Sustainability
If you are interested in making your property more ‘sustainable’ we can help. Millsite Landscape Services has been implementing sustainable landscape practices since 2001 and we continue to explore new methods to reduce our burden on the environment
Our programs strive to conserve water, energy, soil, reduce generated waste and help prevent soil, water and air pollution. Our sustainable landscape practices are not only environmentally friendly but also help to create and maintain beautiful and cost-effective landscapes.
- We install water efficient irrigation systems that couple precise design, selection of water efficient products and carefull installation to create a system capable of conserving water and producing a beautiful and healthy landscape
- We install locally produced compost in planter beds to reduce water loss from the soil, lessen weed pressure and recycle nutrients back to the soil
- We install drought tolerant and native plants when possible
- We manage the irrigation system of the 270 acre Old Mill District with a RainBird Site Control System. This system links 55 irrigation clocks in the field to an office computer that allows for precise irrigation management and the ability to effectively fine-tune irrigation to plants’ specific water needs
- We install Smart Irrigation Controllers and Rain Sensors to conserve and control water application rates
- We regularly inspect and adjust sprinklers to maximize system efficiency
- We retrofit irrigation systems with high efficiency nozzles to maximize system efficiency and reduce water consumption
- We water between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am – cooler temperatures and reduced wind speed reduce evapotranspiration and allow water to penetrate deeply to plant roots. Calmer winds reduce the likelihood of water being blown on to hard surfaces and washed down the drain
- We aerate lawns to aid in water and nutrient movement to the roots, yielding a healthy and beautiful lawn requiring
less water and fertilizer
- We use locally produced compost which reduces soil water loss, reduces weed pressure and adds vital nutrients to the soil, decreasing the amount of applied water, chemicals and fertilizer
- We install pest-resistant plants to limit the need for chemical pest controls
- We control pest related problems following Integrated Pest Management (IPM) guidelines. By using our collective knowledge of pests, the local environment, pest prevention and pest control measures, we strive for the least hazardous and most economical method for pest control
- We perform targeted pest control measures. We keep pesticide use to a minimum by applying chemicals only to specific and targeted areas needing control
- Hand and mechanical weeding is used when possible to reduce the need for herbicides
- We use landscape barriers during construction projects to control soil erosion from entering the storm drains
- We use slow-release fertilizers to minimize nutrient leaching & run off into the soil and water. These products also extend the nutrient feeding window and reduce the yearly fertilizer input
- We “grasscycle” with mulching mowers, which recycle grass clippings by shredding them into compost and putting them
back into the lawn. Mulching return nutrients to the soil and reduces the need for fertilizers by up to 30% - We dispose of all our green waste at a mulching facility, saving landfill space and recycling green waste into a compost
that we install in our planter beds - Container recycling – we recycle all plastic and wood plant containers