CooperatorNews NY April 2022

April 2022 COOPERATORNEWS.COM the plant material to your growing conditions. When it comes to se- lecting plant material, resist the urge to visit a nursery center and buy plants that may look beautiful, yet may be incorrect for your growing conditions. You will be disappointed. Choose plants that will thrive in the light, wind, and soil conditions you actually have. Pay attention to improving the soil by incorporating compost. Once planted, monitor and apply only the needed amount of water to get the most out of your NEW YORK THE CO-OP & CONDO RESOURCE COOPERATORNEWS 205 Lexington Avenue, NY, NY 10016 • CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Living in a dense urban or suburban multifamily setting often means living without easy access to nature. Many residents in these housing environments crave some sort of outdoor space—if not a private one like a balcony or deck adjoining their unit, then a well-landscaped common area. While the appeal of such spaces is undeniable, it’s often difficult for housing associations and corporations to select, design, and maintain an area that may not be opti- mally suited for the purpose thanks to everything from space constraints to soil conditions to lack of sunlight. Making the most out of a challenging landscape space therefore requires creativity, flexibility, and some expertise. Plant It Right “When creating a planting plan for small spaces with limited light, high winds, or other challenges,” says Nicholas Carnovale, an Account Manager with BrightView Landscape Ser- vices, with locations throughout the U.S., “picking the right plant for the area is paramount. Make sure the water in containers or beds can readily drain, as most plants will not thrive in wet soils. Also look at self-watering containers that need less care and have no holes in the container to create a mess or wetness on surrounding hard surfaces.” He continues, “The key to planning for a successful landscape is researching and matching continued on page 12 One of the enduring facts of home ownership is that maintaining your abode is never really done. There’s always some- thing that needs to be upgraded or up- dated. That is doubly true in multifamily communities. Whether you’re in an urban high-rise or a suburban townhome devel- opment, there are common areas ranging from lobbies to hallways to clubhouses that need some TLC on a regular basis in order to remain attractive, functional, and safe. What Needs to Be Done? While upgrading and updating com- mon areas can certainly be a major under- taking involving permits, big equipment, and weeks of dust and disruption, that need not always be the case, says Daniel Skolski, an interior designer and princi- pal of DMS Design, located in Peabody, Massachusetts. “The difference between an upgrade and a major project is that \[an upgrade\] doesn’t require a building per- mit,” he says. If you’re not moving doors, or walls, or sprinkler heads, or fire alarm stations, it’s not a major renovation. Paint- ing, new wall or floor coverings, replacing ceiling tiles without fire rating—that’s a refresh, not a redo. Refreshes or upgrades happen once every 10 to 12 years, and bigger renovations, maybe every 15 to 25 years. “The first and most important compo- nent in refreshing or upgrading common areas,” Skolski continues, “is to meet with the residents and establish design goals. What is the intent? What does ‘update’ Creative Landscaping for Smaller Spaces Maximizing Impact & Curb Appeal BY DARCEY GERSTEIN A Little Work Refreshing Multifamily Common Areas BY A. J. SIDRANSKY Better Grass & Lawn Care The Right Turf for Your Territory BY DARCEY GERSTEIN Ever since the end of World War II—and the widespread prosperity that brought about a historic baby boom, a healthy middle class, and suburban sprawl—a vibrant, manicured lawn has been synonymous with the American domestic ideal. Even for the many mul- tifamily communities built in that post- war era, whether in the heart of the city or in the commuter hinterlands, nothing says “welcome home” quite like a swath of healthy grass (with or without a lit- eral white picket fence). From the Rob- ert Moses ‘Towers in the Park’ concept to the abundant golf course communi- ties throughout the U.S., developers have banked on the appeal of proximity to grass to market their units. A couple of generations later, an ex- panse of green is still a major selling point for all types of housing. But the type of turf and where it is installed have changed over the years. Climate, culture, and—yes—COVID have changed what it means to have a ‘green’ community. Grass Roots While the options for everything from type of grass to soil composition to ir- rigation techniques will vary from one location to another (and sometimes even within the same community), one mes- sage remains constant from those in the know: involving a competent profes- sional is key. Landscapers and horticul- turalists can advise on the ins and outs of seeds, weeds, and feeds, as well as determine the best time, frequency, and amount of watering, and provide optimal care throughout the seasons to keep your lawn looking its verdant best. One of those pros is Nicholas Car- novale, an account manager with Bright- View Landscape Services, which provides landscape design and maintenance to co- ops, condos, HOAs, and other properties. continued on page 14 NEW YORK’S BIGGEST & BEST CO-OP & CONDO EXPO! NEW YORK HILTON MIDTOWN — WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 9-4:30 FREE REGISTRATION: COOPEXPO.COM LIVE AND IN PERSON continued on page 13