During the summer, you don’t want to think about those fall and winter chores. However, before you know it, fall and winter will arrive in your town. Now is the time to prepare your landscape for these seasons. Here are some simple ways that you can prepare your commercial landscape for fall & winter.
Turn Over the Mulch
If your commercial space uses mulch around your property, then you may want to use the cooler fall weather to give it a refresh. During the summer, the harsh sun and heavy rains can start to deteriorate your mulch. While it might be a good idea to add more mulch to your spaces, there are other ways to refresh your landscape. You can extend the mulch’s life by turning over the current layer. With a garden rake or shovel, fluff up the mulch for a healthier landscape.
In some cases, the old mulch will need to be replaced, but there are dangers of over-mulching. If you have too much new mulch on your landscape, you could be inviting pests or exposing your trees and plants to disease. Certain mulches can even raise the levels of your lawn’s pH. Turning over your mulch is a healthier alternative for a commercial landscape for fall & winter.
Dethatch Your Lawn
In the fall, you should dethatch your landscape. Thatch consists of dead grass roots and stems. While these elements naturally buildup in your lawn, you want to remove them from your landscape. Over time, thatch can lead to more debris in your yard that can harm the health of your landscape. You also want to remove thatch since it makes your commercial property look unruly. Thatch will also create the perfect nesting spot for insects and rodents. You can remove thatch by lowering your lawnmower’s height. Aerating your lawn will also help to break up thatch.
Aerate Your Grass
If you want your lawn to weather the worst of the winter weather, then you need to aerate your turf while it is green. Aeration will give your yard a little breathing room as it starts to move into the colder months. These methods break up any compacted soil to allow the nutrients and water to reach the roots. During those dry winter months, you might want to water the lawn by hand to help it turn green. This process can help your lawn look greener during the first stages of spring.
Protect Those Vulnerable Shrubs and Trees
For those property owners with new shrubs or trees, you might want to wrap them up before the temperatures start to drop. This process should be done before the first frost of the season hits the area. When you shelter your trunks with a specialized wrapping material or burlap, it will work like a wind barrier to keep out freezing temperatures and reduce salt damage from de-icing products.
Plan Your Tree Trimming
During the winter, it is an ideal time to remove those overgrown or damaged branches. For many trees and shrubs, they are dormant and will not waste energy to recover from trimming. When you prune in the dormant season, you can also prevent diseases from destroying your trees. Those overgrown spruce trees and evergreens will also benefit from a healthy pruning in the winter months. If you want to have expert help with pruning, you should contact a professional landscaping company for commercial landscape for fall & winter. They will help you find the best times to prune your specific tree species so that you will not harm it.
Remove Those Fall Annuals and Protect the Perennials
For those properties with seasonal fall annuals, you will want to remove them after they have finished flowering for the year. If you leave them on the property, your commercial space will look deary and bare. For those perennials, you should cut the stems to within an inch from the ground. Many people will add pine needles, straw, or hay to protect the plants during the cold winter. This layer helps the perennials survive a damaging freeze.
You might also want to think about adding winter vegetation to your outdoor spaces. With a few new elements, your area will have some life throughout those cold winter months. Holly and other seasonal details can add a pop of color to your spaces.
Start Seeding for Fall
If you want to have lush green grass in the spring, start seeding during the autumn season. Fall aeration and overseeding can help to fill in those bare spots so that you have a thick turf in the spring. By introducing other grass species, you can make your grass less susceptible to diseases.
Plant for Spring
For those spring bulbs, fall is the best time to do some planting. With the crisp autumn air and warm soil, you will also want to plant new shrubs and trees. You should have these bulbs and plants in place by the middle of October. When you plant in the fall, your new shrubs and trees can adjust to their surroundings without enduring the harsh summer heat.
Prepare for the Holidays
In the fall, you can get ready for all those holiday decorations and lights. You don’t want to be outside in the cold weather as you make a clearing for your seasonal display. When winter rolls into town, you will be set to hang up your holiday decor as you welcome your customers or tenants.
Get Ready for Fall Prepare your Commercial Landscape for Fall & Winter
Fall and winter are great seasons to do a little yard work throughout your commercial property. However, you might not want to deal with these hassles by yourself. At Charlestown Landscaping, we can help with all these commercial property needs. Our team will take care of all those fall and winter chores on your list. After preparing your property, we will even help with snow removal services. We will make your commercial property look great throughout the year. If you would like more information about Charlestown Landscaping’s services, please fill out the contact form to schedule a consultation.