant oil
• 2 liquid applications of insecticide and fungicide
• 1 granular application of slow release fertilizer

Alternative Environments can restore the health of your landscape, giving you vibrant, eye-catching curb appeal. Call today and we’ll assess the needs of your yard and work together towards a solution.