ESPLANADE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE STANDARDS

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Baldric Wilkinson
6 years ago
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ESPLANADE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE STANDARDS At Esplanade, landscaping is an essential element of design with the landscape theme being a natural, less formal design focusing on the use of native plant

1 ESPLANADE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE STANDARDS At Esplanade, landscaping is an essential element of design with the landscape theme being a natural, less formal design focusing on the use of native plant materials. The sub-tropical climate here in Southwest Florida is unique compared to the rest of the continental United States and as a result, the selection of landscape plants is limited to those species that are commercially available and that can best tolerate our hot, humid conditions over an extended period of time. According to Community covenants, the HOA is responsible for all lawn maintenance and each resident is responsible for doing their part in helping to maintain the integrity of the community. While complete landscape maintenance services are provided by one vendor, it should be understood that the landscape maintenance service provided by the HOA provides the essential basics in landscape care and is not a gardener type of service that provides a daily or even weekly level of personalized service that would address individual homeowner preferences. Individual homeowner landscape issues and concerns that may come up must be addressed to the HOA Property Manager by phone or who will then take the issue to the current landscape service provider for resolution. Landscape employees in the field are not authorized to take direction from residents. Working within this guideline is imperative in order to manage cost and keep overall results positive. Below are Esplanade s Community Wide Lawn Standards. A. LAWN CARE Mowing All lawn areas shall be mowed as needed throughout the year to maintain the proper height of cut and to control weed growth. During extended rainy or dry periods mowing will take place as conditions dictate. Mowing height will be based on best management practices for the turf variety, taking into account seasons and other climatic variables. Clippings shall not be

2 removed from turf areas unless they accumulate in a manner that may cause damage. Edges shall be trimmed to maintain a consistently groomed appearance. All lake banks will be mowed as needed throughout the year in order to maintain a groomed appearance. All lake edges and areas around control structures will be trimmed with string trimmers as needed to maintain a consistently groomed appearance taking special care to keep all clippings out of the body of water being trimmed. Edging/Trimming All the edges along streets, driveways, sidewalks, stepping stones, planting beds, and around tree rings, etc. shall be edged as needed to maintain a consistently groomed appearance. Fertilizing All turf areas are to be fertilized according to best management practices with formulations, frequencies and rates designed to address site specific nutritional needs. All fertilization will be performed in accordance with state and local ordinances governing the use of such materials. (Manatee and Sarasota Counties has adopted a fertilization ban from June 1 through October 1 of each year. This restriction creates challenges, especially for newly established lawns until there has been adequate time to build up fertility levels in the soil. With consistent management over time, turf quality will improve and fertility schedules will be adjusted to get the best results possible while working within the county regulations). Each resident should understand that the inability to fertilize during primary growing months could result in compromised color and turf vigor that will reduce the turfs ability to compete with weeds. Pest Control Disease Control: Disease control is provided through proper fertilization, mowing and water management. In the event that disease problems occur, treatments will be used to stop or slow the progression of disease. The base program does not include the prevention of disease with weekly or monthly applications of disease control products although such protection is available if deemed necessary. Insect Control: Insect control of turf damaging populations of insects is provided using Federal and State registered insect control products as needed to prevent or mitigate damage. These treatments do not include the prevention of fire ant infestations but does include the control of fire ants once mounds are detected. Control of non-turf damaging insects like ants, spiders, termites and roaches are considered a home pest control issue that is to be handled by the individual home owners at their discretion. Weed Control: Weed control will first focus on the use of proper fertilization, mowing and watering practices to promote the growth of weed resistant turf. Additionally, applications of pre and post emergent weed controls will be applied at times if warranted to limit weeds without damaging desirable turf. Effective Herbicides for broadleaf weeds, grassy weeds and sedges are available and will be used when weed populations warrant and only when weather conditions are favorable for effective results.

3 Turf Replacement: Significant areas of turf that are dead, chemically damaged, or thinned to a point where they have no chance of reasonable recovery, will be removed and replaced with new sod during times of the year that are favorable for success. Thin areas of turf, off color areas of turf, weedy areas of turf and isolated dead spots will be corrected by utilizing best management practices that will allow the turf to fill in and match surrounding areas. All decisions regarding turf replacement will be made in concert with a qualified expert in warm season grasses. Each homeowner has the right to re-sod all or portions of their lawns at their own expense but this work will require an ARC application and will be inspected by HOA property management to insure conformance to grass type and sod quality and that irrigation is fully functional after the installation is complete. B. TREE CARE Trimming Woody type: Woody type trees should be allowed to form a natural canopy. A clear trunk of approximately eight (8) feet in height will be provided to allow good visibility and to facilitate maintenance. Sucker growth, considered to be all new shoots that appear at the base of tree trunks or limbs below the foliage canopy, will be removed. Tree crowns/canopies in excess of twelve (12) feet above the ground will be pruned as needed to remove dead wood, promote natural shape, keep limbs off roof lines, remove low hanging branches that present hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic and to allow adequate sunlight under tree canopies for turf growth. All tree pruning will be done observing the highest standards of arbor care and under the direction of a certified arborist. Trees are typically scheduled to be pruned in the winter months except for safety related pruning, which will be done whenever necessary. Once established, trees overturned, damaged or lost due to Acts of God will be straightened, replaced or removed by the HOA, who will invoice the homeowner for the cost of the replacement at the time of service. Pruning by individual homeowners is discouraged and must gain prior HOA approval to verify compliance with the community standard for tree pruning. Palms: To be pruned and trimmed as needed to keep clear of all obstacles. Palms with 15 or less clear trunk will be trimmed a minimum of two times a year. All dead fronds are to be removed as they appear. Fertilizing Trees are to be fertilized according to best horticultural practices for each species of trees maintained. Other nutritional supplements will be added if a deficiency exists. Pest Control All trees will be monitored during maintenance program with an IPM strategy that relies on detection of existing or anticipated problems and homeowners are encouraged to report any type of abnormal appearance to HOA Property Management. Damaging infestations will be treated on an as needed basis with appropriate chemicals and other strategies. Control of

4 Phytoplasma diseases of specimen palms will be addressed on a case by case basis. Due to the susceptibility of Palmetto Weevil attacks on Canary Island Date Palms and Cycad Scale on Sago Palms, treatments will be made with recommended insecticides with no guarantee of results. Stakes and Guying Newly planted trees with existing stakes and guides will be kept adjusted for the appropriate time period and removed as soon as trees have developed to the point where trees are able to withstand normal winds without falling. Removal of stakes will be approved by the HOA prior to removal. C. SHRUB & GROUNDCOVER CARE Trimming Shrubs and groundcovers shall be evaluated and pruned monthly during the growing season and every other month during the winter season and be pruned only as necessary to maintain the natural form of the plant, to maintain growth within space limitations, to eliminate damage or diseased wood, pruning necessitated by storm damage, disease damage, neglected overgrowth and winterkill. All dead shrubs and groundcover materials will be removed as discovered and replaced during the next quarterly community wide plant replacement. Pruning will be done consistently throughout the community and will not address individual homeowner preferences with regard to size and shape. Fertilizing Shrubs and groundcovers are to be fertilized according to best management practices at rates designed to address the site specific nutritional needs for each species maintained. Other nutritional supplements will be added if a deficiency exists. Pest Control All shrubs and groundcovers will be monitored during maintenance program with an IPM strategy that relies on detection of existing or anticipated problems and homeowners are encouraged to report any type of abnormal appearance to HOA Property Management. IPM requires that treatments only be done when pest populations reach certain thresholds and owners should not make any type of pesticide applications to landscaped areas around their homes without first consulting with HOA management. Disease Control: Contractor will apply recommended legally approved fungicides to control disease-causing damage to shrubs and ground covers. Any damaging infestations will be treated on an as needed basis. Insect Control: Damaging insects will be controlled by applying legally approved insecticides to control damage to shrubs and ground covers. Any damaging infestations will be treated on an as needed basis. Control of non-ornamental damaging insects like ants, termites, spiders and roaches are considered a pest control issue that is to be handled by the individual home owners at their discretion.

5 Imported Pest Control: Certain locations in the United States have a record of accidental introduction of pests from other countries. These imported pests can be very damaging and difficult to control with available pesticides. Where such pests become a problem the HOA will use the most cost effective alternatives for pest mitigation. Weed Control Weeds will be removed from all plant, tree and flower beds at a monthly interval to manage the population of unsightly weeds as they appear. Manual (hand pulling) and chemicals (pre and post emergent herbicides) will be used as control methods. (Any plants damaged by herbicide applications will be replaced.). Weed management is an ongoing process that can be very challenging, especially during times of the year when environmental conditions stimulate rapid weed development and weather conditions like high winds and rain prevent effective herbicide applications. Stakes and Guying Newly planted shrubs with existing stakes and guides will be kept adjusted for the appropriate time period and removed as soon as shrubs and small trees have developed to the point where they are able to withstand normal winds without falling. Mulch All beds will be evaluated yearly for mulch with mulch added to planter beds to maintain a uniform layer of mulch. Due to the cost associated with mulch and its potential to damage plants, special care will be taken to make sure that mulch in beds does not become excessive. This service will generally be performed during the late fall and winter months. Plant Replacement All plants beds will be evaluated quarterly with all dead plants or plants that are beyond reasonable recovery replaced when weather conditions are favorable for new plant survival. Plants will either be replaced with the same plant variety or another variety that is less problematic and compatible with the remaining landscape. The HOA retains the right to modify plants on the approved plant list and to modify plant arrangement in beds whenever certain plants become overly problematic to maintain, given specific site conditions. Each homeowner has the right to replace plants in all or portions of their beds at their own expense and this work will only require ARC approval if bed lines are reconfigured or plants not on the community plant list are introduced.

6 D. IRRIGATION MAINTENANCE The entire Irrigation system is checked for proper operation each month but issues can arise in between these checks. Residents should report all pipe leaks, sprinklers that are broken, out of adjustment and spraying paved surfaces and adjacent waterways and running during daytime hours to the HOA Property Manager. All watering is scheduled to run during the afternoon, night and early morning hours in accordance with County and Southwest Florida Water Management District water restrictions. Functional rain sensors have been installed on each home and each common area controller. It should be understood that rain sensors need a certain amount of rain (at least 1/2 ) to activate, so it would not be unusual to see sprinklers running while it is raining or the day after a significant rainfall event. Residents should not make adjustments to the programming of controllers mounted at each home as programming has been set with consideration for plant and turf health as well as water restrictions and pressure throughout the entire community. In addition, excessive watering will affect the water bill that the HOA pays for the non-potable water that the community uses. The HOA will be responsible for replacing any irrigation rotors, spray heads, controllers, valves or drip tubing that becomes defective due to the normal operation of the irrigation system as well as leaks or breaks of lateral and mainline piping. Anticipated response time for routine repairs is 48 working hours. E. HARDSCAPE AREAS CONCRETE/PAVERS/SHELL/GRAVEL SURFACES All areas will be blown and/or raked of debris on the day of each landscape service. All unsightly weeds growing in hardscape areas will be chemically treated with herbicides along with the regularly scheduled weed service for ornamental beds. Residents should contact HOA property management if paver areas become unsightly. F. MISCELLANEOUS Site Clean-Up All landscaped areas shall be inspected on days of service and excess debris removed. Gardening debris, generated from Contractor s work, shall be removed from paved areas on days of service. This excludes heavy leaf fall pickup from parking areas, sidewalks and pools. Construction debris or similar trash will be policed and billed to the responsible party when needed. All trash will be disposed of off-site. Swales Each home is designed with side yard swales that move excessive run-off from rainfall events either to the street or to a lake or swale system in the back yard of each house. Swales by necessity are graded with minimal slope and covered with turf (which acts like a sponge) which makes them prone to having small depressions that may hold water after heavy rainfall events. All home sites in Esplanade are significantly elevated above control elevations for lakes and

7 constructed of sandy type soils which allow water to flow downward by percolation, all of which are favorable for very positive drainage. Observing water in the swales immediately following a significant rainfall event does not mean that there is a grading problem with the yard. Homeowners with concerns about the drainage of their lawns should contact the HOA property manager for an in depth evaluation. Landscape Bed Enhancements Landscape bed enhancements are permitted and are subject to conformance with community standards and the ARC review process to insure consistency with community landscape modification design standards. Any resident wishing to modify their landscape should contact the HOA property manager prior to submitting an ARC application.

Exhibit A. Scope of Work

Exhibit A. Scope of Work Exhibit A Scope of Work TURF / LAWNS Mowing Lawns shall be mowed weekly during growing season and as required during winter months. The height of mowing shall be maintained consistently to prevent scalping