Commercial property managers in New Jersey know that when fall arrives, it’s time to start making some changes. As the leaves begin to change color and fall to the ground and temperatures get cooler, you will need to get your commercial property ready for the cold winter months ahead. Fall maintenance is a ritual that all good property managers need to follow because it helps ensure the safety of your visitors and keeps your property looking pristine and professional as the seasons and landscape change.
With the right fall commercial property maintenance services, your property will continue to be the envy of your neighbors and attract the type of clientele you want.
Here are three commercial property fall maintenance tips that will help.
1 – Evaluate Your Landscaping Needs
Fall is a time to inspect your commercial property to get a sense of what kind of landscaping work needs to be done before the winter. Assessing the property and taking the appropriate actions will ensure the grass, trees, and shrubs do well over the winter, and it will get them in the best position to flourish in spring.
Some of the important landscaping factors to consider include:
Length of the Final Cut – it’s important not to cut the grass too short on the final cut, but you also don’t want it to be matted down under the snow. The final cut of the season should leave it at about two-inches long for best results.
Removing Weeds and Disease – if you’ve had professional landscaping service through the summer, there shouldn’t be any lawn weeds or diseased trees and shrubs on the property. However, if you do have an issue, fall is a great time to remove them. Clean up your garden beds by removing debris, fallen branches and leaves and unwanted weeds.
Fertilizing for Future Growth – before the winter arrives, it’s a good idea to put down a layer of fertilizer in early fall to add nutrients back into the soil and stimulate the roots for a strong foundation in the spring.
Fall Lawn Care – Fall is the best season to seed cool-season lawns. Plant cool-season grass seeds at least a month and a half before the estimated date of your first fall frost. Continue to use your sprinklers until the ground starts to freeze because your fall grass will still need water. Aside from that, watering during fall will keep the soil surface moist and will help your lawn recover from summer stress and gain strength for the upcoming winter.
Below are some of the cool season grasses you can choose from:
- Fine fescue.
- Tall fescue.
- Creeping fescue.
- Annual ryegrass.
- Perennial ryegrass.
Wrapping and Pruning – prevention is a key component when it comes to avoiding issues after the winter, which is why wrapping some trees, shrubs, and plants makes sense. It’s also a great idea to prune trees and shrubs in fall when the shape of the plants is easy to see, and they are about to go dormant.
Walkways and Driveways – keeping your hardscape in good shape during winter is important, and the time to check for issues and fix them is in the fall. Seal cracks and holes and the ice will stay out during the early winter months.
Keeping the grounds in top condition is essential no matter what time of year it happens to be. But after the growing seasons of spring and summer, fall presents an excellent opportunity for you to preserve all the hard work that’s been done for the winter.
2 – Consider Planting and Decorating
Fall doesn’t always have to mean winding down when it comes to your commercial property. Depending on your type of commercial property in New Jersey, you may want to brighten things up and plant some new shrubs or flowers that bloom in winter. Just because the weather is colder doesn’t mean you can’t make your property look alive. Some possibilities include camellia, witch hazel, winterberry, snowdrop, and Christmas rose are good during the cold weather but be sure to ask your Neave commercial landscaping professional for all the options.
Another fall maintenance tip you might want to consider is seasonal decorations for your commercial property. Depending on the size and how the property is used, decorating for Halloween or Thanksgiving may add to the charm of the area as the temperatures continue to drop. It will also help get visitors and people passing by into the spirit of the season and make your property stand out.
You can also plant bulbs during fall so that you can have beautiful flowers in spring.
3 – Check All Downspouts and Gutters
Downspouts and gutters can cause a big problem in the winter if you don’t take the necessary precautions in the fall. Once all of the leaves have fallen from the trees, you can be sure that many of them are clogging up your gutters and downspouts. If you do not address them, then you may end up with flooding after heavy rains in late fall or when the snow melts in spring. It’s also wise to check that all gutters and downspouts are in good condition and securely attached to the building.
Water needs to drain away from the building when it rains or when the snow melts, and if the gutters are clogged with leaves, sludge, and other debris, the likelihood of a leaking roof is that much higher. Since so many commercial roofs are flat, water tends to pool and can cause serious water damage if it the downspouts and gutters aren’t cleaned properly. This preventative action could end up saving a lot of time and water damage later on.
It’s no secret that running a commercial property in New Jersey takes a lot of work and planning. The condition of the building and the landscaping are just a small part of what keeps a commercial property running smoothly, but if they are in disrepair, it can cause a lot of other issues.
When you partner with a proven, reputable landscape professional like Neave Group, you can feel confident that your commercial property will look its best all year long. We will take care of your fall maintenance so you can focus on other areas of the property.
Contact Neave Group today at (201) 591-4570 or fill out our simple web form, and we’ll contact you about setting up your free consultation.