The Holidays are here, and property managers everywhere are working on their year-end checklists, tying up loose ends, and making plans for next year’s growing season. But even as our plants and trees go dormant, there are plenty of ways to ensure that your commercial winter landscape is cared for and ready to spring to life when the seasons change again.
Prepare for Dormancy
Once winter fully sets in, there may not be many options for soil remediation, fertilization, or similar strategies, since fertilizer can do more harm than good if applied at the wrong time. But before the white stuff comes down, in a milder winter, or a warmer region of the country, you can take certain steps to improve the overall health of your soil and protect your green investments with some proven techniques to prepare your commercial landscape for winter.
- Soil Remediation – Adding compost or topsoil to turf areas is a great way to slowly add nutrients in winter without the risk of burnout from fertilizer, which can act much faster. As winter rain falls or snow melts, the top dressing can disperse into the soil and help give root systems what they need to start fresh in spring.
- Mulching – Applying a fresh layer of mulch helps protect tree and shrub roots from frost and freezing temperatures and improves moisture retention through the dry winter months. As a more sustainable option, leaf litter or compost could be used to accomplish similar results.
- Watering – If you’ve had a dry fall or are in an area without a lot of precipitation in the winter months, irrigating trees and shrubs – and any other areas that may need it – helps root development for a healthier landscape next year.
Mid-Winter Checklist
When the ground freezes or after you’ve performed all your soil remediation tasks, it’s time to set your sights on winter landscape maintenance. In more snow-prone areas, that can mean preparing a snow removal strategy or protecting plants from frost – and in warmer areas, it could be time to focus on irrigation system or equipment maintenance.
- Dormant Pruning – for many tree species, this is the best time of year to prune. Not only will it help promote new, healthy growth in the spring, but it also lets you identify and remove any dead or damaged branches – helping to reduce liability from falling limbs and keeping your property safer and your trees healthier. Pruning during the dormant season is also a good way to avoid infections by certain diseases such as oak wilt.
- Snow Prep – It may not be a threat now, but a winter storm can make a mess of your property – from the parking areas to the flower beds. Staking out driveways and edges helps snow removal teams know where to plow and salt and can help streamline the process when Mother Nature throws her worst at you.
- Maintenance – If snow isn’t an issue, now is a great time to have your irrigation system inspected, conduct a water audit, and perform annual maintenance on any equipment that’s been used hard all spring and summer. It’s also a good opportunity to look at any upcoming weather trends for next year.
Late Winter Projects
As the weather starts to warm up and signs of spring begin to appear, now’s the time when things get serious. If you’ve done your due diligence, hopefully you’re in good shape and you can enjoy a smooth transition from winter to spring, but regardless of what happens all winter, there are a few best practices that benefit every commercial property.
- Fertilize Carefully - Late winter is a great time to fertilize evergreens and turf, so if the weather and soil will allow for it, give your property a little TLC with a low-nitrogen or slow-release fertilizer, based on your soil conditions and plant varieties. Make sure not to apply fertilizer if soils are still frozen or saturated with water.
- Plan Ahead - Create a plant health care program with your landscape provider to get ahead of spring pests and diseases. A little planning now can give your property a big boost during the growing season and help your plants and trees stay healthy and resilient.
- Crew Training – Before the season really ramps up, make sure your teams, vendors, and partners are up to speed with the latest compliance issues, equipment operation – and most importantly – your property’s needs and expectations. A good landscape and tree care provider will maintain open communication throughout the year to ensure you get exactly what you need, when you need it.
You already know that as a property manager, down time is more of a myth than a reality. But with the right winter preparation and care for your commercial landscape, your outdoor spaces can bounce back healthy in the spring and look vibrant and welcoming all year round. Choosing a partner who understands your property’s unique needs and has the expertise to make your goals a reality is essential to creating a beautiful commercial landscape.
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