Drought Hasn't Dampened Landscape Businesses

Despite less-than hearty numbers nationally, area landscapers and their customers seem to be taking the drought in stride.

The American Society of Landscape Architecture (ASLA) Business Quarterly released the results of a survey, which showed business activity softened for landscapers during the second three months of 2012 but the level of billable hours grew only slightly quarter to quarter.

However and Estate Services, two firms located in Muskego, reported that their business has remained steady, and credited much of it to the variety of services they offer.

"I don't exclusively do landscaping, but include other home improvement services, and that has kept us busy this year," said Don Reidy of Estate Services.

Reidy did note that there has been a 20 percent increase in the cost of sod from the beginning of the season until now, but otherwise prices have been steady.

Heather Schuster, co-owner of Terra-Firma, agreed that diversity has been key to their business.

"We also offer hardscaping and patio services and that business has been steady," she said. "In addition, our customers have been willing to commit to the maintenance that new landscaping requires, and many of them are opting to install irrigation services with their landscaping."

Schuster said they often see an uptick in business around Labor Day, as cooler temperatures and increased rainfall helps to water the landscape naturally. In the meantime, she offered these tips for anyone trying to save their investment:

Water slowly, infrequently and deeply: 1" per week from a slow-trickle hose is ideal to allow the water to sink deep into the soil and get to the roots that need it most. Otherwise, plants are 'trained' to keep their roots shallow and are less drought-resistant.

Prioritize: trees are the highest value plantings you have, therefore pay attention to those most. Schuster said if you see water running off from where you have the hose laying, you're running the water too fast.

Don't stress over stressed trees: it's common to see trees defoliating and showing 'autumn color' now, but it may not mean the end of your maple, especially if you've been watering them carefully. "We won't really know for a while how much damage there is until much later, but there can be some serious damage to trees," Schuster said.