Schill Blog

It’s that time of year again. You’re thinking about changing your property management provider and you’re collecting bids.

Maybe you’re compiling them to submit them to a board of advisers or trustees for review, or maybe you’re just doing your due diligence to make sure that your property is getting the best value.

Over the years, we’ve heard from a lot of property managers that comparing bids from prospective vendors is one of the most difficult and time-consuming things they have to do. Unfortunately, comparing landscaping contracts is often not any easier, as bids differ depending on the scope of work and service offered.

As Northern Ohio’s leader in commercial landscaping, we know how important spring cleanup landscaping is to keeping your property looking its best. Spring cleanup landscaping is a general cleanup of your property and readies your property for summer. Get a jumpstart on summer with this spring cleanup landscaping checklist.

Fall is arguably one of the most beautiful seasons of the year! It boasts gorgeous colors, cool, crisp, refreshing air, seasonal activities and pumpkin spice lattes 😊

With mother nature already setting the stage with fall colors, invoking a fun and festive atmosphere, we need only provide accompaniments to the natural beauty already there.

Although rain is necessary for plant growth, too much rain within a short period of time can be highly destructive. The historic levels of rainfall we’ve had this year, has wreaked havoc throughout Ohio as Lake Erie water levels rose to 30 inches above normal.

Farmland has been hit hard flooding tens of thousands of acres of farmland, making it impossible for farmers to plant crops. Agriculture is one of Ohio’s core industries, employing about 1 out of every 7 Ohioans, but 2019 has been nothing but disaster for agribusinesses. 

Landscaping companies have also been feeling the effects from what has been one of the most unpredictable weather patterns in decades.

Within the past few weeks alone, we've seen a drastic shift from nonstop downpour to extreme heat and humidity. This makes a deadly combination for turf grass and creates the perfect environment for fungal related diseases.

Because there has been little to no sunlight to nourish along with the rain, grass has very little nutrition making it extremely susceptible to disease. 

Here's a list of 4 common grass diseases to expect this summer, many of which are already visible on lawns throughout the region:

Nothing says summer like spending a relaxing day at the pool. The contrast of cool water on a hot day is a perfect blend like sweet and spicy food dancing on the taste buds.

Swimming pools and spas are fun for the whole family and a great place to spend the day, whether you’re in your backyard, hotel, friend’s house or community center. However, pools and spas can present real danger, causing serious incidents if not properly setup and maintained.

In fact, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death worldwide with about 372,000 drowning deaths reported each year.

One of the most exciting features of any landscape, is being able to make it come alive when the sun sets. Outdoor lighting allows you to create a well lit environment that’s safe, highlights aesthetics and maintains a property’s use after daylight. 

That’s why it’s important to make sure you’re getting the most out of your current lighting system as it might be due for an upgrade. Here at Schill Grounds Management we understand that every landscape is unique. So, we put together a list of 4 reasons you should upgrade your outdoor lighting: 

Where there are trees, shrubs and flowers—there is mulch. And, keeping the grounds where these plants live healthy is key if you want to protect your investment in the landscape.

Mulch might seem purely aesthetic, like icing on the cake. And there’s no doubt, it does create clean-looking, defined landscape beds and a rich backdrop for seasonal color.

But, there’s so much more to mulch than just looks. So, when property managers want to know: “Do we have to mulch the landscape beds this year?” our answer is always, “Yes.”

It’s true that first encounters, create lasting impressions. For commercial properties, flowers and annual color add a vibrant and beautiful tone to your landscape that refreshes the environment and enhances curb appeal.

With spring quickly approaching, it’s important to plan for annual flowers in advance. Here are 4 steps that’ll make sure your property stays beautiful from April to fall.