At Designscapes Colorado, since 1992, we've always attributed our growth to building genuine relationships, investing in our people, and delivering landscapes that stand the test of time. This year, we were recognized as one of the top landscaping companies in the nation three times over. 

Recognized Among the Top in the Nation — Three Times Over

At the recent Salida Home & Garden Show, Designscapes Colorado's Designer Michael Buchenau presented "Considering the Home Landscapes of Chaffee County — Reflections as a Seasoned Landscape Designer." The response from attendees was telling: a room full of engaged homeowners looking for resources to have a beautiful landscape for their home. 

Michael Buchenau presents at the Salida Home and Garden Show.

Designing for a Demanding Landscape

Chaffee County presents a distinct set of challenges — fire mitigation requirements, persistent wind, deer pressure, and arid, rocky terrain. Add to that the diversity of sites across the county, from properties within the city limits to wooded hillsides to open ranchland, and it becomes clear why a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn't work here.

Michael's philosophy, and the foundation of Designscapes Colorado's approach, is straightforward: the landscape should reflect the land. That means reading what's already present. The native palette, the terrain, the views of the Collegiate Peaks and the Arkansas River, and designing in harmony with the land rather than against it.

The Principles That Hold

Across all site types, three fundamentals consistently determine success in Chaffee County:

• Native and regionally adapted plants that are built for this climate
• Quality irrigation systems designed for efficiency in an arid environment
• Soil amendment that gives plantings the foundation they need to establish and thrive

This is what makes a landscape resilient and sustainable over the long term.

What Homeowners Took Away

Michael's presentation reframed homeowners challenges with creating a landscape that is beautiful, sustainable, and practical for the Chaffee County environment.. Chaffee County's conditions aren't an obstacle to good design; they're the context for it. 

Attendees left with a clearer path forward — and renewed confidence that it's possible to create something beautiful here.

Interested in designing a landscape that belongs to your site? Contact Designscapes Colorado to start the conversation.

Since opening our doors in 1992, we have grown into a team of 338 dedicated professionals who believe that how we do our work matters just as much as the work itself. This belief drives us to invest in our people, serve our communities, and continually raise the standard for what professional landscaping looks like in Colorado.

Developing Our People Into the Leaders Our Clients Deserve

A company is only as strong as the people who show up for it every day — and at Designscapes Colorado, we take that seriously. One of our most meaningful ongoing commitments is investing in the growth and development of our team members, not just as skilled tradespeople, but as leaders within our organization and across the green industry.

We work hard to identify talent within our team and create pathways that move people forward. That means providing mentorship, hands-on leadership training, and industry education through partnerships like the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC) — including the new Coloradoscaping certification program launching later this year — so our team members have the credentials and confidence to step into expanded roles.

For our clients, this philosophy has a direct and tangible impact. When the people managing your property have been developed from within, they carry deep institutional knowledge, a strong sense of accountability, and a genuine pride in their work. When someone works with Designscapes Colorado, you are not just getting a service provider,  you are getting a team of professionals who have been built up to perform at a high level and treat your property with the same care they would their own.

Giving Back to the Community We Call Home

At Designscapes Colorado, we have always believed that a thriving community is good for all of us, and that belief compels us to give back in meaningful, hands-on ways. For over a decade, our team has volunteered their time and expertise to plant and maintain the vegetable gardens at Clayton Early Learning, a Denver early childhood school that serves children and families in one of the city's most underserved neighborhoods. Watching those gardens grow year after year, and knowing they provide fresh produce and an educational resource for young learners, is one of the things our team takes the most pride in.

Each year, we also participate in the Angels Among Us gift exchange, spreading a little joy to Denver students during the holiday season. This program has become a cherished tradition within our company and a reminder that the work we do extends well beyond the properties we maintain.

Leadership Recognized Across the Industry

The standard we hold ourselves to has not gone unnoticed. Designscapes Colorado owner Phil Steinhauer was recently honored with the Bob Cannon Outstanding Achievement Award from the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado — one of the most prestigious recognitions in Colorado's green industry. This award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated an exceptional and lasting commitment to the profession, their teams, and the communities they serve.

Better Communication, Better Service — Powered by Aspire

We integrated Aspire, a leading landscape business management platform, into our daily operations. Aspire gives our team and our clients real-time visibility into every service performed on your property. The result is a more transparent, more accountable relationship between our team and the clients we serve.

Aspire also helps us manage our team more efficiently, so the right people with the right skills are on your property at the right time. 

Our Commitment to You

Everything we do from the certifications we pursue, the communities we serve, the technology we adopt, and the leaders we develop comes back to one goal: being a company worthy of our clients' trust. Designscapes Colorado has spent more than 30 years building that trust, and we are just as committed today as we were on day one to earning it every single season.

Each year, the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) hosts the National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC), one of the most exciting events in the green industry. This year, the competition took place on the campus of Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan.

While last year's NCLC hit close to home at Colorado State University and gave us the incredible opportunity to host events in our own backyard, this year was all about continuing to connect with the new and existing professionals who make this industry great.

Connecting with the Next Generation

At Designscapes Colorado, we are passionate about investing in the future of the landscape industry and that starts with its students. NCLC brings together some of the most talented landscape and horticulture students from colleges and universities across the nation, all competing to showcase their skills and kick-start their careers. Char had a fantastic time at the career fair, meeting students from programs around the country, catching up with familiar faces, and getting to know the emerging talent who will define what this industry looks like for decades to come.

"Events like NCLC remind us just how bright the future of this industry is. Getting to connect with these students, seeing their passion, their drive, and their creativity is inspiring. The next generation of landscape professionals is ready, and we couldn't be more excited about it." — Char Chacon, Residential Team Manager

Networking with Industry Professionals

One of the best things about NCLC is the  concentration of passionate, talented professionals gathered in one place. Char Farley Chacon, Designscapes Colorado's Residential Team Manager; Brian Levins, Designscapes Colorado’s Maintenance Team Manager; Brian Breed, Designscapes Colorado’s Residential Landscape Designer; and Phil Steinhauer, Designscapes Colorado’s CEO made the trip to Lansing to represent the team. From reconnecting with familiar industry colleagues to forging new relationships with professionals from across the country, the conversations and connections made throughout the week were nothing short of energizing. 

Why We Show Up, No Matter Where It Is

We didn't need to be hosting events to feel the incredible value of being at NCLC. Whether we're here in Colorado or making the trip to Michigan, showing up matters. Walking the career fair floor, sitting across from a student who is just beginning to imagine their future, or sharing an idea with a fellow industry professional, these moments are what it's all about. 

Looking Ahead

A huge congratulations to all the student competitors at this year's NCLC. Your talent, hard work, and enthusiasm for this craft is truly inspiring. Thank you to NALP for another outstanding event and to Michigan State University for being such a wonderful host.

We can't wait to see what next year's competition brings in Cleveland, Ohio at Cuyahoga Community College. 

When individuals first explore a career in landscaping, they often discover something surprising: the industry isn't a one-size-fits-all. There are two distinct and equally rewarding career paths — Landscape Design/Build and Landscape Maintenance Operations. While both are under the umbrella of professional landscaping careers, they call for different strengths, interests, and day-to-day experiences. Understanding the difference between the two can help you find the path that genuinely fits who you are and where you want to go.

Interest in Project Work vs. Ongoing Care

The most fundamental difference between these two paths comes down to how you relate to the work itself — do you prefer building something new from the ground up, or do you find satisfaction in nurturing and improving what already exists?

Design/Build

Landscape Design/Build professionals are project people at heart. The work centers on creating entirely new outdoor spaces, taking a client's vision from an initial concept all the way through to a finished installation. Every project has a defined start and end point, which means the work involves design planning, construction coordination, and hands-on installation. 

Maintenance Operations

Maintenance professionals, on the other hand, are drawn to the long game. Rather than building something new, this path is about caring for and improving landscapes over time. The work encompasses everything from maintaining plant health and managing irrigation systems to seasonal pruning, turf care, and color rotation. One of the most meaningful aspects of a maintenance career is the relationships that develop with properties, with clients, and with the landscapes themselves. 

Creativity vs. Plant Stewardship

Another key distinction is where your natural strengths and passions lie. Whether that be in creative expression and spatial design, or in the science and stewardship of living plants.

Design/Build

If you're someone who loves to visualize spaces and bring ideas to life, Design/Build is likely your lane. This path is ideal for people who enjoy creative design, thinking through hardscape layouts, and envisioning how an outdoor living area will look and feel once it's complete. The work regularly involves tools like CAD software and 3D modeling programs, and professionals often present designs directly to clients. It's a career for people who see a blank backyard and immediately start imagining what it could become.

Maintenance Operations

Maintenance is the right fit for those who are passionate about plants themselves — their health, their biology, and their long-term care. This path digs into the science of horticulture: understanding soil composition, irrigation efficiency, fertilization timing, and proper pruning techniques. Maintenance professionals become skilled at diagnosing plant problems and finding solutions that improve a landscape over time. 

Work Pace and Structure

Beyond the type of work itself, these two paths offer distinctly different rhythms and structures to the workday — and that difference matters more than people often realize when choosing a career direction.

Design/Build

Design/Build work is project-driven and deadline-focused. The pace of any given week depends heavily on where a project stands in its timeline — some phases require intense coordination and long days on-site, while others may involve quieter periods of planning and design. The work often includes managing larger budget decisions and coordinating with subcontractors, which means strong organizational and communication skills are essential. For those who thrive under the energy of a deadline and enjoy the variability that comes with each new project, this pace can be highly motivating.

Maintenance Operations

Maintenance work follows a more consistent and predictable rhythm. Weekly service routes, seasonal programs, and ongoing client schedules create a structure that many professionals find deeply satisfying. The focus is on executing high-quality work efficiently across multiple properties, and there's a real skill in managing that volume without letting standards slip. If you prefer knowing what your week looks like and finding fulfillment in doing routine work exceptionally well, maintenance operations offer exactly that kind of steady, rewarding structure.

Client Interaction

Both paths involve working with clients, but the nature of those interactions is quite different and your comfort level with different types of client relationships is worth considering carefully.

Design/Build

In Design/Build, client interaction is intensive and concentrated. You'll spend significant time with clients during design consultations, project planning sessions, and on-site during installation. Much of this interaction is tied to the sales process — presenting designs, walking clients through options, and building confidence in your vision. Strong presentation skills and the ability to navigate client expectations are central to success in this role. If you enjoy the energy of selling an idea and guiding someone through a major decision, this level of client engagement can be one of the most exciting parts of the job.

Maintenance Operations

Maintenance client relationships are built over time rather than concentrated in a short project window. Regular communication with property managers or homeowners creates a foundation of trust and familiarity that develops across months and years. The emphasis is on consistent service quality and being a reliable partner clients can count on. 

Technical Skill Sets

Each path develops a distinct set of technical competencies. While there's certainly overlap in a well-rounded landscape education, the skills you'll use most day-to-day differ significantly between the two tracks.

Design/Build

Design/Build professionals develop technical expertise across a wide range of disciplines tied to construction and design, including:

• Landscape design principles and software
• Construction knowledge and material selection
• Grading and drainage solutions
• Hardscape installation techniques
• Project management and scheduling

Maintenance Operations

Maintenance professionals build deep expertise in the science of landscape care, including:

• Plant identification and plant health care
• Irrigation system management and troubleshooting
• Turf care and fertilization programs
• Pest and disease diagnosis and management
• Seasonal color planning and installation

Both skill sets are specialized and highly valued.

Career Path Opportunities

Whichever direction you choose, you'll find a clear ladder of career advancement with room to grow into leadership, specialization, or management roles over time.

Design/Build Career Paths

Professionals in Design/Build can advance into roles such as:

• Landscape Designer
• Design Consultant
• Project Manager
• Construction Manager
• Design Director

Maintenance Career Paths

Those in Maintenance Operations can grow into roles such as:

• Horticulture Specialist
• Account Manager / Client Relationship Manager
• Irrigation Manager
• Operations Manager
• Plant Health Care Specialist

Both tracks offer the opportunity to move into leadership and, for entrepreneurial-minded professionals, the foundation to eventually run their own operation.

Personality Fit

Ultimately, the best way to choose between these two paths is to be honest about who you are and what energizes you at work. Here's a simple gut check:

You may be a strong fit for Design/Build if you:

• Enjoy creativity, visual design, and bringing ideas to life
• Get excited by large construction projects and seeing major transformations
• Are comfortable with sales conversations and client presentations

You may be a strong fit for Maintenance Operations if you:

• Love plants, horticulture science, and the biology of living landscapes
• Find meaning in long-term care and watching landscapes improve over time
• Prefer consistent operations, team management, and reliable client relationships

The goal is to find a career path that aligns with your strengths and keeps you motivated to grow. At Designscapes Colorado, professionals across all of our teams are building careers they're proud of and have enjoyed for many years. Check out our Careers page to discover opportunities in landscaping at Designscapes Colorado.

1. Start with Curiosity About the Outdoors

If you find yourself drawn to the outdoors, whether it's the satisfaction of working with your hands, the beauty of plants and trees, or the way a well-designed space can completely transform how a place feels, you already have the foundation for a career in this field. The best landscape professionals aren't just workers; they're people who take pride in turning ordinary outdoor spaces into beautiful, functional environments. 

2. Learn the Basics

A strong educational foundation can set you apart from the very beginning. Courses in horticulture, landscape design, and irrigation systems give you the technical vocabulary and knowledge base that employers value. You don't need a four-year degree to get started — community colleges, trade schools, and universities all offer relevant programs. Beyond formal education, industry organizations like the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC) regularly host workshops, seminars, and certification courses that provide hands-on, practical training. 

3. Get Hands-On Experience

There's no substitute for real-world experience in the landscaping industry. Many of today's most successful landscape professionals started in entry-level roles and worked their way up by mastering the fundamentals. Starting in positions like these are great points of entry:

• Landscape technician
• Maintenance crew member
• Irrigation technician
• Nursery or garden center associate

These roles give you direct exposure to plant care, equipment operation, and the day-to-day realities of the trade.

4. Work for a Reputable Landscape Company

When you're starting out, it's worth being intentional about where you work. A reputable landscape company will invest in your growth. Look for employers who offer:

• Structured training programs and mentorship from experienced professionals
• Clear pathways for career advancement and promotion
• Exposure to multiple divisions including design, construction, and maintenance

A company that prioritizes your development is one that sees landscaping as a profession, and that attitude makes all the difference in your long-term trajectory.

5. Develop Specialized Skills

As you gain experience, start building depth in specific areas of the trade. Specialization makes you more valuable and opens doors to higher-paying, more advanced roles. Key skill areas in the landscaping industry include:

• Irrigation system design, installation, and repair
• Plant identification and horticulture principles
• Landscape construction, including hardscapes, patios, and retaining walls
• Landscape design and 3D modeling software
• Equipment operation and jobsite safety protocols

Whether you lean toward the creative side of design or the technical side of construction and systems, developing a specialty gives your career a clear direction.

6. Earn Industry Certifications

Professional certifications are one of the most effective ways to demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the craft. They signal to clients and employers alike that your skills meet an established standard of excellence. Valuable certifications in the landscaping field include:

• Landscape Industry Certifications (such as those offered by NALP)
• Irrigation Association certifications for design and installation
• Sustainable landscape management programs
• State pesticide applicator licensing

7. Build a Career Path

The industry is broad, and talented professionals are needed at every level. Career paths available in landscaping include:

• Landscape designer
• Project manager
• Irrigation specialist
• Arborist
• Account manager
• Operations manager
• Business owner

Whether your goal is to design stunning outdoor spaces, oversee large-scale projects, or eventually run your own company, landscaping offers a path to get there.

8. Develop Professional Skills

Technical skills will get you hired, but professional skills will help you advance. As you grow in your career, the ability to communicate clearly with clients and team members becomes just as important as knowing how to lay a patio or design a planting bed. Focus on developing:

• Strong communication skills for client interactions and team coordination
• Leadership abilities and crew management as you take on more responsibility
• Creative problem-solving when projects don't go as planned
• Time management and organizational skills to keep projects on track and on budget

9. Network in the Industry

Building relationships within the landscaping community can open doors that experience alone cannot. Join your local landscape association to stay connected with peers and industry news. Attend trade shows and industry events to discover new products, techniques, and trends. Seek out mentors — seasoned professionals who can offer guidance, perspective, and introductions to opportunities you might not find on your own. The landscaping industry is relationship-driven, and the people you meet along the way will play an important role in shaping your career.

10. Think Long-Term

The professionals who thrive in this industry are those who approach it with the same vision they bring to a landscape project: with intention, patience, and a plan. Over the course of a career, you could:

• Lead crews and mentor the next generation of landscape professionals
• Manage large-scale commercial or residential projects
• Launch and grow your own landscaping business
• Contribute to shaping the outdoor environments that define communities

As we close out the year, we’re taking a moment to reflect on what truly made it special. Inspired by the idea of Spotify Wrapped, Designscapes Colorado Wrapped is our way of highlighting the people, projects, and purpose that shaped the past year.

From growing our team to giving back to our community, this year was about more than landscapes. It was about impact.


 

A Bigger, Stronger Landscaping Team in Colorado

This year, we welcomed 10 new H-2B visa employees into our Step Up Program, strengthening our team and investing in long-term growth. We’re especially proud that 78 team members are currently in the process of becoming U.S. citizens. 

Today, our team is made up of 330 incredible employees, each playing an important role in helping us deliver high-quality landscapes across Colorado.

Landscaping Projects That Shaped Our Year

This year, we completed 312 projects, each one thoughtfully designed and expertly executed. From transforming properties to maintaining landscapes that enhance everyday experiences, our work continues to shape the environments where people live, work, and gather.

Along the way, we planted 2,000+ trees, reinforcing our commitment to creating outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and lasting.
 

Long-Lasting Client Relationships Built on Trust

Relationships are at the heart of what we do. This year, 413 repeat clients chose to work with us again. One relationship stands out in particular: our longest client partnership spans 32 years and counting. 
 

Giving Back to Our Colorado Community

Beyond our projects, we’re committed to supporting the communities we serve. For our eight consecutive year, we were honored to give back through Angels Among Us gift Exchange, providing gifts to 70 children in need.

It’s moments like these that remind us success is measured not only by what we build, but by how we show up for others.
 

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Designscapes Colorado

Designscapes Colorado Wrapped is a snapshot of a year defined by teamwork, growth, and gratitude. None of it would be possible without our employees, clients, partners, and community who continue to support us.

As we move into the next year, we’re excited to keep building stronger teams, better landscapes, and lasting relationships.

Thank you for being part of the journey.

👉 Follow along on Instagram to see our Designscapes Wrapped carousel and year-in-review highlights.

There’s something magical about a well-designed holiday container greeting you at the front door. It’s that perfect blend of winter greenery, festive color, texture, and structure for a warm welcome.

Every year, we help our clients transform their porches and patios with custom Christmas and holiday planters that last throughout winter. Today, I’m sharing exactly how I build them, from the materials to choose, to design tips, to maintenance—so you can create your own stunning holiday display.

Watch How to Build a Holiday Pot step-by-step video.

Materials to Use for Holiday Containers

A great winter arrangement starts with great ingredients. Here are some of my go-to materials and why I reach for them:

Red Twig Dogwood These branches bring a vibrant red pop to any container. They hold their color well through winter and make the perfect upright accent. 

Birch Branches The white bark offers eye-catching contrast, especially against darker siding or stone. They help draw the eye upward and add sculptural form. 

Winter Berries These add additional color to brighten your container and are festive for the holiday season. 

Sugar Cones Oversized pine cones act as natural showstoppers. We like to tuck them near the front of the pot or use them as focal texture.

Winter Green Mix A strong base of greenery is very important. For it you can use noble fir which is sturdy, long-lasting, and idea for structure. Cedars and junipers offer movement, soft texture, and a beautiful cascading drape. Mixing these varieties adds dimension and creates a full, lush look. 

Artificial Plants (Optional) If your pots sit in intense full sun all day, consider mixing in some artificial stems. UV exposure can dry out natural materials faster.

Key Considerations Before You Start Planting

1. Style: Take a look at what's already on your porch. Do you have lanterns, oversized ornaments, or a specific color palette? Blend your pot with your existing decor so everything feels cohesive.
2. Scale: Match the size of your materials to the scale of the planter. Small pots need extra greenery and one strong centerpiece. Large pots can handle birch bundles, large sugar cones, bells, or lanterns. The right proportion makes the arrangement feel intentional rather than cluttered.
3. Shine: Lights and sparkle go a long way in winter. Try adding:
   1. Twinkle lights (battery or solar (make sure the solar pieces get enough sun to recharge)
   2. Lanterns with real or faux flame
   3. Glittered stems
   4. Metallic ornaments

Watch the Step-by-Step Video


How to Build a Holiday Pot  (Step-by-Step Guide)

1. Gather all the materials before you start. Having everything within reach helps you design more efficiently and creatively.
2. Choose and insert your centerpiece. This sets the tone. For tall pots use birch branches or red twig dogwood. For shorter pots, try a cluster of greens or pine cones.
3. Add your base greens. Start by filling the soil with noble fir or other sturdy greens. Then layer in cedars around the edges, allowing them to cascade. This creates movement and that whimsical winter drape. 
4. Build in your texture and color. Place in sugar cones, winter berries, and additional branches. Adjust the spacing and angles until it feels balanced and full. 
5. Add some bling. This final layer pulls everything together and gives your planter that holiday sparkle. Add in elements like twinkle lights, oversized ornaments, or ribbon. 

Maintenance Tips for Longer-Lasting Holiday Pots

• Refresh greens as needed. If some greens brown over time, and you don't have time to run to your nearest garden center,  replace them with materials foraged from your own yard.
• Watering. Keep the soil slightly moist in the early weeks so the greens an absorb water. In freezing temperatures, water sparingly, but don't let the pots completely dry out. 
• Apply Anti-desiccant. This can extend the life of your greenery, especially in dry or windy climates.

While summer’s blooms are fading, now is the time to think ahead to spring. Many people’s favorite part of Spring is seeing all of the blooms that bring color and life back into the landscape. As spring may seem ages away, fall is the time to plant bulbs in your garden beds and containers so they’ll be in full bloom when the spring season begins. 

Watch How to Plant Bulbs

Why Fall is the Best Time to Plant Bulbs

Spring-flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, require a cold, dormant period to bloom. To plant in the fall means that they’ll establish their root systems before winter sets in. If you wait until spring, it’s too late. The bulbs won’t have time to chill and develop properly. Bulbs need the cold period to produce strong roots so, once the soil warms, they’ll be ready to bloom. 

In areas of the country where temperatures don’t get much lower than freezing throughout the Winter months, planting bulbs in containers and pots is simple. If you live in one of these areas simply plant your Spring bulbs at the same depth in the container as you would in your garden. You can layer bulbs in the pot to get a full and lush look in the Spring. Simply plant the larger bulbs in the lower portion of the planter while staggering the smaller bulbs higher in the container.

Planting Bulbs in Garden Beds

If you are adding bulbs directly to your garden beds, the same timing applies. Here are a few tips to ensure their blooms:

1. Choose a Sunny, Well-Drained Spot: Most spring bulbs love full sun and dislike sitting in soggy soil. If your beds tend to hold moisture, mix in compost or sand to improve drainage.
2. Loosen and Prepare the Soil: Use a trowel or bulb planter to loosen the soil about 8–10 inches deep. This helps to establish roots and prevents compaction.
3. Mind the Depth and Spacing: Follow the same rule as with containers: plant bulbs about 2–3 times as deep as their height. Space them according to the type of bulb. Generally 3–6 inches apart for smaller bulbs and 6–8 inches for larger ones.
4. Plant in Clusters for Impact: Instead of planting bulbs in straight rows, group them in clusters of odd numbers (3’s, 5’s, or 7’s). This creates a more natural, layered look when they bloom in spring.
5. Water and Mulch: Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and encourage root growth. Add a 2–3 inch layer of mulch to help insulate the bulbs and retain moisture through winter.

Protect Your Bulbs During Winter
If the Winter temperatures in your area drop below freezing you will need to move your pots or planters to a protected area. A protected area could be the garage or a shed where temperatures will remain cold but not freezing. During the Winter months your garden soil will freeze if temperatures drop but the soil temperature will always remain higher than the air temperature, protecting your Spring bulbs. Spring bulbs in your pots and planters will not be as protected as they would be if they were planted in the garden. The amount of soil in a pot or container is much less than there would be in a garden. The small amount of soil in pots or containers is not enough to protect your bulbs from freezing temperatures.

There are a few ways that you can protect your pots and containers from the freezing temperatures. One way is to dig a hole in the garden the size of your pot and place the pot in the hole. Once in the hole, use straw to cover the pot creating a straw blanket that will insulate your pot throughout the Winter. Another way to protect your bulbs is to build a protective cloak. Wrap your pot loosely with chicken wire, securing the ends. Then, use straw or rags to fill the gaps between the chicken wire and the pot. This will provide the soil with insulation against freezing Winter temperatures, protecting your bulbs from damage.

Spring Awaits

When spring arrives, your early planning will be worth it. Whether planted in pots or garden beds, bulbs mark the start of a new season offering a natural transition from winter to the growing months ahead. 

Contact one of our landscape professionals to help you design and plant your spring garden display before the first blooms of the season. 

Trees turning color remind us that the time has come to refurbish patio and porch containers with the bright colors of fall.  And that goes for bed areas too.

Now that we’re enjoying our patios into the fall longer than ever, we need seasonal color that outlives the summer annuals. The welcome container on the front porch also needs to be in tune with the season.

For many plants, the cool nights and warm days this time of year are ideal growing conditions. Planting perennials now in bed areas still gives them time to settle in before winter without having to endure the hot days of summer.
 

Watch How to Plant Fall Pots
 

Why pansies?
Pansies and their smaller cousins – violas – are standbys for fall flowers and for good reason.  They are hardy enough to bloom throughout the fall and even during the winter in some locations.  Best yet, they’ll be back early next season with bright spring color.

There’s never a boring moment with pansies.  Combine black and orange pansies for Halloween – or orange and blue for the Bronco season. Pansies in traditional orange, rust and yellow can also be mixed with other plants.

Perennials that pop
Other great fall bloomers are asters and mums.  Find your favorite colors ranging from lavender and purple to soft and brilliant yellow to rust and bronze.  Most asters and mums are perennials that you can plant this fall and enjoy for years to come.

Perennials are a great addition to fall containers.  Plant them along with annuals  such as dianthus or snapdragons.  Other good perennials include sedum, ivy, plumbago, dianthus, yarrow, grasses and Helen’s flower.

Don’t Forget Foliage
Add foliage in fall combinations. Foliage adds drama when included with flowers because of the deep shades and texture that make them distinctive.  Add ornamental kale, sedum, coral bells and ornamental grasses into containers and beds alike.  Their deep hues, shapes and textures will backstop flowering plants and make their color pop.

Build upon holiday themes There are many creative ways to add Halloween and Thanksgiving interest to fall containers and beds. Look for:

• pumpkin shaped containers
• plastic witches’ cauldrons
• buckets and barrels
• copper or other metal containers with a weathered patina.

Steps to Create your Fall Pots and Containers

1. Begin with placing your centerpiece.
2. Plant 'spiller' trailing plants like thyme along sides.
3. Plant your 'filler' plants like ornamental cabbage, pansies, or other fall color.
4. Plant your 'thriller'.
5. Place in any ornamental gourds or pumpkins if you'd like.

Take advantage of the colorful fall season to enjoy outdoor ambiance, plants and gardening a few weeks more
With the right plants and a little creativity, your patio and porch can stay vibrant through the season and set the state for spring. For guidance on fall container planting or landscape design, our landscape professionals are here to help. Contact us here.

Designscapes Colorado had the honor of hosting the Women in the Green Lunch and Learn, an inspiring networking luncheon organized by the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC) and sponsored by K-Rain.

This event brought together women across the landscape industry to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. The afternoon featured guest speaker Lisa Mason Eckoff, Horticulture Specialist and Entomologist at CSU Extension, who led an engaging discussion on the benefits and importance of insects in landscapes. Her insights shed light on how these often-overlooked species play a vital role in creating healthy, thriving outdoor environments.

Luncheon Speaker, Lisa Eckoff, CSU Extension

As part of the gathering, Designscapes Colorado was proud to sponsor custom T-shirt gifts for all women in attendance. The gesture was a small way of showing appreciation for the many contributions women bring to landscaping—from creativity and design to problem-solving and leadership.

The Women in the Green series continues to be an important space where women can celebrate their achievements, support one another, and help shape the future of the landscape industry. Designscapes Colorado is proud to support and participate in these meaningful conversations that highlight the unique attributes, skills, and perspectives women bring to the profession.



 

Whether you’re dreaming of a pollinator-friendly garden, a sustainable outdoor living space, or simply seeking help keeping your landscape thriving, reach out to us. Let’s work together to build something beautiful, functional, and meaningful.

Contact us today and we’d love to discuss your next project.

As fall is approaching, you may think that the landscaping season is over. Actually now is the time to start planning for next year’s landscape.  Using native, water-wise plants in Colorado’s semi-arid climate is not only sustainable, but also creates beautiful landscapes. This in part is called ColoradoScaping. Phil Steinhauer spoke on behalf of the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC) on what this is. 


 

What is ColoradoScaping?

It is a new term that ALCC has developed and it’s to talk about the plants that do well and thrive here in Colorado. It involves integrating native, water-wise plants, efficient irrigation systems, and innovative turf options.
 

ColoradoScaping Certification program

A new ColoradoScaping certification program is set to launch through the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado this winter. Steinhauer mentions how it’s important for HOA’s, homeowners and landscape professionals to know about it. 

The certification is designed to make sure industry professionals are trained to build and maintain true ColoradoScapes. This professional certification requires an intensive program of 20 hour of online coursework along with 15 hours of hands-on training and testing. This ensures landscape professionals have the skills and expertise to design and maintain these ColoradoScapes in the right way. 
 

The Benefits of a “ColoradoScape”

A Coloradoscape saves water, reduces plant replacement costs, and still give you a yard or community space in which you want to spend time in. Landscape professionals want HOA’s and homeowners to be aware of this program so they can start to ask if companies are ColoradoScaping certified. That way they’ll be assured they’re getting the most water-efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective care available. 
 

Designscapes Colorado's Commitment

We are proud to be at the forefront of the ColoradoScaping movement. Our team of certified landscape professionals are trained to design and maintain landscapes that align with the principles of ColoradoScaping. We understand the importance of creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also sustainable and resilient.

To learn more about the ColoradoScaping certification program, please visit ColoradoScaping.org

Giving a "STEP UP"

Watch the video of our recent announcement. 

What is the "STEP UP" program?

Launched in 2018, the "STEP UP" program was created to help legal H-2B visa employees obtain legal permanent residency in the United States. This program provides a path toward opportunity and stability not only in our business, but in these employees lives

The results so far have been inspiring:

• 12 of our employees have already obtained permanent residency through the program.

• Several are in the process of bringing their families to join them here in the U.S.

• 78 employees are still in the process of being sponsored.

Why It Matters to Us

The "STEP UP" program is about much more than immigration status. For us, it’s about investing in our people.

• Retention & Morale: When our team members know we’re committed to them, they’re even more committed to our shared success.
• Leadership Growth: Permanent residency allows our employees to step into new roles and responsibilities without restrictions.
• Living Our Values: We don’t just say people matter — we back it up with programs like STEP UP that put action behind our words.

Who It Helps (and How)

The program specifically supports legal H-2B visa employees. These are workers who have come (or come back) year-by-year under temporary visas for seasonal or non‐permanent work. For many seasonal employers, this program comes with uncertainty as this program is based on a lottery system. Designscapes Colorado assists these employees through the legal, logistical, and financial processes involved in applying for permanent residency. 

Faces of the 2025 STEP UP Class

In 2025, we proudly welcomed 10 employees into the STEP UP program:

• Luis Marino Leon Soto
• Cosme Duran Munoz
• Humberto Vazquez Florez
• Cristian Sanchez Mirelez
• Jose Guadalupe Munoz Gonzalez
• Daniel Garcia Ramirez
• Jose Guadalupe Estrada Quevedo
• Francisco Bustos Sandoval
• Jesus Cervantes Solorzano
• Oscar Jovani Ramirez Saavedra

Looking Ahead

We know the path to permanent residency is not easy. Immigration law is complex, and the process can be long and challenging. Looking ahead, we hope to expand this program, support more employees, and continue exploring ways we can provide resources that make settling here easier. In the end, our work is not just about shaping landscapes. It’s about shaping futures.

As we celebrate our 33rd year in business, we are especially grateful for our long-standing partnership with Colorado State University. From the beginning, CSU’s Landscape Design & Contracting Program has played a pivotal role in shaping our team and our approach to creating beautiful, sustainable landscapes across Colorado.

Watch the full video about partnership

Supporting the Program

We were honored to partner with CSU to provide their new design studios where students can gain hands-on experience with up-to-date tools and materials, preparing them for real-world projects. 

CSU faculty member Zachary S. Johnson notes the importance of private support in higher education:

“With budgets always a challenge at higher learning institutions, we rely more and more on private investment and it has been a great relationship where folks have been able to come in and really help us do amazing things, which in turn, helps the profession.

As we were brought into this space that we previously occupied really came at an important time to solidify the program as it had gone through a number of changes. What was important to me about partnering with individuals and companies was really to find somebody who philosophically aligned with what we’re working and trying to instill in our students — and that’s excellence, that’s always getting better, that’s honesty, that’s integrity. And the first person that came to mind was Phil Steinhauer.”

Expanding the program. 

In addition to the studios, our support helped CSU hire Chris Tragakes, a dedicated program coordinator focused on recruitment. Chris has been instrumental in growing the program and connecting with students who might not have otherwise considered a career in landscape design and contracting.

“We didn’t have any recruitment beyond students coming to talk to professors or finding us on the website. So where my role has really been able to excel is connecting with high schoolers and connecting with folks on campus that maybe didn’t know this was an option or it was a profession. We’ve been able to grow and in my role we’ve grown the program by a little over 140% in about two years,” states Tragakes.
 

Why This Matters

By creating environments where students can test designs and construction techniques, CSU is preparing graduates who are workforce-ready — professionals who can contribute immediately to the industry. The studios and program expansion foster collaboration between students, faculty, and industry partners, creating opportunities for mentorship, internships, and real-world projects that benefit the local community.

Investing in Tomorrow’s Professionals

Much of our success comes from hiring talented graduates from CSU. Currently, we have 15 full-time employees on staff, including 5 new hires from the program and 3 interns who are learning hands-on skills that will guide their careers. Our continued relationship with CSU ensures that we are not only supporting the next generation of landscape professionals but also welcoming exceptional talent into our own company.

We are excited for the future of CSU’s Landscape Design & Contracting Program. Thank you to Colorado State University for being such an important part of our story. 

Build Your Future with Us

Looking to grow in the industry? Join our team and help us build and shape Colorado’s outdoor spaces. 

If you are looking to add more buzz to your garden this spring, consider planting for pollinators. Pollinators such as birds, bees, butterflies, insects and even bats play an important function within our collective urban ecosystem and around our home gardens. 

Here are a few pollinator-friendly plants to incorporate into your landscape. You may already have some of them.

Annuals (Replant each year)

• Zinnia's - Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
• Salvia - Great for bees and hummingbirds.
• Lantana - A favorite of butterflies and hummingbirds.
• Verbena - Draws butterflies and hummingbirds.
• Marigolds - Attracts bees and butterflies.

Perennials (Return each year)

• Rocky Mountain Penstemon - Attracts bees and hummingbirds.
• Russian Sage - Excellent for bees and butterflies.
• Lavender - Attracts bees and butterflies.
• Yarrow - Loved by butterflies and native bees.
• Blue Mist Spirea - A late-season favorite for bees and butterflies.

Our professionals are here for you

This year, the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) was held on home turf at Colorado State University, giving Designscapes Colorado the unique opportunity to play a significant role in the event. NCLC is a premier annual competition that brings together top landscape and horticulture students from colleges and universities across the country. The event provides students with the chance to showcase their skills, learn from industry professionals, and connect with potential employers.

“Supporting students through events like the National Collegiate Landscape Competition allows Designscapes Colorado to share knowledge, mentor emerging talent, and inspire the next wave of landscape leaders,” explained Phil Steinhauer. “Whether through hands-on demonstrations, networking opportunities, or educational sessions, we are passionate about providing students with real-world insights that will help them thrive in their careers.”

As part of our commitment to supporting the next generation of green industry professionals, Designscapes Colorado hosted multiple events throughout the week to engage with students, share industry insights, and provide hands-on demonstrations.

Engaging with Future Landscape Professionals

One of the highlights of our involvement was hosting a luncheon for students from Mississippi State University. This event allowed students to learn about the different teams within Designscapes Colorado, including our design, maintenance, and construction teams. Our goal was to provide them with a comprehensive understanding of career opportunities in the industry and how our company operates.

Additionally, we conducted several presentations and demonstrations to give students a closer look at the latest innovations in landscaping:

• Scythe Autonomous Mower Demonstration: A hands-on look at how cutting-edge technology is transforming lawn care and sustainability.
• Landscape Lighting & Audio Presentation: An in-depth session on how lighting and sound can enhance outdoor environments.
• Landscape Design Plan Walkthroughs: A chance for students to explore real-world design projects and understand the creative process.
• Shop and Yard Tour: A behind-the-scenes look at where our equipment is housed and maintained.
• Aspire Software Overview: A demonstration of how we use Aspire to streamline operations and project management.

Building Connections Before the Competition

Before the competition officially kicked off, Designscapes Colorado hosted a dinner on Tuesday night at Ginger and Baker with CSU’s Landscape Design and Contracting staff and students. This gathering allowed industry professionals, educators, and students to connect in a more relaxed setting, fostering relationships that will continue to grow beyond the event.

Career Fair and Industry Networking

Another key component of the NCLC is the career fair, which saw over 700 students in attendance this year. Our team met enthusiastic students from across the country, all eager to launch their careers in the landscape industry. It was a fantastic opportunity to discuss potential career paths, internships, and job openings within Designscapes Colorado.

"I love seeing the talent in the future of our workforce," stated Residential Team Manager Char Farley Chacon." The energy, the passion, and the determination to succeed. You can feel it when you are talking to the students whether they are talking about the competitive events they are studying for or during the career fair. It is so uplifting and motivating!  I’m really proud of the collegiate programs working to elevate themselves and for all the industry professionals supporting this event and the profession as a whole." 

Giving Back as Competition Judges

In addition to hosting events and networking with students, several of our team members volunteered as competition judges, helping to evaluate the talented students as they showcased their skills in various landscaping disciplines. It was an honor to support these students as they demonstrated their knowledge and passion for the industry.

Looking Ahead

The National Collegiate Landscape Competition is an invaluable event that brings together the best and brightest in the industry. Being able to host events, provide learning opportunities, and engage with students on such a large scale was an incredible experience for Designscapes Colorado. We are excited to continue our involvement in future competitions and to support the next generation of landscape professionals.

A big thank you to all the students, faculty, industry professionals, and our team members who made this year’s event a success. We look forward to seeing many of these talented individuals become future leaders in the green industry!

Itching to get out and work in the yard? The good news is that planting time is just around the corner. 

To be effective and efficient in the yard, you need the right tools and tools in good condition.  Here are five tips you can do now to prepare for the growing season. 

1. On metal surfaces of shovels and other tools, remove rust with steel wool and apply WD-40.
2. Replace broken handles on shovels and rakes.
3. Sharpen blades on pruners and also the lawnmower.
4. Schedule the spring tune-up for the lawnmower. You'll want it to be ready to roll and not waiting in line when it's time for the first mow of the season.
5. Schedule spring lawn aeration and sprinkler system activation now, as schedules fill up quickly.

Resist the urge to plant too early. Colorado could still see a freeze in the next eight weeks, so be patient in order to give your new plants the best chance at thriving in your landscape.
 

Our professionals are here for you

Let our landscape professionals help get your yard ready for spring. From seasonal displays to yard clean ups, contact us today to get started.

Soil...

1. Acts like a sponge, soaking up rainwater and limiting runoff. It also helps with groundwater recharge and controlling rainwater runoff in urban environments.
2. Acts like a faucet, storing and releasing water and air for plants and animals to use.
3. Acts like a supermarket, providing valuable nutrients, air, and water to plants. Soil also stores carbon and prevents it from being lost into the atmosphere.
4. Acts like a strainer or filter, purifying the water and air that flows through it.
5. Detoxifies and traps pollutants, such as oil, pesticides, herbicides, and heavy metals, keeping them from entering groundwater supplies. It also stores nutrients for your plants

Much of Colorado’s soil is heavy clay and can be alkaline. To support the trees, shrubs, and other plants we enjoy in our urban landscapes, our soil may need some help. You can’t change the temperature, wind, or dry air we see in our state, but you can amend the soil to make it more hospitable to plant life. 

Our professionals are here for you

1. American Rubber Plant

Common Names: Pepper Face, Baby Rubber Plant

Fun Fact: There are more than 1,000 species of this plant!

2. Spider Plant

Common Names: Ribbon plant, Anthericum, Spider Ivy

Fun Fact: Grows 60 cm tall. Removes formaldehyde, xylene and toluene from the air.

3. Cast Iron Plant

Common Names: Cast Iron Plant, Bar-room Plant

Fun Fact: Native to Japan and Taiwan.

4. Christmas Cactus

Common names: Easter Cactus, Holiday Cactus

Fun Fact: Native to Brazil and blooms in December, thus its name—Christmas Cactus.

5. African Violet

Common Names: Cape Marigold

Fun Fact: There are approximately 20 species and thousands of hybrids.

6. Phalaenopsis Orchid

Common Names: Moth Orchid, Moon Orchid, Butterfly Orchid, Phals

Fun Fact: Flowers can last three months or longer from one blub. There are over 50 species and hundreds of hybrids.

7. Boston Fern

Common Names: Boston Fern, Sword Fern

Fun Fact: Fronds grow approximately three feet tall.

8. Donkey’s Tail (Succulent)

Common Names: Horse’s Tail, Burro’s Tail, Lamb’s Tail

Fun Fact: Native to south Mexico. Donkey’s tail is a blooming plant but rarely blooms indoors.

9. Gerbera Daisy

Common Names: Transvaal Daisy, African Daisy, Veldt Daisy, Gerber Daisy

Fun Fact: They can grow 24 inches tall. If they are grown indoors, they can bloom any time of year and blooms can last four to six weeks.

10. Blue Echeveria (succulent)

Common Names: Maroon Chenille, Painted Lady, Copper Rose, Wax Rosette, Plush Plant, Hen and Chicks 

Fun Fact: They can grow up to 8 inches tall. In summer, this plant blooms small bell-shaped flowers that are orange, yellow and pink. Blooming can last for several weeks.

11. Parlor Palm

Common Names: Miniature Fish Tail Dwarf Palm, Good Luck Palm, Bamboo Palm

Fun Fact: Even with sunlight, the parlor palm is a slow grower, often taking years to reach its full height of three to four feet tall.

About the project

Committing to Sustainability

Tips for pruning your trees

Ideally, try to prune your trees when they have gone dormant. Pruning shade trees helps them better handle the snowfall and strong winds of winter storms—especially if you have dead or damaged branches hanging around from previous storms. Take care of them before they become a hazard to people or property.

Once your trees have gone dormant, it’s a good time to prune suckers and water sprouts. For branches that you can’t easily reach from the ground, ask for help. If you don't have proper safety gear to protect yourself or can't prune while standing with both feet on the ground, it's time to call in a pro. Tree pros have the equipment and the expertise to do the job properly.

One exception: Do not prune any spring-flowering trees, shrubs, or perennials just yet—late winter or early spring is best for plants like fruit trees or lilacs.
 

Care for your trees through winter

Keep in mind that you are preparing your trees for winter, but that doesn’t mean you can completely stop caring for them when the cold sets in. They still need moisture. If the temperatures are above freezing, you can—and should—safely water your trees and shrubs.

Pictured: All the legal H2B visa employees that have received or are going through the process to become legal U.S. permanent residents.

72.

This is the number of our legal H2B visa employees that are going through the process to become a legal U.S. permanent resident through the Designscapes Colorado "STEP UP" Program. Established in 2018, Designscapes Colorado's "Step Up" program is designed to progress the futures for some of our valued leaders in our company. In alignment with one of our core values to "Build and Shape a Better Future", the program helps some of our legal H-2B visa employees become legal U.S. permanent residents. Since the program started, 12 employees have received residency and 4 are in the process of sponsoring their families to come to the United States. 

1. Pedro Lozano Lozano
2. Pedro Soto Padilla
3. Marco Antonio Soto Padilla
4. Delfino Chagoya Mendez
5. Diego Olivares Cruz
6. Raul Flores Rocha
7. Jose Isidro Flores Rocha
8. Juan Alonso Garcia Garcia
9. Luis Alberto Mendez Leon
10. Miguel Angel Mazon Diaz

Pictured: The ten employees selected for this year's "STEP UP" program.

This fall's mild temperatures gives us an opportunity to plant now for a beautiful landscape next year. It's a good time to get bulbs into the ground for spring color.

• Select locations that are well drained and get plenty of sun.
• Plant the bulbs as soon as possible after you buy them.
• Group bulbs by bloom time, ideally in groups of seven or more bulbs. When bulbs bloom as a group, they will have a greater visual impact than if planted separately or in a row.
• You can plant bulbs one at a time with a special bulb tool or spade, but a more efficient practice is to dig a hole or trench large enough for each group of bulbs. Dig the hole 3x deeper than the bulb height.
• Place bulbs in the hole, spacing bulbs about twice their width from the next bulb.
• Place the tops (pointed ends)up. If you can't tell top from bottom, place bulbs on their sides and the shoots will naturally grow up and the roots will grow down. Once all the bulbs are in place, re-rill the hole with the soil or cover your trench.
• Fertilize according to the labels directions with a product high in phosphorous - a super phosphate.
• When planting hyacinths, wear gloves as touching them with bare skin sometimes causes a rash.
• After planting, top dress the beds with shredded wood mulch or a layer of mulched leaves.

• Leaves
• Grass clippings
• Straw
• Plant debris

• Any plants which are diseased, such as plants with powdery mildew
• Large pumpkins and squash vines, which may take too long to decompose in your backyard compost
• Weeds that have gone to seed
• Pet waste

• Mulch - Spreading a layer of compost can help your garden or landscape retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Soil amendment - Colorado's dry, clay soil benefits from adding compost. It helps the soil retain moisture and improves air flow.

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) - This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant flower features colorful blooms that pollinators love.
• VERMILION BLUFFS Mexican Sage (Salvia darcyi 'Pscarl') - This North American native features red flowers that attract hummingbirds. 
•  Engelmann's Daisy (Engelmannia peristencia) - These bright yellow daisies are tough perennials that can adapt to most conditions - just don't put them in a very shady spot.

This heat wave in the 90-degree range looks like it will be with us for at least another week and many are concerned about what this means for their lawns. Some are showing signs of stress and some are turning brown. What's the best coping strategy?

If the lawn starts to look brown or seems stressed, the first reaction is to water more. But there are good reasons NOT to turn up the water until you check what's going on with the lawn. There are fungus problems right now that can turn your lawn brown - almost overnight. And if you crank up the water, you'll only make it worse.

1. Before you increase watering times, do the screwdriver test to make sure the soil really is dry.

Push a screwdriver into the soil and if it goes easily into the soil, don't water more now. Let the soil dry out a little and water again. Water-logged soil can damage the lawn more than letting it get too dry.

2. If you have patches of brown or stressed lawn, again begin with the screwdriver test to make sure soil is dry.

If it is, you may have a sprinkler problem that's keeping water from reaching that area. Don't make your whole sprinkler system run longer just for a few brown spots.

3. Instead turn on your sprinkler system during the daytime to see what is going on.

The problem could be as simple as the sprinkler shooting in the wrong direction! Hot weather also shows up the weak areas of our sprinkler systems, and sometimes a little hand watering of stressed areas is all you need to do.

4. Are there ways to know the lawn is stressed and needs water before it turns brown?

When lawns begin to stress, the color turns blueish-gray before it looks like straw. When you walk across it and can see footprints 30 minutes later, it's stressed.

5. Avoid just increasing the watering time on the timer.

Instead, set your sprinklers to run one time - and then set them to run a second time a bit later. It's called cycle and soak - and that gives the water time to soak into the soil between watering times.

6. When temperatures cool again, be sure to cut back on the watering times - running shorter amounts of time or just 1 cycle.

Reminders:

• Water between 10 pm and 6 am to lose less water to evaporation and to avoid fungus problems.
• Mow the lawn a little higher. If you mow at 3 inches or a bit higher, the grass blades will shade the soil to retain moisture and reduce heat stress.
• Don't over water - EVER. Water deeply and infrequently using the cycle and soak method.

Make sure the sprinkler system is in top working order. Making simple adjustments and quick repairs will make a big difference in your lawn looks. 

Please email our team at info@designscapes.org to receive more information on how we can eliminate brown spots from your lawn. 

• Deliver consistent moisture to plants.
• Save you time.
• Lose less water to wind or evaporation because it puts the water directly at the root zone.
• Reduce runoff - saving water and money.

• Penstemon and salvia for hummingbirds
• Echinacea (coneflower) for birds and butterflies
• Chokecherry for ants, bees and flies
• Sunflowers for bees

• Water between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM to reduce water evaporation and to avoid fungus growth. 
• Mow the lawn a little higher. If you mow at three inches or a bit higher, the grass blades will shade the soil to retain moisture and reduce heat stress.

5 tips to start your garden off right:

1. Choose Wisely - Know how many plants you can grow in the spaces you have. Avoid the temptation to over purchase.
2. Count the Days - Make sure plants have time to grow to maturity. Seed packets tell the number of days until harvest. If you plant later than recommended, buy varieties with fewer days until harvest.
3. Nourish the soil and plants - Growing plants -- especially vegetables -- have big appetites and need nourishment from the soil. Apply slow-release fertilizer during the growing season per label guidelines. 
4. Plant in sunny areas - Veggies and herbs love sunshine. Shaded areas will be less productive.
5. Space plants by their needs - An over-crowded garden is less productive. Rely on seed packet info for proper spacing between seeds when planting. Leafy greens can grow more closely together, but tomatoes and other large plants need space for air circulation and to keep them from being shaded by nearby plants.

1. If there is a good spring rain every 7-10 days, don't water.
2. As the days are get warmer and if especially, if there is wind, increase water to about every 5 to 7 days.
3. If there is no precipitation, it is okay to water. Test the soil moisture first by probing the lawn with a screwdriver. If it is hard to push the screwdriver into the soil, that indicates it's time to water. **Exception: Pay special attention to south-facing slopes which take a beating from the sun and can have winter kill. Check these areas frequently and water them when they become dry.
4. Cycle and soak Watering all at once creates run-off -- wasted water your lawn won't get to use. Instead, break the watering time into three intervals so that the water runs for about 5 minutes and then take a break. This break gives the water time to soak into the soil.

• Planting a native tree supports native birds and other wildlife.
• During one year, a mature tree will absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen in exchange.
• According to the US Forest Service, homes with street trees in Portland, Oregon sold for $7,130 more, on average, and 1.7 days more quickly.
• Trees and shrubs planted for windbreaks can cut fuel consumption by an average 40%, according to the US Department of Energy.

• Client meetings may utilize video conferencing (i.e. Facetime or Messenger)
• We can scan our landscape design plans and estimates and email them and schedule a phone/video conference to present our ideas. 
• On-site meetings will be held outside, and we will follow the recommended six feet of social distancing.

Our Commercial Construction Team and the City of Greenwood Village will give Belleview Avenue's Medians a 21st century makeover.

• Lawn and Garden Care
• Semi-annual Yard Cleanup
• Annuals and Perennials
• Pots and Planters
• Architectural Landscape Lighting
• Irrigation Maintenance
• Landscape Renovations

• Blade sharpening for tools and mowers
• Mower tune-up
• Lawn aeration 
• Sprinkler system activation 
• Clean up of leaves and debris
• Add compost to your veggie garden

• Rental rates are 7 % higher for commercial offices that have a high quality landscape.
• Large street trees add a 3% to 15% value to a home and continue to appreciate in value over time. 
• A mature tree can often have an appraised value between $1,000 and $10,000 according to the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers.

•  An all-inclusive playground and nature playground (Natureplay)
• Labyrinth for reflection and exercise
• ADA-accessible features such as sidewalk ramps and picnic tables
• Sheltered picnic areas with electricity
• Raised landscape beds for educational youth programs
• Native landscaping and entryway plaza
• Restrooms

Gardening in Colorado is a tough job.

We can’t plant until mid-May due to frost, plants may be hailed out in June and it could snow in September. Still, we plant, water, weed and hold out to savor the early spring lettuce and that first ripe tomato! Now that we’ve turned the corner into 2020, we are in the countdown to planting time. Even on a snowy day in February, we can prepare to garden.

Here are some strategic moves to do so:

#1 – Plan and rotate.
If you drew a map of where veggies were planted last year, adjust this year’s planting plan to provide for crop rotation. Placing tomatoes and other annual veggies in different locations helps curb insect and disease problems that may linger in the soil.

Tip: Did you know that rotating annual flowers is a key to thriving petunias and other flowers? If you would like a new variety of hot pink flowers in the same place, plant geraniums where you had hot pink petunias last year.

#2 -- Order seeds soon.
Popular varieties and new introductions sell out fast. It's not too soon to get online and place your order. For most home gardens, one or two seed packets per variety are enough for the season. Buy more for early spring crops you will replant at the end of the season for harvesting in the fall. These include leafy greens, radishes, bok choy, carrots, beets, and peas.

#3 -- Clean-up and compost.
If debris still lingers in the garden from last growing season, do the clean-up. In spite of cold temps, that debris can still harbor insects and diseases you won't want to deal with when plants start to grow.

Compost does not provide nutrients for the soil, but it develops soil quality by improving its capacity to hold on to water and nutrients. It is a key ingredient to establish a healthy, low-water lawn and for all the other plants in your landscape. 

Buy 1 cubic yard of compost per 100 square feet of area. When you shop for compost, look for one that is well aged, low in salt and has little or no fillers.
 

Keep counting the days – spring will be here before you know it!

And as we count down, now is the perfect time to schedule a landscape consultation with one of our landscape designers so you are ready to enjoy your yard at seasons change.

Even in the cold, snow and dreariness of January, there’s actually a lot of seasonal color and interest to capture the eye outside. It may not be in your yard – but it could be!

Take time to look around when you’re outside walking the dog or driving. Pay attention to what draws your eye in neighbors’ or a parks landscape. The colors of winter are subtle – but there are other aspects to enjoy that you won’t see in July when the petunias are in your face.

Winter gives unusual textures against the backdrop of snow. It also offers movement and shape. Even if you don’t know the plants you’re looking at, take pics with your phone of what you like best. You can ID the plants later with a pro – and make them your wish list for what you’ll plant later this year.

3 ways to bring home texture, color and movement

1.) Which colors catch your eye? There’s the standard green of evergreen pine and spruce trees and many low-growing juniper. Other shades of green show up in broadleaf evergreens like Euonymus and ground covers such as Tanacetum. You will need to look hard for bright colors, but they will show up in red berries of hawthorn trees or bare stems of yellow and red dogwood against the snow. Photograph what you like that’s not in your yard now.

2.) Look for unusual shapes and textures. Details like the bark on trees are overlooked during the growing season. Notice the exfoliating bark of river birch. Shrubs like St. John’s wort offer color and texture when dried leaves and seeds cling to colorful stems. Even small dried pods of Echinacea plants add texture in the winter garden and food for wildlife foragers.

Without their leaves, some trees like the Kentucky coffeetree transform into a craggy silhouette. They are Mother Nature’s sculpture seen only in winter. Snap a pic of what appeals to you.

3.) Create movement. In the gusty winds of winter, tall ornamental grasses offer interest through movement – especially when grouped in large clumps. Pampas, maiden, feather reed and native bluestem grasses are good choices to add motion to the landscape. Shoot a video on a breezy day so you can add similar sway in your yard.

The winter-scape will never be as eye-popping as a sea of pink petunias, but it’s not supposed to be. Winter is nature’s season of rest and rejuvenation and its beauty echoes all that’s quiet and subtle.

Look around to see what will make your winter yard better, then, lets tackle this spring planting project together. 

1. It will give you plenty of time to work through the design with your landscape designer or landscape architect.
2. Designers' and architects' workloads and schedules are more flexible during this time.
3. Saves money and time.
4. Greater availability of stock.
5. You'll enjoy the process (You won't have to fight mall crowds).
6. Start the installation process sooner.

Photo: Principal of Escalante-Biggs Academy speaking at the Ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Partnering with Flow Design and Denver Public Schools, on Friday, October 25th, our Commercial Construction Team celebrated the grand opening of the play field they installed at Escalante-Biggs Academy. The goal of the bond project was to renovate an existing native seed area on the north side of the school into a new Early Childhood Education (ECE) mixed-use area. The play field is a safe place for students to exercise as it features a large turf area, shade shelter and picnic tables for students to retreat to take a breather. . 


Photo: Students at Escalante-Biggs Academy eagerly wait to enter the new play field.

Students of the academy were excited to break in the play field with their family, teachers and other community members. Denver Public Schools Board Representative, Jennifer Bacon also joined the grand opening.


Photo: The new play field at Escalante-Biggs Academy.

The October 2019 edition of Landscape Management featured our owner, Phil Steinhauer, as he discussed the evolution of our systems that have increased our overall efficiency. It includes implementing an award-winning in-house safety video program custom to our equipment and employees, hiring a fleet manager who will acquire and dispose of equipment and vehicles, and altering the residential bidding template. 

"As our business has grown, we have had to change the way we do things and evolve with those changing conditions," says Phil. "I think it is very important as an owner to keep one foot in the field and one in the office. It's important in understanding our industry and to stay involved with all areas of your business."

Read more about our feature in "Efficient and Proficient" in the October issue of Landscape Management.

Landscape Management shares a comprehensive mix of content designed to stimulate growth and take their readers to their next level. 

Fall has officially arrived.  While the forecast still shows several nice days ahead, that first plant-startling night of frost is here. If you love your heirloom tomatoes, tender veggies, petunias, and other summer annuals, you won’t want to lose them to the first frost because you weren’t prepared to protect them. It is also necessary to unhook your garden hoses and quick drain your irrigation systems backflow preventer to prevent pipe freeze.

What can I do to prepare for the frost?

1. Quick drain that backflow preventer.
The backflow preventer runs water from the inside of your home to supply water to the irrigation system and prevents contaminants from entering the homes main water supply. If this is not drained in a frost, the pipes could freeze and burst flooding, your home and contaminating your main water supply. Tune into the video below for a step-by-step guide to drain the backflow preventer.














2. Enjoy your annuals longer. Cover them up or bring them inside.
Plants that will survive frost include seasonal fall color flowers such as pansies, mums and asters.  They can take the frost and sometimes a freeze. Hardy veggies on the frost-hardy list include root crops such as carrots as well as hardy leafy greens such as kale, spinach, winter squash, cabbage, broccoli, chard and collard greens.  Pumpkins themselves will be fine until a freeze, but the leaves won’t survive a frost and that also applies to winter squash.

Most everything else out in the garden will need frost protection. If you still have containers with petunias and other summer annuals, they won’t survive and need to be covered if you want to enjoy them a little longer. All the tender veggies – tomatoes, peppers, tender greens and annual herbs – also need to be covered.













When protecting plants from frost, the goal is to hold onto the heat in the soil that was generated during the daytime.  The first step is to cover plants to retain warmth in the soil.  Do NOT use plastic – as plastic conducts cold into the plants and they will freeze where the plastic touches them.   Use special frost/freeze protection blankets from the garden center or use household fabric items you already have on hand such as sheets and blankets.  Large beach towels work well for covering containers. Place coverings low over the ground and spreading. Plants that already have cages around them can support the fabric, but if there is no support, another useful item is staking material that will hold fabric above plants so they are not bent or crushed from its weight.

3. Unhook and drain garden hoses.
Water left in garden hoses can freeze and damage its interior walls. Disconnect the hose from its faucet and tip the hose so the water drains out.

Once overnight temperatures warm back up, you may run your irrigation system, hook up the garden hose and strip away the fabric from any plants you have covered.

Plant a perennial once and that same plant can beautify your landscape year after year. Perennials provide great value because, unlike annuals, you need only to purchase and plant them once. They should return to bloom again many years, getting larger and more striking as they grow.

2. They can save water.

Once established, low-water perennials can help reduce the amount of water needed to maintain non-stop outdoor color. Look for drought -tolerant Plant Select perennials, developed by Colorado State University with Denver Botanic Gardens to thrive in Colorado's unique conditions.

3. They grow a family.

Many perennials can spread, filling in bare spaces in your landscape and helping to crowd out weeds. They may even outgrow their space after a few seasons. If that happens, divide the plant into two or three, and plant the thinned-out plant in another area of your yard. Now is a great time to divide any crowded perennials like ornamental grasses, Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) and Daises.

Planting now gives your perennials a head start on the next growing season. Make a planting plan so that you stagger plants according to their blooming times. That can provide a longer sequence of blooms in your yard, with color from early spring into the fall. 

Need help planning and installing your perennials for the fall? Email us to help get you get started. 

1. Alberto Marquez Limon
2. Juan Carlos Viurquez Estrada
3. Jose Juan Flores Ramirez
4. Mauro Santos Cervantes Solorzano
5. Miguel Angel Vargas Garcia
6. Serafin Cervantes Solorzano

1. Apply a final application of fertilizer. Using the same fertilizer formulation you used earlier this season is fine. If you need to buy more fertilizer, look for one high in nitrogen and potassium which are good for healthy roots.
2. Core aerate the lawn before winterizing the sprinkler system. Aeration pulls plugs of soil and sod out of the lawn and these holes open the soil so that roots can take in maximum moisture during the winter.
3. Zap weeds. Here's your last chance this year to get after weeds. The weeds you eliminate this fall are weeds you won't see at the start of next season.
4. Get expert help if you have had fungus or other turf disease or insect problems this summer. 
5. Adjust the sprinkler timer to water less. Daylight hours are growing shorter, overnight temperatures are getting cooler and day-time temps will become more moderate. The combination of these three factors means your landscape will be needing less and less water as we move into fall. Don't stop watering, but do adjust watering frequency and length. Make changes according to the temperature -- not by the date. Keep in mind that if you add any new plants this fall, those will be the exception as they are still becoming established.

• Keep seeds and seedlings evenly moist until the plants are a few weeks old.
• Adjust your sprinkler system to water seeded areas evenly. 
• Schedule watering times carefully to avoid over- or under-watering new seeds.
• Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer very other week.
• Apply a layer of well-seasoned compost to nurture the soil.

• Spring flowering bulbs like daffodils or tubers like dahlias and irises.
• Grapes, peach stones, and apple seeds.
• Chrysanthemums, clematis, and horse chestnut tree.

1. Some herbs can be dried.
   • Cut a bundle of stems.
   • Gently wash and dry them.
   • Tie them together (not too tightly -- make sure air can flow through).
   • Hang them upside down for them to dry out of direct sunlight.
   • After a few weeks, they should be dry and ready to store in an airtight container.
2. Freezing herbs is also an option.
   • Chop herbs.
   • Put them into ice cube trays with some water.
   • Once frozen, transfer the cubes to an airtight container.
   • When you need a little flavor in a soup or sauce, you can simply pop a cube or two into your recipe.

Harvest seeds from this year's garden for next year's crop.

1. Slice through the equator of the seed -- remove seeds and as much gel surrounding them as you can. It will ferment and remove the hormone that prevents germination. 
2. Use back of the spoon to separate mass -- cover seeds with 1-2 inches of water and plastic wrap over the top with a slit in it. Store in a warm place a couple days. Wait for scum to form on top of the water. 
3. Remove/dispose of floating seeds.
4. Empty seeds into sieve and was with water.
5. Dry seeds. Place them on a plate for about three weeks.
6. Store dried seeds. Stick them in a paper packet until you are ready to plant next summer's tomatoes.

• Was the failing plant a shade plant in too much sun - or a sun-lover placed in the shade?
• Did you plant a lower-water plant next to a thirsty one? Plants with mismatched water needs can cause one of them to fail.