Fall Preparations That Pay Off: How Strathmore Helps Commercial Properties Get Ahead

For property managers and commercial property owners, autumn isn’t just about falling leaves, it’s prime time for preventive maintenance and winter preparations that can pay dividends by spring. At Strathmore, we believe in getting ahead: by planning carefully now, you save time and money, reduce liability, enhance curb appeal, and do right by the environment. At Strathmore, our fall landscaping and site maintenance strategies are not a nice-to-have, they represent our focus on quality, which is a key aspect of what we call, the ‘Strathmore Standard’.

1. Spring Starts in the Fall: Strategic Bulb Planting for Seasonal Colour

One of the most cost‑effective ways to boost curb appeal in spring is planting spring‑blooming bulbs (tulips, daffodils, etc.) in the fall. By selecting the right seasonal colour schemes now and working with a landscape design plan, property managers can ensure dramatic flower displays come spring.

• This is part of our commercial landscaping services that go beyond weekly grounds maintenance; it’s about design, long‑term planning, and enhancing investment value.

• After a long, dreary winter, your tenants will be excited for the pops of colour that will help signify spring. 

• Bulbs are a cost-effective way to enhance the visual quality of your property, compared to planting annuals later in the spring. 

2. Long Ornamental Grasses and Low‑Maintenance Groundcovers

Vacant soil patches or worn‑out beds often become problem areas in spring: muddy, uneven, with poor drainage. Using low‑maintenance landscaping, especially hardy, native long grasses and groundcovers planted in fall, helps:

• stabilize soil (prevent erosion)

• keep the appearance fresh and green earlier in the season

• reduce the need for lawn care or soil remediation later

• Provides drought tolerant cover that can withstand the increasing heat waves in summer

3. Winter Readiness: Site Inspections & Snow Removal Planning

Planning ahead is the cornerstone of property maintenance. Site inspections in fall for snow removal logistics, drainage, snow load hazards, ice buildup, and de‑icing planning all help avoid costly emergency repairs, liability, or damage to infrastructure.

• A thorough inspection will review tree health, site grading, access routes for snow removal equipment, and safety for walkways and parking lots.

• This preventive approach saves money by avoiding reactive maintenance in winter, like the repair of sidewalks or curbs because of ice and salt damage.

Read about our scientific approach to winter maintenance and salt use here

4. Arbo Services & Tree Maintenance to Reduce Liability

Trees are beautiful assets until ice storms or heavy snow bring down weak limbs, creating danger or damage to yours or even your tenant’s property. There are many benefits to incorporating arbo services in fall:

• Our certified arborists assess tree health and structure; prune dead or hazardous limbs so that they don’t come down unexpectedly.

• Removing or bracing vulnerable branches reduces the risk to people, vehicles, and buildings while keeping trees healthy so you can continue to enjoy them for longer.

5. Irrigation Winterization and Turf Care

Even though the growing season is ending, your turf, lawn, and irrigation systems still need attention:

• Winterizing irrigation systems (drain, shut off, blow out lines) prevents frozen pipes and costly repair in spring.

• Fall fertilization and soil conditioning helps build strong root systems so turf comes back green, healthy, and durable.

• Aeration and overseeding (where needed) to fill thin patches maintains turf integrity and prevents weeds or erosion.

Proactive Maintenance Saves Big

By implementing these fall landscaping and property maintenance practices, commercial property managers can:

• reduce maintenance costs in the long term

• minimize reactive work, emergency repairs, and liability exposure

• keep properties looking professional and welcoming for tenants, visitors, and customers

• enhance sustainability, environmental stewardship, and brand reputation

Ready to bring your property up to standard this fall?

Contact Strathmore to schedule your Fall Commercial Landscape Maintenance consultation. We’ll help you develop a property maintenance checklist customized for your site, aligned to your budget, and built to save you time, cost, and worry.

Looking to add some colour this fall? Check out our fall planter guide and find out why seasonal planters matter for your property.