Fall is often an ideal time to start thinking about a spring commercial landscaping plan, giving property managers more time to prepare for the upcoming growing season.
Planning early gives property managers more time to coordinate scheduling with a commercial landscape company and make sure seasonal services can be completed when weather and growing conditions are right.
Earlier planning also gives property managers time to explore and evaluate a landscape partner, review the service plan, set priorities, and make budget decisions.
Why Should Property Managers Plan Landscaping Early?
Landscaping is only one part of managing a commercial property, but it has a noticeable effect on how the property looks and functions.
The spring season brings a long list of landscape needs. Winter debris needs to be removed, damaged plants need pruned or replaced, lawns need pre-emergent fertilization and weed control, landscape beds need to be refreshed, and regular mowing and maintenance schedules need to begin.
Ohio State University Extension's lawn care calendar points out that northern Ohio's lawn and landscape maintenance schedule can change depending on temperature, moisture, soil conditions, and other property factors. An experienced professional can determine when jobs need to be completed.
Planning early doesn't mean every service is completed at the start of spring. It means the property manager and landscape company have a plan in place so the work can happen when conditions are right.
When Should You Hire a Commercial Landscaper?
Fall or winter is a good time to hire a commercial landscaper and begin planning for the following growing season. Planning early will help you find a landscaper who still has availability on their spring schedule.
Here are a few items to discuss with a landscape professional:
Review your current landscape maintenance program
Decide which services you need for the upcoming year
Identify areas that need repairs or enhancements
Establish a landscaping budget
Discuss maintenance schedules
Plan seasonal color or plantings
Schedule spring cleanup
Address irrigation needs
Plan larger landscape projects
Start With a Property Walkthrough
Before deciding what services you need, take a close look at your property.
A fall or winter walkthrough can help identify problems that may get overlooked until spring. Look for damaged trees and shrubs, bare or thin areas of turf, drainage concerns, damaged landscape beds, erosion, and obstructed foot traffic areas. Does the landscape still fit the way tenants, customers, or employees use the property?
A property walkthrough can help turn a basic maintenance contract into a more useful commercial grounds maintenance plan.
Discuss Recurring Maintenance Needs
Spring is the beginning of another growing season, but also a time to clean up lawn and landscape areas from fall and winter.
Property managers should review the recurring services the grounds will need throughout the year, including:
Lawn maintenance: Mowing, trimming, edging, and turf care.
Fertilization and weed control: Applications based on the needs of the property
Landscape bed maintenance: Weeding, pruning, mulching, and general plant care.
Tree and shrub care: Pruning and removal of damaged or declining plant material.
Irrigation: System startup, repairs, or adjustments.
Seasonal color: Annual flowers or other plantings for high-visibility areas.
Seasonal cleanup: Spring cleanup, leaf removal, and preparation for changing seasons.
A complete commercial landscape maintenance plan helps keep these services from becoming a series of last-minute decisions.
Spring Cleanup for Commercial Properties
One of the first landscaping priorities after winter is getting the property cleaned up and assessing its condition.
Northeast Ohio winters can leave behind branches, leaves, salt, gravel, and other debris. Snow and ice can also damage turf, shrubs, trees, and landscape beds.
A spring cleanup gives crews a chance to remove debris and assess what the property needs before the growing season gets underway. Getting cleanup on the schedule early can help your property transition from winter to spring without falling behind.
Plan Landscape Enhancements Separately From Routine Maintenance
Landscape enhancements can be contracted separately from a recurring maintenance plan.
Do planting beds need to be redesigned? Do drainage issues need to be repaired? Larger projects usually require more planning than routine mowing and bed maintenance.
Discuss larger landscape enhancements with your professional contractor during the fall or winter to give everyone time to discuss design options, develop a budget, and determine the best timing for the work.
Planning landscape enhancements separately also helps to avoid trying to fit a large project into an already busy spring maintenance schedule.
Think About Irrigation Before the Growing Season Begins
A professional irrigation startup can identify broken heads, damaged lines, leaks, poor coverage, and other problems that may have developed during the off-season.
Irrigation systems can be adjusted as weather conditions change throughout the growing season. Adjustments to the irrigation system are important for properties with large lawn areas, extensive planting beds, seasonal flowers, or newly installed plants.
Plan Seasonal Color Ahead of Time
If your property uses annual flowers to add color around entrances, signs, patios, or other high-visibility areas, make a plan for how your curb appeal will look.
Your landscape professional can offer you a variety of plant colors and locations to consider.
Seasonal color can be especially useful around commercial entrances and gathering areas where targeted plantings can improve the appearance of important, highly visible areas of the property.
Review Your Landscaping Budget
Now is a good time to look at the financial side of commercial property maintenance.
Start by separating your expected recurring maintenance costs from one-time improvements. This makes it easier to determine what your regular landscape contract should cover and which projects need a separate budget.
Your regular landscape maintenance budget might also include extra mulch or rock for planting areas, seasonal flowers, or the replacement of spent perennials. Discuss these expenses before spring arrives to create a financial plan that includes accounts for the ongoing condition and maintenance needs of your commercial lawn and landscape.
A Spring Landscaping Planning Timeline
There is no single schedule that works for every property, but this general timeline can help.
Fall
Your landscape professional can look at the property while there’s still a good view of the landscape. They can identify problems, discuss larger enhancements, review your maintenance needs, and start thinking about next year's budget needs. Check out our blog about how proper fall lawn care can prevent spring problems and how a professional lawn care provider prepares for a successful spring growing season.
Winter
Finalize spring service expectations and review the contract. This is also a good time to discuss irrigation, seasonal color, and the timing of landscape enhancements.
Early Spring
Complete a winter damage assessment, remove debris, address drainage concerns, prepare landscape beds, and get the lawn and landscape ready for active growth.
Mid to Late Spring
Transition into the regular growing-season maintenance schedule. Mowing, pruning, weed control, fertilization, irrigation, and seasonal plantings become more active as temperatures rise.
Start Spring With a Plan and a Professional Partner
Commercial landscape planning can’t predict everything that will happen during the growing season, but knowing what your property needs, deciding what matters most, and having a plan before the busy season begins is important for the health and appearance of your lawn and landscape.
For property managers, planning ahead can reduce last-minute decisions that aren’t included in the landscape budget and improve communication with the landscape provider throughout the season.
At 5 Star Lawn Care & Landscaping, we work with commercial properties, HOAs, builders, and property managers throughout Northeast Ohio. From recurring maintenance and spring cleanup to lawn care, irrigation, landscape enhancements, and ongoing property support, we can help you plan for the season ahead.
If a spring landscaping maintenance plan is on your list, don't wait for the first warm day to start planning. Contact us today!
