Is your commercial property ready for fall and winter? Winter will be upon us sooner than we know it. Now is the time to prepare your commercial property for the cold weather ahead with a thorough fall cleanup. Being proactive with help you to keep your commercial landscape clean, safe and protected throughout the fall and winter seasons.
Bring in Cold-Resistant Plants and Remove Fall Annuals
Lovely seasonal annuals, like mums, definitely have their day during the fall and enhance your commercial curb appeal, but as the cold weather approaches it’s time to replace them. Your commercial property doesn’t need to be left bare and dreary. Your business or establishment will benefit from suitable winter vegetation all season long. You can plant perennial plants that are cold-resistant.
Some cold weather plants that flower in winter here in zone 9:
- Leatherleaf Mahonia
- Daphne
- Winter Jasmine
- Kaffir Lily
- Witch Hazel
- Fashion Azalea
- Snapdragon
- Petunia
- Pansies
- Violets
- Carnations
- Baby’s Breath
- Geraniums
- Delphiniums
Schedule your Tree Trimming
Now is the best time to trim your trees and cut any damaged or overgrown branches. During winter is when your tree goes into a state of dormancy and won’t deplete needed energy recovering. Your tree has until spring to wake up and renew. If you schedule your tree trimming now, they can assess your needs early in the fall and work on it come winter. Trimming your trees will keep your property safe during windstorms and reduce fallen branches that can damage or destroy your property.
Protect your Shrubs and Trees
Even though here in Visalia we don’t get brutal below freezing temperatures like some areas of the country, you can help protect tender plants and trees with frost covers from your local nursery. You can also use sheets, blankets, burlap, or shade cloth. Mature plants can withstand the weight of the frost covers, but younger delicate plants could benefit from using sticks or other materials to prevent crushing. Remove the covering or tenting after the frost has thawed.
Aerate and Dethatch your Turf
Wait, what’s thatch? Thatch is the dead grass stems and roots that accumulates naturally as your lawn builds up debris faster than it can break it down. Thatch is ugly. Thatch is not something that you want you to see on your commercial landscape. Thatch looks messy and creates the perfect nesting material for rodents and insects, which is NOT perfect for you. So, what’s the solution? Take the time to aerate your soil. Aeration churns the soil and integrates thatch back into your landscape. Seeds that are planted in the aeration holes leaves room for new grass that will thicken your turf and create healthy, strong grass.
Turn Over Your Mulch
Stop! Turn over that mulch! If your property uses mulch around garden beds or other areas of your landscaping now is the perfect time to rejuvenate it. Harsh summer sun can remove the color and richness of your wood chips. You can extend the life of your investment by turning over your current layer instead of just replacing it all. A shovel, rake or pitchfork can easily be used to turn it efficiently.
A few simple steps and your commercial landscape will be winter ready. Here at Rainscape we are happy to help with any of your landscaping needs. Give us a call and we’ll help you get your property ready for the seasons to come!