With a name like Southwest Greens Hawaii, it’s pretty obvious to the average onlooker where our bread and butter lies.  Some might assume that with us it’s all about Hawaii putting greens, but the truth is you’ll find our products all over the landscape of the great state of Hawaii.  In fact, the addition in recent years of our Hawaii synthetic grass and Hawaii artificial turf has allowed Southwest Greens Hawaii to spread our wings a bit, and suddenly our products are finding a home in the commercial world as well.

These days, Hawaii golf greens and Hawaii backyard putting greens aren’t the only place you’ll find our phenomenal lines of artificial turf and synthetic grass. Take a look around, because it’s a big world and we’re prepared to green it up a bit.  For every college campus, park, or office complex you come across in your travels, you’ll see a prime candidate for our artificial turf and synthetic grass.  Already Southwest Greens products have been incorporated and used by clients as diverse as AOL, the Texas Rangers, Nicklaus Design, and even carnival cruises.  Can your corporate entity benefit from a landscape design that incorporates our artificial turf and/or synthetic grass?  No matter what the setting, the answer in terms of time and money is absolutely.

Think of the pristine lawn of a neighborhood park, or the perfectly manicured grass of a well cared for office complex.  Now imagine you’re in charge of keeping them that way, and that there was a way to do so with virtually no upkeep at all.  With artificial grass or synthetic turf the need for water, mowing or costly lawn maintenance is instantly eliminated.  Fertilizers, chemicals, or allergens that were once part of maintaining healthy grass will also be a thing of the past.

It all adds up to significant savings that only increase with time.  And because both artificial turf and synthetic grass are both UV resistant, even the harshest summer conditions won’t make a dent in your pristine sea of green.  Keep the commercial area looking like your backyard… if your backyard was perfect and required no upkeep that is.  See how artificial turf or synthetic grass can work for your commercial area while insuring that you won’t have to work on it.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/artificial-turf-and-synthetic-grass-perfect-for-commercial-applications-497233.html

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Jim is originally from Indiana and moved to Hawaii in 2002. Before moving to Hawaii Jim worked in the plastics industry for 30 years as an injection mold maker and tool room supervisor. Since moving to the Big Island Jim started his own business, Kona Pride Irrigation. He is an avid golfer”>http://www.hawaiiputtinggreens.com/”>golfer and is happy to be bringing Southwest greens to Hawaii.

It’s the dream of every golfer to play like the pros, but very few of us will ever experience such dizzying heights.  Which is not to say you can’t play on the same amazing surfaces the pros play on.  Southwest Greens Hawaii is proud to be the choice for over 26 PGA tour professionals’ own backyard greens.  The Hawaii golf greens you enjoy on courses can just as easily become the Hawaii backyard putting greens of your dreams.  Play it how the pros play it, and do it in your own backyard.

Thinking of adding a putting green to your residence or even to your business?  Greens made from Hawaii artificial turf and Hawaii synthetic grass are our calling card.  In doing your due diligence, look for the types of Hawaii putting greens similar to what you play on at your favorite course.  That is why the pros have chosen Southwest Greens as their green of choice.  The list includes names like Vijay Singh, Hale Irwin and Sergio Garcia, to name just a few.  Need a few more names?  How about Mark Calcavecchia, Corey Pavin and Jesper Parnevik?  In fact, over 25 PGA professionals in all entrust the time they spend on their short game to a Southwest Greens putting surface.  In the ultra-competitive world of professional golf there is no greater endorsement.

Spend any time on a Southwest Greens putting surface and you’ll soon see why the pros are so enamored.  You’ll immediately discover a unique and realistic putting surface that offers a true roll every time.  Your game will benefit immediately, if for no other reason than the convenience of having a putting green in your own backyard on a surface custom designed especially for you.  And remember, our backyard golf greens and synthetic grass don’t need to be watered, mowed, or fertilized.  That’s time and money in your pocket, and a bank account that goes up even as your scores go down.

So you’re not going to make the PGA tour.  Once you make it through the five stages of acceptance, do the next best thing and play on the surface the pros swear by.  Make your backyard ground zero for a wicked short game, with a putting green courtesy of Southwest Greens Hawaii.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/southwest-greensthe-greens-the-pros-bring-home-497234.html

About the Author:

Jim is originally from Indiana and moved to Hawaii in 2002. Before moving to Hawaii Jim worked in the plastics industry for 30 years as an injection mold maker and tool room supervisor. Since moving to the Big Island Jim started his own business, Kona Pride Irrigation. He is an avid golfer”>http://www.hawaiiputtinggreens.com/”>golfer and is happy to be bringing Southwest greens to Hawaii.

Spruce up Curb Appeal With Simple Landscape Fixtures

It doesn’t matter how much time and money people spend on fixing up the interior of a home when the exterior doesn’t compare. An old car here, a rusted front porch swing, or growing weeds will turn away guests, neighbors, and potential buyers quickly.

Curb appeal is crucial for many reasons:

1) It says something about the owner’s ability to care for property. A perfectly manicured lawn complete with flowers full of life and water fountains that gleam in the sunlight can highlight not only the residential property but also a home owner’s bragging rights.

2) Curb appeal can increase the value of the property. It is amazing to see how a trim here and there and some simple planting can change the entire look and feel of a residential or commercial property. Add a garden statue or outdoor fountain to existing or new landscaping and everyone will be driving by to view your hard work.

3) Maintaining the lawn and landscaping provides a new arena to entertain guests and provide opportunities for a little rest and relaxation. The sound of trickling water from a customized water fountain and the beauty of lush lawns and growing gardens emulates both refreshing sounds and scents of the season.

While it is still important to update the interior of a home, know that it is just as important to maintain and improve the beauty of the surrounding outdoor landscapes. Be proud of the inside and out with a little help from professional fountain distributors and landscaping professionals, such as PlazaFountains.com.

Plaza Fountains is an independently owned and operated distributor of water fountains, bird baths, garden statues, and pool fountains. For a complete selection of outdoor fixtures to liven up your curb’s appeal, log on to PlazaFountains.com.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/spruce-up-curb-appeal-with-simple-landscape-fixtures-497476.html

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Gardening at its Best

Let’s face it: We all want lush green lawns with lively plants and flowers blooming 365 days a year. It sounds simple, but realistically, it is not easy for everyone. However, there is a trick to the trade that many people overlook – the use of fountains.

Not only do fountains spruce up the life around it, they add a sensational look and feel to existing gardens or areas in the lawn that are not quite up to par. The use of fountain landscaping is not a new craze; in fact, it is quite a traditional practice that has gained a renewed sense of popularity in the past few years. Talented manufacturers are also making it hard to resist the designs.

A simple search online will provide a variety of results for water, outdoor, indoor, wall, and garden fountains combined with unique, custom made statues as well.  The recommended site is PlazaFountains.com, though. This online distributor features designs from well-known manufacturers, such as Henri Studios, Campania, Hunter Kenroy, and Adagio.

If you’re not familiar with the names, don’t worry – the designs speak for themselves. From resin fountains to brass creations sculptured in tiers or as a stand alone, these constructions will surely highlight the lawn.

So, if you’re concerned about producing the type of garden found at established garden museums, consider cheating a little with a fountain or statue that will catch the eye and shadow over the wilting buds that have plagued wanna-be green thumbs for years.

For more information about Plaza Fountains, browse PlazaFountains.com or contact a fountain consultant at 1-800-609-1650. As a premier distributor of fountain and statue products, Plaza Fountains is committed to providing quality, creative, and durable pieces of art to residential and commercial customers.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/gardening-at-its-best-497477.html

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At Southwest Greens Chicago, we’ve allowed countless golf enthusiasts to bring the game home with them courtesy of both our backyard putting greens and indoor putting greens.  In the process, they’ve managed to enhance their game while increasing the value of their homes.  There is an added benefit to installing one of our golf greens, however, and that is the positive effect it will have on the environment.  Did you know that mowing and maintaining natural grass is one of the worst things you can do for the environment?  It’s true.  And while we won’t pretend that anyone installs a home practice facility with an eye toward the ozone, it’s certainly a cool byproduct!

Exactly how can home putting greens made from the finest artificial grass in the industry benefit the environment?   They can do so simply by reducing the amount of natural grass in your yard.  Eliminating natural grass means eliminating the yard work in which environmental pitfalls abound.  For example, did you know that using a gas lawnmower is the equivalent of gassing up your car and embarking on a 100 mile trip?  Or that each time you mow you release what are known as hydrocarbons into the atmosphere?  These unfriendly little guys eventually reappear as smog.  Finally, natural grass lawns result in an amazing amount of water waste.  In fact the average American homeowner squanders some 25 gallons of water per square foot of lawn a year.  For obvious reasons, we can help you conserve and reduce your water bill significantly.

The convenience of playing the game you love whenever you please and in the comfort of your own backyard is all the reason you’ll ever need for installing a Southwest Green.  Even so, the knowledge that so many environmental issues can be addressed at the same time is a powerful and appealing bonus.  And in the realm of unexpected surprises, it’s nice to discover the many ways you’ll be making a difference while at the same time having so much fun.

Discover what so many have discovered before you and what more and more golf fans like yourself are discovering every day.  Namely, all the great ways a Southwest Green can bring a sense of convenience to your game and uniqueness to your backyard.  The game as you’ve always imagined it is now within your reach.  In fact it’s just outside the door if you want it with a little help from Southwest Greens.  

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/promoting-environmental-relief-one-putting-green-at-a-time-490941.html

About the Author:

Bob Zeiler is the owner and operator of Southwest Greens Chicago. They have been servicing the Illinois and surrounding areas with indoor and outdoor putting greens since 1996.

There is no shortage of golf enthusiasts throughout Chicago and the Midwest.  Still, you’d be hard pressed to find even one eager to pursue the game outdoors in the dead of winter.  Southwest Greens Chicago is making it easier for you to work on your short game on the coldest winter day, and every other day for that matter, courtesy of our indoor putting greens.  Our basement golf greens are the warmer, more comfortable relative of our backyard putting greens, and provide a wonderful opportunity to eliminate the winter-related excuses and shrink your handicap through the force of sheer convenience.

Consider your typical routine when it’s time to work on your short game.  Then install one of our putting greens and put your old routine on the backburner.  Made from the finest artificial grass in the industry, a home practice facility is a quick and easy installation matched only by the ease of accessing the game you love on a moment’s notice.  Often times the difference between a short game that soothes the mind rather than tortures it is simply the amount of practice time one can find to put in.  An addition such as this promises that your will to be great will be matched by your ability to pursue that greatness.  Your game can only benefit as a result.

Installing a basement green offers an intrinsic benefit that goes beyond your game.  Consider for a moment not only the unique aesthetic it will add to your home but the added value it’s certain to bring.  It’s safe to say that very few homes in your neighborhood or any other will be able to boast of such a unique and versatile basement area.  And because it’s indoors there is of course no maintenance involved.  Your only responsibility will be to enjoy your basement green and reap the benefits when the golf season comes around again.

If you’re like most serious golfers you don’t mind doing the work it takes to become better.  Of course the winter months make that pursuit a difficult one, which is why it makes so much sense to bring the game home with you.  Make your basement ground zero for the evolution of your putting game while adding value to your home in a unique and exciting way.  An amazing amount of fun, and a lower handicap, is just down the stairs and within your reach with a little help from Southwest Greens.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/basement-golf-greens-make-winter-practice-easy-490942.html

About the Author:

Bob Zeiler is the owner and operator of Southwest Greens Chicago. They have been servicing the Illinois and surrounding areas with indoor and outdoor putting greens since 1996.

Hemingway once said, “America is the land of wide lawns and narrow minds.” Now, I don’t know about narrow minds, but we definitely love our lawns. Fall is one of the most important times of the year to perform lawn care maintenance.
The process you need to follow will vary with the type of turf on your lawn. The two main types of turf grasses are cool season and warm season. The main difference is that cool season grasses require regular maintenance throughout the fall and winter seasons, while warm season grasses need to be prepped for the following spring. Common cool season grasses are ryegrasses, fescues, bluegrasses, and bentgrasses. Common warm season grasses include St. Augustinegrass, Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, and Buffalograss. If you are unsure what type you have on your lawn, you can take a sample to your local county extension and find out which type you have. The most important thing to remember is that maintenance doesn’t end when the grass stops growing.
The process of fall lawn care consists of the following steps:
* Test Your Soil
* Apply Herbicides for Weed Control
* Water
* Fertilize
* Mow
* Seed or Sod
* Remove Leaves and Thatch
* Maintain Equipment
Test Your Soil
The first thing you should do this season is perform a soil test to determine levels of nutrients, pH and other factors that affect the growth of your lawn. These results will help you understand what your soil needs this fall. If you need to reduce the acidity in your soil, you should apply lime. If alkalinity should be reduced, then you should apply sulfur. The Cooperative Extension Service of state universities will usually perform a soil test for a reasonable fee. You can contact them or a local service to determine how you should collect samples and where to send them.
Apply Herbicides for Weed Control
Many broadleaf weeds start to show their ugly faces in the fall. Dandelions, plantain, clover and creeping charlie are just some of the perennial weeds that come out to play. If the weeds are spread out and few in number, you can spot treat them with an herbicide. Spray container products make it easy to do spot treatments. You should complete this task while temperatures are still above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you carefully evaluate the number and types of weeds in your lawn. It is not necessary to apply herbicides over your entire lawn unless there is significant infestation. Don’t worry about crabgrass and other annual weed-like grasses. These are controlled more effectively in the spring.
Water
Even though temperatures are cooler and the growth of your grass is slowing down, the lawn still needs to be watered. This is often one of the most neglected areas of fall lawn care. Visions of cool fall and winter weather often cause lawn owners to take a vacation and forget about their lawns. But, you should continue to water until the ground is cold and freezing temperatures are on the horizon. If you have an automatic sprinkler system, you will need to use compressed air to blow out the pipes and sprinkler heads before damage occurs from a freeze.
Fertilize
If you are a lawn fanatic like me, you can make two applications of fertilizer, once now and another in the late stages of fall (late October/ early November). This will provide nutrients to your lawn over a longer growth period. Late season fertilizing often causes lawns to be the first to grow in the spring. However, the longer you wait to fertilize, the less likely it is to be beneficial. When in doubt, simply skip the final application. If your soil test indicates that your lawn has a shortage of phosphorus, then you may consider using a ‘winterizing’ type of fertilizer. Otherwise, leftover spring fertilizer or a weed and feed fertilizer is sufficient. One final thing to avoid is slow-release fertilizers. During this time of year, soil has a lower level of microbial activity which means it takes longer to break down fertilizer and make its nutrients available to the grass.
Mow
You should continue to mow your lawn throughout the fall until growth stops. It is important to keep your grass 2″ to 2 - 1/2″ tall during fall. If your grass gets too long, it will mat and risk lawn diseases like snow mold. However, if you cut it too short (less than 2″), you can diminish the lawn’s ability to make and store food for growth in the spring.
Seed or Sod
This is not always a necessary lawn care practice, but this time of year is the best time to establish or repair a lawn by seeding or sodding. Seeding and sodding should be completed as soon as possible before really cold weather sets in. If you are overseeding your lawn, you need to rake up debris and dethatch your lawn if thatch is thicker than half an inch. This ensures that the grass seed will be as close to the soil as possible. You should also aim to keep the soil moist for a few weeks while the seeds are germinating.
Remove Leaves and Thatch
When leaves begin to fall in autumn, it is important to remove them before a thick layer forms that can smother the grass. Simply raking often removes thatch from your lawn, but in bad cases of soil compaction, you may need to get a lawn aerator to perform core aeration. If you have the funds, and you’re serious about lawn care, you may want to buy an aerator. Otherwise, you can simply rent one at a local hardware or garden supply store.
Maintain Equipment
Lawn care equipment requires constant maintenance throughout, but the fall season involves a more thorough maintenance process. Upkeep can save you tons of money and heartache in the long run. Fall is a great time to perform an oil change on your mower. You should also drain the gas from your mower or add a gas stabilizer. Consult your manual before using a stabilizer, because it may void your warranty.
Remove the mower’s spark plug with a spark-plug wrench. Lubricate the spark-plug cylinder with a teaspoon of oil through its hole. Install a new spark plug, but keep the spark-plug wire disconnected. Grease where necessary, especially the rear height-adjuster on a self-propelled mower.
You should check your blade and the bolts on the unit to ensure tightness. You should also inspect and possibly sharpen your mower blade. After you have completed these steps, store the mower in a clean, dry place away from any possible ignition sources.
Final Thoughts
Following the fall lawn care practices outlined in this article will prepare your lawn for winter and reward you with a healthy, thriving lawn in the spring.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/how-to-prepare-your-lawn-for-fall-this-year-492999.html

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To learn more about lawn care visit Blades Lawn Care, where you’ll learn all about taking care of grass, fertilizing, and much more.

At Southwest Greens, we realize that no one ever installed one of our backyard putting greens solely to benefit the environment.  In the process of bringing the game home to countless golf enthusiasts nationwide, however, that’s exactly what has happened.  More and more we’re learning how environmentally unsound mowing and maintaining natural grass can be.  By installing one of our putting greens made from the finest artificial grass on the market, you’ll not only be drawing attention to an important issue but also doing something about.  Best of all, you’ll be doing something about it while having the time of your life.

Exactly how can one of our indoor putting greens or outdoor golf greens benefit the surrounding environment?  By virtue of what you won’t have to do to maintain it.  Did you know that using a gas lawnmower for an hour is equal in emissions to gassing up your car and taking off on a 100-mile trip?  Or that while you’re mowing you’re releasing something called hydrocarbons into the air that have a nasty habit of reappearing as smog?  Because there is no mowing involved with synthetic grass all of these issues simply fall by the wayside, as does the issue of wasting water.  No watering means no waste, and in a country where the average household uses some 25 gallons of water per square foot of lawn per year and water conservation is an issue that is a significant savings indeed.

The correlating benefit of all of the environmental good you’ll be doing is that our greens have virtually no maintenance involved.  That means no mowing, no watering, no fertilizing or chemicals, ever.  Your sole responsibility will be to enjoy the convenience of playing the game you love, whenever you please, in the comfort of your own backyard.  The added bonus of environmental soundness is yet another great aspect of your purchase.

More and more of your friends, neighbors, and fellow golf enthusiasts are discovering the many ways they can benefit from the installation of one of our backyard putting greens.  Will you be the next to follow sit?  Bring a sense of convenience to your game, renovation to your backyard, and relief to the environment. At Southwest Greens, we can help on all three counts.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/synthetic-backyard-putting-greens-befriend-the-environment-as-well-as-your-game-493817.html

About the Author:

Duane Diede has owned and operated MAE Landscaping, Inc. since 1976. He has been installing high quality landscapes and irrigation systems for residential and commercial areas for years.

Often times the difference between a good short game and one that consistently comes up short is finding the time to practice.  At Southwest Greens, we invite you to remedy that problem by bringing your short game home with you. Our backyard putting greens promise to shrink your handicap through the force of sheer convenience.  Made from the finest artificial grass in the industry and customized to fit your backyard, you’ll be amazed at how quickly the combination of easy access and increased practice time make you a consistent threat around the cup.

Consider how often you make it out to the local practice green.  Time and responsibilities probably dictate that those times are few and far between, and your game suffers as a result.  As a golf enthusiast adding a putting green to your home makes sense on so many levels.  The most important reason is that it opens up the possibility of an entirely new practice routine, one that consists solely of walking out your back door.  Installing a golf green at your home is a quick and easy process, but not as easy as it will be to access the game you love at a moment’s notice.  In other words, if you’ve got the will to work on your game, we can give you the means.  The rest, as they say, is up to you.

Of course, installing a backyard green means your game isn’t the only thing that will look better.  Think for a moment of the unique and aesthetically pleasing quality one will bring to your backyard.  Talk about a gathering place for family and friends.  As the centerpiece of your backyard a green will provide a wonderful opportunity to share the game and your leisure time with those around you.  Best of all, there’s no maintenance.  No need for mowing, watering, fertilizing, or otherwise slaving away in the yard.  Just sheer enjoyment and a flawless surface 365 days a year.

If you’re serious about the game of golf, it makes sense to bring the game home with you.  Make your backyard the cornerstone of your game while adding value to your home and leisure time in a unique and exciting way.  It’s within reach, and just out the back door, with a little help from Southwest Greens.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/backyard-putting-greens-enhance-landscape-while-shrinking-handicap-493821.html

About the Author:

Duane Diede has owned and operated MAE Landscaping, Inc. since 1976. He has been installing high quality landscapes and irrigation systems for residential and commercial areas for years.

In economically challenging times such as these, Flowing Wells Landscape Construction would like to remind you that while a complete overhaul of your landscaping may not be in the cards presently, a remodel built around the twin concepts of simplicity and creativity can redefine a backyard in an equally dramatic way.  As an experienced Arizona landscaper, we can say the good news is that such a wonderful yet simple transformation can be achieved by incorporating elements you might not have previously considered.

An inviting patio area is a must-have for entertaining family and friends throughout the year.  And while bigger ticket items such as patio decks may be on the to-do list one day, there are simpler, more affordable ways in which you and your local landscaper can make your patio a centerpiece of your backyard.  The incorporation of Flagstone, for example, can change the entire feel of a patio area and create an entertaining surface that is both beautiful and durable.  Likewise, the addition of something as simple as patio lights can create a variety of moods, all controlled by you, when entertaining friends and family after the sun goes down.  In this and many other ways Scottsdale landscaper Flowing Wells can help transform the look and feel of your yard.

Outdoor barbeque grills and outdoor fireplaces can also add a great deal of style to your patio.  In the case of outdoor fireplaces the right choice, combined with the existing design elements, can quite literally create an extension of your living space.  Or bring a campfire feel to the proceedings by installing a fire pit in your backyard.  Sitting around a fire on a cold winter night is one of the great joys of life, and instills a sense of community and friendship that can’t be beat.  Plus it just looks cool!

The number of ways you can remodel your yard is limited only by your imagination.  Garden arbors and outdoor gazebos, for example can bring an entirely different feel to any yard.  Wood or metal garden arbors make excellent decorative items, and provide a simple yet inviting touch that welcomes family and friends to your backyard or garden.   Gazebos, meanwhile, offer a great and stylish way to enjoy quality time in your backyard rain or shine.

A stylish remodel of your backyard is a goal you can achieve in affordable fashion with the incorporation of a few simple elements.  Make your yard a centerpiece for family fun.  You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to achieve.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/affordable-backyard-remodels-a-matter-of-simplicity-creativity-495149.html

About the Author:

Jason Skrnich is the owner of Flowing Wells. He credits the consistent growth and success of his company to excellent customer service and a commitment to creating unique custom landscapes. Jason has owned and operated Flowing Wells since 1996.