As a commercial property manager, you have a lot on your plate. Most managers will admit that the landscaping around the building can sometimes be far down the totem pole as far as concerns go. And sometimes, the commercial landscaping goes entirely neglected.
The problem is that if certain components of the landscaping aren’t taken care of, there can be some major health and safety concerns that arise. It could be an irrigation system that doesn’t work properly, or tree branches fall and damage part of the property or a vehicle, or something far worse.
If something similar has happened to you, you’re absolutely not alone. Issues like these are more common than not. The good news is that a landscaping contractor can solve nearly every property landscaping problem. We’re here to help. Let’s take a look at 5 of the most common and important commercial property problems that a landscaping contractor can fix for you.
Timely Cropping
If you don’t have the timing of the mowing of lawns and pruning of trees set up properly, it can end up being disruptive for your tenants and guests or cause problems down the line. When it comes to lawns, you need to find the right time to maintain and mow the area. You should plan to have your mowing taken care of in the early morning, if possible, so your tenants and guests don’t show up in the middle of your lawn maintenance.
When it comes to pruning trees, there are several reasons not to skip it and make sure you get the right timing. In particular, pruning is critical during the early stages of a tree’s life in order to ensure that it grows into a healthy and stable tree. If you skip these times, you may end up with trees that have structural issues, are susceptible to diseases, or even worse, growing into your buildings or structures. You may even end up losing that tree.
Snow Removal and Storage
Snow doesn’t just magically disappear; it has to go somewhere. And in the winter months in the Midwest, you can quickly end up with more snow than you know how to handle. You absolutely need to plan ahead for snow storage and removal. If you have too much snow on your hands, it’ll block your parking lots, cost you the money you don’t want to spend on snow hauling fees, and it can even lead to property damage if the snow is pushed into the wrong places. This can create all sorts of landscaping issues as the snow melts and the months get warmer as well.
Drainage System
One of the most common things to get neglected, especially if it isn’t raining or snowing, is your property’s drainage systems. But it’s unwise to wait until there’s a squishy problem underfoot to start dealing with it. Most commonly, we see downspouts that drain right onto walkways. The problem with this is when the weather gets cold, the water turns into ice, thaws again, and freezes again, over and over. This creates a huge safety issue as your once protected walkway turns into a giant ice slick.
There are other potential drainage issues to pay attention to as well, such as improper drainage in your parking lots, areas of your landscaping that collect too much water, and more. A landscaping contractor can identify all of these issues and then some.
Irrigation Solutions
How many times have you seen a sprinkler system spraying water all over a lawn in the middle of a rainstorm? We have; more times than we can count. It’s a huge waste of water and money, especially if you’re metered on your water usage. If this has happened to you on your property, you need to get a lot smarter about your irrigation.
In fact, a landscaping contractor can help install modern irrigation systems that contain rain sensors. That way, if the water is coming down from the sky, the sprinklers won’t turn on. These same “smart” irrigation systems can actually turn off if a line breaks, saving you major headaches and potentially saving your lawn. And the great news is that these fancy irrigation systems are not particularly bad for your pocketbook at all.
Irrigation timing overall is incredibly important to pay attention to as well. For example, if you’ve been tempted to water plants and lawns at night when tenants are gone, don’t do it. This is the wrong time to water plants, as the water may simply sit on top of them and create avenues for diseases to grow. The best time to irrigate is early in the morning.
Pest / Insect Prevention
As the snow melts and flowers begin to bloom, the pests start to arrive. Mosquitos, rabbits, and other insects naturally attempt to find a home on your beautiful property. And while they deserve a place where they can live, breed, and thrive, you certainly don’t want that place to be right on your grounds.
A professional landscape contractor can identify timing and areas on your property that may be problematic for you when it comes to infestations, and they can help you select or install certain landscaping components that will deter both insects and mammals from making their homes next to your building.
Conclusion
If all of this seems pretty complicated, that’s because it is. You have enough on your plate to deal with focusing on your business and your building to deal with these types of landscaping issues. Leave the tasks to a well-regarded professional landscaping contractor like Earth Development. We’ll take the hassle out of potential landscaping issues and will make sure your outdoor property is as properly maintained as possible. Contact us now to see exactly what we can do for your property year-round!
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