It’s that time of year again. Snow. Sleet. Freezing rain. And, worst of all – de-icing costs due to the winter weather. The arrival of winter means that you may have to do slightly more work on your office landscaping than usual. But don’t let the cold keep you from maintaining a well-groomed environment. Here at Landscape Professionals, we’d like to help by offering our winter landscaping tips for your office premises.
Keep Watering Your Plants
Watering your plants and shrubs becomes a more critical concern as winter weather sets in, and the temperatures drop. You risk setting the stage for plant disease by failing to keep the plants hydrated. When the soil is cold, water freezes in place and doesn’t reach the roots of the plant. This can cause root rot as well as weakening of the plant itself.
Mulch Tree Beds and Garden
Mulching is essential in winter because it helps the plants retain moisture and reduce weed growth. It also acts as an insulator for plants, keeping them warm in cold weather. If possible, you should consider using natural materials such as bark chips or shredded leaves because they will decompose into the soil over time and help improve its health. Based on this, avoid using plastic, since it can cause harm to your plants by blocking sunlight and causing soil compaction.
Winterize Sprinkler Systems
You don’t want frozen pipes or water damage from burst pipes, so it’s essential to winterize your sprinkler system before the weather gets too cold. You’ll first need to drain the water from the pipes, so they don’t freeze and burst. You can open all of the valves and allow them to drain, or hire us at Landscape Professionals to come over and complete this step for you.
Once you’ve drained all of the water from the pipes, you’ll want to turn off the valves, so they don’t freeze. Any exposed pipes must also be wrapped with insulation or frost cloths so they don’t freeze. If they freeze and they burst you have to spend money that you could be saving which hurts even more during this high inflation environment.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
When autumn rains stop, leaves can collect in gutters and downspouts, where they could freeze into solid masses that block water flow when temperatures drop. The weight of accumulated snow or ice buildup on top of them could also lead to collapsed roofs because of the damage to gutters or downspouts. Cleaning your gutter and downspout systems will ensure optimal water flow throughout winter.
Hire the Dependable Commercial Landscaping Specialists
Your office is your second home and even if it’s where you spend most of your day, it’s easy to forget how your landscaping can impact its functionality. Landscape professionals are experts at helping you turn your commercial office landscaping into a fresh, appealing place that draws in clients and do business with you. We have years of experience in winter landscaping and know what it takes to maximize your work environment. Reach out to us today!