Services:

Sustainable Landscape Management

What is Sustainable Landscape Management (SLM)? It is a holistic systems approach to landscape design and maintenance that proactively conserves, restores and manages properties and their natural assets. SLM seeks to protect the bay watershed by reducing erosion, pollutants and storm water runoff, protect air quality by minimizing the use of fossil fuels, and protect and create healthy soils and wildlife habitat. What’s in it for you? The quadruple bottom line!

• Economical. By designing sustainability into your property’s landscape, you help reduce its ecological footprint. Your property will require fewer resources to be attractive and healthy, and it will generate fewer negative outputs, too.
• Environmental. By incorporating ecological principles into your landscape, you collaborate versus compete with Mother Nature. Restoring natural ecosystems provides an important earth friendly service to your community and the greater bio-region.
• Social. Sustainable landscapes provide social services: they generate less waste and use less water, and they have a lower carbon footprint; three very important issues our society is grappling with. Having a landscape that adheres to ecological guidelines also sends a message to others about what you value.
• Cultural. By restoring natural landscapes and incorporating plants that belong on each particular site, a deeper “sense of place” is created. By giving back some of what was originally there, we help current and future generations share an experience of the land which otherwise might not be possible.

How do we begin? Working with ecological design principles, and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, US Green Building Council), each property is approached in a unique and customized manner. A review of existing ecosystems, vegetation and wildlife, drainage, hardscape, water supply, pedestrian, vehicle and wildlife corridors, and of course, capital and maintenance budgets, are made and considered in relation to one another. The property owner’s goals for the land are incorporated with this information and an ecological vision for the property is developed. Working with the appropriate team of professionals, we can assess, plan and deliver a landscape management program for your property which will enhance its habitat value, while reducing long term maintenance costs.

Click here for Sustainable Landscaping Success article.

Horticultural Consulting

Horticultural Consulting and Design Enhancements Landscapes are dynamic, changing systems which require an adaptive resource management approach. We can trouble shoot site specific issues and develop effective management plans and solutions.

Landscapes cycle through various stages:



• New landscapes. Newly created landscapes require special care to properly “establish” the plants and ensure that irrigation and drainage systems are working as designed. A focus on the correct maintenance program is paramount. We work with property owners and managers in developing specifications and choosing the right maintenance team. Communication with the landscape architect or designer helps ensure the original vision is being implemented. Sometimes the design doesn’t work for aesthetic and/or practical reasons. We can help you “fix” your landscape in the most beneficial and effective way.
• Mid-term landscapes. Landscapes which are 5 – 15 years old may have some areas which no longer meet the owner’s needs or which have simply failed. Our approach is to review the irrigation and drainage components and performance, check the arborist program, test the soil and evaluate the pest management program, and meet with the existing maintenance service. New specifications and design enhancements are sometimes needed to set the landscape on an improved course.
• Mature landscapes. These are landscapes which are overgrown and are beginning to deteriorate. Often shrubs and trees require renovative pruning to generate new growth or regain a desired shape. In a mature landscape they may need to be removed or replaced with new plants. Soil may be worn out and require organic amendments as revealed by soil testing. A professional arborist review will direct a mature tree maintenance program. And, some areas may require removal and a new design to fit the criteria of the site or the owner’s needs.

Business Consulting

Linda J. Novy and Associates has years of experience in small to mid size business management. We can assess the health of your business, and develop a program to lead you to greater success. There may be a special project you’d like accomplished – we can focus in on performing that service to free you for other important business operations. Whether your need is to step outside your daily business routine to take a fresh look at your goals and how your business is meeting your needs, or if you want help developing a strategic plan, human resource program, team building, marketing, or sales, we can help you meet your goals in an efficient and effective way. Working with your top executives, we complement your leadership by bringing an experienced outside perspective and specialty professionals to brainstorm and resolve whatever issues you may be facing. Listen to what this business owners have to say about Linda J. Novy and Associates:

"I waited a year for Linda to be able to work with us. Linda developed the guidelines for maintenance division manager and found a qualified candidate in a few weeks - who I did hire! Linda is helping me and my partner organize the business so it can grow and a sustainable management team can be created so we don’t always have to be there. These are meaty issues.! All I can say is that it was worth the wait! Thanks! Linda"

Kim Bertotti Bertotti Landscaping Inc.