Setting Landscape Goals for the Year Ahead: What Commercial Properties Should Consider This Spring
- DARYL AVERY SWANSON

- 27 minutes ago
- 3 min read

Spring is more than just the start of the growing season. It’s the most important planning window for commercial landscapes. Decisions made in the spring shape how a property performs for the rest of the year, impacting operating costs, safety, sustainability, and overall curb appeal.
As commercial property owners and managers prepare for the months ahead, setting clear landscape goals during the spring helps avoid reactive fixes later and ensures landscapes are built to perform.
Plan for Resilience, Not Just Appearance
Commercial landscapes should be designed to handle increasingly unpredictable weather. From heavy rain events to prolonged dry periods, resilience is no longer optional.
Spring is the ideal time to evaluate winter damage and identify areas where plant material consistently struggles. Transitioning to native and climate-adaptive plants, reducing high-maintenance turf, and improving drainage leads to fewer replacements during peak summer stress.
A resilient landscape minimizes disruptions, reduces long-term costs, and protects property value.
Take Control of Maintenance and Operating Costs
One of the most productive goals commercial properties can set is to make landscape spending more predictable. Spring planning allows property managers to identify inefficiencies before seasonal maintenance and replacements escalate.
Spring is the perfect time to:
Standardize plant palettes across properties
Reevaluate over-maintained or underperforming areas
Shift from reactive replacements to proactive planning
When landscapes are designed with maintenance in mind, they perform better and cost less to manage throughout the year.
Align Landscapes with Sustainability Goals
Sustainability continues to influence tenant expectations, municipal regulations, and corporate responsibility initiatives. Spring offers the opportunity to align landscapes with these goals before water demand and plant stress increase.
Optimizing irrigation systems, improving soil health, and reducing chemical inputs early in the season supports plant performance and conserves resources. These improvements not only benefit the environment but also contribute to long-term operational efficiency.
Use Landscaping to Support Safety and Reduce Liability
Landscaping plays a critical role in site safety, especially after winter conditions have taken a toll. Spring inspections help identify potential hazards before foot traffic and activity increase.
Key focus areas include:
Pruning to maintain clear sightlines
Tree inspections to address structural concerns
Correcting drainage issues that can lead to standing water or ice
Addressing these issues early helps reduce liability risks and creates a safer environment for tenants and visitors.
Elevate Property Image and Tenant Experience
First impressions matter, and spring sets the visual tone for the entire year. Well-planned seasonal enhancements, clean edges, and clearly defined landscape beds create a professional, welcoming appearance that reflects positively on properties.
Planning seasonal color programs and enhancements in advance ensures consistency and prevents last-minute installs that can disrupt operations or exceed budgets.
Why Spring Planning Matters
Spring is when landscapes are most responsive to improvement. Plants establish more successfully, infrastructure issues are easier to correct, and long-term strategies can be implemented without the pressure of mid-season emergencies.
By setting landscape goals early, commercial properties gain better control over performance, costs, and appearance for the year ahead.
Partner with Us for Smarter Landscape Planning
Landscape America works with commercial property owners and managers to design, maintain, and manage landscapes with long-term performance in mind. Our team partners with clients to provide clear guidance and expert recommendations that support property-specific landscape planning.
Spring is a great time to plan with purpose, and we’re here to help you make the most of it.




