Saguaro Canyon Subdivision prides itself with its southwestern landscape layouts and earth-tone architectural designs and structures that truly distinguish Saguaro Canyon from any other subdivision in Treasure Valley. Common areas around the pool and other areas, and most notably the grand arbor spanning the Red Horse entrance from McMillan invites you to the neighborhood and the massive center-island spread of various desert-theme growths and foliage such as Joshua, Sage, Lavender, and cacti, tall grasses, Yucca, and more. The pool buildings and surrounding rockery and complimentary verdure extend the theme throughout the neighborhood. In the dusk to dawn hours these features are elegantly highlighted with lighting designs that not only points out their night-time beauty but also provides security in the areas.
Maintaining our rich subdivision landscaping for both common areas and private residences is an on-going effort. The Saguaro Canyon Landscape Committee and our maintenance contractor (Idaho Landscaping) work continuously and diligently to keep our common areas looking at their best. A significant part of the HOA budget goes to keeping our subdivision at peak. Living and owning in this upscale Saguaro Canyon Subdivision is something we owners should highly be proud of, and one way we can do that is by maintaining the look and “curb appeal” of our own properties. Keeping the lawns green (in the summer) and freshly mowed, weed-free, shrubs, bushes, and trees trimmed and at their best. Keeping fencing in good repair and regularly stained is vital, as well as keeping your house structure freshly painted. The hot summer sun and the cold winters definitely shorten the “fresh” look of fencing and structures. Keeping your property cosmetically maintained and sharp-looking is not only for the good of the subdivision, but also for the good for you as a property owner to keep your home value as high as it can be.
If you see something in either the common areas or in a private area that doesn’t meet our general standards, please contact erik@snakeriverhoa.com .
Landscape rules and guidelines can be found under the Home page Documents menu. Select “ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL COMMITTEE DESIGN AND LANDSCAPE STANDARDS AND SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS”.
Use of ROUNDUP in Saguaro Canyon Subdivision
Several homeowners have inquired to the Board about the use of Roundup by Idaho Landscape, our landscape maintenance contractor. In response, Idaho Landscape management has provided this written communication:
“As a company that mixes chemicals into quantities to be applied to weeds and grasses, we are monitored, regulated, and licensed by the Idaho Department of Agriculture. We mix concentrates at our shop and never on-site. In order to obtain and retain our license for chemical applications, there is continuing education, current testing protocols, inspections, and extensive documentation of all mixing and usages of chemicals that the Dept. of Ag requires. Part of the documentation includes owners name at site, product we are using, dilution rate and wind speed at date and time of application (no drift allowed).
We do not use the ‘Round-up’ brand for non-selective weed control. Non-selective is just what it says; it will kill most all plants, i.e. (in) planter beds, bare ground, and tree rings. We do use a different brand. That being said, most herbicides have Glyphosate in them. Mixed at the correct rates, the Dept. of Ag deems them safe around animals and most importantly humans.
Some of the Non-selective products we use are Makaze and Clean-up Pro. These are mixed at rates following the label which is 2 to 3 ounces per gallon, which covers up to 20,000 square ft. If you do the math, this is an extremely diluted formula. Selective (weed killing) products are used to target a specific broadleaf weed usually in crops or turf.
In summary: As professional applicators of regulated chemicals we are extremely regulated, our documentation is audited, and our technicians are spot checked and inspected regularly. An amazing fact about all the products we use and some that we don’t use, like Round-up and Krovar, is that any homeowner can purchase in concentrated form and use at any rate they choose without any regard to its labels instructions without any PPE or inspections and regulations from the Dept. of Ag. The general public can also store these concentrated chemicals at their house in whatever container or area they choose.
If anyone chooses to read some additional information about this subject go to Bayer.com/Glyphosate.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there are any further questions.”
Russ@idaholawns.com
Comments from Saguaro Canyon Subdivision Board:
In looking up the two non-selective products used by Idaho Landscape: “Makaze” and “Clean Up Pro”, the labels on both state: “This product is considered relatively non-toxic to dogs and other domestic animals; however, ingestion of this product or large amounts of freshly sprayed vegetation may result in temporary, gastrointestinal irritation (vomiting, diarrhea, colic, etc.). If such symptoms are observed, provide the animal with plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Call a veterinarian if symptoms persist more than 24 hours.”
Every time Idaho Landscape sprays they must use a form to document where, the product used, how much, rate and wind speed, etc. is recorded, and they keep those forms for seven years.
Idaho Landscape does not spray around a homeowners street gutters or property because it is not in their contract with Saguaro Canyon to do so. Idaho Landscape is only contracted to manage/maintain common areas (parks, pool perimeters, playgrounds, walkways, etc.)
The Saguaro Canyon Subdivision Board strongly recommends that if/when you use any weed killers around your property that you strictly follow the product application and storage instructions provided by the manufacturer, which are usually found on labels of the various products.
More information can be found at: http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/glyphogen.html
