As Autumn comes into its full glory and Winter is just around the corner, we wanted to advise you of some crucial and interesting landscape management activities that are underway.
Autumn has been a busy time as we prepare for the colder and hopefully wet Winter. As the need to cut the turf weekly declines, cleaning up leaf drop takes priority for landscaping crew activities. Making sure that leaves are out of landscape drains and off walkways is a high priority. Getting most of the leaves picked up is always a goal, but in line with Bay-Friendly sustainable landscape methods we also know that leaving a bit of leaf litter in your planter beds provides our pollinators (butterflies, ladybugs, bees, etc.) a place to nestle over the Winter.
Turf care continues to be a big job in the Autumn months. Fertilization and turf weed control are an important task this time of year. The Fall allows the turf to recover from the stress of the Summer heat and the fertilizer applied will help that transition as well as prepare the turf for next Spring. Turf aeration is not just a Summer activity, it is also a great way to help the root systems of grass prepare from going dormant and then the blast of growth come Spring. The best time to tackle weed eradication is also this time of year, before they start to transport food from their foliage to their roots in preparation for the Winter. We say “starve those pesky weeds!”.
The landscapers will continue to test irrigation systems as the growing season winds down. This allows them to gradually reduce the watering schedules and keep the system in tip-top shape. They will continue to do system checks through the Winter to look for leaks. They also may need to schedule water if our winter does not provide the rain we are hoping for. With Mother Nature you never know- so we like to be prepared!! In California we are only one dry Winter away from the next drought, so we continue to encourage continued funding and approval of irrigation system upgrades. Making the landscape water delivery system as efficient as it can be will always save water and money. It’s a great investment with a continuous ROI.
Once we move into early next year, the landscapers will begin our “Rejuvenation Pruning” of the shrubs. Most of Winter pruning is accomplished by hand. This allows them to target exactly what they know needs to be pruned.
Autumn and Winter is also a good time to do major tree work. Tree Care Divisions are already booked until early next year for pruning activities on trees over 15 feet. They are also on-call for any emergencies that may occur due to storm related tree damage.
When the rains do come, you will see crews cleaning out landscape drains, picking up fallen tree branches and making sure that walkways are clear and safe. Should you notice anything that otherwise needs attention, please contact the management office who will send a work order!
We hope that you are enjoying the bounty of these perfect Autumn days in the Bay Area, and wish you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving.
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