8 Lessons from 2024: Preparing for Smarter Landscaping and Snow Removal in 2025

As property managers plan for 2025, insights from 2024 provide valuable direction. Strategic maintenance—from winterizing landscapes to prepping for spring growth—not only preserves property value but also enhances tenant satisfaction. Here’s how property managers can capitalize on last year’s lessons and position their properties for success in the coming year.

1. Winter Mulching: Protecting Landscapes from Harsh Conditions

Winter mulching often goes underappreciated but plays a critical role in landscape preservation. Applying a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch around trees, shrubs, and garden beds before freezing temperatures hit helps stabilize soil temperature, preventing root shock during freeze-thaw cycles.

Mulch also retains moisture in the soil, a key factor during dry, windy winters, especially for larger commercial properties. By decomposing over time, it enriches the soil with essential nutrients, promoting healthier growth come spring. Additionally, winter mulching reduces early spring weed growth and protects against erosion caused by melting snow.

2. Seizing Investment Opportunities Amid Rate Adjustments

Lower interest rates in 2024 made capital improvements more affordable—a trend that may continue into 2025. This creates an opportunity for property managers to invest in outdoor amenities, such as patios, seating areas, and hardscape features. Retaining walls and drainage systems, for instance, not only enhance tenant enjoyment but also reduce long-term maintenance costs.

Planning and initiating these projects during the winter can have them ready by spring, maximizing return on investment and tenant engagement when outdoor spaces are most used.

3. Key Winterization Tasks and Deadlines

Winterization should be completed before the first frost—ideally by late November. Critical tasks include blowing out irrigation lines to prevent freezing and cracking, pruning dormant trees to promote healthy spring growth, and sealing cracks in pathways and driveways to prevent costly freeze-thaw damage.

Proactive maintenance during winter minimizes emergency repair expenses and keeps the property visually appealing, ensuring a smooth transition into spring.

4. Hardscapes vs. Softscapes: A Balanced Approach

Balancing hardscapes and softscapes is essential for long-term landscape planning. Hardscapes like patios, walkways, and retaining walls require less ongoing maintenance and provide greater durability against seasonal elements.

Softscapes—such as grass, flowers, and shrubs—enhance air quality and aesthetics, improving tenant satisfaction. While they require seasonal care, incorporating both hardscape and softscape elements thoughtfully creates inviting, functional outdoor spaces. Adding lighting and heated features can further extend their usability throughout the year.

5. Winter Preparations for a Thriving Spring

A vibrant spring landscape starts with winter groundwork. Late winter is ideal for testing and amending soil to address nutrient deficiencies and pH imbalances, ensuring optimal conditions for spring planting. Overseeding bare patches of grass before the snow melts promotes a lush lawn as temperatures rise.

Ordering plants early in the season helps secure supply and reduce costs, while opting for native species ensures lower water usage and better resilience against pests, supporting sustainability goals.

6. Enhancing Tenant Experience Through Outdoor Amenities

Outdoor amenities such as fire pits, pergolas, and seating areas have become key drivers of tenant satisfaction and property value. These spaces foster community, encourage outdoor living, and improve tenant retention. Winter is an ideal time for planning and installing these features, as contractor availability is higher, and material costs are often lower.

Designing adaptable amenities—such as pergolas with integrated lighting or fire pits with heating elements—ensures year-round functionality, catering to modern tenants who value convenience and comfort in outdoor environments.

7. Sustainability in Snow and Ice Management

Sustainable snow removal practices gained momentum in 2024, with many property managers opting for environmentally friendly methods. Brine solutions have proven effective in reducing salt usage while maintaining safety, and electric snow removal equipment offers a greener alternative to traditional methods.

Site-specific snow management strategies help prevent over-salting, reducing damage to hardscapes and landscapes. Partnering with contractors who prioritize sustainability without compromising reliability will be crucial for 2025, as property managers aim to meet both regulatory requirements and tenant expectations.

8. Emergency Preparedness: Learning from 2024’s Weather Extremes

Extreme weather events in 2024 underscored the need for comprehensive contingency plans. On-site salt storage ensures quick responses to snowstorms, while backup power systems for outdoor lighting and heating enhance safety and comfort during outages.

Flexible service contracts with emergency response provisions further strengthen preparedness, and partnering with 24/7 contractors helps mitigate risks, ensuring continuity of operations and tenant well-being during severe weather.

Building a Better 2025

By focusing on strategic investments, proactive maintenance, and sustainable practices, property managers can tackle seasonal challenges head-on and create thriving properties year-round. Reflecting on the successes and challenges of 2024 offers a valuable roadmap for making informed decisions and improving outcomes in the year ahead.