Blooming On Kauai

If you’re planning to plant grass on your commercial Kauai property, you know you have several options, including sodding, seeding and hydroseeding. Sod produces instant gratification, but it’s expensive to install and many property owners want an alternative for larger areas because of cost. Seeding the old-fashioned way takes patience and involves using a spreader to distribute seed, then protecting the newly seeded land with hay or another cover material while it germinates and sprouts.

Hydroseeding — also known as hydromulching — is king for planting grass in large spaces because it's efficient, economical and automated. You'll also pay about 75 percent less to hydroseed than to sod. Hydroseeding involves mixing mulch, seed, fertilizer and water in the tank of a hydromulching machine. The slurry is sprayed onto the bare land.

Not sure whether hydroseeding is the best choice for planting grass seed on your Kauai landscape? Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine if this method is a fit for your commercial property.

You might think a xeriscape is landscaping only for the desert and means planting cacti and forgoing green. That’s not entirely true. Then what is xeriscaping, right?

First, you don’t have to live in Phoenix to embrace the idea of low-water use landscaping. Xeriscaping at its core is all about putting the right plant in the right place (that’s our mantra at No Ka Oi). Second, you can have plenty of green in your landscape, including turf, plants and flowers, while adhering to the xeriscape principles.

The coconut palm tree on your Kauai resort is 90 feet tall with a trunk that’s rail thin and full of holes — some large enough to fit your hand. The landscaper who last spiked the tree to prune coconuts warned you that the next time he climbs that tree, it will be to take it down. The question is, how much will it cost to remove a palm tree?

“Mmmmmm! Those flowers smell so good!” When people stop to take notice of the sweet perfume of blooming flowers in your Kauai landscape, they pause for a moment and take in the scent. They breathe in, and out, and maybe even relax a bit. They remember the positive experience, and it happened on your property.

Flowers are so much more than eye candy on a commercial property. They can provide a beautiful, beneficial sensory experience—not to mention that fragrant flowers also attract birds and butterflies that are interesting to watch.

There are plenty of flowers that are attractive but not fragrant. If you want a landscape that makes “scents,” you’ll need to seek out specific varieties.

Looks can be deceiving. What appears to be green and lush can actually be poisonous. We’re talking about plants in Hawaii. Even those that look exotic—they practically lure you in—can actually be harmful even with a single touch.

Just as weeds crop up in unexpected places, poisonous plants can also take root on commercial properties that are not carefully maintained. This becomes a safety issue for visitors, staff and passersby on your property.

We hear this question a lot when we meet property managers for the first time, especially if they have been working with a company that never seems to apply fertilizer. (Perhaps the line item is listed on the contract—but why is the lawn looking so brown?)

As a commercial property owner, you understand the value of keeping your Kauai grounds manicured and looking lush. The beauty of your property attracts visitors, residents and customers, so keeping it properly maintained and in polished condition is smart business. Can you afford to ignore landscape maintenance?

Unfortunately, some property owners on the island will spend years working with a cut-rate landscape contractor that doesn’t deliver quality results. The price is low, but the work is sub-par. They like the cost, but they’re unhappy with the finished product: a declining landscape. Does this sound like you?