You know the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” That’s true for many things in life, including commercial landscaping. In most areas of property management, it’s better to be proactive than reactive whenever possible to create a safe, appealing environment for your clients, visitors and residents.
When it comes to getting key components of your landscape ready for summer, the team at Schill prides itself on a preventive approach.
Let’s take a look at the benefits of being proactive when it comes to four areas: irrigation, mulching, turf care and flower installation.
1. Irrigation
Proper irrigation means delivering the right amount of water to the right plants at the right times. It may sound simple, but it’s a science. Irrigate correctly and you’ll be rewarded with flourishing flowers, lush grass and vibrant ornamentals. Irrigate your landscape beds, trees, shrubs and lawn areas improperly, and you’ll have an array of issues, including subpar plant health, wasted water and money down the drain.
Don’t wait until the height of summer only to realize you have dry spots in your turf, overspray on your walkways or broken sprinkler heads. Rather, it’s best to conduct an irrigation inspection or audit in advance.
An irrigation audit is a methodical procedure water management professionals use to collect data about your irrigation system. From there, they can recommend the right mix of repairs, renovations and technological upgrades your system may need to get better results.
With the right partner, you can prevent landscaping problems before they occur, which ultimate leads to a healthier landscape, better environmental stewardship and financial savings.
2. Mulch
There’s nothing like the finishing touch of a freshly mulched commercial property, but did you know mulching around plants is about more than aesthetics? That’s right — it does a lot more than make your colorful annuals pop.
Mulch is also a powerful preventive tool for:
- Suppressing weeds — keep ugly weeds away with fewer herbicides;
- Retaining soil moisture — reduce irrigation needs; and
- Preventing erosion — protect plant roots and avoid having to add soil.
All of these benefits boil down to cost savings for you, better outcomes for your landscaping and environmental consciousness.
Which type of mulch is best for your property depends on several factors, including your budget, your environmental requirements. In any case, we recommend mulching to depths of about 2-3 inches for the best year-round protection and appearance.
3. Turf
Lawns are a quintessential part of any landscaping. On commercial properties, they range from quite small to expansive. Regardless of the size of your turf areas, your clients, residents and visitors expect grass to be lush, green and weed-free.
Healthy summer turf begins with a complete lawn care program tailored to your property’s needs. It typically includes multiple applications of fertilizer, insect control and weed control, starting in the spring to prevent infestations or poor conditions in the first place.
Pre-summer turf care also may include overseeding bare or thin patches with fresh grass seed or spot planting sod to repair damaged areas. Complete turf renovations are more commonly done in the fall, which is considered prime time for seeding, due to the combination of warm days, cool nights and sufficient rainfall.
4. Flowers
Some say spring and summer flowers are how Mother Nature rewards us for long winters. Luckily for property owners, you have many options when it comes to spring and summer flower installations — each with their own set of pros and cons:
- Annuals (impatiens, begonias and geraniums)
- Pro: Colorful blooms add seasonal interest.
Con: Must be planted every year.
- Pro: Colorful blooms add seasonal interest.
- Perennials (black-eyed Susan, salvia, hosta)
- Pro: Attractive and generally low maintenance.
- Con: May be slower to establish; some have short blooming cycles.
- Flowering trees (Eastern redbud, dogwood, crabapple)
- Pro: Attractive and easy to care for.
- Con: Fruit and flower droppings can be messy.
- Flowering shrubs (hydrangea, butterfly bush, forsythia)
- Pro: Beautiful bursts of color.
- Con: May require higher levels of care.
- Containers (often a mix of annuals and greenery)
- Pro: Endless combinations of color and texture.
- Con: May require careful watering and seasonal swap outs.
Whether you are looking for an understated look or a wow-inducing focal point, a lower budget option or a high-end display, a seasoned commercial landscaping provider like Schill can design the right mix of flowers to meet your needs. Whatever your preferences, a proactive seasonal color plan will ensure your commercial property feels fresh and welcoming for all your residents or visitors during peak season.
Our experienced team of landscape professionals prides itself on offering a stress-free, turnkey approach for our commercial property manager partners. Get in touch today to create a comprehensive, proactive plan for all your landscaping needs.
