Fall is here in Western Colorado, which means cooler mornings, shorter days, and—hopefully—a little relief from the summer heat. But for commercial property owners and managers, the landscaping to-do list isn’t quite finished yet.
In fact, fall is an important time to prepare your property for the colder months ahead. Taking care of a few key tasks now can help protect your landscape, irrigation system, and curb appeal through winter.
Here are five fall landscaping tasks commercial property owners shouldn’t put off:
1. Adjust Your Irrigation Schedule
As temperatures cool, your landscape’s water requirements change. Continuing to run irrigation on a summer schedule can waste water and potentially contribute to landscape problems.
Adjust watering frequency as temperatures drop, and inspect your system for broken sprinkler heads, leaks, clogged nozzles, or areas of overspray.
A properly maintained irrigation system isn’t just good for your landscape—it can also help control operating costs.
2. Give Your Landscape a Fall Cleanup
Leaves, dead plant material, weeds, and other debris can quickly make a commercial property look neglected.
A thorough fall cleanup helps keep planting beds, walkways, entrances, and lawn areas looking neat and professional. Removing accumulated debris can also help protect turf and planting areas through the winter.
For businesses, that first impression matters. A well-maintained exterior tells customers, tenants, and visitors that your property is cared for.
3. Inspect Trees and Shrubs
Fall is a good time to take a closer look at the trees and shrubs around your property.
Look for dead, damaged, or overgrown branches that could become a problem during winter weather. Trees and shrubs may also need seasonal pruning to maintain their health, appearance, and clearance around buildings, walkways, and parking areas.
4. Prepare for Winter
Western Colorado winters can bring freezing temperatures, snow, and fluctuating conditions. Preparing your landscape before winter arrives can help prevent avoidable problems.
Depending on the property, fall preparation may include irrigation winterization, protecting vulnerable plantings, addressing drainage concerns, and making sure landscape areas are ready for freezing temperatures.
Getting ahead of these tasks is much easier than dealing with a landscape problem after the first hard freeze.
5. Start Planning for Spring
Yes, really. Fall is a great time to look ahead.
If your commercial property needs new landscaping, irrigation improvements, plant replacements, hardscaping, or a larger landscape renovation, starting the conversation before spring can give you more time to plan the project and establish a realistic budget.
A little advance planning can make it much easier to hit the ground running when the growing season returns.
Keep Your Commercial Property Looking Its Best
Commercial landscaping is about more than keeping the grass mowed. Consistent maintenance, irrigation management, seasonal cleanup, and proactive planning all contribute to a property that looks professional and functions well year-round.
Maple Leaf Landscaping + Maintenance provides commercial landscaping and maintenance services throughout Grand Junction and Western Colorado, including landscape installation, irrigation, lawn care, seasonal services, and landscape improvements.
Need to get your commercial property ready for winter? Contact Maple Leaf Landscaping + Maintenance for a free consultation.