Mr. Brickman

Architecture & Design

Sustainable Gardens: An Overview of Costs vs Benefits

By Scott B. Brickman, CEO, Brickman

With concern about climate change on the rise, consumers expect businesses to do their part to reduce their negative environmental impact. A recent survey by Tripadvisor.com indicates that environmental friendliness is an important travel-planning consideration for many individuals, with 34% of respondents stating they would be willing to pay more money to stay at an environmentally-friendly hotel. For this very reason, hotel executives are beginning to recognize the importance of turning their gardens green by using sustainable landscaping techniques.

Contrary to popular belief, a sustainable landscape does not have to cost more. There are many environmentally-friendly practices that can actually save your business money. With the proper planning, a sustainable landscape can add value to your brand and your budget. Partnering with a trusted commercial landscape contractor will help you to identify ways to protect the environment and also protect your bottom line.

Sustainable landscaping is one way to demonstrate your company's commitment to environmental stewardship-an effort that will be well received by stakeholders and potential customers alike. Read on for important tips on how to turn your hotel landscape green.

Irrigation

Hotel executives know that wasted water is wasted money. And as frequent and severe droughts continue to threaten water supplies, responsible water use is not only a smart business practice, but it is an essential component of environmentalism. As outdoor irrigation comprises nearly 20% of a hotel's total water expenditure, using efficient irrigation techniques is an important way to ensure that your landscape stays beautiful without draining unnecessary natural and fiscal resources.

An irrigation audit is the first step toward optimizing your hotel's water use. A qualified landscape contractor will assess your current practices to identify any inefficiencies in your existing system. He or she will then evaluate your landscape size, local climate, area sunlight and plant varieties to develop a cost-effective irrigation program that will best satisfy the needs of your individual hotel property. In addition to preventing plant loss, an efficient irrigation system can reduce annual water costs by up to 40% (irrigation.org), and some systems may even qualify for special tax credits. In light of the potential savings, an irrigation audit and proper system implementation is generally well worth the cost.

Recycling and Organics

While it is an age old practice, composting has been gaining favor with contemporary audiences in recent years. On-site composting can be a smart business decision for property owners who are dedicated to responsible environmental practices and cutting costs. Composting materials from your own garden not only helps alleviate the growing problem of landfill overcrowding, but recycling organic materials such as sod, grass clippings, leaves and woodchips can significantly reduce transport costs and dumping fees while creating garden-ready topsoil and nutrient-rich mulch and fertilizer at no extra cost.

If on-site composting is not a feasible venture for your business, incorporating organic mulch and fertilizers into your property landscaping is still an option to discuss with your landscape contractor. According to US Composting Council findings, the use of organic mulch and fertilizers promises an array of benefits, including enhanced long-term soil quality, stabilized soil pH and soil enriched with essential macro and micro nutrients. It also improves the physical structure of the soil, thereby enhancing drought resistance, water utilization and water dispersion. In addition to conserving water, the improved soil quality reduces the likelihood of erosion, adds to the health and appearance of the landscape and reduces the need for plant replacement and associated costs.

Energy Efficient Landscaping

Energy efficiency is another environmental practice that actually decreases costs. While it may require some initial capital, an energy-efficient landscape can provide enough energy savings to return the initial investment in an average of eight years (pioneerthinking.com).

The shade of strategically planted trees and shrubs can help cool your property in the summer, sometimes lowering air conditioning costs between 15% and 50%, and can help keep your property warm in the winter, potentially cutting between 25% and 40% off heating bills. Your landscape contractor will be able to recommend the most energy-efficient options for your particular hotel property.

Plant Choice

A growing number of property owners are going native when it comes to their landscaping needs-and for good reason. Native plants are accustomed to the climate and soil conditions at-hand, and they have developed natural defenses that allow them to ward off local insects and disease. Because they are able to thrive with minimal care and assistance, native plants reduce the need for water, fertilizer and pesticides and contain associated labor costs. Using perennials rather than annuals will increase plant longevity, and using a wide variety of native species will reduce widespread plant loss due to disease or infestation. The local ecosystem will also benefit from your use of native plants, as birds, butterflies and other local fauna will flourish in the natural sanctuary.

Turf

In terms of landscaping, turf can be the biggest culprit when it comes to draining your resources. For starters, well-manicured turf requires frequent mowing. This means dollars spent on equipment, gas and labor, and it also means negative consequences for the environment. Believe it or not, running a gas mower for one hour has the same harmful effects as driving a car for 20 miles, according to the EPA. Keeping your turf healthy and green also requires generous amounts of fertilizer, pesticides and water. In fact, turf can require as much as three times the water of a sustainable mixed landscape (eartheasy.com).

One way to reduce the negative environmental impact of a big lawn and to save money on water, supplies and labor costs is to increase garden size utilizing native plants and the techniques discussed above, while reducing turf. For remaining turf areas, consider using native grass blends, which require less water and maintenance than others. Avoid over watering your turf and only water during the coolest hours of the day to prevent evaporation. And be sure to have your soil tested and amended if necessary; in many instances, properly balancing your soil with the nutrients need for healthy turf will reduce the need for excess watering. As mentioned earlier, an irrigation audit can help you determine how often and how much you should water your grounds.

In addition to giving your company a competitive edge in the market, sustainable landscaping can also save your company real cash in the long run. Working with a qualified landscape contractor to incorporate green practices into your garden is a practical way to conserve water and energy, as well as reduce labor and material costs. Best of all, it's something employees, investors and guests can all feel good about.

Scott Brickman is CEO of Brickman, the largest commercial landscape maintenance firm in the U.S. Brickman provides landscape maintenance and snow removal services to a wide variety of hospitality and hotel clients across the country. Mr. Brickman joined the Company in 1986 and in 1998 became a Director of the Company and was appointed Chief Executive Officer. His tenure with the company includes serving as a project director and a regional manager, and prior to 1998 he had responsibility for the Company's Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast operations. Mr. Brickman can be contacted at 301-987-9200 or scottb@brickmangroup.com Extended Bio...

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