The old adage “you snooze, you lose” accurately describes the mindset of many lawn care companies during the winter. Sure, the cold weather prohibits them from doing what they do best during the rest of the year, but what do lawn care companies do in the winter? Quite a bit, actually, from snow removal to gutter cleaning to hanging Christmas lights!
Without further ado, let’s find out what kind of winter services lawn care companies provide to keep their business thriving in the colder months.
Winter Maintenance Services Provided by Lawn Care Companies
Snow isn’t the only cold weather problem. Whether it’s gutter cleaning, pressure washing, or winter lawn prep, there are plenty of services homeowners may need from their local lawn care company during winter.
Here are just a few great winter services that many lawn care companies offer:
1. Snow Removal
What’s winter without a good dose of snow? Sure, it can be beautiful, but when there’s simply too much, and it becomes a hassle, your lawn care company can lend a hand.
People rely on professional snow removal services to make it easier to maneuver around their homes, businesses, and driveways. This is probably the most common service that lawn care companies offer in place of mowing during their off-season.
From snow plowing parking lots to shoveling sidewalks and driveways, snow removal is top of the priority list when temperatures plunge.
2. Gutter Cleaning
Autumn might be the season of falling leaves, but if those leaves aren’t removed in time, you risk them blocking your gutters. If left unattended for too long, this can lead to blockages from snowmelt in the winter months, causing draining issues and potential flooding outside or even inside your home.
But have no fear! Many local lawn care companies can swoop in to save the day by cleaning your gutters in fall and winter. In no time, your lawn care pro can remove all the gunk and ensure that every gutter is clear.
3. Pressure Washing
Pressure washing, aka power washing, is another common winter service offered by lawn care companies. From scuff marks on the driveway to caked-on mud splashes around the patio furniture, a winter pressure wash can remove all the grime that’s built up on your property over the course of the year.
Not only can professional pressure washing clear away all of the dirt and grime, but it will also remove mold, mildew, and dangerous oils that are left on pavements.
In case you doubt the power of pressure washing, think again; commercial-grade pressure washers can get rid of even the most stubborn dirt particles.
4. Winterization of Plants and Shrubs
Frost puts stress on plants, making them vulnerable to damage. Getting a head start on winter preparation can prevent lasting problems with plants later in the season – like root issues from extreme cold.
Lawn care companies can help winterize your plants and shrubs with services such as trimming dead foliage, mulching, and checking for existing problems with your plants. They can assist by not only prepping plants and shrubs for the cold months but also ensuring they come out of winter unscathed!
5. Interior Landscaping Services
Did you know the landscaping market is more than just outdoor services? Indoor plants are essential during the cold season. Indoor landscaping services can range from livening up interiors with creative plant displays in corporate offices or showrooms to making sure your houseplants are well taken care of.
Homeowners and businesses can have a local lawn care professional step in to help them choose the perfect indoor foliage for winter and maintain it.
6. Christmas Light Display Installation
“When the weather outside is frightful,” you can stay inside and forget about decorating your house. Local lawn care companies often offer Christmas light installation. Not only is installing a twinkling wonderland of lights and decorations festive to the eyes, but it’s also a profitable winter business idea.
For instance, a landscaping business can rely on its extensive knowledge of outdoor spaces to assemble gorgeous displays, ensuring they’re lined up perfectly, the lights don’t create any short circuits, and all decorations are secured safely.
7. Lawn Mowing
Winter mowing? Isn’t that oxymoronic? Not necessarily. People are more prone to think about lawn care in the spring and summer since these seasons bring warm weather and actively growing grass, but some lawns may still need mowing throughout winter.
While lawns should not be mowed in winter in most places, in the warmest parts of the US – think South Florida and South Texas – lawns can still grow during winter and might require similar upkeep to what they need in spring and summer. Even in winter, your local lawn care company will be there to provide their trusty lawn mowing services.
8. Tree Grooming
Winter tree care might not come to mind as much, but you would be surprised at the demand. Many trees require upkeep in winter, such as trimming, pruning, and removal of dead branches to encourage healthy regrowth in the spring season.
Late winter is typically a calmer time for lawn care companies that also offer tree care to assess the overall health of trees and get them ready for the active growth season.
9. Yard Cleanup
Winter comes with lots of moisture: rain, snow, and sleet can take their toll on a lawn. It’s important to make sure your yard is free of debris before the snow starts to fall since moisture and piles of organic matter are a perfect recipe for pests and lawn diseases.
Many lawn care companies will offer yard cleanup services in fall and winter, whether you need help with leaf removal, raking, mulching, or hauling away debris after a storm.
10. Training and New Technology
During the off-season, many landscapers look for ways to brush up on their existing skills as well as get familiar with new trends and strategies. Furthermore, the off-season is a great opportunity for landscape business owners to explore new technologies, tools, and techniques that could help them better manage their teams.
One of the most effective ways for modern lawn care companies to streamline their business is to use field service management software. If you’re a lawn care pro looking to increase efficiency, the off-season is the perfect time to demo some of the best lawn care software programs on the market and figure out which is best for you.
FAQ About Lawn Care Services In The Winter
Grass typically enters a dormant state in winter and will remain this way until spring, when temperatures start to rise. This doesn’t mean you can abandon your lawn completely; some maintenance tasks will still need to be done every now and then during the cooler months.
Yes, mulch serves an important purpose in the winter months; it helps keep weeds away and will act as insulation to ensure soil temperatures stay consistent. A layer of 2-3 inches of mulch is more than enough for protection during cold weather.
When temperatures start to drop, there are a few tasks you can complete to prepare your lawn for winter, such as turning off the irrigation system, winterizing your lawn mower, cleaning out outdoor containers, mulching flower beds and plants, storing tools away in the shed or garage, and draining fuel tanks on power tools.
Decorating your garden for the winter is a great way to make it more inviting. Items such as a winter planter, outdoor lights, festive banners, and decorations hanging from branches can all add life to the area.
Roasting marshmallows over an outdoor fire pit or having an outdoor winter feast are other great ways to make the most of your garden in cold weather.
Winter Time – Not an Idle Time for Lawn Care Pros
While winter weather usually puts a damper on lawn care and landscaping, the months between December and February don’t have to be an idle time for lawn care companies. Many lawn care pros have expanded their businesses to include winter services like the ones described in this article.
No matter what time of year it is or what service you’re looking for, LawnStarter can connect you with the best local lawn care pros to get the job done. And if you’re a lawn care pro looking to expand your business, this winter might be the perfect time to get set up with LawnStarter for providers. Our software, backed by the best customer service team in the biz, can help you streamline your business and find new customers in no time!
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