Landscaped gardens provide several benefits, making these must-have features for commercial properties.
Office buildings, malls, shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, cafes, as well as sports, fitness, healthcare, and medical facilities always look more pleasant and inviting when they have well-designed and well-maintained outdoor spaces.
Landscaped front yards can catch the attention of passersby. Because of this, they are more likely to stop and enter your premises. Your chances of converting them into customers will, therefore, be higher.
Additionally, representatives from a landscaping design company say that outdoor spaces are also features that employees appreciate. With a professionally designed lawn, they will have a place to go to during their breaks where they can mingle with their colleagues, breathe natural fresh air, and relax in the midst of nature.
Anyone who works and visits these commercial properties frequently will also be impressed by well-designed and maintained landscapes. As such, business owners can further gain the respect and loyalty of their employees and customers.
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Having an Outdoor Space That Enhances Your Commercial Property
Having a lovely and functional commercial landscape all year round starts with having a well-designed one.
At the very least, a great commercial landscape design consists of the following key elements:
- An appealing entrance
- Eye-catching plants
- Decorative hardscapes and features
- Pleasing and functional outdoor furniture
- Strategically chosen and located lighting fixtures
- Irrigation system
Creating a landscape design with all these components and figuring out where they should go can pose a challenge, especially if you have a large outdoor space.
If you want to have a landscape that works for your commercial property and looks appealing all year round, you will do well to have professionals create and implement a well-thought-out design and plan.
Moreover, if you hire professional landscaping contractors to handle this project, you will have an outdoor space that is easy to care for and maintain.
Commercial Landscape Maintenance Tips
Once your commercial landscape project is completed, your next focus should be on maintaining it.
Below are the five best tips for maintaining commercial landscapes:
1. Inspect the lawn regularly.
Maintaining and improving a commercial landscape can be easier, quicker, and less costly when you inspect it frequently.
Walk around and check all the natural and human-made features of your landscape at least once a week. Look for unhealthy or dying plants and hardscapes and furniture in need of repair or upgrades.
Additionally, be on the lookout for signs of pests. Inspect the irrigation system and all lighting features regularly to ensure they are working properly as well.
Lastly, consider the overall impression that your outdoor space provides. If you think it looks untidy and disordered, you may need to invest in complete landscape maintenance or improvement services.
2. Ensure all basic lawn care tasks are carried out on schedule.
To maintain a lush, lovely, and picture-worthy landscape throughout the year, some essential lawn care chores have to be carried out on a regular basis. These include:
- Watering
If you live in a hot, arid area, you need to water your lawn every other day. Otherwise, hydrate your yard deeply at least once a week to nourish all plants and encourage the growth of a strong root system. If you have an irrigation system, set its schedule based on these recommendations.
- Mowing
If your lawn needs trimming, ensure the person mowing it cuts only a third of the grass blades. Additionally, make sure the mower blades are sharp since dull ones can rip the leaves off and make your turf prone to diseases.
- Weeding
Ensure you or your gardeners remove any weeds manually as soon as they appear. If the lawn is already overcome with these unwanted plants, apply an herbicide but be sure to do this only twice a year, with an interval of at least six months.
- Fertilizing and mulching
To have a healthy landscaped lawn all year round, fertilize at least twice a year. Also, ensure mulch is applied since it helps the soil retain moisture and control the temperature, and it adds color and texture to your landscape.
3. Prioritize shrub and tree maintenance.
Commercial landscape owners have to be extra vigilant about maintaining trees and bushes. This is because a falling branch can injure an employee, customer, or visitor, which can lead to different legal issues and liabilities.
To avoid getting into any troubles, ensure all decaying or damaged branches are pruned or removed immediately.
Additionally, to prevent shrubs from obstructing walkways and driveways, trim and prune them regularly.
Keep in mind that well-trimmed trees and bushes do not only make your property safe; they also enhance the appeal of your landscape. These lawn care essentials also encourage the healthy growth of your plants.
4. Don’t forget the hardscape.
Hardscape features include walkways and pathways, rock walls, patios, drainage, and water features. Although they do not require the same amount of maintenance as softscapes, you still need to maintain them.
Doing so ensures your hardscape continues to make your landscape look appealing. Moreover, proper maintenance can guarantee they continue to be safe and functional features in your lawn.
Below are some tips for maintaining the hardscape features in your commercial property:
- Sweep hardscape surfaces frequently and keep them clear of any debris that can cause accidents.
- Look for loose sand and gaps between the paver joints and seal any that you see immediately to prevent weed growth.
- Be on the lookout for cracks, bumps, or slumps, and washouts on walkways.
- Ensure there are no gaps and cracks in retaining walls.
- Replace the water in water features and clean these regularly.
5. Maintain appealing and functional outdoor gathering spaces.
Although it is vital to have a beautiful landscape, it is crucial to ensure its functional elements attract and satisfy the users and visitors.
If your landscape does not have seating areas, courtyards, or a patio, have them installed. These features create spots where tenants and visitors can socialize, have outdoor meetings, or relax.
Water features, gardens, and outdoor dining areas also make the landscape more conducive for various activities. If you don’t have these fixtures yet, consider updating the design to include them.
If you have a huge outdoor space around your mall, hospital, school, or any large facility, consider adding walking and cycling paths to make it easier for tenants and guests to engage in simple exercises.
Before making any plans to update your outdoor space, speak with a landscaping contractor to find out if you can add any new features and how much the project may cost.
Commercial landscape projects require huge investments. Get the most from your outlay and outdoor feature by having it designed by professional landscaping contractors and maintaining it well.
AUTHOR BIO:
Rachel Hennessey manages the Pools and Landscaping Division of Hennessey LLC. She also works on Tender and Pre-Qualification and brings in new business to the company’s Construction, Interiors and Civils Division.
