With spring just around the corner, this is the perfect time for homeowners associations to pay attention to their greeneries. You’ve come to the right place if you need help with HOA landscaping for spring.
Best Tips for HOA Landscaping for Spring
The spring season is a beautiful time of the year. It marks the end of long, cold nights and the beginning of fresh, lively afternoons. For homeowners associations, springtime is the best time to break out the gardening tools and restore the neighborhood to its fairytale beauty.
Here are the best tips for springtime landscaping in HOA communities.
1. Clean Up
A blanket of snow can be nice to look at, but it can also be very heavy, causing branches and leaves to break off. As such, the first thing associations should do right after a harsh winter is clean up. That means getting rid of winter debris, such as dead leaves and fallen branches. This creates a blank slate that HOAs can work on.
Of course, just a simple sweep won’t do the trick. Chances are you’ll be left with quite a spread once seasons change. If you have maintenance employees on hand, this will be a breeze. But, if you don’t, it’s best to leave HOA spring landscaping – and everything that comes with it – in the hands of a professional.
2. Get More Mulch In There
Mulch can do wonders for a garden. If you want to protect the soil and improve fertility, it’s a good idea to put down a layer of mulch around trees and in garden beds. Plus, it can make the entire space look absolutely gorgeous!
When laying down mulch, though, be careful not to overdo it. An inch-thick layer of mulch is generally the best way to go. Too much, and it can suffocate the soil. And you don’t want to impede HOA landscaping for spring.
3. Give Trees and Bushes a Haircut
When it comes to your HOA spring landscape checklist, you can’t leave out bush and tree trimming. It’s hard to maintain shrubbery during the winter months because of the weather, so the trees and bushes in your neighborhood might have grown out of control during this time. But, once spring arrives, you can give your trees and bushes a good cut.
Aside from just the leaves, make sure to eliminate any overhanging or dead branches, too. These can easily break off and hurt someone standing below. They can even damage vehicles that are passing by. By trimming the trees and bushes, you’re not only promoting safety but also making everything look appealing.
4. Fertilize!
Fertilization isn’t something that you only do during springtime, but it’s certainly one you can’t leave off your list this season. Fertilizing trees, grass, and other plants helps keep your landscaping aesthetically pleasing. It also protects the health of your plants and greenery, provided you don’t put in too much fertilizer.
When choosing which fertilizer to use, go for one that’s organic and slow-release. Organic fertilizers are better for the environment, and the slow-release or controlled-release kind allows for better nutrient absorption.
5. Check and Adjust Sprinklers
Homeowners associations usually have to shut off their irrigation systems – including sprinklers – during the winter season. This is because the drop in temperature can freeze the pipes and cause them to burst, resulting in more costly damages. Before restarting your sprinkler system, make sure to have it checked. This way, you can ensure that everything’s in working order before you turn it back on.
Once you’ve confirmed that your sprinkler system is doing okay, it’s time to adjust the schedule. Landscaping, especially the kind that consists mostly of grass and plants, needs a lot of water to keep it looking its best. As such, part of your HOA spring landscape maintenance is to set a timer for your sprinkler to water the plants at least twice a week.
6. Add Some Beauty With New Plants
If there is ever a time to experiment with a new landscaping look for your HOA, it’s spring. This is the season for change, and that includes a change in scenery. If your community’s been using the same landscaping design and color scheme for a while, now is a good time to mix it up. Perhaps make the switch to new flowers or dip your toes in hardscaping.
Whatever you go with, a new look will lift everyone’s spirits. It gives residents a reason to spend more time around the neighborhood and appreciate the beauty of the community they live in. And nothing says “spring is here” quite like vibrant flowers and lush lawns.
7. Remind Homeowners to Do the Same
Landscaping isn’t reserved for the association only. Keeping the neighborhood looking beautiful is a two-way street. The association is responsible for landscaping maintenance in common areas, while homeowners must tend to their own spaces. After a long winter, though, it’s easy for homeowners to feel lazy and skip landscaping maintenance. This is why HOA boards should send out timely reminders.
Prepare a checklist that homeowners can refer to for their home landscaping needs. Then, distribute this list via email and other communication channels. You can even post it on your community website, social media, or newsletter. The goal is to get the word out and encourage owners to follow the association in spring HOA landscaping.
Here are some examples of reminders you can send out to residents, depending on the type of community you have:
- Get rid of dead leaves and fallen branches
- Prune trees and shrubs
- Remove weeds and pests
- Fertilize the soil
- Replace the mulch in gardens and lawns
- Mow the lawn (if needed)
- Replace or repair any outdoor features or furniture (if needed)
Unmatched HOA Landscaping for Spring
One of the perks of living in a homeowners association is the landscaping. There’s simply nothing better than going for a morning jog or an afternoon walk while admiring the beauty of your surroundings, especially during spring. Landscaping is not only visually appealing but also freshens the air we breathe.
You Can Also Read These:
- 15 Best Plants To Plant In Your Community Garden This Spring
- Kitchen Gardens Are Back, Here’s How To Get Started
- Organic Mulch vs Inorganic Mulch: What’s Best For Your Garden?
