WHY US?

A-CE Global landscaping have many years of experience in in keeping residential and commercial landscaping beautiful, pristine and well-tended to. Our staff are thoroughly trained, professional and completely knowledgeable of the best landscaping practices. We work with our customer’s need and budget to suit their design, construction, planting and maintenance.

From the very beginning, honesty and hard work have been the bedrock of A-CE Global Landscaping and those are the traits that drive our work today. The most enthralling is our ability to handle every phase of the job. At A-CE Global we do it all! From conception to completion, we handle every aspect of hard and soft landscaping. We are passionate about helping our clients achieve their dreams.

If you choose A-CE Global Landscaping, you can be rest assured that your landscaping will be one of the best parts of your residence or commercial property. We are reliable, thorough and will gladly use all of our own equipment and trained professionals to maintain your residential or commercial property at the highest level possible.

If you can dream it...We will create it with perfection!!!

Who are you going to call to make your landscaping dreams come true?

LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE

Landscape maintenance is the art of keeping a landscape healthy, clean, safe and attractive. Maintenance of the landscape involves; weeding, fertilising, gardening, lawn care, edging, pruning, irrigation, and other activities that contribute to having a healthy and attractive landscape.

WEEDING - is the removal of unwanted plants which compete with the plants for space, water, sunlight and nutrients.

FERTILISING- are plant nutrients applied to plants to supplement required elements found naturally in the soil.

GARDENING - is the practice of growing and nurturing flowers, shrubs and trees on landscaping sites, backyard, pots, containers, balconies or patios.

LAWN CARE – is the examination of the current condition of the grass to create a unique treatment plan in order improve and maintain the health and look of the lawn.

EDGING- is creating a clean, crisp line between flower beds and other parts of the landscape, it is most visible between a lawn and adjourning garden.

PRUNNING- alters the form and growth of a plant, based on aesthetics and science, pruning can also be considered preventive maintenance. Good tree pruning and shrub pruning promote health, remove damaged limbs, encourage new growth and maintain shape.

IRRIGATION - is the method in which water is supplied at regular intervals. It is used to assist in the growing of plants, maintenance of landscapes, and revitalising disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall.

Do you have a better understanding of landscaping maintenance?

TREES IN LANDSCAPING

There is one element found in almost every single landscape project, and it’s not hard landscape, lighting, or a pool, its trees. A tree is a perennial plant with a trunk, supporting branches and leaves in most species. Trees are important in every landscape big or small, urban or rural, cottage or contemporary. Trees live a lifetime or more, they can be intimidating to choose and maintain. Every landscaping site has room for small trees, which add character to the landscape as ornamental which brings beauty. Trees create a visual impact in the same way as do other landscape features and give a sense of maturity and permanence to sites. They are grown for the beauty of their forms, their foliage, flowers and their siting is of major importance in creating a landscape.

Trees are often planted in savannahs, roadsides and other environments where they are known as street trees or amenity trees. They can be grouped informally, often surrounded by plantings of flowers and shrubs.  As living things, their appearance changes with the season and from year to year. They can provide shade, privacy and cooling through evapotranspiration, absorb greenhouse gasses, pollutants and intercept rainfall also, as windbreakers. It has been shown that they are beneficial to humans in creating a sense of well-being and reducing stress. The beauty of a well planted property and its surrounding can raise the property value.

Have you ever climb a tree?

SHRUBS IN LANDSCAPING

A shrub or bush is a small to medium-sized woody plant, it is different from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 6 m (20 ft) tall. They range from smaller forms or up to larger tree-like assortments. Evergreen shrubs retain their color and leaves year round while deciduous shrubs eventually lose their foliage after putting on a colorful show. Shrubs have many uses within the landscape such as foundation plantings, privacy hedges, and specimen plants. It can be used as backdrops, to define garden beds, and to add interest. Foliage differs from plant to plant, so look for foliage colors which will create a beautiful effect and subtle contrast to the other plants within the landscape. Foliage colors can range from silver, gold, and variegated varieties to red, purple, and dark green.

Before placing any shrub in the landscape, consideration should be given to the overall height and width of the shrub once it reaches maturity. Also, consider the appearance of the shrub after its initial blooming period has ceased. Since the majority of shrubs are non-flowering most of the year, try to match them to the conditions of your particular landscape. It is also very important that landscaping shrubs complement their surroundings. Therefore, it is also a good idea to research native shrubs as well as landscaping shrubs in order to become familiar with their growing conditions, especially in your given area. There are many ways shrubs can be used in landscaping, it can be grow successfully in containers, so the smallest of landscapes can be home to them.  

What is your favorite shrub?

FLOWERS FOR LANDSCAPING

Flower brings colour and texture to a landscape design, it makes the scene more welcoming. The entrance can be adorned with assorted annuals and perennials to keep colour year long. When landscaping a flower bed, the design and features should complement the other landscaping characteristics in the outdoor space, and use plants that grow well in the areas. A flower bed can take many shapes and can incorporate everything from small annual flowers to large heirloom shrubs. If colour variation is desired, choose from complementary colours or contrasting colours. Flowers with different blooming times can be selected in order to have flowers in bloom throughout the growing season.

Annuals are plants that grow, flower, set seed and die in a year. Empty spaces in flower beds can be easily filled with annual flowers, they also make great additions to container gardens. Annuals may not come back year after year, but you cannot beat them for shear flower power. When annual flowers grow in shade, it will fill even the shadiest corner with plenty of colour. However, for any garden, there are dozens of annuals that might work for particular sun or shade situations, soil conditions, and colour or plant preferences.

Perennials are plants with a three or more year life span, they are the foundation of the garden. Perennials offer tremendous diverse colours, form, bloom time, size, texture, foliage, light, soil requirements and fragrance. Perennials typically grow structures through a form of vegetative reproduction rather than seeding. These structures include bulbs, tubers, woody crowns and rhizomes. They have specialised stems which allow them to survive over wet or dry seasons during the year. Perennial plants have deep, extensive root systems that can hold soil to prevent erosion, capture dissolved nitrogen before it can contaminate ground or surface water, and out-compete weeds (reducing the need for herbicides).

What type of flowers do you prefer?

PREPARING THE SITE FOR PLANTS

Create a blueprint of the site for landscaping, including major features such as house, sheds, patios, paths, ponds and existing flower beds. Use the print to gain perspective and determine the best placement for the major features. A soil analysis should be conducted to determine what amendments are needed to the native soil. After the desired soil formula is obtained, add about 4 inches of organic matter (peaty soil) to the existing soil to improve soil structure and drainage. Lay out the area for the features and plants, using landscaping spray paint. Cut into the ground along the painted lines with an edger or spade. Remove any existing turf within the area, and till the soil to a depth of 8 to 12 inches, using a rototiller or shovel.

Use a flower bed to create a focal point that allows water to drain more quickly. Arrange plants in the flower bed so taller plants do not block the view of short plants. If the flower bed is in a corner or against a fence, place taller flowers or shrubs at the back, then plant medium-sized flowers in the middle and shorter flowers at the front. In an island flower bed that can be seen from all sides, place tall plants in the center and reduce the height of plants as you reach the edges of the bed. Alternatively, plant flowers en masse for a more relaxed appearance; odd numbers of plants, such as groups of three or five, look best in mass plantings.

Install edging around the perimeter of the flower bed by digging a 6” x 6” trench along the bed. For a simple edge leave it bare or line the bed with landscape timbers for straight edges, bricks and stones can also work well in conforming to curves. Add 2” – 4” of mulch on beds to prevent weeds and aid in moisture retention. The depth of the mulch depends on the height of the plants you choose. Do not push the mulch directly against the plant stems because this can lead to fungus development. Boulders, statuary or other landscaping ornaments can be placed to fill empty spaces in the flower bed, if desired. These can serve as the focal point at the center of the flower bed, or use a bench as seating among the flowers.

Can you arrange your flower bed?

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLANTS

Choosing the appropriate plant for the landscape can be a huge challenge. While many factors must be considered, beyond simply choosing the most attractive plants, the climate and amount of time devoted to maintenance must be taken into consideration. Additionally, think about what should be achieve shade, privacy, fragrant, colour to attract birds, butterflies or other wildlife? Landscaping plants should be selected to reflect the style of the site.

Some important rules to remember when choosing plants for a site are; the use of all shape and sizes of trees and plants to enhance to the site. Or the favorite traditional landscaping plants, which are often characterized by strong structures and showy blooms. One should know the do's and don'ts for selecting plants to use around a patio, swimming pool, terrace or deck. The main factors affecting plant performance includes the amount of sunlight and rainfall and the length of the seasons. Taking all this into consideration the next step is to prepare the appropriate soil mixture and install a drip irrigation system.

Do you know how to choose the right plants for your site? 

CATEGORIES OF CHEMICALS USED CONT'

HERBICIDE - is a chemical used to get rid of unwanted plant life such as; weeds, bushes or trees. Many are synthetic and can be toxic to "good" plants, as well as to animals and humans, while there are organic varieties, it is important to read the labels carefully. Herbicides are available in two main types: non-selective and selective. The non-selective variety is used to kill all growth or for clearing large or heavily overgrown areas. Selective herbicide is used to target certain types of plant life to curb growth, usually through some type of hormone disruption, and should not affect other plants. If not used properly or protective gears are not worn, herbicides can cause burning, irritation in eyes, nose, and throat; nosebleeds; coughing; muscle cramps; muscle weakness; blisters; and stomach cramps.

INSECTICIDES- are chemicals used to control insects by killing them or preventing them from engaging in behaviours deemed undesirable or destructive. They are classified based on their structure and mode of action. Many insecticides act upon the nervous system of the insect while others act as growth regulators or endotoxins. Insecticides are applied in various formulations and delivery systems (e.g., sprays, baits, slow-release diffusion). Mobilization of insecticides can transpire via runoff, either dissolved or absorbed to soil particles, atmospheric deposition (primarily spray drift), or sub-surface flow. Some insecticides are gathered by aquatic organisms and transferred to their predators. Insecticides are designed to be lethal to insects, so they pose a particular risk to aquatic insects, but they also affect other aquatic invertebrates and fish. If inhale or ingested insecticides can cause sweating, headache, flu-like symptoms, blurred vision, sleepiness, and vomiting.

PESTICIDES – is a chemical or biological substance intended for attracting, seducing and destroying any pests that damage or interfere with the growth of plants, shrubs and trees. Practically all chemical pesticides, are poisons and pose long term danger to the environment and humans through their persistence in nature and body tissue. Most of the pesticides are non-specific, and may kill life forms that are harmless or useful. Pesticides can be classified based upon their biological mechanism function or application method, systemic pesticide moves inside a plant following absorption by the plant. Pesticides may cause acute and delayed health effects in people who are exposed. Pesticide exposure can cause a variety of adverse health effects, ranging from simple irritation of the skin and eyes to more severe effects such as affecting the nervous system, mimicking hormones causing reproductive problems, and also causing cancer.

Can you differentiate chemicals?

CATEGORIES OF CHEMICALS USED

There are a various types of chemicals however not all are used for landscaping, the commonly used types are; algaecides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and pesticides.

ALGAECIDES- is a chemical treatment for swimming pools, fish ponds, and other water features that kills algae, which is a very small organisms that grow in water or very damp environments. Algae in pools and ponds can cause the water to become cloudy and in some cases, can form a scum over the surface that blocks sunlight from the water. Usually, their presence unsightly, but it can also be dangerous, certain kinds of algae give off toxins that can be hazardous to humans, fish, and plants. Commercial algaecide is a quick and easy way to remove algae from your pool or pond. When it's used in a swimming pool, it allows for less chlorine to be use or water purifiers, resulting in water that is more pleasant to swim in, without the stinging eyes and nose that too much chlorine can cause.

FUNGICIDES- are biocidal chemical compound or biological organism used to kill any group of unicellular or syncytial spore producing organisms that feeds on organic matter including; molds, yeast, mushrooms, moss and toadstools (fungi). Fungi can cause serious damage in landscaping resulting in losses of quality, and profit. Fungicides can be bought retail in liquid and powdered form. A very common active ingredient is sulphur, present at 0.08% in weaker concentrates, and as high as 0.5% for more potent fungicides. Fungicides in powdered form are usually around 90% sulphur and are very toxic. Other active ingredients in fungicides includes; neem oil, rosemary oil, jojoba oil, copper and bacterium Bacillus subtilis.

When a swimming pool is turning green what do you do?

CHEMICALS

Chemicals have an important role in land management and protecting plants from damage caused by insect, pests, weeds or disease. Chemicals consist of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and pest animal baits. Chemical agents such as fungicides and insecticides are used to control organisms (e.g., fungi, nematodes, mites, insects, and rodents) or viruses.

Chemicals are classified as follows by application target.

A Insecticides	Agents for controlling harmful insect pests that damage field crops.
B Fungicides	Agents for controlling diseases that damage field crops.
C Insect-fungicides	Agents that simultaneously control harmful insect pests and diseases that damage field crops.
D Herbicides	Agents for controlling weeds
E Rodenticides	Agents for controlling rats and other rodents
F Plant growth regulators	Agents to promote or inhibit the growth of field crops.
G Attractants	Agents that attract mainly harmful insect pests by odor or other means.
H Repellents	Agents for having repellent action on harmful mammals and birds that damage field crops.
I Spreaders	Agents that are mixed with other agricultural chemicals to enhance the adherence of these chemicals.

To protect yourself from chemical exposure, you need to understand the ways in which chemicals can enter your body.  Chemicals can enter through the nose by breathing in dusts or fumes, the mouth by swallowing, through the skin or eyes causing rashes or burns. The skin could become red and itchy, and blisters may form. Eye redness and soreness can be caused from splashing a chemical in the eyes or rubbing the eyes with a hand or clothing that has chemicals on it. Skin rashes and eye irritation can become serious injuries and need to be treated by a doctor.

Safe practices for handling Chemicals are as follows; Wear protective clothing, wash protective clothing such as gloves and boots, before taking them off. Wash work clothes separately from other laundry, using detergent and hot water, before wearing them again. Wash hands and arms after putting work clothes into the wash. Shower with soap and water, and shampoo your hair after work each day. Always wash face and hands with soap and water before eating, drinking, smoking, or using the toilet.

Do you wear Personal Protective Equipment when using chemicals?

TRACE ELEMENTS (MICRO NUTRIENTS)

Trace elements or micro nutrients are required by plants throughout its life in small quantities to orchestrate a range of physiological functions. Micro nutrients are essential for plant growth, photo-synthesis, respiration, the synthesis of enzymes, in the transport and transfer of molecules within the plant’s cells, tissues and other functions. The micro nutrients contain iron (Fe), boron (B), chloride (Cl), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and molybdenum (Mo) etc. Micro nutrients also contains vitamins which are organic compounds required as nutrients in trace amounts. Whenever micro nutrients are in limited availability, best produce will be obtained if apply together with the main fertiliser elements. Micro-elements may be applied via the soil, foliar spray or infusion into a tree’s stem. The application technique should be adapted to the plant’s characteristics.

Micro nutrients deficiencies manifest themselves as changes in the tissue’s colour, as leaf spots, deformities in the plants’ organs and abnormal development: Small leaves, deformed leaves, fruit and short internodes.

Can you tell if your plants have micro nutrients deficiencies?

FERTILISERS (MACRO ELEMENTS)

Fertilisers are combinations of the nutrients that plants must have to grow, in a form they can use. The primary nutrients in fertilizers are three essential elements: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), which are often combined into an NPK blend, other elements includes sulphur (S), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg).  Fertilisers are any solid, liquid or gaseous substances which contains one or more plant nutrients in a percentage. It can be applied to the soil directly, on the plant (leaves) or added to aqueous solutions (as in fertigation) to maintain soil fertility, improve plant development, yield and/or plant quality. 

The purpose of fertiliser is specifically for healthier plants, it enhance the natural soil nutrient and build up soil fertility in order to satisfy the demand of the plant.  Fertilisers are classified into two major forms: organic and mineral manufactured. There are two types of combinations which are mixed fertilizers and bulk-blends. This is a  physical mixture of two or more single-nutrient or multi-nutrient fertilisers and complex fertilisers are products in which two or more of the nutrients are chemically combined (e.g. nitrophosphates, ammonium phosphates). The nutrient can be released by quick-acting water-soluble and immediately available; slow-acting transformation into soluble form required, e.g. direct application of phosphate rock; controlled-release by coating or stabilised by inhibitors.

Can you tell if your plant is in need of fertiliser? 

ANALYSING THE SOIL

A soil test is commonly refer to the analysis of a soil sample to determine nutrient content, composition, and other characteristics such as the acidity or pH level. The most crucial step in soil testing is collecting the sample. 

Identify the area that will be represented by the sample. The soil physical appearance, texture, color, slope, drainage, and past management should be similar throughout the area. Use a clean bucket and a spade or an auger to collect 12 or more sub samples to a depth of 6 -8 inches (4 - 6 inches for turf) from random spots within the defined area. Avoid sampling field or plot edges, when the soil is very wet or within six to eight weeks after a lime or fertilizer application. Next, break up any lumps or clods of soil, remove stones, roots, debris, and then thoroughly mix sub samples together. Once the sample is thoroughly mixed, scoop out approximately one cup of soil and spread on a clean sheet of paper to air-dry. Do not use wet soil samples for testing. 

Place approximately one cup of dry sample in a plastic zip-lock bag, include the estimated area represented by each sample. This information is useful and will be reported back with the results. Be sure to specify a Plant Code for each sample; without a Plant Code, the lime and nutrient recommendations cannot be made. 

Do you think you can conduct a soil analysis?

OTHER TYPES OF SOIL

CHALK SOIL - are highly variable and range from gravelly to clay-like. The clay-like element may in fact be finely divided calcium carbonate making it very poor for plant growth. However where true clay is present in the soil, nutrient levels may be higher and the water holding capacity greater. Chalky or lime-rich soil may be light or heavy but are largely made up of calcium carbonate and are very alkaline (they have a pH of 7.1-8.0). Very chalky soils may contain lumps of visible chalky white stones. Chalk soil is not suitable for elegantly coloured flowers such as rhododendrons but several varieties of bushes, lilacs and lilies will flourish.

PEATY SOIL – is a mixture of decomposed plant material which has accumulated in a water-saturated environment in the absence of oxygen, it is usually dark brown but it can also be black. The soil has a lot of organic material and is rich in water, which makes it one of the best types of soils for plants. Because of a high water and nutrient content, peaty soil keeps plants healthy even in dry weather and protects the plants from harm in rainy months. The water content of peaty soil is a little acidic but is good for controlling plant diseases and can be used to balance the pH level of other kinds of soils.

SALINE SOIL – is usually brackish because of its high salt content, it can stall plant growth, hinder germination, and cause difficulties in irrigation. The salinity is due to the accumulation of soluble salts therefore preventing water uptake by plants, resulting in drought stress. It’s easy enough to test for saline soil, there will be a white layer coating the surface of the soil, plants will be growing poorly and suffering from leaf tip burn, especially on young leaves.

Knowing where you stand with your soil helps you determine what fertilizers and amendments you need to add before you get started.

Can you identify soil types?

3 MAJOR SOIL TYPES

There are three major soil types to choose from for different purposes, knowing the type of soil helps determine its strengths and weaknesses.

SAND SOIL - are the result of the weathering and disintegration of a variety of rocks, it have a high proportion of sand and little clay, also known as light soil. This loose soil drain quickly after rain or watering and are easy to cultivate and work. They warm up more quickly in the sunshine than clay soils. But on the downside, they dry out quickly and are low in plant nutrients, which are quickly washed out by rain. Sandy soils are often very acidic and have a pH of 5.0 or below. As sandy soils don't allow the water to pool around the roots plants such as thorny shrubs and cacti along with some flowering plants such as tulip and hibiscus can be considered for sandy soil. Therefore sandy soil is a good choice for plants that have a tendency to suffer from root decay.

SILT SOIL - holds moisture and nutrients for a long time this soil consist of fine particles that can be easily compacted by treading and use of machinery. It is prone to washing away and wind erosion, if left exposed to the elements without plant cover. However, they contain more nutrients than sandy soils and hold more water, so it tend to be quite fertile. Brightly coloured flowers, verdant grasses and green vines need this moisture.

CLAY SOIL – are rich in nutrients and very fertile, it is the heaviest, most compact soil. If the particles can be broken up by the addition of organic matter to separate the crumbs, it will make the water and nutrients held within the clay, more easily available to plant roots. Breaking up the clay into crumbs also makes the soil warmer, more easily workable and less prone to compaction. Wisteria, rhododendrons and most of the blossoming perennials will flourish in clay soil.

When the 3 major soil types are combined what is it called?

  

 

UNDERSTANDING THE SOIL

Soil are formally defined as the mineral or organic material on the surface of the earth that serves as a medium for the growth of plants. Which has been subjected to and shows effects of genetic and environmental factors of climate (including water and temperature effects), and macro- and microorganisms, conditioned by relief, acting on parent material over a period of time. Soils differ from one part of the world to another, even from one part of a backyard to another because of where and how they formed. The five major factors that interact to create different types of soils are; Climate, Organisms, Relief (landscape), Parent material and Time. The particles that make up soil are categorized into three major groups; sand, silt and clay, most soils are a combination of the three. Sand particles are the largest while clay particles the smallest, the ratio of these materials greatly impact the properties of the soil. Soils can also be identified based on their level of acidity, which is measured on a scale from 1 to 14, known as the pH scale. Lower numbers on this scale are linked to higher levels of acidity, while higher numbers mean the soil is more alkaline. Though most plants thrive when acidity measures between 6.2 and 7.2, most types of soil have an average pH of 5.  By adjusting moisture retention, pH and mineral distribution, the existing soil can be transformed to create a more hospitable environment for the type of plants you want to grow.

Soil colour is influenced primarily by soil mineralogy what is in a specific soil. Soils high in iron are deep orange-brown to yellowish-brown. Those soils that are high in organic matter are dark brown or black. Colour can also tell us how a soil “behaves” a soil that drains well is brightly coloured and one that is often wet and soggy will have a mottled pattern of grays, reds, and yellows. The wrong soil can wreak havoc on plants and may prevent them from getting the moisture, nutrients and sunlight they need to thrive. There are many different types of soil to choose from, and it can be hard to know which will work best with certain plants. Some of the different soil types will be listed in the following posts.

Do you know your soil type?

TYPES OF LANDSCAPE

There are two types of landscaping soft and hard landscaping.

Soft landscaping is the method of designing the elements of a landscape that do not include construction. These elements compromise of trees, shrubs, flowers, potted plants, and hanging baskets. Changing the soft elements of the landscape is an easy way to change the entire look of the site. Some elements of soft landscaping results in a long-term endeavour, shade trees and conifers can take years if not decades to reach their mature heights.  Also, it can take years for shrubs to mature into natural privacy hedges. These elements require thinking ahead, as it form the backdrop of the landscape for years to come. Other parts of soft landscaping can be changed on a yearly basis for a different effect. Flowers can be replaced to change the atmosphere and feel of the landscape without the hassle of construction, the only limit is what the soils will support.

Hard landscaping is an incorporation of bricks, gravel, rocks, stones, concrete, timber, bitumen, glass, metals and other construction materials into the general design.  Consideration should also be given to all the elements hard and soft never losing sight of the wider plan. Hard landscaping elements if chosen wisely can be attractive features in their own right providing an all-year interest. Hard landscaping is critical in setting the tone and providing the structure of design. If the materials, size, style and shape are all in keeping with each other, remarkable effects can be achieved, even in the smallest of space. With the potential to be every bit as ornamental as functional, choosing the right combination of the various structures and surfaces is an important part of making sure that the finished project is successful.

What type of Landscape do you have?