What Does Grounds Maintenance Involve?

Did you know that the colour green has a relaxing and calming influence? 

Likely due to our evolutionary past, green has a beneficial impact on workplace engagement and open green spaces are now commonly used in cities, hospitals, and office buildings to help people feel closer to nature, more productive, and happier. 

An effectively maintained landscape doesn’t just reduce stress and make employees happier, however - it improves property value, creates spaces more welcoming to visitors, and can increase employee morale. 

Therefore, grounds maintenance is a highly effective investment when it comes to properties with outdoor spaces. 

What is Grounds Maintenance? 

Grounds maintenance is using skills such as gardening, landscaping and hardscaping to maintain a healthy and attractive garden or outdoor area. It can include management of: 

• Plants 
• Bushes 
• Trees 
• Shrubs 

• Paths 
• Gates 
• Access ramps 
• Lighting 
• Benches 

• Picnic areas 
• Irrigation Systems 
• Fountains 
• Ponds and lakes 
• Hanging baskets 

• Living walls 

Without grounds maintenance, outdoor areas and gardens will deteriorate with time and begin to harbour pests, plant disease, and potential safety risks such as slippery moss or damaged floor surfaces. 

Therefore, grounds maintenance needs to include tasks such as: 

• Planting, watering, feeding & pruning plants 
• Lawn mowing, trimming hedges, weeding 
• Rubbish removal 
• Pest control 

• Maintenance of electrical or mechanical equipment (lawn mowers, irrigation systems, alarms etc) 
• Hardscaping and the repair, removal or building of dining areas, playing areas, planters etc 

Water Management for Grounds Maintenance

In the modern age of climate change, saving water is crucial. An ineffectively managed landscaped garden can be a huge waste of water. 

Using too much will increase your utility bills, damage the environment, and potentially lead to waterlogged conditions, slippery floors or damaged plants.  

Methods for improving water consumption include: 

• Drip irrigation systems use up to 70% less water than regular irrigation systems by reducing evaporation and customising water output to individual plants’ needs 
• Scheduled irrigation systems allow you to automatically water plants when they need it most, and avoid times of high water loss such as midday in summer when a substantial part of water will be lost to evaporation  
• Good soil quality will help soil hold onto water and nutrients for longer, reducing the amount that needs to be added afterwards 
• Using rainwater butts will reduce your reliance on water utilities while keeping plants happier 
• Choosing plants native to or suited to your area may reduce the amount of watering and upkeep needed 

Pest Control in Grounds Maintenance 

Pest control includes the management of rodents, insects, slugs, fungi, aphids, and other pests that can cause damage to the workplace or garden alike. 

The following tips will help you maximise your pest control results: 

• Avoid chemicals that can poison the earth and kill pollinators, and instead, stick to organic methods  
• Apply pesticides and other products on quiet days with low footfall 
• Non-aggressive bird control measures such as metal materials or bird repellents can protect an area without less humane techniques such as spiked strips 

What Can Grounds Maintenance Services Offer? 

 Since grounds maintenance includes all the above and more, it can be a full-time job for a small or large team, depending on the size and complexity of the grounds. 

To handle this with an internal team is likely to be costly and involve lots of on-the-job training and expensive materials. 

Here at phs Greenleaf we take a flexible approach to grounds maintenance and can ensure your grounds look their best and remain safe for all, regardless of weather conditions. This is significantly cheaper than managing grounds maintenance internally and allows your employees to focus on what they do best, safe in the knowledge that your grounds are in the best possible condition. 

To discuss options and learn more about what we could do for you, get in touch now!