Landscaping

By Tracy Brisco, RCM – Property Manager – Hamilton
From the WB Condo Connection – Volume 5, Issue 1
If there is any one part of the common elements that will occupy much of the Board and Property Manager’s time these next few months, it is landscaping. The appearance of your community is often perceived as a direct reflection of your residents and the people responsible for maintaining the property, meaning the Board of Directors and the property management firm.
Why is it so important that landscaping be a main concern? Beautification efforts put forth on behalf of a condominium is the most observable indication that a community is sought-after and thriving.
Look at your site with the eyes of a potential purchaser or a visitor to your home. What is the first thing they notice? We know it is not your well managed reserve fund. It is the appearance of the shrubs, trees, grass and well maintained attractive walkways and driveways.
Now that being said, if you have structural issues within your community, you need to focus more on the building and property issues but keeping curb appeal as a part of your overall refurbishment project, after the major issues have been addressed.
The pesticide ban has made maintaining an attractive relatively weed free space all the more challenging. Many communities are struggling with increased weed growth and the confusion of the residents on why they can buy products in the store, and yet your landscape contractors can not apply it commercially.
Although there are environmentally friendly products available, their use needs to be a part of a whole site approach to lawn care and are often used hand in hand with other landscape projects, such as twice a year over seeding and aeration.
Have your landscape contractor contribute an article for your community newsletter explaining the pesticide ban and the strategies you have put in place with them for weed control.
I often joke with my sites that have irrigation systems that we are soon going to look like Florida with all the crab grass, and think of the money we’ll save on water and waste water charges since it always stays green! Think of the positives, I know crab grass is not a positive, but it does allow you to focus on the area and think outside the box. You may consider reducing the long strips of grass, break up the weedy areas with some new gardens or shrub beds.
Speaking of irrigation systems, does your site have one? Consider an irrigation audit to determine the site’s needs according to soil conditions and plant material. One community discovered through an audit that they were overwatering the site with its every other day watering schedule and possibly helped the weeds to further take root in an unhealthy lawn.
You also need to allow the residents to take ownership of the property and involve them as much as possible in the landscaping decisions. Having a community involved landscape approach can help save the corporation money and you will often see more owners take pride in the appearance of your community. You will never get the “buy in” of all owners, as some have purchased a condominium for the lifestyle of not having to maintain the exterior grounds and property, and they must also be respected for that choice.
Educate and communicate with your homeowners, put together a multi-year landscape plan, let them contribute ideas and bring them into the process. As with all decisions, you are not pleasing everyone, but be creative and try to think outside the box and focus on curb appeal as one way of managing weed growth pesticide free.