As a property manager, you’ve got a lot on your plate. That’s why you’re likely interested in low-maintenance landscaping that isn’t going to overextend your budget or add more to your to-do list.
Believe it or not, the makings of a low-maintenance landscape start with the design.
Making thoughtful choices during the commercial landscape design phase can significantly reduce future maintenance needs and expenses. There’s an inclination to get caught up in only thinking about aesthetics when creating a landscape design.
But failing to plan strategically for the long-term life of your property can lead to unwanted hassles and headaches.
In this article, we’ll discuss landscaping techniques to reduce maintenance. Knowing that a specific budget likely limits you, this advice will help you avoid unnecessary expenses.
Most people would not consider a commercial property to be “low maintenance” simply because there’s always something to be done to maintain its upkeep. Caring for the property’s turf, beds, and trees requires ongoing care.
You don’t want to neglect these items, as it can negatively impact the property value.
That being said, there can be very different levels of commercial landscape maintenance involved in keeping your property looking its best. You certainly wouldn’t want to end up with more care than truly necessary simply due to poor choices during the commercial landscape design phase.
Thinking ahead about the future of your property can pay off with reduced maintenance needs.
As we’ve mentioned, the decisions made during the design process will impact the future maintenance needs of your property. When planning your commercial landscape, ensure that you consider your long-term needs.
One of the most common mistakes we see is when people become caught up in short-term aesthetics and fail to consider what it will mean for the property in the long term.
For example, a common mistake is to install trees or shrubs too close together. That might give instant gratification when the plants are small, but it doesn’t take the future growth or needs of the plant material into account. Improper spacing can create problems in the future, and the plant material may need to be removed.
Choosing plants purely based on their appearance is another example where “instant aesthetics” are given priority over long-term commercial landscape maintenance needs. Plants that are attractive but sensitive to drought or the local conditions can wind up giving you way more trouble than you want. Instead, opt for native plants that are suited for our ecology.
In general, we also encourage property managers to avoid any landscaping elements that will require high maintenance.
Items such as ponds and fountains fall into this category. If this is something that you highly desire and you’re willing to invest in the maintenance involved, that’s one thing.
However, most property managers seeking low-maintenance landscaping will want to avoid these types of additions.
Native plant choices are often the most low-maintenance options for your commercial landscape. These are plants that are native to the region and, therefore, already adapted to the local conditions.
Native plants also tend to be drought-tolerant, which is important when focusing on low-maintenance landscaping. Choosing drought-sensitive plants is one of the biggest mistakes that we see in the commercial landscape design phase.
Plants with high watering needs can mean extra care (and extra expense).
Of course, you can easily make a low-maintenance plant choice a high-maintenance one if you don’t install it properly. Remember to consider site location, sun exposure, soil conditions, water availability, and site traffic when choosing and installing plants on your property.
We understand that maintaining a high-maintenance landscape can be a significant source of frustration. It can add up to more hassles and headaches than you deserve to deal with.
However, with some thoughtful planning during the design phase, you can make informed choices that reduce your long-term maintenance needs.
Of course, you’ll also want to make sure that you choose a commercial landscape maintenance company that understands your wants and needs and is prepared to help set you up for success.
The right commercial landscape maintenance provider will be focused on decision-making in your best interest and will work closely within the confines of your budget.
The best commercial landscape services will also know how to practice low-maintenance landscaping that maintains the maximum value of your property.
If poor decisions were made during the planting phase, it may sometimes be necessary to start over with better choices. A company with your best interests at heart can help.
If you still find you can’t get your maintenance down to a reasonable amount, let KD Landscape help. It can be challenging, but we are familiar with the Greater Chicago landscape and know how to minimize maintenance, so we can make recommendations that make a significant difference on your site.
Want to learn more about how to create a low-maintenance commercial landscape in Greater Chicago? Get started today with an on-site consultation. We’ll review your options together so you can make a great choice.