Do you have a COVID-19 Plan for your Business?

Staff

The times we are living in are not only new but unexpected. It’s not business as usual. In making plans to continue working during the pandemic outbreak, LasTop Lawn Maintenance & Landscaping, Inc. (LasTop) had to make major changes in the way we do business. Safety is our first priority as a result, we made several adjustments to our COVID-19 plan before arriving at our tentative plan.

Following suggestions from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health organizations and recommendations from my doctor, Dr. Jonathan McGhee, at EssentialMD, LasTop implemented a COVID-19 Plan that provides a level of comfort and safety for employees while working. The CDC is one of the major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services.

We all MUST take safety precautions at all times, as we do not know the totality of the Coronavirus in the United States and worldwide. The CDC offers tips and information for assisting with creating your plan, for business or personal health. Visit them online https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Stay safe. COVID-19 cannot WIN.

Get the Best around the Pool Landscaping

Inspiration 40′ Fiberglass Pool by AquaServ Pool & Spa Inc.

Get the best around the pool landscaping

It is a great idea to get your pool looking its best by making use of around the pool landscaping. This kind of pool landscaping can turn your boring old backyard into the backyard of the stars. You can have a Hollywood looking backyard in n o time if you play your cards right.

A good pool landscaping design will make your pool the focal attraction and bring out so much more in your yard. If your yard is large you can consider adding gorgeous brick walkways to your yard around the pool. This kind of pool landscaping can lead to other parts of the yard as well. You can have a larger grouping of brick  on which you can place your patio furniture, a table and chairs can look fabulous.

Breaking up the brick in the pool landscaping will some patches of greenery is a good touch. These bits of green will breathe life into the whole picture and take out the hard stone look. Brick is a good choice of stone because it is a softer looking stone. The red brick color is warm and inviting it will not leave your yard looking cold and unwelcoming. The green plants will only add to the beauty of the brick as a pool landscaping tool.

You can throw in some landscaping stones around the plants and the edges of the patio. Light colored Stones will add so much to the entire pool landscaping design. Choose small and sharp stones and you have just added a whole other layer of texture tot the landscape and this on its own will make your yard look fabulous.

You can also think about putting in some colorful flowers. If you spend a lot of time by the pool at night add some night blooming flowers as well. This way you will be surrounded by some fabulous blooms and scents all day (and night) long. Combined all of these ideas will make your pool landscaping design the best ever seen.

Start looking into the way to go about this kind of pool landscaping today. Some of it you may be able to do on your own while other aspects you may need some professional help with. Your pool landscaping is going to impress all of your friends when you are done so get started today and it will be done in no time.

We Celebrated my Grandmother’s 106th Birthday!

Our “Grandma Tee,” Wilma C. Factory Phifer Green will be turning 106 years old on February 12, 2020! We are EXTREMELY EXCITED and BLESSED to have her in our lives. She has been a great supporter, inspiration and influencer in our lives.

Wilma Factory Phifer Green was born and reared in Carbon, Oklahoma on February 12, 1914. She was the youngest child born to Nealy and Eva Factory (Factor). Her father, Nealy Factory was one of the two first black US Marshals serving Indian Territory.  He has been noted in Black History books for his assistance with the capture of outlaw Jessie James.

Wilma Green later moved to McAlester, Oklahoma.  She met and married Charles Phifer. The union had three children: Joe “Butch” Phifer (deceased), Everett “Honey” Phifer and Patricia “Pat” Bannister.

She was foster parent and a babysitter of many children in her community. She was a long-time member of Ward Chapel AME Church. While there, she served as Missionary President, served on the Finance Committee, as Board Member and served as a Stewardess.

She was a domestic worker. She loved to cook Sunday Dinner and invite everyone. She rented and operated Edna Rhone’s Cafe. Wilma Green retired from McAlester Naval Base, now known as the McAlester Army Ammunition Base.

Mrs. Green has two daughters-in-law; Gisela Phifer and Lois Phifer, 12 grandchildren, 22 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren and a host of many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends who celebrated near and far, her 106th Birthday.

Wilma is the grandmother of the President of LasTop Lawn Maintenance & Landscaping, Inc. (LasTop), Angela K. Chambers. We see a lot and hear a lot about “Grandma Tee” at LasTop. We are blessed!


A Backyard Fish Pond

Spruce up your backyard with a fish pond.

Water gardens and backyard ponds are for butterflies,
frogs, birds, fish, you, and the whole family. These
ponds may be small, may even be no larger than 3 to 4
feet in diameter. These may be built in patio
containers and barrels. Drawing wildlife in your
backyard may be done by adding water gardens and
ponds. These will not only provide enjoyment and
interest but also a natural and relaxing environment
as well.

A fish pond in your backyard may become the focal
point of your backyard conversation. So spice it up
with this tips and techniques.

Where to Put Up a Backyard Pond

Place your fish pond in a place where you can best
view it from, whether from a deck or the patio. Make
it coincide with the natural surroundings. Do not
place the pond where the sun can overheat it. Nestle
it in a shaded place but not under the trees.

Landscaping

It is best to slightly elevate the soil surrounding
the pond so that excess water will not enter into it.
Plan the drainage system of the pond, making sure that
it draws the water away from your house.

Landscaping the surroundings around your pond will
provide a natural dwelling place for birds and frogs
that need water and land. Make sure that electricity
is available if you plan to use lights, filters, or a
water re-circulating device.

Do not place the pond under the trees to avoid fallen
leaves into the pond. This technique will also provide
less maintenance to the pond. Expose the pond to
sufficient sunlight only since some aquatic plats grow
well in full sun and others do not.

Using Pond Liners

Pond liners are used to keep water from leaking into
the soil. It is almost always necessary for ponds even
if it they are situated in clay soils. Pond liners
come in different shapes and sizes. They even include
built in waterfalls or any design based on your
preferences. They are durable and convenient.

Consider a polyvinyl chloride liner (PVC liner) in
building larger ponds. In determining the size of the
PVC, you have to know the maximum length, width, and
depth of the pond. After which, multiply the maximum
depth by 3. Add the answer to the width and the
length. Now you have enough PVC to securely hold down
the pond edges.

Pond liners come in different thickness as well. The
thicker the pond liner, the more resistant it is to
punctures. Cement may be considered an optional pool
liner. However, it requires more expertise to install
and it may cost more than the regular plastic pond
liner.

However, considering that many ponds are quite small,
other plastics may be used. It may be cheaper but many
may break down easily once prolonged exposure to
ultraviolet light happens. Some plastics also may
prove to be toxic to fish.

Pond Installation

Time your pond building when the ground is not overly
wet or frozen. Dig the hole according to the right
depth and place (and secure) the pond liner. Then
landscape the pond surroundings. Remove any rocks from
the surrounding area. Add water, plants, and a pump.
Let the pond sit for a few days before adding plants
and fish. Let the plants settle for at least one week
before placing the fish.

Then sit back and enjoy your backyard fish pond!

Rain and Snow in your Yard Landscaping

Rain and snow in your yard landscaping

Rain and snow are going to play a huge part in your yard landscaping decisions. For example you will have to plan for your yard landscaping with care. You should go to the library and take out some books on the subject. These yard landscaping books will help you to learn all of the most important points of yard landscaping so that you do not ruin your yard for good.

Your yard landscaping needs to be done with close attention being paid to rain and snow as well as proper drainage. If you find that your yard gets too muddy in the winter or you have large puddles all over then you most likely do not have the right kind of drainage going on. This is something that you may want to consider getting a professional in to take care of. If you still want to do the rest of your yard landscaping yourself then this is fine but some things are better left to the professionals.

You need to have your yard landscaping done in such a way that the rain when it falls, will actually water your plants. You will be able to use all of the water that falls into your yard to feed the plants and the trees if you set up your yard landscaping the right way. Knowing the general rainfall levels and times of the year you will then be able to make up the water levels when they drop with other watering. This is important during times like summer when it gets hot and there is not much rain.

Snow is another thing that is very important to your yard. Snow is just as vital to your entire yard landscaping project as rain is. Snow not only waters your yard as it melts but the snow, although cold, can actually help to keep your soil warmer. This will allow any plants that are sleeping under the snow to stay healthy and alive. Your bulbs will pop up in the spring in perfect form and color making your yard landscaping all the more beautiful

When it rains you need to see just how the rain is transferred all over your yard. This is very important to the entire yard landscaping that you are planning to do. This is simple to do, all you need to do is take a walk around your yard the next time it starts to rain. Watch for where the rain puddles and where it drains to and you are well on your way to perfect yard landscaping. This kind of work is the easy part of the job and is the best way to start. Then you will know what needs to be done to get the right kind of drainage going with you yard landscaping.