Posts by Stratton and Bratt

How Can Lawn Owners Use Less Water?

Historic Drought–These are simple things you can do now.

Utah is currently experiencing the worst drought in recent history, and Stratton & Brätt clients across the state have been feeling the effects as lawns wilt, talk of rising water rates spreads and wildfires rage.

The dry conditions have many considering major changes to the way they consume water, particularly outdoors. While overhauling landscapes and practices like xeriscaping can have a meaningful, lasting impact on resource management here in the state, there are a variety of simple things that you can do NOW to cut your water usage.

Water at Night

The easiest, and most cost-effective way to do your part in water conservation efforts is to simply water your landscape less often. In truth, most shrubs, trees and flowering plants do not need as much water as you might think. Grass is the most likely to suffer from less frequent watering. To mitigate the effects, water your lawn at night, when the water is less likely to evaporate. Cooler temperatures give the soil a chance to absorb the moisture, and you’ll need a shorter watering period to get the same effect.

set dried smoking tobacco. Isolated on a white background.

Mulch

Another immediate water-saving technique is to add mulch to your landscape. In one afternoon of work, you can reduce the amount of water an area needs by as much as two-thirds. Covering soil with mulch shades the dirt, reduces runoff and cuts weeds, which also consume water. Any mulch will do, from bark or local straw to homemade compost. Keep tree trunks and plant bases exposed so that you are able to water them directly—otherwise you’ll wind up using more water to penetrate the mulch.

Check for leaks

If you have a sprinkler line or any kind of water feature on your property, a small leak can waste gallons of water. Overly-lush portions of lawn or a higher than average water bill can be indications that an underground pipe is leaking. If this applies to you, call a professional to come out and assess the issue as soon as possible.

Take advantage of rebates

The state of Utah is currently offering rebates and cash rewards for homeowners willing to install a landscape that is friendly to our local climate. Visit utahwatersavers.com to find out if you qualify and how to take advantage of this program to drought-proof your property for the future.

At Stratton & Brätt, we believe in creating outdoor spaces that are beautiful, luxurious and responsible. Contact us today for more information on setting up and maintaining a water-wise landscape.

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Perry Brätt, Founder at Stratton and Brätt talks about Water Conservation

aired on Park City TV

Perry Brätt is a founder of Stratton and Brätt—the largest, longest serving privately owned landscaping family in Utah. For more than five decades, the Stratton and Brätt brothers have been creating beautiful landscapes to spec and on budget. Under Perry’s leadership, the company has completed a myriad of high-profile projects, including several major projects in Utah such as the Red Butte Gardens, Thanksgiving Point and religious edifices in Mexico and Haiti. Brätt holds a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a general contractor and engineer license. He also serves as the president of the board for the Child’s Hope Foundation—a non-profit organization dedicated to “Lifting Orphans from Surviving to Thriving.”

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Elite Grounds, LC Joins the Stratton & Brätt Family of Companies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Award-winning Landscaper & Maintenance Company Merge to Beautify Utah Homes and Business

Pleasant Grove, Utah — February 16, 2021 — Stratton & Brätt, the largest, longest serving privately owned Utah landscaper, celebrates increasing growth and jobs from southern Idaho to St. George, Utah. To meet demand for ongoing landscape maintenance the company recently merged operations with Elite Grounds, LC. Both companies are headquartered in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Elite Grounds will handle all commercial and residential property maintenance while Stratton and Brätt focuses on design and building stunning commercial and residential landscapes.

Stratton & Brätt is known and celebrated for large commercial and high-end residential projects like current work on the St. George Temple, the company brings industry best landscape architects, arborists, aquatics, and desert xeriscaping experts to more effectively serve growing area demand. With projects in Mexico and Haiti, the company’s multilingual skills are spurring international growth.

“Utah showcases amazing red-rock desert and mountain canvases on which to create stunning personal paradises for folks flocking to the intermountain west,” states Zack Stratton, CEO for Stratton & Brätt. “Hundreds of happy corporate and residential clients pave the path to continuing quality work in the future. If you can dream it, we can build it.”

“Utah showcases amazing red-rock desert and mountain canvases on which to create stunning personal paradises for folks flocking to the intermountain west. Hundreds of happy corporate and residential clients pave the path to continuing quality work in the future. If you can dream it, we can build it.” — Zack Stratton, CEO for Stratton & Brätt

At the top of Utah landscape design and architecture, Stratton & Brätt brings its deep and prolific regional industry experience and expertise to every project. Elite Grounds maintenance portfolio speaks volumes for its exceptional work in areas of aquaticsresidentialcommunity, and commercial. Client satisfaction approaches 95 percent and maintenance agreements, by client request, average 6-7 years. Merging with Elite Grounds solid track record immediately expands Stratton and Brätt’s growth potential.

“Elite Grounds has a strong team of industry leaders who understand not just the how but the WHY of landscape construction and maintenance. Their team is thoughtful and strategic as they provide the highest quality landscape solutions.” Steven Bingham, Community Manager for Desert Color Community Association.

“Elite Grounds has a strong team of industry leaders who understand not just the how but the WHY of landscape construction and maintenance,” states Steven Bingham, Community Manager for Desert Color Community Association. “Their team is thoughtful and strategic as they provide the highest quality landscape solutions.”

Stratton & Brätt seeks to develop interns from regional universities for long term careers.

Company awards include:

Utah Valley BusinessQ UV 50; Inc. 500 America‘s Fastest Growing Companies; Sandy Summit Award; American Society of Landscape Architects Award of Excellence & Merit Awards;  Associated Landscape Contractors of America Environmental Improvement Award of Distinction.

Watch our video. To request a proposal, visit HERE.


About Stratton & Brätt

The largest privately held family of such companies in the region, Stratton & Brätt creates and manages beautiful landscapes for clients ranging from large commercial properties to high-end residential homes. We are one of an few elite firms in the nation with the experience and ability to handle very large-scale projects both in the United States and abroad. Founded in 1967, Stratton & Brätt is now in its fourth decade of creating stunning landscapes using sustainable practices.

 

 

 

PRESS CONTACT:

John Pilmer, PilmerPR BLLC

801-369-7535

Email

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The Taylor Family Mini-Farm Project

Battered by the “weeds of life,” his widow and
children are happy to see his dreams again take root.

If stress, suffering and grief grew like noxious weeds, Jennie Taylor said her unkempt little farm in North Ogden could be a picture of 2020. That overgrown lot has also reminded her daily that her husband, former North Ogden Mayor Brent Russell Taylor, is gone, killed in 2018 while on Army National Guard duty in Afghanistan. Those 5-foot weeds showed somehow that she and her seven children, ages 3 to 15, were unable to keep up, too overwhelmed since his death to nurture one of Taylor’s dreams – that the small farm might teach the value of quiet hard work with an eye on posterity. Now it has become emblematic of the coronavirus pandemic, too.

“I thought my life turned upside down in 2018, when my husband was killed and now the entire world is upside down,” she said this week. “It’s been so eye opening. But weeds are what life is full of sometimes, right? You try so hard to plant and cultivate, and then you turn around and some kind of pest has taken over.”

Thursday began a transformation as donors, led by one of the region’s largest landscaping firms, Stratton & Brätt Landscapes, launched a three-day overhaul of the farm to bring it back to working life and make it easier to maintain. The “major’s mini-farm,” as the family calls it, was his love. However his day had gone at City Hall, Brent Taylor liked to come home and dive into farm work with his kids, his widow said. She calls the place a metaphor for the family’s life without him.

Volunteers Help Fulfill Dream Of Former North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor

Prior to his death in 2018, then-North Ogden Mayor and Utah National Guard Maj. Brent Taylor wanted to use his “mini-farm” to help teach his children lessons about life.

Two years after he was killed in Afghanistan, preserving the space has proven to be trying for his widow, Jennie Taylor.

“It’s been really overwhelming in the three seasons that he’s been gone to try to keep up on it and water it and weed it,” Taylor said. “Getting little kids to work in the farm is a lot of work.”

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Healthy Soil is the foundation of a stunning landscape: Here’s how to keep it that way.

by Perry Brätt for TotalLandscapeCare.com

World Soil Day, December 5, was established by the United Nations in 2013, as a way to recognize the importance of fertile soil on a global scale. When everyone does their part, global soil can be healthy and thrive, supporting not just food production and livestock, but gorgeous and sustainable landscape projects.

Millions of microorganisms live in soil, and they provide the nutrients that plants need, become healing medicines, and keep the environment healthy. Modern clients are looking for sustainable options that make a great impact on the world. It may surprise many of them to learn that developers and large commercial properties have the potential to help mitigate climate change, prevent droughts and improve air quality—all from maintaining healthy dirt in the many acres they control.

Whether it’s a xeriscape project or a luxury plaza, landscape design has to start from the bottom: with a healthy foundation of soil. The type and quality of the soil in any given project determines the success or failure of structures, sod, sustainability and plant growth. Healthy soil also promotes proper drainage, reduces corrosion and supports stable paths and walls.

With so much relying on proper soil, what can landscapers do to ensure that a project has the right base to begin? Here are five tips for maintaining strong soil in any outdoor space.

Plan ahead

Once a landscape is completed, it can be difficult to change up the soil texture and content, so it’s vital to start off on the right foot. Soil tests should always be performed in the planning stages of a project so that adjustments can be made. Testing helps identify the issues that may cause problems later. For instance, sandy soils don’t trap enough water and erode easily, while silty soils can cause rotting and even floods. Knowing ahead of time makes it possible to address any concerns with the soil and create a healthy base to start from.

Provide cover

Open spaces may help with water conservation and taking in the view, but leaving large areas bare in a landscape leads to serious soil erosion. Erosion isn’t just a problem for farmers. When too much soil is blown or washed away, what’s left isn’t conducive to attractive landscaping. All soil areas of a commercial or residential project should be covered—if turf isn’t an option, mulch, boulders and creeping ground covers all help to keep soil intact.

Compost

It’s a basic rule, but something that many commercial landscapers overlook. Organic matter is one of the best ways to keep soil healthy. Once it has been through the composting process, living material provides vital benefits to every kind of soil. Among some of its advantages, compost helps soil retain water, absorb nutrients, deter pests and balance pH. It can also be used as mulch when ground cover is needed.

Young green plant in soil

Design with soil in mind

Different plants thrive in different soil conditions. The flipside of that statement is also true. Different soils thrive with different types of planting. Plants that are native to the local environment tend to be a great benchmark for what will keep the soil healthy. Native plants grow quickly and establish strong root systems, both anchoring and aerating soil. And plants that already grow well in the locale of a project require less fertilizer, so fewer foreign chemicals get added to the soil.

Smart maintenance 

Healthy soil requires more than just proper preparation and planning. Clients should be aware that consistent maintenance is a key part of keeping a healthy greenspace. Pulling weeds by hand instead of using chemicals or machinery helps keep soil in place and filled with nutrients. Diseased plants should be removed as quickly as possible to avoid spreading to the soil itself. And plants should be rotated often, so the soil doesn’t get overtaxed or stagnant.

Soil seems like such a small thing, but it creates a huge impact on individual projects and an even bigger impact on the world at large. There are more than 40 million square miles of soil in the world, and it takes thousands of years for fertile soil to renew.

Smart soil care is every bit as important as the wise use of every other resource on the planet. Following these simple tips in the way landscapes are thought about can go a long way to producing beautiful projects with beautiful, healthy soil underneath.


Perry Brätt is a founder of Stratton and Brätt—the largest, longest serving privately owned landscaping family in Utah. For more than five decades, the Stratton and Brätt brothers have been creating beautiful landscapes to spec and on budget. Under Perry’s leadership, the company has completed a myriad of high-profile projects, including several major projects in Utah such as the Red Butte Gardens, Thanksgiving Point and religious edifices in Mexico and Haiti. Brätt holds a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a general contractor and engineer license. He also serves as the president of the board for the Child’s Hope Foundation—a non-profit organization dedicated to “Lifting Orphans from Surviving to Thriving.”


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Lasting Memories Start in Utah’s Own Backyards

by Zack Stratton, CEO, Stratton and Brätt

Your Endless Backyard Vacation Awaits

Spring was spent doing online school, summer was full of canceled vacations and family gatherings, and the fall season brought distanced Trick-or-Treating and empty football stadiums.

The pandemic presents an opportunity for us to focus on our families and the sanctuary that a home can be. A landscape that is both stunning and practical gives homeowners the chance to create a little slice of paradise among the chaos.

Our family firm, Stratton and Brätt, is the largest and longest serving privately owned landscaping company in the region, specializing in bringing landscapes to life. Our work includes the masterful scenery at several LDS temples around the world, stunning artscapes at Thanksgiving Point, the grounds for the new Hale Centre Theatre in Sandy, and many high-end residential homes along the Wasatch Front.

After the pandemic hit, all of us found out there were little options to family recreational activities; you can only hike your favorite trail only so many times. Aaron Brinkerhoff, our residential landscape manager at Stratton and Brätt, found his job incredibly busy.

Trampolines weren’t the only things sold out. “When families found out this last summer that they couldn’t rely on public pools for fun, we had a huge increase in pool installation requests,” he said. “And really, why not? With a pool or pickleball court in your own backyard, you can swim and play safely anytime of the year, avoid crowded courts and rec centers, and create those memories with your children or grandchildren.”

A backyard pool or splash pad can do just that. Families interested in installing a stunning aquatic feature should consider a few key things before signing a contract. Safety, quality and maintenance are important factors to research. Here’s the gist:

Safety

When most people think of a backyard pool, they picture a gorgeous oasis with laughing groups of family or friends. Or maybe a peaceful setting where they can relax with their favorite drink. Or both. A pool can definitely be those things, but it also needs to be safe. Every pool built in Utah must be fenced-in, either within the entire yard or just the pool itself. As an added layer of security where children and pets are involved, most customers opt for a sturdy cover. An alarm system is another great way to keep everyone safe and out of the pool without supervision.

Quality

A pool is a big investment, so it needs to be beautiful, functional, and long-lasting. No one wants to regret a lifechanging purchase like that. Look beyond just the initial price tag because reliable filtration systems, superior materials and installation practices are worth it in the long run. Unique features like a cleaning robot, a mobile app for heating and lighting control, a hot tub, a waterslide, fountains and even fire pits, make the pool owning experience practical and enjoyable for everyone.

Maintenance

Aquatic maintenance may sound overwhelming, but once a system is in place it really doesn’t have to be. Depending on budget and interest, there are several approaches to keeping a pool pristine and pleasant to swim in.

“Our pools come with several months of maintenance built in to the contract to help get you going, and that can be extended indefinitely to make it really simple for the owners,” Brinkerhoff says. Alternatively, do-it-yourself solutions are possible, although they take another precious resource: time. If neither of those plans is the right fit, Brinkerhoff says, “You can always install automation and a robot that will do a lot of that work for you!”

With features like full pool automation, controlled lighting for ambience, a splash deck for younger children or for lounging, and jetted options, your Stratton and Brätt pool is the envy of the neighborhood. Our company can even help design environmentally-friendly options that use salt water and clean energy to reduce the impact of the pool on the planet.

If you’re dreaming of swimming in your own backyard pool next summer, you’ll want to jump in now. Because of the high demand, pool installations are a few months out. Imagine your family’s smiles, on Christmas morning, when they see how much better summer 2021 is going to be, with their own endless swimming vacation.



Ready for your Endless Summer Vacation? Contact us and let’s get started!

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Beyond Gravel and Succulents: Four Ways to Incorporate Xeriscaping Without Giving up a Beautiful Landscape

By Perry Brätt
Featured in Utah Construction & Design - November 2020 Issue 

For the past several decades, xeriscaping— or creating an outdoor space that doesn’t require a lot of irrigation—has been a popular way to create a beautiful landscape without relying on an abundant water supply. Clean, safe water is a limited resource that animals, plants and humans alike need in order to grow and thrive, so it makes sense to limit its use in dryer areas like in large portions of Utah. Despite its many advantages, xeriscaping can be a hard sell to people and corporations who love the look of a lush, green lawn.

Xeriscaping is often thought of as a sparse landscape with few to zero plants— but xeriscaping is about so much more than sparse planting and an overabundance of rocks. There is no official water use threshold that defines when a landscape becomes a true xeriscape project. The spirit of this kind of landscape design is to limit the impact of an outdoor space on its surrounding environment.

Here are four things to consider when incorporating xeriscaping into a residence or corporate environment, each allowing for less water without sacrificing plant options:

  1. Water recycling
    For some projects, large trees or lush vegetation are a necessity. Whether
    for privacy, oxygenation, shade or for structures like treehouses, larger
    plants can add a lot of value to the space they’re in. However, they often
    use a lot of water. Recycling is one way to offset the high impact on the
    environment. Rain can be collected and used in irrigation systems.
    Innovative water features can even use pumps to recycle rainwater or
    runoff. Additionally, features like rain gardens and permeable pavers help absorb water and return it to the soil.
  2. Local plants
    A basic principle of xeriscaping is that plants should be acclimated
    to the local climate. The reason local plants use less water is that
    they’re already adapted to the soil and hydrology of the region. Native
    plants have evolved to survive in the area without human intervention,
    so they can continue to thrive with natural rainfall and weather
    patterns. Not only do local plants generally require less water, they
    usually need less maintenance and fertilizer as well, so planting
    them can save money and reduce the amount of chemicals that seep
    into the ground. Native plants are naturally great for native species like
    birds and pollinators, too.
  1. Redefining turf
    There’s no need to give up a manicured greenspace in pursuit
    of an environmentally-friendly landscape design. Project managers
    and clients just need to adjust their conception of what grass looks
    and feels like. There are a variety of grasses available that will add that
    soft, green feel to an outdoor design without draining the local water
    reservoir. A promising specimen is the turf-type tall fescue. New
    cultivations have a strong green color with deeper roots and a higher
    drought tolerance. Turf-type tall fescue uses up to 30-percent less
    water than traditional bluegrass, so it’s a great option for xeriscaping
    when used in moderation.
  2. Unconventional choices
    A well-balanced landscape is about more than just plants. Play spaces,
    synthetic turf, lounge areas, fire pits, hammocks, sandboxes, paths,
    swinging benches and large outdoor games are all alternatives to water-using plants. Creative solutions like these add usable, beautiful touches to a planned landscape project without using more water. By reframing the ideas and philosophy of what landscape design has to be, landscaping can both look green and be green at the same time. The EPA estimates
    that 30-percent of the water the average American family uses is devoted to outdoor application. Utah is not only one of the driest states in the nation, it’s one of the fastest-growing. Wise water management is a key strategy to help keep the Utah economy strong.

Perry Brätt is a founder of Stratton and Brätt. For more than five decades, the Brätt brothers have been creating beautiful landscapes to spec and on budget. Brätt holds a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and general contractor and engineer licenses.

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New Pool Safety Device Prevents Potentially Fatal Chemical Leaks

Developed by Stratton & Brätt, the secondary safety device meets new state code requiring them.

The change in code comes after a number of instances where certain pool’s primary safety systems malfunctioned, causing chlorine and hydrochloric acid to mix together.

The chlorine and hydrochloric acid that are normally used to maintain pH levels and disinfect the pool were both fed into the circulation line that was not moving during daily maintenance to the system. When the power was turned back on, the system pushed the chemicals out into the pool where people were swimming, which created mustard gas.

Two of those instances occurred in Utah County, sending patrons to the hospital. Both were attributed to mechanical failure within the pool’s system.

We created a solution

No matter what type of pool system is in use, the secondary safety system can be installed to the electrical side of things.

With over 3,000 public use pools that will have to be in compliance with the state code, Stratton and Brätt hopes to be the main supplier.

Parker added the system he helped to develop is the only one that he knows of. Stratton and Brätt officials felt as if they had a duty to the public to maintain their safety as well as a duty to the aquatic industry to help keep pools open.

Additional News Coverage


https://www.ksl.com/watchit/event/47203

The story begins at 18:00.


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Sowing interest in landscaping careers

by Ryne Williams for Daily Herald.com

Excerpt:

The largest family-owned landscape company in the state of Utah is having a problem finding workers.

Normally during the summer, the company brings in legal immigrant workers from Mexico to help with its projects.

This is done under a program provided through the United States government. It is utilized as a way to supplement the current workforce locally, but the pandemic and current restrictions have taken that option away.

When asked about why the company brings in foreign workers each year, Stratton and Bratt general counsel and attorney Keven Stratton Jr. said that the company does it out of necessity rather than strategy.

“We have always been concerned with growing local jobs and keeping local jobs,” Stratton said. “The only reason we have used that program is because we have not been able to find willing and able workers here within the state of Utah.”

The company has worked on some temple projects for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Haiti, Tijuana, Mexico, and some in Utah while also doing more commercial and even residential projects. Splash pads, parks and other open spaces have all been built by the company.

Stratton characterized the problem surrounding local workers as one of the company’s biggest challenges and opportunities.

“We have been nourished and nurtured by this valley, by this community and our goal is to give back to that community,” Stratton said. “Our starting wage for our entry-level position is more than double minimum wage. It’s not that we are trying to lowball anybody, we want to hire people, give them a good living wage and a place that they can work and grow. Our success is the community’s success, and to be not able to fill that need is beyond frustrating.”

As for possible next steps to generate interest in the landscaping industry, Stratton and Bratt has been working with local universities to build programs to fit the needs of recent graduates. Attempting to show the need for workers in landscaping while also showing the possibilities.

The goal is to open people’s eyes to the growth opportunities available right in their own backyard, possibly literally and figuratively.



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