The Grass Patch - Leander

The Grass Patch - Leander

Written by Autumn Rhea Carpenter Sunday, 07 May 2006

Landscaping company plans to grow with Leander

Greg Maphet, owner of The Grass Patch, Inc. since 1978, knows that sometimes what is good for one is good for all. When BMW Motors offered to buy him out at his McNeil Rd location in 2000, he knew he couldn’t refuse the price they were offering.

But it wasn’t until the business relocated in December 2004, to its current location on Ronald Reagan Blvd. in Leander that he realized how good it would be for him.

In their new 9-acre facility they have room for all their needs, which includes growing their own sod.

“It’s been a good move,” Maphet said. “Most of our employees live within five to ten minutes from here, taxes are a little lower out here and this is such an area of growth.”

The full service business offers complete landscape installations, fences and gates, hardscapes, xeriscapes, waterless features, turf grass, ponds, and masonry services. By maintaining their own farm, they cut sod daily and sell only the freshest grass.

“Today’s customers are seeking a turn-key operation that can provide all of the services that ensure a beautiful landscape,” Dean Morin, sales manager since 1994, said. “Clients demand more than a pretty yard; they want the comfort of the indoors, in an outdoor environment.”

According to Morin, initial consultations are provided to determine how landscaping will best fit customers’ lifestyles.

“People are very savvy and bring concepts from magazines and other sources,” he said. “Often we expand on those ideas or when a customer lacks direction, our staff provide suggestions.”

“Other questions we ask include the client’s budget, safety concerns, privacy requirements, and time allotted for maintenance,” Morin said. “Each project is customized.”

Since outdoor projects can become costly, some customers have decided to complete them in phases.

“We have had customers who want a $40,000 job but who cannot afford to spend it all at once,” said Morin.

“They have opted to break it up into $15,000 increments, allowing the work to occur slowly, ultimately reaching the finished goal.”

As the summer approaches, water conservation is always discussed. The Grass Patch supports the City of Austin Water Wise program, which controls water waste.

“Landscape is one of the biggest water users in the summer, and with efficient and proper irrigation installation and controller operation, thousands of gallons of water can be conserved,” Morin said.

Tips for maintaining a healthy yard in May:

• Fertilization:
  • Feed all spring-blooming shrubs after they have bloomed. Feed amaryllis after they bloom. Feed and mulch iris. Feed crape myrtle with 1/2 cup per square yard of 3-1-2 ratio fertilizer beneath the branch spread.
• Watering:
  • Water annuals as needed. Mulch all bare soil to retain moisture.
• Pest and Disease:
  • Check for aphids and spider mites. Look for tobacco hornworms and stink bugs, especially in vegetable gardens. Spray blackspot susceptible roses with fungicide every 7-10 days.
• Prune:
  • Prune spring flowering shrubs and trees after they bloom, and climbing roses and other “once bloomers” as soon as they finish flowering. Divide chrysanthemums and pinch tips for bushier growth. Pinch back leggy annuals to encourage branching. Deadhead plants to encourage blooming. Prune frost-damage trees and shrubs.

The Grass Patch, 15841 Ronald W. Reagan Blvd., Leander, TX, 512-259-5188, www.thegrasspatch.com