The Must-Have Maintenance Checklist

There’s more to good landscape maintenance than just “mow-and-blow.” A comprehensive approach to landscape care is key to maintaining a consistent appearance and avoiding costly problems down the line. So, what services are a “must” for your landscape maintenance program? This checklist will help you dig into the details.

Lawn Care

In addition to clipping, edging, and blowing the grass, your lawn will benefit from regular treatment with the following:

• Pre-emergent to prevent weeds
• Fertilizer to fortify growth, making your lawn more resistant to disease, pests, and weeds
• Core aeration, roughly every one to two years, to avoid soil compaction that makes it harder for water, air, and nutrients to reach the roots of your lawn

Bed Maintenance

Ornamental beds need regular attention, too.  A good landscape care program should include a plan for weeding, pruning, mulch, and fertilization at regular intervals.

Weed & Pest Management

Proactive treatment can spell the difference between a minor nuisance and a major problem. Weed and pest management has come a long way, and today there are a number of organic solutions that can be integrated as a regular component of your maintenance program.

Irrigation

With many regions facing increased water restrictions, ensuring your irrigation system is in top form is more important than ever. Regular inspection by an irrigation expert can help you avoid costly leaks and repairs by catching and remedying problems early. Plus, an optimized irrigation system can effectively maximize the application of every droplet, so you can do more with less.

Tree Care

Generally, trees under 15 feet tall can be cared for by your regular landscape maintenance crew; anything taller and it’s time to call an arborist. A certified arborist and experienced tree crew are able to provide structural pruning that ensures the safety of your tree and surrounding people and property. They can also prescribe fertilizer applications that reach the deep roots of mature trees, growth regulators that prevent encroachment, and pest and disease treatment.

Storm Preparedness & Response

Fallen branches and debris resulting from severe storms can compromise the safety of your property. That’s why it’s important for your landscape partner to prepare a storm preparedness and response plan. The plan should include pruning trees in advance of storm season to reduce wind resistance and outline a plan for restoring safe passage to your property after a storm, prioritizing main points of entrance.

Exterior Maintenance

Finally, don’t forget about the exterior maintenance that keep your property safe and tidy, like power washing sidewalks and walls, plus parking lot sweeping, sealing and striping.

Together, these services represent a comprehensive landscape maintenance plan. And, as you may have noticed, many go hand-in-hand: such as fertilizing your lawn after a core aeration for better absorption or making storm preparedness part of your broader tree care plan. That’s why having a partner who offers all of these capabilities is crucial for making your landscape care seamless. Luckily, at BrightView, we can handle all of the above (and then some!). Contact us for a free consultation to see how we can make your landscape care stress-free.