Fortville, IN, March 12 – Property Pros LM shares how to plan now for a beautiful spring with their published article in INsites Magazine, the official publication of the Indiana Apartment Association (IAA). The article details which items need to be checked off your outdoor to-do list as winter melts into spring, as it applies to multi-family properties. Take a look at page 30 of the January-February 2024 INsites Magazine issue for our full article, or read below!

Plan Now for a Beautiful Spring

While it’s uncertain when the warmer weather is officially here to stay in the Midwest, there are a few items to check off the outdoor to-do list as winter turns into spring.  Well-planned green spaces play a vital role in creating visually appealing aesthetics and warm, welcoming surroundings for multi-family properties.  Timing is everything to ensure the proper growth of the plants and lawn, and we’re outlining our top tips for a lush and colorful landscape for the seasons ahead!

Apply Mulch

In Indiana, annual mulching of all landscape beds is the first stage to having healthy plants and adding curb appeal come spring.  Mulch is biodegradable, and it will enrich the soil and fertilize the plants as it breaks down.  It also reduces water evaporation, which leads to fewer watering sessions during hot, dry summer days, and acts as a barrier to reduce the number of weeds sprouting up in the landscape beds.  When applying mulch, it needs to be evenly spread and not piled around the base of the plants.  Two inches of mulch should be enough for annual applications but aim for three inches for new landscape beds. 

Use a Pre-Emergent

Most weeds are annual, meaning they love to come back year after year and spread as soon as spring hits.  Applying a pre-emergent early in the season to landscape beds and turf areas is a fundamental step to prevent these weeds from taking over your green spaces.  Pre-emergent should be applied during the annual mulching for best results, and early application is key, so don’t wait.

Complete a Spring Property Clean-Up

Completing a proper spring clean-up sets the groundwork for getting the property looking tip-top for the upcoming seasons.  Cutting back perennials, removing sticks and debris, and pulling weeds will begin to transform the green areas from winter to spring.  Go the extra mile and create deep, crisp edges on the landscape beds to prevent grass from encroaching in the freshly mulched spaces.

Start a Fertilization Program

A routine fertilization program for grass and plants is crucial for a healthy landscape.  If given proper doses of the right nutrients, the landscape will be much more vibrant and will thrive through the summer season.  But, be careful not to over-fertilize, because doing so could have the opposite effect and actually reduce the overall well-being and beauty of the grass or plant.  By establishing a thick, healthy turf with routine nutrient applications and keeping weeds at bay, the lawn will come back strong season after season.

Check for Proper Drainage

As the weather warms, snow and ice melt, and we move into the rainy spring season, it is important to take stock of how the property is handling excess water.  Protecting the integrity of each building’s foundation by checking for proper drainage and ensuring water is flowing away from the property will save time, money, and hassle in the future.  Look for sitting water, mulch or soil wash out, and uneven surfaces that slope towards the foundation instead of away from it.  Use PVC instead of corrugated pipe to bury downspouts, which will redirect water away from the base of the foundation and not collapse under heavy weight.  For extreme cases, custom solutions like regrading the turf or building a dry creek may be the optimal way to go.

Add Plant Enhancements

Spring is the perfect time to transform your multi-family property with plants that will bring color and visual appeal.  Plants soften the space, lower anxiety and blood pressure, and make the outdoor areas warm and inviting.  Carefully select a variety of flowers, shrubs, and trees that bloom in bright colors and complement each other around the property.  Strategically placed shrubs and trees also serve as natural boundaries, creating privacy in certain areas while maintaining an open and inviting environment.

Plan an Entrance Overhaul or Common Area Addition

Inviting entrances and hospitable common areas are key spaces to welcome home multi-family residents and serve as an attraction for future tenants.  Overhauling these areas can often be a large undertaking, and working with a professional landscape designer can make it much easier to visualize what the completed project will look like.  The designer will work within the given budget to provide a long-term plan that encompasses current projects and possible future phases, while considering various factors to ensure the investment will last for years to come.  

Start Planning Now

Don’t wait to get started!  The beginning of the year is a great time to get ahead of the curve.  Companies may be a bit more flexible with their availability, and coordinating projects early often means beating the rush of residential homeowners thinking about renovations as the snow starts to thaw. 

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This article was prepared by Property Pros Land Management.