Landscaping Predictability at Ocean Reef Club

We often talk about the seven steps to a healthy property. These steps include:

·      Quality regular maintenance (either weekly or biweekly)

·      Properly working irrigation system

·      Summer heavy pruning

·      Quarterly granular fertilization

·      Pest, fungus and minor elements of nutrition treatments as needed

·      High tree work to keep trees healthy and shaped

·      Periodic reinvestment in new landscape material (budgeted amount)

More and more frequently, we are getting requests to submit an annual plan to cover all these areas.  This way, a customer can predict their annual cost and sometimes even write one check. We can help you predict, plan and budget for these expenses.

Recent proposals range from $4,500.00 to 15,000.00 a year depending on the complexities of the landscaping and the level of desire for beauty. These proposals include quarterly budgets for replacement plants at the discretion of the landscape manager. They also include one price for granular fertilization, pest and fungal control along with minor elements of liquid or additional granular. Lastly, monthly preventative checks on the irrigation, a common area cleaning and trimming of pool patio plants.

Storm clean ups or major renovations are the only things we cannot predict. A professional landscaping company can help make managing this easier.

Pool Building Basics for Homeowners

You are not alone in your ambitions to own a home with a beautiful pool. Yet, you can set yourself apart by retaining knowledge of what it actually takes to achieve this dream. This guide will educate you on what it takes to build a pool and the questions you should ask a builder. The more you can verbalize what you are looking for, the easier it will be for everyone involved in the building process. Furthermore, it is also important that you understand the process that takes place during the construction phase to eliminate unexpected surprises.

What kind of pool do I want and what is my budget?

We do not recommend a fiberglass or vinyl pool in South Florida due to quality, weather and draining issues. Therefore, your only option is an in ground concrete pool if you want to build it properly. On average, a basic in ground concrete pool normally ranges from $25,000-$40,000. Options are endless and if a basic pool is not what you are looking for, you can easily spend upwards of $80,000. Some pools cost a total of $200,000 if you are overly creative.

What are the city and county set back requirements?

This is important to learn early especially if you are looking to buy a house without a pool and plan on installing one. Consult a pool contractor, research these requirements online or call the county office. Do not settle for anyone that says, “I think” or “I heard” because every inch counts. Pool contractors should visit the yard and take measurements before they give you a price. You can always apply for a variance if it is marginal but these may take a long time to be approved if they are approved at all. As an example, on a full sized lot, these are typical requirements: 75 feet from the front street, 20 feet from the side street, 10 feet from the neighbor’s property line and 7 ½ from the rear of the property. They are different on a “zero-lot-line” yard.

What will be the size of the pool?

The smallest we recommend for a pool is 12ft x 22ft pool but standard size is about 15 x 30. This all depends on how much space you have and how you will be using the pool. For instance, if you would want to swim laps in the pool or have children who love to swim, a larger pool would be preferred. If you want to entertain guests and need more patio space, a smaller pool would work better. The larger the pool, the more expensive it will be to build due to concrete, labor, materials, excavation, etc. Each foot is roughly $900 more.

What is the shape of the pool?

This is where creativity comes into play. There are many pools in the Florida Keys that have a “three-circle” or “kidney shaped”. This all has to do with the location of the house and sometimes the architecture of the house. A square pool is simple and works well with thinner properties with limited space. Square pools are also better to swim laps if you want to exercise. The shape of the pool should not significantly affect the price unless a designer is needed for something more complex.

What will be the depth of the pool?

The recommended depth of the pool is 5ft to 5 ½ft. Unless you have another reason for a deep pool, there is no need for anything over 5 ½ feet because it is unusable (people can’t stand). The deeper the pool, the more expensive it can get due to “dewatering” during the construction phase along with the labor, concrete and steel.

What features do you want?

There are unlimited amounts of features you can add to make the pool more appealing. For instance, you can add a water feature to hear the constant flow of water or to enhance the visual effect of the pool (this can look interesting at night with proper lights). Here are some other features:

• Sun ledge w/ umbrella
• Beach entry
• Rock structure
• Wet edge or an infinity edge
• Unique lighting – LED, SAM (add colors)
• Fire pot

What finish or surface do you want?

A finish can certainly add that extra beautification element to a pool. The standard finish is DiamondBrite, which can look excellent but will need to be re-finished after it fades or gets spotty. We typically refinish or acid wash a DiamondBrite pool after about six years. Another option is a pebble finish. This can add a great look to a lagoon style pool and shimmers in the sunlight. Lastly, but most expensive is a tile finish which can look the most elegant depending on the tile selection. Typically, a full tile finish will cost roughly the same amount in tile and installation as the rest of the pool.

What kind of pool equipment do I need?

All pools need a filter and a pump. Besides that, you can choose to add a heater, a chiller, a chlorine generator, advanced control systems and unique lights. Cost for some of this equipment:

• Heaters and Heat Pumps: $1,500 – $4,500
• Chlorine Generators: $500 – $1,200
• Control Systems: $200 - $1,200
• Lights: $70 - $600 per light

How do I find a contractor?

The best way to find a contractor would be though a referral by a friend, neighbor or family member. You can also look online for any local pool companies or call trade associations such as Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA). Make sure the contractor has adequate credentials, licenses, experience and insurance coverage.

What does the construction process entail?

1. The Design Phase – most of the questions in this guide pertain to this phase
2. Permitting Phase – your pool contractor should provide engineered drawings to an expediter who uses the drawings to get approval from the city / county – this process can take between one and fourteen days depending on the location
3. Excavation & Form Phase – excavate the hole and form the pool with wood forms using the engineered drawings
4. Steel Phase - place the rebar according to the engineering
5. Plumbing Phase - place pipe for the water and the electrical to the pool, pressurize & inspect
6. Shot-crete or Gunite Phase – concrete is placed and shaped using high pressure air to the steel reinforcement
7. Curing Phase – about five days of curing as water is applied to the shell to slow down the cure making the shell stronger
8. Coping Phase - start installing the coping, tile, and any water-features that might be included in your design
9. Equipment Set Phase - install all of the pool equipment including: pumps, filters, lighting, salt systems, electronics, and heaters
10. Finish and Fill Phase - apply DiamondBrite, pebble or tile finish - water is placed in the pool

Ganoderma Butt Rot - Palm Tree Disease

It’s crazy to see a palm tree look great one day, then, within a couple of days, look horrible! According to Quality Tree & Shrub Seeds, “Ganoderma butt rot is a relatively new and lethal disease of Florida palm trees. It is caused by a fungus, Ganoderma Zonatum, which invades the base or butt of palm trees up to a height of three to four feet above the ground.” This is a fast spreading disease in Florida and needs to be addressed immediately so it does not spread to other palms. There is no telling whether certain palms are resistant to the disease at this time.

You can notice this disease forming on your palm trees by seeing a spongy, “whitish mushroom-like growth which grows to form a horizontal disc extending out from the bark”. These funguses are usually at the bottom of the tree. Unfortunately, the tree needs to be removed. Do not chip this section and use for mulch. The diseased section should be placed in a legal landfill or incinerated

Don’t let this disease spread throughout your property so please inspect your trees yourself or have a professional landscaper do it for you. If there are any signs, remove the palm immediately.

Other than seeing the growth at the bottom of the tree, there is no way to predict or determine which palms will be or are currently infected. Unfortunately, due to these facts, there is no way to use fungicides to control the disease. Therefore, there are no fungicide recommendations for this disease.

Annual Pool Equipment & Safety Check

Owning and maintaining a swimming pool and spa means staying relevant. In this case, relevant can be defined as maintaining a certain level of education about new equipment and safety issues. It can also mean doing what it takes ‘time wise’ and monetarily to keep the pool / spa operational.

Similar to a car, a pool / spa needs attention to ensure quality performance and longevity. In addition to weekly service (for a car this would be getting gas and washing), a pool also needs annual check-ups (for a car this would be inspections and oil changes). We strongly advise all of our customers to have a certified pool mechanic do an annual equipment and safety check typically before the start of the season. These annual equipment and safety check include some of the following: 

• Ensure all main drains, suction fittings and jets are present, safe and functional
• Make sure ladder bumpers are secured and the skimmer has a deck lid
• Check filters thoroughly (change gaskets, psi gauges, change / clean cartridge, change DE, inspect grid, etc.
• Label all valves including the skimmer, main drain and shut off
• Check heat pump and gas heaters thoroughly (temperature settings and refrigerant levels, inspect and clean heat exchanger, clean and lube terminals, remove, inspect and clean burner tray, clean and oil interior, clean condensation drip, check and change indicator lights, etc.) 
• Communicate all intricacies to weekly cleaner

Essentially, this annual checkup will allow the homeowner to feel more content knowing that their pool meets code and will operate to its best ability. The lifespan for pool equipment (heaters, motors, filters, etc.) depends on various factors but will usually last between three and ten years. We have certain brands that we recommend which have warranties, last longer and work better.

Take care of your pool and your pool will be operational, safe and clean for your swimming enjoyment!     

Recent Influx of Mosquitoes in Key Largo

Mosquitoes and the wet season coincide with one another so it is expected that from May to the end of October, the mosquito population will be high. Yet, in my twelve years of living in the Florida Keys, I have never been as annoyed by mosquitos as I have been this past week. Anywhere and at any time of the day, mosquitos have been swarming since Monday June 20th.

There are many reasons for this including the recent drought conditions that have concentrated the mosquitos in desolate, protected areas that cannot be treated. Combine that with a small amount of much needed rain that fell on Sunday night in Key Largo and…….voila - the mosquitos began migrating (they can travel up to 30 miles) from these protected areas. Consequently, Monday was complete mayhem as the mosquitos made spending time outside absolutely miserable. “There has never been a year on record that has brewed such conditions” says a biologist who works for the Florida Keys Mosquito control district.

There are 45 different species of mosquitos in the Florida Keys. Mosquitos kill more men and women in the United States than any other creature with over one million deaths a year. They transmit diseases such as Encephalitis, West Nile Virus and Dengue making the job of the control district extremely important. Although scary, it is not something to worry about; it is something to be cognizant of. Prevention is the best medicine! Therefore, the district recommends the following:

1. Drill holes in the bottom, not the sides, of any garbage or recycling containers stored outdoors to reduce water accumulation in the bottom for mosquitoes to breed.
2. Keep gutters clean and unclogged. Be sure your downspouts drain properly, without leaving puddles in the drainage area. You may need to reroute your downspouts or add extensions to carry water away. 
3. Keep swimming pools cleaned and chlorinated, even when not in use. Homeowners who go on vacation without chlorinating their pools may return to a veritable mosquito hatchery.
4. Walk your property after a rain, and look for areas in the landscape that are not draining well. If you find puddles that remain for four or more days, regrade the area.
5. Ornamental ponds should be aerated to keep water moving and discourage mosquitoes from laying eggs. Alternately, stock the pond with mosquito-eating fish.
6. Dump anything that holds water twice per week if it has rained. Birdbaths, non-chlorinated wading pools, footbaths, garbage can lids, and pottery will all attract breeding mosquitoes. Remember to empty the saucers under your flower pots, and don't leave water in pet bowls for more than two days.
7. Keep your property clean of items that can hold water, including discarded aluminum cans and tires.
8. Make your yard less hospitable to mosquitoes by mowing your lawn regularly, and keep weeds away from your home's foundation.

Lastly, just so you know, the Mosquito Control Board has the right to go onto your property if they suspect it has mosquitoes that are carrying diseases.

Reef Tropical can help you keep the mosquitos away from your property, please let us know if you would like one of our experts to come out to your property and do mosquito prevention.

Still Dry in Key Largo - Save your Money, Not your Grass

The average arrival of the rainy season is May 20th and although we got some rain over the weekend, lawns are burning up in Key Largo. Last week I woke up to the faint smell of smoke in Coconut Grove as fires in the everglades from dry conditions, combined with a west wind, bring the reality of Mother Nature. Miami has been getting some rain but Ocean Reef Club is only getting drops. During this time of year, residents and pedestrians can see every area in the lawn with weak irrigation coverage - brown and dying grass. Our hope for an early arrival of heavy rain is fading as we watch the forecast.

As homeowners, it is important to watch the water usage through your irrigation system. Sometimes, five hundred square feet of new sod is cheaper than the water bill if you run enough to compensate for the tail end of the dry season. Subsequently, it is important to learn from the conditions and repair the irrigation if necessary. Also, watch for the rains of summer to arrive and trigger your rain sensor on your irrigation system to reduce your water usage and keep your grass alive. Please call us if you need any advice in any of these areas no matter where you live.

Dry Weather - What to do with landscaping

Finally, we got some rain today in South Florida! We measured over an inch here at Reef Tropical's office in Key Largo. Yeah! We hope to get some more rain soon but that will be unlikely until the rainy season arrives. The average arrival date for the rainy season is May 20th. Unfortunately that means we are in "Server Drought Conditions" here in Monroe County. Other parts of South Florida are in "Extreme Drought Conditions" according to the nation Weather Service. We have not had sufficient rain in many days and are far short of average for consecutive months now. Click here for more info. 

We hit 89 degrees this past week and our impatiens (flowers) and grass are showing the signs of fading in full sun areas and areas of weak irrigation coverage. The Impatiens hate anything near 85 degrees and full sun. We will be recommending removal soon, rather than heavy watering.

Monroe County and surrounding areas are under two day watering restrictions, depending on your (odd or even) address. Ask us for free help to conform your irrigation settings and let the impatiens go away when the fade in the heat of the approaching summer weather.