Some may wonder why landscape maintenance workers are deemed essential during the pandemic. Let’s start by imagining what your yard or neighborhood would look like if it went untouched for several months. Grass and weeds would quickly begin to overgrow. Insects, ticks, and pests would move in. Garbage would begin to compile. Properties would lose their curb appeal. It would not be a pretty sight but's more than just aesthetics that would go downhill. Below are six key reasons landscape maintenance is essential:

1. As landscapers, we protect property (specifically green spaces) that could be a threat to public safety if left uncared for.

2. Spring cleanup is needed to remove and compost organic waste and prepare areas by removing debris so mowing and other essential services can be performed. Mulch and pre-emergents help to suppress weeds, which will limit the number of people needed out in the field over the coming weeks.

3. Morale and mental health can be adversely affected by poorly maintained green spaces.

4. The long-term health of landscape areas can be impacted negatively by the lack of proper care. Plants need proper pruning at specific times of the year, lawns need to be mowed regularly to maintain good health. A lawn area that is left to grow for several weeks will take many more weeks to recover from delayed mowing.

5. When tallgrass areas are left unkept, they can harbor rodents and ticks, which can quickly get out of control leading to the spread of diseases like Lyme disease.

6. In terms of workflow, there are steps we need to complete now (cleanup, pruning, edging, mulching) so that we can focus on mowing operations when the weather warms up and the grass begins to grow. If we ignore these early steps, our landscape workflow will suffer down the road.