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Green Garden celebrates Executive Training Sessions in the Dominican Republic During Green Garden Cup Golf Tournament 2022 , we decided to take advantage of the opportunity of having all executives, that had flown from México, Jamaica, Florida and Panama, together and held t raining s e ssions. The conferences included workshops and presentations thats offered knowledge, tools, skills and attitudes to interact in the work environment in a proactive and collaborative manner. De izquierda a derecha: Pablo Luque, Jose Juan Villagran, Pedro López, Juan Arimón, Amalio Pérez, David Caceres, Antonio Márquez The conference started with the presentation of Effective Communication led by Maria Jose Peña Velez, which discussed the importance of Strategic Planning, Decision Making, Results Orientation, Conflict Resolution and the differences between a Leader and a boss. There were also presentations that represented the digital transformation the company is going through such as the Digital Strategy presentation: Branding, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Social Networks and Data Analytics led by our Digital Marketing Director, Cristina Reynoso Coulange. Lastly, the Landscaping department made a presentation of the innovative tools they use and the ones that they are currently training on, such as: Lumion . Lumion is visualization software for architecture and landscape professionals. This tool allows you to quickly convert 3D/CAD designs into videos, images and 360º panoramas with resources for environment, materials, light, objects, nature and exciting effects. Pablo Luque, Jose Juan Villagran, Amalio Pérez, Jaime Arimón, Alexandre Coulange, Cristina Reynoso, Juan Arimón, Pedro López, Eduardo Arimón, David Cácerez During the last days of the visit to the Dominican Republic, workshops and visits to plant and tree production nurseries took place with the aim of sharing criteria and knowledge of all the invited managers from Mexico, Jamaica, Florida and Panama. “In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable. ~Dwight D. Eisenhower

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.

Climate change also have an effect on golf courses Apart from the usual maintenance tasks on a golf course, many sometimes forget that, like any other agricultural crop, we are subject to inclement weather. La Niña , for example, could last until 2023, warns the UN . This phenomenon, which is lasting longer than expected, is causing abundant rainfall in Panama, already abundant at this time of year, as can be seen in the following map: Not only is the player's playability affected, golf course flooding can cause serious damage that leaves a lasting impact on its terrain. Flooding conditions severely impair daily maintenance and access to many areas of a golf course by cutting machines. Soil saturation occurs over long periods leading to oxygen deprivation and turf death in areas without adequate drainage. In severe situations, soil removal and turf restoration may be necessary to remedy affected areas. Beyond the damage caused by flooding, deposits of silt, branches and debris impede routine maintenance. Flooding can also damage golf course structures by washing away bridges. Last week we suffered the consequences of climate change at Coronado Golf, as can be seen in the photos below: Bunkers are especially susceptible to erosion, collapsing their slopes and contaminating the sand. Repairs can take days, weeks, or even months to complete and can also be very costly. If a golf course reopens too soon after flooding, the chance of secondary damage increases. Saturated turf areas can become compacted and rutted by cart and player traffic. Compacted soil in moist areas can lose its structure, porosity, and the ability to present a high-quality surface. But there is nothing that a professional team with good will cannot solve!

LANDSCAPING IN CORAL GABLES, MIAMI The City of Coral Gables is undertaking various landscaping projects in its urban core. Among them, the reform of the "landscape" of one of the main arteries of the city, Ponce de León Blvd. Tenusa Inc. is participating in these works, which consist of the elimination of the existing landscaping in the median and both sidewalks, in the area between the intersections with the secondary streets and "Miracle Mile" and its subsequent reinstallation with new plant species, as well as the reform of the existing irrigation system. Ornamental species such as Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific', Liriope muscari 'Super Blue', Tradescantia pallida 'purpurea' and Jasminum simplicifolium, as well as the choice of Gold Mulch, will completely change the appearance of the area, adding color and a very different from the previous design, consisting of a monochromatic green provided by the only plant species present, Ficus microcarpa 'Isla Verde'. With the need to carry out the works in a very limited time, Tenusa Inc. has been trying to minimize the impact on the high traffic of vehicles in the area, perhaps the busiest in the city, which entails a plus of coordination and logistical efficiency. in order to successfully complete this great urban landscape project.

TREE CARE At Green Garden Corp. we pay special attention to pruning trees to keep them healthy and strong. In Florida we have a technical team trained for the proper pruning of all types of trees. From aesthetic pruning to maintenance pruning, we take care of your trees so you don't have to worry.

GREEN CUTTING IN GOLF COURSES Since the day Edwin Budding invented the first mechanized lawn mower in 1830, there has been constant improvement in the condition and playability of greens. Today, cutting is one of the main practices used by superintendents or greenkeepers to achieve smooth and fast greens. Césped Paspalum Vaginatum Given the climatic conditions of the Dominican Republic, the task of cutting the green is carried out daily. Frequent mowing helps greenkeepers maintain high playability turf by providing several short- and long-term benefits: controls vertical growth helps grass spread laterally promotes high shoot density produces smooth surfaces creates less friction with the golf ball increases the speed of the greens for the enjoyment of the players. Cortadora Toro Greenmaster Flex 21 On the other hand, properly sharpened and adjusted mowers do a better job of cutting grass blades cleanly and evenly. This benefits the health of the turf and the quality of the playing surface. The operator guides the mower back and forth across the green in straight lines, creating an attractive stripe pattern. Alberto Santana con una cortadora Toro Greenmaster Flex 21 Another basic concept of mowing greens is determining the height of cut. This setting is completely particular to the course and is determined by the superintendent based on turf type, topography of the greens, seasonal growth rate, and desired speed of the greens. What may be appropriate in one field may not be in another. A very important point, which is often misunderstood, is that not all grasses are created equal. A cutting height that is considered appropriate for bentgrass (Agrostis) might not be appropriate for Poa annua, Bermuda ultradwarf, or Paspalum, as is the case here. Determining the height of cut depends not only on the type of grass, but also on equipment, expectations, and labor availability. All grasses have a cutting height tolerance. It is typical for the height of cut to adjust up and down throughout the year based on seasonal growth rates and in response to stressful environmental conditions. Proper mower setup is necessary to achieve the desired cutting height and playability. Proper adjustment is critical to producing a correct cut, higher quality greens, and desired green speed.

MAINTENANCE, CONSERVATION AND ORNAMENTAL PRODUCTION In Green Garden we carry out maintenance based on a continuous improvement plan for each complex, resulting in a maintenance adapted to the needs and wants of each property. "We carry out a daily technical follow-up of all production programs". Ornamental plant production, is one of the fundamental pillars in our management. Each complex we maintain is managed from powerful ornamental production infrastructures. It’s supported, at a technical level, by an organization chart of professionals who are in charge of drafting landscape improvement programs, from which the production programs for each complex are organized.

AN ISLAND, A RESORT, A RHYTHM, A UNIQUE PROJECT We are happy to share that Green Garden Corp. is executing the landscaping work at Cayo Levantado Resort on Isla Cayo Levantado in Samaná. This project is in complete harmony with the island and its biodiversity, since we work and promote the natural regeneration of the ecosystem, of autochthonous and native plants of the Los Haitises Natural Park. At the resort you can enjoy plants in danger of extinction, epiphytic plants, native orchids, ferns, mosses, lichens, tillances, centennial Ceibas and other wonders of this unique enclave of the Samaná Bay. In addition, visitors can enjoy an organic garden with many varieties of fruits and aromatic herbs from the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. The concept of design and selection of species is carried out in coordination with Pablo del Toro (Technical Advisor for the Environment of Piñero Group), with the collaboration of the Botanical Garden of Santo Domingo and Bosques Urbanos.

Desde Green Garden Corp. ponemos al servicio de nuestro cliente nuestros conocimientos en biología, agronomía e ingeniería hidráulica para ayudar a manejar este tipo de sistemas. THE IMPORTANCE OF WETLANDS: USE IN LANDSCAPING FOR WATER PURIFICATION Wetlands are ecosystems consisting of land areas whose soils are periodically or permanently flooded, typically with freshwater. As a result, the vegetation that inhabits them is adapted to live in these conditions. Mangroves, floodplains, interdunal lagoons, springs, coastal lagoons, and estuaries are some of the ecosystems included under this category. Humedal artificial en VidantaWorld Park Among the services provided by wetlands, their role in the water cycle stands out, as they act as regulators of water flows and, in some cases, as a source of water supply for the population or as aids in wastewater treatment. Additionally, due to the thermal capacity of the water, the effect of vegetation on the environment, and their high productivity, wetlands play a fundamental role in the global climate as regulators of emissions into the atmosphere. Understanding the importance of these wetlands, as well as how they function and the causes and consequences they generate, can help us mimic these natural processes and take advantage of their benefits when designing sustainable landscaping. Low-water gardening not only helps conserve this vital resource, but has other benefits as well. By reducing irrigation, the risk of flooding and excess moisture in the soil is reduced, thus avoiding possible damage to structures and drainage systems. Furthermore, by using native and adapted species, we promote local biodiversity and contribute to the balance of the ecosystem. Humedal artificial en VidantaWorld Park It is important to emphasize that the implementation of water-efficient gardens does not mean sacrificing beautiful and attractive green spaces. On the contrary, with the right knowledge and intelligent design, it is possible to create aesthetically pleasing environments that harmoniously integrate with the surroundings.

Nuestro equipo técnico de Green Garden Corp. llevó a cabo la preparación de este evento tan importante para México y especialmente para Tulum Country Club. Golf course preparation BUPA TOURNAMENT 2021 - PGA TOUR Our Green Garden technical team carried out the preparation of this important event for Mexico and especially for Tulum Country Club. It all started four weeks before the week of the championship when we were informed from the club's management that the championship was going to be held. The first thought was, "what a joy to be able to show our work worldwide" and the second thought was, "what a challenge we have" , since we only had four weeks to present the course in perfect conditions and a championship of this caliber is usually started to prepare a year in advance, so we couldn’t lose a single second. The first thing we had to do, was to mentalize and motivate the entire maintenance team of the importance of an event like this for the club and for Green Garden, and from here we want to thank them for their professionalism and dedication, because without them it would not have been possible to present the course in such conditions the week of the championship. Then, we thought of the situation that we found ourselves in with most of the golf courses worldwide due to COVID: reduced budgets, reduced staff or limited machinery. We understood that this was not going to be a problem to carry out our goal. The course greenkeeper and his assistants prepared a very specific agronomic and playability plan to be able to finish on time, and above all, to take care of every last detail since that is what makes the difference in this type of championships. "The weeks leading up to the championship were very passionate, working without rest and with very extreme schedules." The big advantage we had was, the course was in very good playable condition, but we had to give it a little push to make it a guaranteed success. The main objective was to have the greens firm, uniform and with a minimum speed of 11.6 Ft. and that between the fastest and slowest green there was no more than a 0.6" difference. The firmness, humidity, speed and clipping remains of each of the greens were monitored daily and we made daily decisions to meet the objective. As for the Tees, Fairways and Approach, we only wanted to keep them firm. The Fairways and Approach, apart from the firmness, we wanted the ball to have a perfect lie. This required controlling the irrigation very well to avoid dry or very wet areas, so the irrigation team had to check each of the areas with moisture meters to maintain values between 18% and 22%. As for the mowing of each of these areas, we progressively increased the frequency of mowing to such an extent that, fifteen days after the first training day, we were mowing the greens in the morning and afternoon and the rest of the areas every day, gaining an incredible definition and quality of mowing. We must highlight the work of the mechanics during these weeks because they had to have the cutting units in perfect condition every day. What we did not cut since we were informed of the championship, was the Rough, as we had to leave it above 2.5". The Bunkers we had to have the same amount of sand on all surfaces to prevent the club from bouncing when taking the ball out and most importantly to prevent the ball from getting fried egg when entering the Bunkers. Finally, to leave all the landscaping areas spotless, we pruned all the palms and trees, and the paths and island areas were outlined. Championship week began with all areas of the course in perfect condition. The coordination of the entire team was ensured so that all the work was executed without any setback to present the course each day before the first game and in the afternoon when they were finishing playing. We would like to thank the PGA Riviera Maya golf course and Tulum Country Club for trusting us. Author: Andrés Novo - Greenkeeper Green Garden en campo PGA Tulum Country Club

LOW WATER CONSUMPTION GARDENING: CONTRIBUTING TO THE CARE OF THE WORLD The increase in water consumption in agriculture and green areas has raised concerns about its consequences on aquifers and water reserves worldwide. Coupled with the rise in global temperatures, evapotranspiration levels are decreasing the availability of freshwater alarmingly. Faced with this issue, at Green Garden Corp., we have committed ourselves to environmental responsibility and have been developing garden designs with a reduced or low water requirement for their proper maintenance. Evapotranspiraci-n. (n.d.). https://www.recursosaguapuertorico.com/Evapotranspiraci-n.html?no_redirect=true The primary focus of our work is to conduct a detailed analysis of native species in each region where we operate. In this way, we can select the most suitable species adapted to the specific climatic and soil conditions of each area. This allows gardens to survive and thrive sustainably without requiring large amounts of water for maintenance. Water-efficient gardening not only helps conserve this vital resource but also presents other benefits. By reducing irrigation, the risk of floods and excess soil moisture is decreased, thus preventing potential damage to structures and drainage systems. Additionally, by employing native and adapted species, we promote local biodiversity and contribute to the balance of the ecosystem. Low-water gardening not only helps conserve this vital resource, but has other benefits as well. By reducing irrigation, the risk of flooding and excess moisture in the soil is reduced, thus avoiding possible damage to structures and drainage systems. Furthermore, by using native and adapted species, we promote local biodiversity and contribute to the balance of the ecosystem. It is important to emphasize that the implementation of water-efficient gardens does not mean sacrificing beautiful and attractive green spaces. On the contrary, with the right knowledge and intelligent design, it is possible to create aesthetically pleasing environments that harmoniously integrate with the surroundings.

THE TREE STRATUM IN OUR GARDENING The arboreal stratum plays a crucial role in gardening and landscape architecture, as it is part of the basic composite structure, fundamentally composed of three levels that define the design of outdoor spaces. In this structure, the ground cover stratum, which constitutes the lowest level, serves as ground cover and hides the view of the lignified part of the next level. The shrub stratum acts as the visually most striking element as it is at eye level for people. Finally, the arboreal stratum rises majestically as the uppermost layer or level. Today, we would like to emphasize the importance of this latter stratum, as it entails a series of significant factors that make it crucial in landscape design. Perhaps, it is the stratum that is least known and underestimated when designing a garden, but it can offer the most due to the multitude of positive factors it provides. Many times, tree species are not only chosen for their visual beauty but also for their cultural and symbolic value in areas where urban and/or landscape projects are undertaken. There are species that, due to the functionality and economic value offered by their wood or fruit, sustain thousands of rural families. Other species, due to their size and stature, provide shelter to various species of fauna, insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals that make their structure their home. In addition, there are other species that, simply due to their age and longevity, deserve a respect that sometimes escapes the understanding of humans with their brief life span in comparison. We cannot overlook the coolness provided by the shade of a tree, the reduction in temperature in urban areas with mature specimens, and its influence on rainfall, a topic that deserves a separate article. In the tropical regions where Green Garden Corp. primarily operates, there is a great diversity of species worth knowing, studying, analyzing, and understanding. A notable example is the Bursera simaruba, also known as chaká or papelillo, the Ficus aurea or fig tree (see photo below), the Orbignya guacuyule or guayacol palm, the Acacia cornigera or bullhorn acacia, among many others. From the landscape design perspective of Green Garden Corp., we delve into the knowledge of these species and each of these factors, treating them not only for their visual value but also for their symbolic, cultural, and functional value for the local community. We commit to continue studying them to contribute these values, which we understand as fundamental, to our designs. Ejemplar de Ficus aurea en el sendero de la abuela (One&Only Mandarina ) We recognize that trees are not merely ornamental elements but protectors of the identity and well-being of a space, providing utility, functionality, shade, coolness, and a sense of belonging to those who benefit from their presence.