Category: Landscaping

Winter can be rough on landscapes, especially if they’re not prepared for low temperatures, falling leaves and torrential downpour. In Sydney, we’re lucky that winter is not as harsh as it is in other climates. In fact, we experience what many other countries would class as typical weather during their autumn. Despite this, it does not mean that we can completely neglect our landscapes during this time. If you do, your business will be in for some unsavoury effects.

Businesses in Sydney have many costs – rent, labour and overheads are just some of the expenses that they can incur. Because of this, businesses understandably cut costs where possible. During winter, landscaping maintenance is one of the first expenses to be slashed, as many business owners view it as an unnecessary cost during that time. In this article, we’ll discuss why this is a bad idea, and what can potentially happen if you cut or refuse to invest in landscaping during winter.

Why should your business invest in landscaping services during winter?

Many business owners need to be convinced to invest in landscaping services during the winter months in Sydney. The investment seems futile because of the gloomy weather, however, as you’ll see in the reasons outlined below, maintaining your commercial landscape is valuable in more ways than one.

Here are a few reasons why investing in landscaping services during winter is a smart business decision:

• It reduces costs of spring and summer landscape services as the property is consistently maintained.
• Your business’ physical appearance remains attractive during gloomy months, maintaining your reputation and attractiveness to potential customers.
• It helps to improve your employees’ productivity levels as a welcoming outdoor space contributes to their wellbeing and happiness at the company.

These are just a few advantages of maintaining your commercial landscape throughout the winter months. However, if you’re still unsure whether this investment is worth it for your business, we’ve outlined a few signs that will point you in the right direction.

4 signs that you should invest in landscaping services during winter

Plants and trees are overcrowded

Many people don’t realise that plants and trees continue to grow during winter, and without proper maintenance, they can become overcrowded. For a commercial landscape, overcrowding of plants and trees don’t have the rustic charm it does in natural forests. Instead, overcrowding can look disorganised and poorly maintained and overall, cheapen the appearance of your commercial property.

Your competitors and neighbouring companies are well-maintained

Some commercial properties try to hide amongst other poorly maintained commercial landscapes. While we never recommend this strategy (a poorly maintained area is also difficult to find in Sydney), it can work because the severity of your landscape will not be as apparent. However, if you are located in an area that contains well-manicured commercial landscapes, especially if some of those businesses are your competitors, then you should consider investing in landscaping services.

Investing in landscaping services will allow you to maintain your business’ physical marketing advantages and communicate to clients and potential customers that you are a successful business. It will also avoid your business’ appearance from appearing much worse when compared to neighbouring businesses.

Your lawn is waterlogged

In Sydney, autumn and winter months contain breezy days, low temperatures and a lot of rain. While some rain is beneficial, too much can cause waterlogged lawns. You most likely have a waterlogged lawn if you notice that rainwater is sitting on the surface of the lawn and not draining through the soil. 

To fix this issue, a member of our landscaping team will have to aerate your lawn to promote proper drainage. Depending on the severity of your issue and your space, installation of a drain or repair of your drainage system may be needed, however, only a professional would be able to diagnose and solve your issue.

The property is filled with debris

As mentioned previously, winters in Sydney can be incredibly windy. What does this do to your landscape? On good days, it will blow dried leaves, twigs and loose dirt all over your property. On a terrible day, it can cause branches to break and trees to fall, causing a potential hazard for workers at your business. 

This can happen throughout winter. When debris piles up, it doesn’t only cause flooding issues on your property, but it also degrades the appearance of your property. Landscaping maintenance services will regularly ensure that all leaves and twigs are rakes and other debris removed.

We hope that we’ve convinced you of the value of commercial landscaping services during winter. If you’re interested in seeing some of our work, browse through our gallery to view our past projects.

Want to have a chat? Give us a call on 1300 457 457 or shoot us a message here.

Have you ever thought of your business’ walkway as an integral part of its landscape and the overall physical appearance of your company? If not, your company may be missing a chance at making your pathway more functional and aesthetically attractive. Walkways, whether leading to your business’ entrance or winding through your landscape, are important for providing safe access on your company’s property as well as affecting the overall appearance of your property. So what’s the first step for improving your business’ walkway? Contacting a landscaping company.

What do landscaping companies in Sydney do for your business’ walkway?

While walkways are never thought of as an interesting element to a company’s, they can be refined to enhance your landscape. A landscaping company in sydney like Civil and Scape will, in collaboration with you and according to your requirements, design a walkway that elevates your landscape and complements the nature of your business.

The design of a pathway involves determining what features you need from the footpath (non-slip, natural etc.) selecting material for the physical footpath as well as the design of the pathway. However, professional landscaping companies will suggest a number of design concepts for your walkway.

In this article, we’ll explore a few design concepts for your walkway. If you’re a potential client, feel free to reference these concepts when discussing your plans with us.

3 design concepts for your business’ walkway

Minimalist

If your company has a contemporary aesthetic with sharp lines and sleek concrete, then an understated walkway with minimal frills will blend in beautifully. To prevent a monotonous appearance, our team will avoid using the same materials and colour palate as this won’t appear finessed and will not enhance your company’s landscape.

With this design concept, a material that provides balance to your building and other elements of your landscape would provide understated elegance. For example, if your building is primarily made up of grey concrete, then consider a medium brown timber pathway. The pathway can be framed with low-cut turf or dark grey rocks to tie it back into the overall theme of minimalism. The timber pathway will balance the cold appearance of the concrete while keeping the landscape’s aesthetic contemporary.

Enchanting curved pathway

A curved pathway, while lovely, takes a considerable amount of planning and designing for your landscape. A curved pathway cannot be built to be winding with the necessary elements accentuating its bends and dips, otherwise, it will look extremely random in your landscape.

Blooming shrubs and wild bushes are perfect for framing the pathway and creating a sense of mystery by blocking what is around the bend of the path. For the pathway, stonemasonry is highly recommended as it complements the charm provided by the curvature of the pathway.

We recommend this concept for businesses that want to attract their customers to stay longer. Therefore, businesses in the hospitality industry as well as luxury residential buildings will benefit from this concept.

Adventure path

Adventure paths are walkways that incorporate senses into the landscape elements surrounding it. While a landscape is primarily visual, especially when it comes to blooming flowers and evergreen trees, you can also enhance its visual appeal with textural contrast and incorporate a second sense, scent.

An adventure path contains overhead elements and elements near the ground to create a sense of discovery. You can customise your flowers and trends to either remain simple with a green and white colour palette or to provide more complexity with a variety of flowers and foliage. The choice will be dependent on the overall aesthetic that you want to achieve for your business.

While some plants and flowers like jasminum sambac (Arabian jasmine) and lavandula dentata (French lavender) provide your sense of smell with beautiful scents, planting thymus praecox (creeping thyme) on the pathway will also release a scent every time it is crushed by walking feet.

As you may be able to tell, this design concept is best used in businesses that will benefit from customers who spend a long time on the property. This usually ends up being businesses in hospitality who need to provide an experience rather than just a product.

Civil and Scape’s landscape construction team is trained in advising business owners on what elements will work best for their company.  We provide proactive, innovative and sustainable solutions, ensuring to deliver a successful outcome.

Work with our team today for a seamless experience and perfect execution. Browse through our gallery to view our past projects.

Though winter in Sydney is not as severe as other parts of Australia or the world, it still impacts our lives and the environment. For your business, you may notice that its surroundings become a little drier, browner and less lively. Though you may not perceive this as a huge deal, the reality is that your landscape could be impacting your company image and sales. In previous articles, we have spoken at length about the positive impacts that a landscaping company and a well-curated landscape can have on a business—these effects do not stop just because it is winter. Passers-by, clients, customers and employees will still see your business and create their own idea or perception about you and your company.

You may be tempted to maintain your own landscape or hire helpers who are not professionally trained to design and maintain your landscape, however, without the appropriate expertise, your business will fail to achieve the desired impact. Especially during winter, we recommend that you hire a landscaping company to maintain and curate your landscape. You’ll find that your business will stand out, look more professional and benefit from a positive environment and perspective. If you are curious about what a landscaping company can specifically do for your business’ environment during winter, here are some of our recommended services.

Seasonal curation of flowers

There’s nothing worse than a colour-less, dried-up bed of flowers. Unsurprisingly, not every single flower will bloom during winter. There are specific species of flowers that bloom during summer, spring and autumn and winter. Some of the flowers that your landscaper may suggest for winter are jasmine, daylilies, zinnias and wallflowers. To prevent a colourless spell, request that your landscaper seasonally curate your flowers. Your Civil and Scape landscaper will know the seasonalities of different flowers and will be able to determine which will work best for your business depending on environmental conditions, soil quality and your overall needs. Regardless of what is decided between your landscaper and you, your business will have a beautiful bed of colourful and blooming flowers to welcome your customers, clients and employees.

Evergreen trees

In addition to flowers, you can also talk to your landscaper about evergreen trees. Evergreen trees retain their leaves and vitality all year long, providing shade in the summer months and healthy, green foliage during winter. Planting evergreen trees don’t only add to the lush and vibrant greenery around your business but, it also reduces the number of fallen leaves during autumn and winter. Some evergreen trees that you can incorporate into your environment are Native Frangipani, Meyer lemon, Navel orange and Tuckeroo.

Lawn maintenance

Autumns and winter usually mean unwanted debris, fallen leaves and dried branches which can easily cause a drab and unimpressive landscape. Debris on the lawn can also prevent healthy drainage of the soil, and encourage moss and fungal disease. Even if you are not interested in the aesthetics of a neatly manicured lawn, it is important that you understand that lawn maintenance keeps your grass healthy and disease-free during winter. It also helps your grass to grow back healthily during spring and summer.

Fertilise and mulch

Plants are not the only aspects of your garden that are affected during winter. Soil also suffers and must be fertilised. Proper fertilisation of soil helps to provide the necessary nutrients to plants in order for them to stay healthy during low temperatures.

A blanket of mulch adds extra protection to garden beds against weather elements. Your landscaper will provide either animal manure, compost or wood chips to protect your plant beds. The addition of mulch in your flower bed also helps in creating a more uniformed look for your garden.

Are you in search of a landscaping services in sydney for your commercial property? At Civil and Scape, our team goes beyond the requirements of a landscaping company as we guide and advise you on the best services and budget-friendly solutions for your property during winter. We provide all of the services mentioned above and more.

If you’d also like landscaping and concrete work for any commercial or civil project, then our team of experts can guide you through the steps of making your dream come alive.

One of the most impressive features of a commercial landscape is a lush green turf. It reflects professionalism, care and refinement and signals that the business cares about its physical appearance. However, many businesses focus on more decorative elements of landscaping such as seasonal curation of flowers, revegetation and living walls. These elements are all incredibly important for beautifying a landscape, but at Civil and Scape, we believe that all impressive landscapes should start with turf laying.

What is turf landscaping?

Turf landscaping is the process of laying layers of grass in an efficient and aesthetically pleasing manner. Turfs can be either synthetic or real. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. You can discuss your options with one of our landscape architects who will guide you through your options.

Because landscaping is a tedious job, the turf of businesses are frequently neglected. Unlike other elements in a landscape, the appearance of the turf is very noticeable and instantly affects the appearance of a business. This is why turf landscaping done by a professional landscaping company like Civil and Scape is one of the best services that a business can engage in.

A business has the option to simply lay the turf and allow it to be a simple but effective feature in its landscape. Alternatively, a business can use turf landscaping to highlight other features and be a creative element in the business’ surroundings. In this article, we’ll explore 5 ideas for turf landscaping in your business.

5 ideas for your business’ turf landscaping

Use turf landscaping as a frame

If your business’ landscape is already beautifully designed and manicured, then we recommend doing very little to your turf. Sometimes, a turf’s job is to provide framing for existing elements in your landscape. For example, if you have a beautiful stonework walkway or a water feature as a focal point in your landscape, then a sheet of beautiful lush turf is all that is needed to highlight your landscape. This also works amazingly for trees and flowers with kerbing. The juxtaposition of hard concrete or stone (for the kerbing) against the softness of the grass can create an impactful effect.

Add decorative plants

In a similar vein, the addition of decorative plants can make the beauty of a turf pop. Many times, turfs aren’t recognised for their beauty because of the lack of additional elements; turfs can end up looking like a golf course, which is not negative, but also not effective for a business. By using colourful plants, you will make the lush green turf pop and add dimension to the landscape.

Make it an accent

Your business’ turf is a great opportunity for your business to express its creativity and reflect the brand’s personality. Use the turf in conjunction with concrete or stonework and additional elements to create turf art. You can even make it interactive in some cases, by incorporating a game such as chess or noughts and crosses.

A more formal option is to use the turf to spell out your business’ name or to create its logo. This is a fun and eco-friendly way to advertise your business and is quite effective because of the unique combination of nature and branding.

Green on green makes a statement

 An unlikely but effective combination is to use green trees and shrubs in conjunction with a business’ turf landscaping. While earlier in our article, we spoke about the effectiveness of adding colourful flowers to accentuate the beauty of the turf, we will now be discussing an opposing strategy that has a similar outcome.

By using different shades of green with different textures, the beauty of the turf’s greenery stands out. Different textures make the landscape interesting to look at and provide an elegant but interesting appearance. This idea is effective for businesses that are not keen on incorporating colour into their business and that would rather keep their landscape simple, but effective. Textures are the key to this strategy, so ask your landscaping company for a variety of shrubs, flowers and trees that are different shades of green and white.

Civil and Scape’s landscaping team is trained in advising business owners on what designs will work best for their company’s turf.  We provide proactive, innovative and sustainable solutions, ensuring to deliver a successful outcome.

Work with our team today for a seamless experience and perfect execution. Browse through our gallery to view our past projects.

Even though we are only just coming out of winter, it’s never too early to start thinking about warm weather. One of the best things about Sydney is the abundance of beautiful, sunny days we have throughout the year. What’s the best way to enjoy those days? On a timber deck! If you’re a business in search of a brand new idea to revamp your company, then a timber deck might just be the new addition for you. Of course, timber decks are not for every business, however, if you are one of the few who can lure customers in with the promise of sunny recreation, then why not take advantage of it?

What businesses can benefit from timber decking? 

Like we mentioned earlier, not every business can make use of a timber deck. The only way that this addition will be valuable to your business is if it makes sense financially (can you afford it?) or if it suits the nature of your business. So, just what kind of business do we recommend a timber deck for?

• Restaurants
• Hotels 
• Event venues
• Bars 

How can timber decking help your business?

In these types of businesses, there are specific benefits that can be gained from adding a timber deck.

Attract customers

A timber deck is an attractive feature for customers in the businesses mentioned above. The clients who frequent these businesses will appreciate a timber deck and view it as an added value feature. This will enable a business to attract more customers who may be immediately intrigued by the timber. This can serve as a competitive advantage as restaurants, hotels, event venues and bars are oversaturated business sectors.

Add value

A timber deck adds value in a few different ways for businesses. First, it adds selling value if a property owner wishes to sell their commercial building. Second, it adds rental value, allowing property owners to charge a higher rental value. Third, in some cases, it may allow businesses to charge a higher price for their products or services. This option is more applicable to venues who use timber decks as value-added features and subsequently charge a high rental fee.

Accommodate more clients

A timber deck allows more customers to access a venue, restaurant or bar at one given time. This allows businesses to serve more customers at one time, allowing them to make more money. For venues, a timber deck accommodates more guests and allows companies to charge a higher price for the accommodation of more people.

Strength and durability 

Timber decks are extremely strong and durable. This does not only give you peace of mind in its structural integrity, but also your investment. The durability of timber decks means that for years to come, you can be confident in the appearance and strength of your deck, even when hosting people or moving around furniture.

Ease of maintenance

Timber decking does not require much cleaning effort, and because of its durability, looks great for many years.  Wood requires very little maintenance, meaning very little of your time is devoted to this valuable addition. Businesses don’t want to add features that take up time or cost more money in the long run, making timber decking a great option. We recommend polishing the frame a few times a year, however, do this with your discretion and according to how much you use your deck.

Are you in need of timber decking for your business? At Civil and Scape, we can construct a timber deck for your business, ensuring that it is in line with the latest trends and your business’ needs. Our team is trained in advising business owners on what will work best for their company.

We provide high-quality landscaping constructions, ensuring to deliver a project that exceeds your expectations.

Work with our team today for a seamless experience and perfect execution. Browse through our gallery to view our past projects.

Want to have a chat? Give us a call on 1300 457 457 or shoot us a message here.

When you invest in your business’s appearance, you invest in your employees, yourself and your company. We always recommend the business owner’s landscape according to what their business and its environment’s needs are. Many times businesses can benefit from a complete refresh of all of their appearance’s elements, while other times, just one major change is needed to overhaul their image. When the latter is the case, it is often a business turf that needs revamping. Turf landscaping can dramatically alter a business’ appearance into a more refined, polished and professional appearance.

What is turf landscaping?

Many people are not familiar with the term ‘turf landscaping’. Turf landscaping simply refers to the improvement or design of one’s lawn. This can be through the addition of decorative elements, laying a new turf of grass or lawn maintenance. 

Turf landscaping is becoming increasingly popular for commercial properties. Wondering why? It’s because it’s a smart business decision, here’s why.

Why investing in turf landscaping is a smart business decision

Instantly polished appearance and curb appeal

There’s little that’s more impressive than a striking span of turfgrass. More than trees, shrubs or flowers, turf landscaping can instantly update your building’s curb appeal. It’s an inviting setting for both clients and employees and serves as a blank slate for more impressive landscaping designs or decorative elements. Without further additions, however, turfgrass is still impressive on its own, making the bare minimum of turf landscaping a cost-effective method of updating a business’ curb appeal.

Energy conservation for your business

Through a process called evapotranspiration, turf grasses can absorb solar radiation or what most people know as sunlight. This usually gives off heat, however, with the absorption by the turfgrass, there is less heat in the environment. This reduces the need for air conditioning and overall, reduces a business’ energy bill.

Urban heating, which is caused by concrete buildings and pavements, creates heat in the atmosphere and a building’s environment. However, because turfgrass is an evaporative cooler, surroundings in commercial property will be cooler. This does not just reduce the need for air conditioning within a building, but it also makes the environment more comfortable. 

Increased commercial property value

Turf landscaping is a major feature for a commercial property. It can greatly increase the rental or selling value of commercial property as it is highly valued by tenants and potential owners. People interested in commercial properties understand the value of turf landscaping and also end up viewing the property as a more attractive and enjoyable space for themselves, clients, customers and employees.

Noise and glare reduction

When compared with concrete, bare ground, the pavement or another hard surface, turfgrass is more effective at absorbing sounds than other businesses. This is an excellent feature for businesses near busy streets that require quiet spaces such as yoga studios, doctors offices or law firms. 

Additionally, turf landscaping includes the planting and maintenance of grass as well as trees and shrubs. Trees and shrubs are effective at blocking sunlight from peaking at offices and causing uncomfortable work environments (e.g. sunlight glares often hit computer screens and obscure employees’ visions).

Environmental – erosion control, air purification

Healthy turfgrass absorbs carbon dioxide from the air and replaces it with oxygen. It also transpires water into the air, increasing humidity and decreasing pollutants. This enables your business to have healthier air quality, an especially important factor for businesses or commercial properties based in urban areas. The grass is also effective at controlling stormwater runoff by allowing the water to soak into the soil slowly, reducing the chance of flooding on your premises.

Which type of turf is right for my business?

There are many different varieties of turfgrass available for businesses including:

• Buffalo grass
  • Produces a lush lawn and is one of the most popular in Australia
• Zoysia grass
  • This turfgrass is soft and low-irritating, making it perfect for businesses that use their turf for entertaining clients, customers and employees
• Queensland Blue Couch
  • Thrives in humidity and stays green for the majority of the year
• Couch grass 
  • Easy to maintain and cost-effective option
• Kikuyu grass
  • Grows quickly but perfect for high wear and tear

Are you in need of turf landscaping for your business? At Civil and Scape, we have a deep understanding of the latest turf landscaping trends. Our team is trained in advising business owners on what will work best for their company.  We provide proactive and sustainable solutions, ensuring to deliver a successful outcome. 

Work with our team today for a seamless experience and perfect execution. Browse through our gallery to view our past projects.
Want to have a chat? Give us a call on 1300 457 457 or shoot us a message here.

Sustainability in our world is becoming increasingly important, in every aspect. Whether it’s how we eat, entertain ourselves or live, we must do our part to live sustainably. Sustainability is affected by every part of our lives, including our public space’s landscape. Many clients are surprised to know that sustainability can be achieved through their landscape.

With technology developed over the years, in addition to smart and local choices, the environment can benefit through landscaping options. These options are available from Civil and Scape. We’ll gladly give advice about what elements you can include in your landscape to make it more sustainable. Your Civil and Scape landscaper will be able to guide you through the below options and figure out what works best for your commercial space.

Why should you try to achieve sustainability in your landscape and landscape design?

It may not be obvious to some why sustainability is important and why you should include it in your landscape. Before we get into how you can achieve sustainability in your landscape, let’s take a look at why you should.

• Become a haven for local birds and insects.
• Become more attractive to your customers by drawing attention to the sustainability of the landscape. This is especially effective if your target market is made up of eco-conscious people.
• Enhance your building’s aesthetic by contrasting the lush greenery of nature with industrial concrete and brick.
• Benefit financially by cutting out the use of unsustainable and harmful chemicals, reducing your water usage and conserving energy, fertilisers and resources.

5 ways you can achieve sustainability in your landscape

1. Use native plants
   A large part of sustainable landscaping involves planting native species of plants, shrubs and trees. It does not only harmonise much better with the climate and soil of Australia, giving you a more low-maintenance but healthier looking landscape, but it also saves water and what it would have financially cost to sustain it. Plants like eucalyptus trees, lemon myrtle, banksia and kangaroo paw can thrive in an Australian landscape, encourage local animals and cut your costs.
2. Include solar-powered lighting
   One of the most common but under-utilised elements in landscaping is solar-powered lighting. While it’s not a new invention, you’d be surprised to know that not many businesses use it. However, in Australia and especially Sydney, we are lucky enough to be graced with sunlight the majority of the year, which is why we should capitalise on features like solar-powered lighting. They reduce energy bills and your company’s footprint.
   
   Try lining your accessway with solar lights or highlighting your entrance. It’s a great way to draw attention to your business at night. In Sydney’s climate, you’re almost guaranteed to have steady illumination throughout the year.
3. Implement a proper stormwater management system
   Stormwater management, while the responsibility of the city, is the responsibility of private business owners. If not managed properly, it can cause your business severe financial and structural damage through flooding, encourage weed invasion, pollute nearby natural resources and promote stream erosion. Additionally, native species usually rely on such flow regimes for spawning, juvenile development, and migration. Without proper stormwater management, this can be severely affected. Ensure that you approach a professional company, such as Civil and Scape, to implement the proper stormwater management system for your business.
4. Use trees as a natural form of shade
   Using trees as a natural form of shade and privacy is a great way to introduce sustainability into your company. Australia can often get hot, causing glares to frequently peep into offices and cause inconveniences. Use native shady trees such as tree waratah, maple trees and tulipwood. These are great options for providing cool shade on those sunny days.
   
   Additionally, many office buildings that are close together suffer from not enough privacy. While there is not much that you can do about the location, there is something you can do to increase your privacy–shady trees! Trees with tall branches and big leaves can provide privacy without you having to close your blinds and block the sunlight.
5. Reduce water usage
   Reducing your water usage is one of the easiest ways to achieve sustainability in your landscape. It does not only cut your water bill but it ensures that you aren’t overusing one of the earth’s most precious resources. Trying cutting your company’s water usage in its landscape with these methods:

• Use native trees
• Create hydrazones
• Use timed irrigation systems

Are you in need of sustainable commercial landscaping services for your building? At Civil and Scape, we have a deep understanding of all aspects of landscaping, construction and maintenance which allows us to take a forward-thinking and unique approach.

We provide proactive and sustainable solutions, ensuring to deliver a successful outcome.

Work with our team today for a seamless experience and perfect execution. Browse through our gallery to view our past projects.

Want to have a chat? Give us a call on 1300 457 457 or shoot us a message here.

As of November 2019, Grand Landscape Services will be known as Civil and Scape.

The past 16 years have been an incredible journey for us. Our team has grown and so have our projects!

Coming from humble beginnings, we now proudly boast a large selection of civil and landscaping projects completed successfully for various clients. As a result, we decided to rebrand our company and select a new name which best reflects our capabilities and services.

We are still the same great people, with the same great service, only with a name and logo that best reflect our services and growth.

The team at Civil and Scape thank you for your continuous support over the years and look forward to future successes with you all. We hope you love our new identity just as much as we do!