Pugh’s Earthworks Blog
Pugh’s Earthworks was originally started by Mark Pugh. Our firm has been in business since 1992. Over the past 25 years, we have grown rapidly. In all that time and throughout all that growth, we have remained true to our motto, Big Company Strength, Small Company Values! Regardless of the size of the client we are working for, our staff will deliver the best possible service, while treating each client with the utmost of respect. In a word, “We Love Our Customers” and “We Appreciate The Opportunity to Serve.”
Some companies talk about providing quality service but that can be just lip service. Pugh’s Earthworks offers an excellent quality assurance program. We are licensed and insured and stand behind all of the work that we perform with our quality assurance guarantee.
QUALITY POLICY
It is the goal of Pugh’s Earthworks to provide our customers, both internal and external, with services, which meet or exceed their expectations. We recognize that one of the most important assets we possess, enabling us to achieve this goal, is our professional staff. We strongly encourage all of our people to take the pride of ownership in all the work they do. To this end we commit ourselves to strive in all we do for total customer satisfaction.
TOTAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
Management guarantees that ongoing support of these goals is our highest priority. We must never lose sight that customer satisfaction is a direct measure of our performance. Working together as a team, making use of all our talents and expertise, we will accomplish our objective.
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Hire Pugh’s Earthworks for year round health maintenance of your commercial property GalleryHire Pugh’s Earthworks for year round health maintenance of your commercial property
Certified Landscaping Technician, Commercial Landscape Design, Fall Landscape Maintenance, Jackson TN Landscaping, Landscape Design, Little Rock Landscape Firm, Memphis Landscape Firm, Nashville Landscape Firm, Pugh's Earthworks, Southaven Landscaping Company, Uncategorized
Hire Pugh’s Earthworks for year round health maintenance of your commercial property
Pugh's Earthworks The weather is slowly starting to cool. It will not be too much longer and the leaves will be turning color and falling to to ground. The professional landscaping services provided by Pugh's Earthworks are a year round contract. Every season requires strategic processes to ensure that commercial landscapes remain healthy and vibrant. One process that is vital is the removal of leaves that fall. Absent the services of a professional landscaping firm, this can be a monumental task. Leaves falling on the ground are a message that fall has arrived. And, while the colors are beautiful and [...]
Pugh’s Earthworks addresses each and every process for keeping lawns healthy including Aeration GalleryPugh’s Earthworks addresses each and every process for keeping lawns healthy including Aeration
Aeration, Commercial Landscape Design, Commercial Landscape Maintenance, Feed Your Lawn, Fertilize, Jackson TN Landscaping, Little Rock Landscape Firm, Memphis Landscape Firm, Pugh's Earthworks, Southaven Landscaping Company, Uncategorized
Pugh’s Earthworks addresses each and every process for keeping lawns healthy including Aeration
Pugh's Earthworks Pugh's Earthworks provides commercial landscape design and maintenance services to commercial property owners in Tennessee, including Memphis, Jackson, and Nashville, as well as Little Rock, Arkansas. Our clients include some of the premier office buildings, hotels, hospitals, churches and cemeteries in the cities we operate. In addition to the commercial customers we serve, we also provide landscape services for Home Owners Associations (HOAs), Condo Owners Associations (COA’s) and individual residential homeowners. Fall is full of lawn maintenance tasks, including aerating the soil. It is another important job that helps your lawn throughout the year. Below are some of [...]
It will soon be time to get into the Fall commercial landscape mind set and Pugh’s Earthworks will help GalleryIt will soon be time to get into the Fall commercial landscape mind set and Pugh’s Earthworks will help
Certified Landscaping Technician, Commercial Landscape Maintenance, Jackson TN Landscaping, Little Rock Landscape Firm, Memphis Landscape Firm, Nashville Landscape Firm, Pugh's Earthworks, Uncategorized
It will soon be time to get into the Fall commercial landscape mind set and Pugh’s Earthworks will help
Pugh's Earthworks Summer is in the final stages and fall is near by. With every season there are processes and procedures unique to commercial landscape maintenance. Unless you are a trained and certified Landscape Technician like the professionals at Pugh's Earthworks, trying to address all of the landscaping elements of your property is a monumental task. Throughout the year, your lawn, shrubs, plants, and trees go through growth cycles. And, one of these is in the fall and involves something you do not actually see. That is root growth. Root growth is important because it is what provides a steady [...]
The expert technicians at Pugh’s Earthworks will prepare your commercial property for the upcoming fall season GalleryThe expert technicians at Pugh’s Earthworks will prepare your commercial property for the upcoming fall season
Certified Landscaping Technician, Commercial Landscape Design, Insect Control, Jackson TN Landscaping, Landscape Design, Landscaping, Lawn Care, Little Rock Landscape Firm, Memphis Landscape Firm, Nashville Landscape Firm, Pugh's Earthworks, Southaven Landscaping Company, Summer landscaping maintenance, Uncategorized
The expert technicians at Pugh’s Earthworks will prepare your commercial property for the upcoming fall season
Pugh's Earthworks Summer is not over but we are into the later part of the season. Like all seasons a certified landscape technician will be trained on all the appropriate steps to take for landscape protection and health. Pugh's Earthworks has the best technicians in the industry and will ensure that your commercial property is ready to make the jump from summer heat to cooler fall temperatures. Here are some tips for late summer landscape care: Water as you are able - Some parts of the country are in a severe drought. This makes watering problematic when watering is being [...]
The Pugh’s Earthworks professionals will get your commercial property spruced up for Labor Day GalleryThe Pugh’s Earthworks professionals will get your commercial property spruced up for Labor Day
Certified Landscaping Technician, Commercial Landscape Design, Jackson TN Landscaping, Lawn Care, Little Rock Landscape Firm, Memphis Landscape Firm, Nashville Landscape Firm, Pugh's Earthworks, Southaven Landscaping Company, Summer landscaping maintenance, Uncategorized
The Pugh’s Earthworks professionals will get your commercial property spruced up for Labor Day
Pugh's Earthworks Labor Day weekend, which is September 4th through September 6th this year, is the unofficial end to summer and often filled with end-of-summer barbecues and fun. Whether you are hosting a customer event at your business or an employee picnic, you want to make sure your lawn and outdoor space is ready for the Labor Day celebration. Here are some tips to consider for your lawn care and maintenance as well as any other landscaping featured around your commercial space: Lawn and landscape maintenance isn't just about aesthetics. You also need to think about safety. Look for any [...]
Pugh’s Earthworks has the expertise to keep your Commercial Property looking fresh and revitalized GalleryPugh’s Earthworks has the expertise to keep your Commercial Property looking fresh and revitalized
Certified Landscaping Technician, Commercial Landscape Design, Jackson TN Landscaping, Little Rock Landscape Firm, Memphis Landscape Firm, Nashville Landscape Firm, Pugh's Earthworks, Southaven Landscaping Company, Uncategorized
Pugh’s Earthworks has the expertise to keep your Commercial Property looking fresh and revitalized
Pugh's Earthworks It feels like every time you turn on your television or car radio, commercials abound. There are miracle creams and procedures that reduce wrinkles and make you look younger. Companies that want to install vinyl siding, repaint or replace your doors and windows. Then there are weight loss companies with food plans or medical procedures to sculpt your body and get rid of fat. What you do not see much of are landscape companies advertising the benefits of renewing the look of your property. At Pugh's Earthworks, we are experts in refreshing and revitalizing outdated commercial landscapes. Your [...]
“We Love Our Customers” and Appreciate The Opportunity to Serve.”
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How to Create a Beautiful Commercial Landscape For Your Business
The right commercial landscape for your business takes a solid plan and the knowledge of what defines good design. Before you start, here are some things to consider, especially around the idea of how the commercial landscape can enhance the look and image of your business, creating a welcoming element and projecting the benefits of working with you. This thoughtful planning should also take into account how you want people interacting with your property. Here are some other critical aspects of commercial design where it may be ideal to partner with an experienced commercial landscape company: Your business and landscape elements should align. If you are focused on sustainability, then your landscape will reflect that. Or, if you are fun want a playful look, then you will add fountains or other interactive features. A commercial landscape company can help shape how you align these. You want to welcome people and make it easy for them to get to you and even stay awhile. This includes landscape features like walkways, benches, tables and chairs, and low walls. Even hospitality areas with fire pits create an inviting atmosphere. This also helps direct the flow of traffic straight to your door, including paths lined with plants, trees, shrubs, flowers, and/or lights. Make the architecture where your business is located stand out more. You can add color and texture through the plants, trees, and flowers you select as well as use green walls and other features that tie the entire building and landscape together. In this day and age, conservation has become critical and an important factor when planning commercial landscape design. Look for ways to conserve water and energy through your design, including ways to create shade to reduce heating costs in your building. Think long term before planning out your commercial landscape design because how it looks when plants and trees have matured will be vastly different than when you first createe it. Also, consider the maintenance that goes into that landscape design. Both will be factors that involve time and money for your business. Contact us today so we can meet and determine how to create a beautiful, cost-effective commercial landscape design that fits your business, brand, and budget.
Tips For Winter Lawn Care
We are now in the midst of winter, which means there could be snow, ice, freezing conditions, rain, wind and lots of debris that can make a mess of lawns. While it may seem easier to just let the lawn be until the end of winter, there are still things you can do to maintain your lawn in the winter time. When weather conditions allow, you can still fertilize, aerate, seed, and clear your lawn of debris. Here are some winter lawn care tips to enact today: Aerate and Fertilize This needs to be done before the first frost date. Most likely, that has already happened so you may need to skip this step in winter lawn care for the moment. If you haven't experienced a frost, then this is a good chance to give your lawn some time to breathe and relieve soil compaction. Once you've aerated, use some fertilizer that only works toward providing nutrients for root growth during those cold months. Tidy the Debris All the leaves and other debris can cut off any air that your lawn needs to breathe during those dormant winter months. That's why you'll need to remove the leaves. Also, any debris like that could become wet and harbor disease that could do damage to your lawn. Rake up as much debris as possible. You can use it for mulch or put it in your green recycling. Keep Off the Lawn When your lawn is frosted or dormant, it's best to try to avoid walking on it too much. Even strong grass can become weak if it's regularly walked on. You can avoid walking on your lawn by doing your best to keep driveways, sidewalks, and other walkways free of snow and ice by using rock salt. Prepare While You Can Do as much as you can when weather permits. Otherwise, leave the rest to Mother Nature. Commercial Lawn Care Help We can handle all of your winter commercial lawn maintenance needs. Also, don't forget that we also offer snow and ice treatment.
Why Winter is a Good Time to Plant Trees and Shrubs
A hard freeze triggers plants into dormancy for the winter. This makes it the safest time to plant and transplant things like trees and shrubs. That way, they can be settled in and ready to start growing and making leaves in the springtime. Also, plants store energy during the growing season so they can provide energy during the fall and winter seasons that help them grow roots. Plants undertake most of this root growth during the “dormant” season. That is one of the biggest reasons why it makes sense to plant trees and shrubs during the winter season. However, there are other reasons that make it an ideal time, too. Stress levels are reduced because of the lack of foliage and soft new growth. This means less water is used to keep the trees and shrubs happy. Pruning will also not need to be done. To be successful with winter tree and shrub planting, there are a few tips to follow. First, mulching is important because it will help to maintain constant soil temperatures and keeps soil moisture at a constant level. Second, use less fertilizer and use organic fertilizer so it doesn't burn the roots. It is specifically designed to promote root growth while not encouraging foliage growth. Third, if you live in a windy area, consider staking the trees to prevent undue stress on the new roots. If the ground is frozen solid and unworkable, then you can store unplanted shrubs and trees in a sheltered spot with southern exposure. When growth starts in early spring, prune any damaged branches, and feed with a balanced organic fertilizer. Or, consider using a commercial landscape design and management company like Pugh's Earthworks who can handle all your commercial planting and management no matter what the season. Contact us now to find out how we can help you with all your landscape and planting needs.
Don’t Let Snow and Ice Get in Your Way
Winter officially arrived on December 21st. However, some areas are already experiencing winter-like conditions with snow and ice. Don't let these conditions stand in the way of your business or customers going about their normal routine. In Memphis, snow and ice can be a challenge, which is why we started offering snow and ice treatment for our commercial customers. We have years of experience in dealing with these winter conditions. Plus, we can customize a snow or ice treatment program to keep your property safe and accessible as well as one that fits your budget. Our snow and ice treatment plans include numerous methods. First, we do a salt application prior to the inclement weather arriving. The salt application helps to prevent the snow and ice from sticking to your roads and reduces the time period between when the snow and ice hit the roads and when it starts to melt. Once the snow and ice are on the ground, we use special trucks that are equipped with snow plows. While we cannot move all the snow on your property or leading to your property, we can improve your ability to use your parking lots and the egress in and out of your facility. Our winter snow and ice treatment program can be added to your monthly landscape and lawn maintenance program at any time, offering extra value. The snow and ice treatment services are beneficial for our large institutional, retail and office complex clients. Many of our homeowners associations (HOA) and our condominium owners associations (COA) have also taken advantage of our snow and ice treatment program. Contact us now to experience the service for yourself this winter!
Tips For Beautiful Retail Shopping Center Lawns and Landscape
The right landscape can make a retail shopping center feel more shoppable. That's why it's important to keep flower beds, hedges, trees, and lawns beautiful at these shopping malls and strip malls beautiful and welcoming the whole year round. It sets the mood and tells customers what the retailers feel about the customer experience. First, make sure you regularly update the look of the landscape. If trees have gotten too big after being there for decades, they might obstruct the view of the shopping center. Also, patrons want to see more environmentally sensitive landscaping so they know water is not being wasted. Second, look for ways to add ambiance through the landscaping, such as creating a natural screen with planters or hedges. These can be barriers between the road or parking lot and an outdoor patio that makes it more inviting to sit in that area. Third, consider how the landscaping works together and add plants and flowers that complement each other rather than create a confusing mix of greenery. Make the area more park-like and as an oasis where customers may want to stay longer and enjoy it. Maybe they will even continue shopping. Finally, consider the season so that you rotate seasonal flowers and plants, such as ornamental kale in the winter and chrysanthemums in the fall. Think of all the ways that you can add visual interest for visitors. We have helped numerous retail shopping centers maintain beautiful lawns and inviting landscapes. Contact us today to learn how we can help your retail space.
What To Look For in a Landscape and Lawn Maintenance Company For Your HOA
When you have a homeowners association, part of the monthly dues goes toward ensuring that the common areas and sometimes even front yards are cared for by a professional landscaping and lawn company. To ensure you get the best value for all the residents that maintain their community to the highest standards, there are some key things to look for when searching for the right commercial landscape and lawn maintenance company for your HOA or COA. Know What's Included Don't just go with the lowest bid you receive because that may not tell you the whole picture of what you will actually be charged or what type of quality work they will do. It's important to have a transparent maintenance company that tells you exactly what they will do for your HOA or COA each month with a cost breakdown for maintenance, repairs, and upgrades to things like the automatic sprinkler system. Get References Find out how HOAs feel about what this landscape does for them each month in terms of water management, aesthetics, value, and overall service. If possible, go view those properties to see what their work looks like in terms of lawn and landscape maintenance. Ask those clients what they like about the landscape company and why as well as if there is anything that they don't like about them. Hire a Landscaping Company with Experience Look for a landscape maintenance company with proven experience. They've been in business for several years and can show a portfolio of work. They are more likely to have the experience to maintain your landscape better than an inexperienced company. Make sure they also have the licensing, insurance, and industry memberships that also speak to their experience. Gauge Communication Levels One of the biggest complaints HOAs and COAs have is the lack of communication with their service providers. Look for one that responds promptly to questions and concerns. You can also gauge this by checking with their other customers as well as meeting with them directly to see how they interact with you. Verify Certifications, Licenses, and Insurance Be sure to verify all paperwork to check that all certifications, licenses, and insurance is up to date and correct. This is also a sign of whether a company is honest and prompt about what they do. We'd love to work with you and show you how our years of experience taking care of HOA AND COA properties makes us the right choice for you. Contact us now to learn more!
How to Prepare Your Lawn For Spring While It’s Still Winter
The winter time is actually an ideal time to prepare your lawn for next year's growing season. There are many things you can do to prepare the lawn while it's dormant so that it will be willing and eager to start growing when warmer weather and the rains return. Here are some lawn maintenance tasks you can do now during winter to prepare your lawn: First, remove any debris that has been accumulating throughout the fall and early winter seasons. Rake and remove all debris. This will encourage better air flow throughout the grass and prevent disease and insect infestation. When spring arrives, all this clean-up will allow new grass blades to grow without any struggle. Next, apply a pre-emergent crabgrass control right at the end of winter before soil temperatures straight to rise. This will help decrease the likelihood of weed seeds beginning to germinate. Fertilization is also important during winter to help the grass store up nutrients that it needs to foster spring growth. Since winter can wreak some havoc on lawns, it's important to address any areas that have been damaged by salt or snow plows. As the season ends, re-seed any of damaged turf areas. If you have used the pre-emergent, however, it will prevent any seeds from growing so make sure you time this right. You will want to take care of turf repairs as early as possible so that the seeds have enough time to germinate. Repairs may also involve grading your lawn to address low spots that can lead to poor drainage while high spots are often cut too close during mowing. Therefore, you will need to level out your lawn. Also, identify any places where the soil may seem more compact and aerate these areas. Make sure your mower and other equipment are clean and ready to go for the new season because you will need to use these tools more often than you did in winter. With so much work, we understand that it can feel overwhelming. That's why it makes sense to consider a commercial landscaping service that can handle all these tasks for you during the winter months and into the spring season. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for your commercial lawn.
Winter is the Best Time to Prune Trees
When it comes to pruning trees to encourage new growth, there are only certain times of year when it is ideal to take on this maintenance task. And, one of these times is winter. Here's why. Dormant Pruning trees in winter when they are dormant is a common practice because it leads to more new growth in spring. IF you want to achieve that from your trees, then this is the time to prune them. Doing so supports current and future tree growth. Access In winter, the ground is harder, making it somewhat easier to do the work of pruning. Plus, because the branches are bare, it's easier to see and handle them during the pruning process. Disease Identification Any type of disease a tree may have will be easier to spot and treat during the winter time when the tree is bare. Healing Process By cutting the branches on the tree at the end of winter, the tree can then release the energy it has stored for the fall to heal these areas. Natural Tree Form In winter with the dormancy, the tree can be returned to a more natural form as the pruning helps to better shape the tree's look. Pruning Tips If you are going to prune your own trees, here are some tips we use in our commercial landscaping and maintenance business: Wait until the coldest part of winter has passed. This is because some trees have sap like maple, walnut, and birch, and will bleed that out if pruned then. While it's not harmful to the tree sap to bleed, it may be better to just wait until the coldest temperatures are done for the seasons. Start by removing dead, damaged, and diseased branches, which will help prevent insect and decay organisms from damaging the tree. Look for crossing branches to remove as this could cause further damage to the tree as they rub together. Remove any co-dominant leader branches, which are two branches that are growing near the top of the tree. By cutting off one of these, the other becomes dominant while other branches are not at risk from splitting or tearing during a windy period. If there is a dense canopy, thin this out so the tree can access more air and sunlight to reduce the risk of disease problems. Remove suckers and water sprouts because doing so can provide more food and water for the tree. Also, remove narrow crotches, which appear as a tree ages. Doing so can eliminate other tree damage. If you are not ready to tackle winter tree pruning, then contact us today so we can take care of it for you!
Protect Your Irrigation System From Freezing This Winter
With winter just around the corner and temperatures already starting to drop, it's important to consider how this change in the weather can impact your irrigation system. What can easily happen is that your irrigation system freezes. This can cause pipes to burst and create a lot of problems. To prevent this from happening, there are some steps you can take to prepare your irrigation system and commercial landscape for the freezing weather: 1. Insulate The first step is to shut off the water supply to the irrigation system. The main shut-off valve for your irrigation system needs to be protected against freezing by wrapping it in insulation. The best way to insulate this shut-off valve is with foam insulation tape and a plastic bag. If you don't have one of these valves, this is the time to consider having one. Also, insulate any above-ground irrigation pipes you may have has part of your system. You can use self-sticking foam-insulating tape or foam insulating tubes for these above-ground pipes. 2. Go with Manual If you have an automatic irrigation system, this when you need to turn off the timer and handle it manually. Most controllers have what's called a "rain-mode" that shuts off the signals to the valves. Everything else will work. The only change is the valves will not activate. 3. Drain the Pipes The next step is to drain the pipes that are part of the irrigation system. Any water that remains in the pipes during winter can freeze and expand until it breaks the pipes. There are several ways to drain pipes. You can use a manual drain valve, an automatic drain valve, or the compressed air blow-out method. When it comes to draining your pipes, the best option is to turn to a local irrigation specialist due to the risks involved. We do offer sprinkler winterization services during this time of the year. 4. Protect Valves and Backflow Preventers Finally, you will need to return to some insulation work, including insulating the backflow preventers and valves if they are located above ground. Insulation tape also works well for this task. Just be careful to not block the air vents and drain outlets on the backflow preventers. If it all sounds like a lot of work, then consider letting us handle all of this winterization process for you. Contact us now to learn more about all of our winterization services, including snow and ice treatment.
Why Winter is a Great Time to Plant Trees and Shrubs
Although it may not seem like it due to the colder temperatures and changing weather, winter is still a good time to plant trees and shrubs. Here's why. First, plants, trees, and shrubs all store energy during the growing season that they then use in the fall and winter to grow roots. In fact, most root growth occurs during these seasons. Second, the stress levels of trees and shrubs are reduced because of the lack of foliage and the minimal new growth. Third, there is considerably less water that needs to be provided in order to keep these new plantings going. Fourth, pruning is not necessary unless there happens to be a broken branch. By not having to prune, there is less risk that you will damage any part of the tree or shrub that is getting ready to grow in the springtime. To make the most of these winter planting advantages, here are some tips to follow: Mulching is a critical step to take when you are planting trees and shrubs in winter. Mulch provides a way to maintain constant soil temperatures. That way, plants can still grow roots when the soil temperature stays above 45 degrees. By applying a good layer of mulch, you also help to keep soil moisture at a constant level. Use less fertilizer and only a type that is designed to promote root growth while minimizing nutrients for foliage growth. You don't want to stimulate growth. For trees planted in the winter where there is considerable wind, stake the tree to prevent undue stress on the new roots. Of course, if the ground is frozen solid and unworkable, then you'll have to wait. Store unplanted shrubs in a sheltered spot where there is a southern exposure. Add leaves or mulch to keep them insulated. Then, water every few days. When growth starts in early spring, you can prune away any damaged branches and feed with a balanced organic fertilizer. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you with winter planting, contact us now!