AERATION OF GOLF COURSES - PART IV This will be the final part of the articles dedicated to the task of puncturing. I will try to make it so that anyone can visualize the differences in results in practice that involve decision-making in the spikes to use on a green. For some golfers, aeration is a dreadful word. It conjures up images of greens full of holes and green surfaces that, at best, are inconsistent and, at worst, may not be playable at all. But serious golfers understand that aeration is necessary to maintain a healthy turf. Aeration counteracts the effects of traffic while minimizing the risk of diseases. "You have to have a continuous program," says the USGA Green Section. Courtesy of USGA Finding the ideal aeration approach for a golf course green is a process influenced by the specific conditions of the course and its maintenance goals. The decision comes down to the possibilities and specific needs of the course at any given time. Aeration strategies can also be adjusted over the years, responding to changes in course conditions or to achieve specific maintenance goals. On the other hand, performing aeration at the right time ensures recovery and return to a uniform surface as quickly as possible. The key to quick recovery is to aerate when the turf is healthy and actively growing. In the following table, I show the differences between different approaches based on the size of the spikes used. It shows the result of the surface of a green that is affected by aerating. Although this is not entirely true in practice due to various more complex technical aspects not considered in the table, it serves very well as an illustrative example. Up to five different spike diameters have been assumed, which in turn have been divided into three different frameworks, meaning different separations between the holes located on one side and the other. The last two columns provide a very quick overview of the impact on the surface. An annual renewal of 15-20% of the green's surface is usually considered adequate and can be achieved with different combinations as shown in the table. For example, with half-inch spikes with a 1x2 spacing, 2 aerations per year will be sufficient to achieve this. However, if we want to disturb the players much less and achieve faster recovery, we can opt for quarter-inch spikes for the same spacing, but knowing that to achieve the same renewal, we should carry out the operation 8 times a year! The size of the spikes and the distance between the holes will have a significant impact on health, playability, operation cost, and recovery time. In summary, the art of aeration requires a careful balance of various factors, each tailored to the unique conditions of the golf course. The goal is always to maintain a healthy and playable turf while minimizing the impact on the game. I leave some reflection for those who have the final say in the directives when it comes to allowing technicians to perform the work. As anyone can imagine, for the task of puncturing to be carried out, there must be workers and machinery on the green for a certain period, several hours in this case. For this reason, very wisely, during puncturing, some courses close the entire course (especially those with more than 18 holes), and others choose to close 9 and allow play on the other 9 and then switch. But then, there are other types of courses (the fewest) that unfortunately decide that it is not necessary to close any hole at all and that play can continue at the same time. In this case, players hit the green even with workers on the green, in a kind of "duck shooting," while the uneasy workers glance over and try to dodge the balls, only to later arrive at the green and insist on continuing the game "putting" on the freshly punctured and/or sand-filled green. You will understand how uncomfortable this is for all parties involved, and I know that many readers will think it's a joke, but I assure you I know what I'm talking about! Author: Antonio Márquez (Director and greenkeeper Green Garden Corp. in Panama)

Social collaborations at Green Garden Corp. At Green Garden Corp. we develop our activities from perspectives that promote commitment and social well-being. For this reason, we want to share our pride in having collaborated in these two great initiatives: The donation of medicines of different kinds for the Kuídate Health Day 2022 by the Karisma Foundation. The donation of materials for the construction of a house for a low-income employee of the Hilton La Romana hotel.

Our landscaping projects and garden construction works at hotels and properties in St.Lucía. BARBADOS PROJECT HOTEL ROYALTON VESSENCE BARBADOS

Nuestros proyectos en República Dominicana, México, Panamá, Jamaica y próximamente en Miami. GALLERY PER COUNTRY DOMINICAN REPUBLIC JAMAICA MEXICO CARIBBEAN ZONE FLORIDA MEXICO PACIFIC ZONE PANAMA

Green garden CORP. signs a new maintenance contract FOR THE ENTIRE VIDANTA COMPLEX IN RIVIERA MAYA Vidanta, the luxury vacation brand of Grupo Vidanta, is an incredible collection of resorts full of nature and entertainment located on the most coveted beaches in Mexico. Therefore, we are thrilled to announce that we have started maintenance operations in luxury hotels, including Grand Luxxe, The Grand Bliss, Grand Luxxe Jungle, The Grand Mayan, The Bliss, Mayan Palace, as well as in other parts of the complex such as Jungala Aqua Experience, Salum, Santuario, Villa Soleil, Spatium and the Beach Club. Vidanta Riviera Maya was recognized as one of the 5 best hotels in the eastern region of Mexico by Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards. More than 600,000 readers submitted responses and rated their travel experiences. Around 10,000 hotels and resorts entered the awards and only 15% of them made it to the winners list, let alone the Top 5! For this reason, we are proud to be able to contribute our grain of sand and be part of the Vidanta Riviera Maya experience. Its curated selection of diverse attractions and luxurious experiences ensures that guests always have something extraordinary to discover with every stay. The continual stream of new developments and offerings makes this destination exceptionally popular and universally accepted. As if that were not enough, this complex has a golf course designed by one of the legendary golf masters, Jack Nicklaus, Nicklaus Par Three Experience in Riviera Maya is one of the most beautiful short courses in the world. It was designed to take full advantage of the incredible tropical landscape and features a layout that pays homage to the complexity of classic 1950s courses. Source: https://www.vidanta.com/en/web/riviera-maya/

Our landscaping projects and execution of garden works in hotels and properties in Panama. PANAMA PROJECT HOTEL CORONADO LUXURY CLUB & SUITES

Camp Matecumbe Playground intenta vincular la experiencia de juego a la naturaleza para fomentar la familiaridad y la afinidad por los lugares naturales. Se trata de un parque público al que se puede considerar como un área de juego expansiva e inmersa en la naturaleza, con caminos interconectados que incorporan la naturaleza y los elementos naturales en el juego. ECOLOGICALLY REGENERATIVE GARDENING Human activity throughout its evolution on earth has resulted in the alteration of natural ecosystems to the point of generating a global problem of species extinction that in the last century is reaching very alarming levels. Did you know that, in the last 100 years, it is estimated that the rate of species extinction is between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than the natural background rate, suggesting that we are experiencing a "sixth mass extinction". At Green Garden Corp. as a leading company in the landscaping and gardening sector in the Caribbean and LATAM, we are very clear about this problem and we maintain a firm commitment to do our bit in trying to recover the natural balances of the areas where we carry out our professional activity and to influence our clients and the general public by example. This commitment has led us to develop new lines of action in new construction or renovation projects for gardens and green areas, as well as in the protocols for their maintenance operations. Regeneration or ecological restoration is a scientific and planned process that aims to revitalise ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged or altered by human activities or natural events. It consists of the reintroduction or recovery of native plant and animal species, as well as the rehabilitation of key ecological processes, with the aim of re-establishing the original functionality and diversity of the ecosystem. This process may involve the revegetation of degraded areas, the reintroduction of endangered species, the restoration of ecological corridors and the implementation of sustainable management practices. Ecological regeneration seeks not only to restore ecosystems to health and biodiversity, but also to provide benefits such as carbon sequestration, water conservation and protection against natural disasters. One of the main measures that we have been working on for years is the new implementation and modification of garden designs, transforming traditional concepts based mainly on floral aesthetics and the colour provided by species that are often not native to an area. We are developing new lines of work whose main objective is the recovery of native species in the areas of action, evolving towards a gardening and landscaping of ecological regeneration that ultimately seeks the recovery of habitats and the most balanced possible integration of human activity with the environment where it takes place. We seek to transform gardens into true ecosystems of ecological regeneration, where native flora and fauna populations thrive in harmony. Elementos causales del deterioro de ecosistemas en el Magdalena medio (Fuente: Garzón y Gutiérrez 2013). Miami-Dade County has used the Camp Matecumbe Playground design as a model in developing playgrounds at various parks throughout the county. Ventana de la experiencia piloto restauración ecológica del bosque ripario del Caño Rabón, Gamarra (Cesar) (Adaptado de: Garzón et al. 2014) These actions of implementation and reform extend to the development of new methods of managing and maintaining green areas in the least invasive ways possible by replacing the use of agrochemicals and industrially synthesised fertilisers with natural methods of generating organic soil fertility, promoting balanced populations of micro-organisms and diversity in both soils and above ground parts of plant assemblages. We are committed not only to creating beautiful landscapes, but also to building healthy and resilient ecosystems that enrich our environment and promote sustainable coexistence between human activity and nature.

Entérate de todas las noticias del sector hotelero en el Caribe. ¡No te pierdas las novedades! EVENTS NEWS

Día de celebración y festejo para nuestros empleados en Jamaica. Entrega de premios y certificados a empleados más entregados del 2022. DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES IN YORK FULL GOSPEL CHURCH OF GOD JAMAICA We are delighted to tell you that Green Garden Corp. hosted the celebration for the York Full Gospel Church of God community. We collaborate in holding a celebration and delivering certificates, prizes and gifts for the most active members of their community. Rohan Finlator receiving GG Certificate. José Fernández giving price. Center, Jose Juan Villagran, Director Green Garden Corp. Jamaica. Awards and diplomas were presented to the workers who stood out the most for their collaboration and effort during 2022. The enthusiasm and happiness of all employees was palpable throughout the day of celebration. Empleados Green Garden Corp. Jamaica con su certificado XXX The children were also included in the dynamics of the day. Niñas de York Full Gospel Church of God Jamaica We prepared a party at the end of the day with the intention of motivating and encouraging teamwork.

VERTICAL GARDENS: TYPOLOGIES AND CHARACTERISTICS In a context where environmental concerns and improving the habitability of increasingly congested urban spaces are current issues, vertical gardens emerge as an alternative to integrate vegetation into buildings. There are numerous advantages that a vegetative envelope brings, both in the internal energy functionality of the building and spatially in the environments it occupies. This is why in recent times, various typologies of vertical gardens and technical solutions have been developed, offering a wide range of possibilities. However, gardens on facades and rooftops have always existed in traditional architecture, in both cold and warm climates, due to their excellent insulating qualities. Today, some of the most commonly used vertical gardens include: Green facades These consist of climbing plants that attach themselves to the facades of buildings by their own means, without auxiliary support. Thus, only the necessary environmental conditions for the plants' life (water, light, and soil) need to be provided to implement this system. Sphagnum vertical garden In this system, plants grow in an organic substrate made of Sphagnum moss placed inside steel mesh gabions. Depending on the garden's dimensions and the conditions of the wall to cover, it may or may not require an auxiliary structure for fixation. A drip irrigation system releases water from the top of the wall, soaking the substrate until it finally drips onto a collecting channel that directs excess water to a drain. While nutrients can be provided through irrigation, they are not essential in the short term. Hydroponic Vertical Garden The hydroponic vertical garden system involves the installation of an inert material layer (felt, rock wool, foams, etc.) that enables plant growth, fixed on an auxiliary structure typically made of steel profiles. It's coupled with an automated irrigation system that allows water recirculation. Water falls from the top of the wall, moistening the phytotextile layer where the plant species are placed. Finally, the excess water drips into a collecting channel, directing it to a tank with recirculation. This tank is supplemented with nutrients and fertilizers for irrigation. Modular Vertical Garden Modular vertical gardens consist of prefabricated panels, their main advantage being the speed of installation, but they have greater limitations in terms of shape. Preservad Vertical Garden Preserved vertical gardens consist of natural preserved moss, maintaining the same texture and appearance as living moss. Their advantage lies in not requiring special light or watering conditions. It's a 100% natural and biodegradable product, particularly suitable for spaces where conditions don't allow for natural plant life, such as certain interiors. Vertical gardens are a modern and versatile solution to address sustainability in dense urban environments. They offer advantages such as improving energy efficiency and enhancing spaces' aesthetics. There are various typologies, from green facades to hydroponic and modular systems. The preserved vertical garden, featuring natural moss that requires neither natural light nor watering, stands out as a biodegradable option for indoor spaces. These gardens blend nature and architecture, contributing to well-being and the environment in cities.

Nuestros proyectos en República Dominicana, México, Panamá, Jamaica y próximamente en Miami. PROJECTS PER COUNTRY DOMINICAN REPUBLIC JAMAICA GRENADA FLORIDA CARIBBEAN REGION OF MEXICO ST. LUCIA GRENADA PACIFIC REGION OF MEXICO ANTIGUA & BARBUDA PANAMA

sustainable development in iberostar playa paraiso At the Iberostar Hotels & Resorts Group, they are aware that to become a leader in responsible tourism, they need to contribute to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the United Nations. In Green Garden Corp. we collaborate with the composting initiative of the "Wave of Change" movement, with objectives such as: reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, reducing the amount of garbage in landfills and providing nutrients to the earth. Through this movement, the use of plastics is minimized to prevent their accumulation in the seas, the responsible consumption of fish and shellfish is encouraged, alliances are made with the scientific community and other actions are implemented to promote coastal health. At Iberostar Playa Paraíso they assure that "it is essential to adopt a regenerative and restorative economy in all operations to ensure the health of the oceans around the world and to improve the resilience of the company." Their goal is to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill by 100% in reference to the year 2021. To do this, one of the actions being taken is the implementation of a composting program, in line with the European Strategy on a circular economy . Through composting, we can reuse organic waste (gardening and food) to use them as biofertilizers, without creating waste. Proceso de compostaje en Iberostar Playa Paraíso At Green Garden Corp. we collaborate in the composting process, with our client Iberostar in the Playa Paraíso complex, Riviera Maya in Mexico, with organic garden waste and with leftover food from restaurants and kitchens of the 3 hotels in the complex. The final result of the composting is used to incorporate the gardens and in the production of plants in the nursery. Thus, we contribute to the improvement of green areas through waste recycling and reuse processes, avoiding its hauling to landfill. References: 1. Fluxá Rosselló, M. (n.d.). Grupo Iberostar. Memoria de sostenibilidad. Retrieved September 5, 2022, from https://www.grupoiberostar.com/downloads/Iberostar-Memoria-ES-2020.pdf 2. United Nations. (n.d.). Océanos - Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS). Naciones Unidas. Retrieved September 5, 2022, from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/es/oceans/