Landscaping is an art form as much as a strict discipline based on strong practical techniques. After all, while you have a great amount of flexibility over how you cultivate a garden space, be that residentially or commercially, developing the health and sustainability of that area requires strict adherence to proper norms.
This is why a quality landscaper is so valuable, as they have experience practicing that effort in a wide array of environments. On large swathes of land or commercial plots, it takes a broader and more practiced approach to get this right.
As such, landscaping contractors rely on their tools and the products they select for each job. While each will have their favorite and may work out particular deals with given suppliers, some are becoming more popular and proven than others. To simplify that process and suggest some helpful measures, you may consider some of the following listed products:
1. Polymade – Best For Planters & Customization
Polymade has become quite unique among the planter manufacturers circuit, and it relates to their custom solutions for curating the customized options you’re going for. That’s because its process doesn’t rely on molds, which means you can order planters to any shape, size, or curve you need. This is helpful in many ways. For example, if an architect has drawn up something ambitious and you’re stuck trying to find a product that fits, Polymade can build it to the exact dimensions you need.
This also helps because fiberglass and concrete planters are limited by what’s already in production. If you need something outside the usual catalog, before now you’ve been stuck with expensive custom molds and long turnarounds that might be frustrating for a project. Polymade’s approach has managed to remove those limitations, so you’re getting precision-built planters that still work beautifully and fit appropriately into commercial landscaping projects.
The material is also impressive. That’s because their planters use a polyurea shell with an insulated core, which means they’re under 6 pounds per cubic foot. That’s a fraction of what concrete weighs, so you’re saving on shipping and installation while still having a nice aesthetic. You won’t need cranes or large crews to fit them at that weight either, which is good for your labor planning. The shell is flexible also, and rated for temperatures from -30°F to 150°F, so it won’t crack or chip.
Of course, landscapers care about the environment. Luckily, this insulated core also helps with plant health thanks to protecting roots from temperature shock within that system. It helps to reduce plant loss and cuts down on watering needs as a result. There’s a reason that Polymade’s client list includes SpaceX, Four Seasons, and The Ritz – so they’ve proven themselves at the highest level.
2. Belgard – Best For Paver Systems
Belgard has become one of the biggest names in hardscape products, and one of the reasons is because their paver systems are used in commercial projects across the country. This includes brick pavers up to more modern concrete designs, and as such they’ve covered driveways, walkways, patios, and plazas. You may have even walked on some without knowing.
Landscapers like them because of their consistency and availability. You can source Belgard products through most landscaping distributors nationwide, so you’re not waiting weeks for materials and can put in for quite granular orders. Their pavers are also curated to meet ASTM standards for something called “freeze-thaw durability”, which simply means they’ll hold up in most climates, north or south, and where weather would otherwise harm and crack lower-quality products.
Belgard also provides design support and technical help if you need it, which is incredibly important if you’re working with architects with exact requirements, and we all know architects are very fussy about the details (as they should be). Thankfully, Belgard’s color and texture options are broad enough to match most of the designs you’re looking to manage..
3. Toro – Best For Irrigation
Toro has been around for decades to the point where you may have heardof them already, as their commercial irrigation systems are have been known as one of the highest standards for larger commercial plots. Their product list spans from controllers and valves to sprinkler heads and drip irrigation parts, so you can purchase a complete system from one manufacturer if you need to.
The “Lynx control system” has become popular because it lets you manage and monitor everything from afar and through remote tools. That cuts down on site visits to fix issues, which is a major benefit to most landscapers. The system also easily tracks any appropriate weather data, which means you can alter the watering schedules automatically. You’ll save a great deal of water that way, which helps your marketing greatly.
4. SiteOne Landscape Supply – Best For Material Sourcing
SiteOne Landscape Supply mostly works as a distributor of various goods, but their impressive inventory and reach make them a good choice for contractors who need materials and parts for many different managed sites. They stock the bulk materials you’d expect landscapers would need, like soil and mulch, but also products like erosion control systems and decorative stone cut to your requirements.
Their branch network covers the country, so you can source materials locally, and can avoid some of the long shipping times or freight costs you may find when importing. SiteOne also offers account management, which makes ordering and billing much easier across multiple job sites.
5. Hunter Industries – Best For Smart Controllers
Hunter Industries makes irrigation and sprinkler controllers focused on water management and ease of use. Their “Hydrawise” system is cloud-based and lets you manage irrigation schedules remotely, which is helpful for large commercial properties where on-site adjustments aren’t always possible for landscapers, nor do clients want to have to bring people in each time there’s an issue.
The controllers also connect with weather stations and soil moisture sensors, which means you can install watering schedules that change based on the present conditions and sell that to your clients in kind. It should help reduce any waste and allow clients to more easily achieve their sustainability needs.
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These listed services and the products tey offer have built their reputations through solid performance on commercial projects. Polymade stands out because it removes the design constraints most landscapers use on almost all assignments, but all six bring something valuable depending on what your project needs.