Summer Landscaping Tips for Your Commercial Property

Summer is the season when curb appeal makes its strongest impression, but it’s also when your landscaping is under the most stress. Excessive sun, drought, pests, and rapid growth can turn even a well-maintained exterior into a costly liability. Whether you manage an office park, retail center, or commercial campus, strategic summer landscaping helps you stay ahead of seasonal challenges while keeping your property customer-ready.

Why Summer Landscaping Matters

Your landscaping is one of the first things people notice when they arrive at your commercial property—and in the summer months, that impression can make or break their experience. Thoughtful, well-maintained landscaping signals professionalism, inviting customers in and helping to create a welcoming environment.

On the flip side, neglecting your commercial landscaping in the heat of summer can lead to dead grass, overgrown plants, pest problems, and even safety hazards that can hurt your reputation and bottom line. Here are some of the top concerns property managers should plan for:

Heat Stress and Drought: Extended periods of high temperatures can dry out lawns, wilt plants, and stress even well-established greenery. Without the right irrigation strategy, your landscape can become patchy and brown.
Excessive Plant Growth: Warm weather accelerates the growth of grass, shrubs, and weeds. Without frequent maintenance, your property can quickly look overgrown and unmanaged, especially around signage, entrances, and walkways.
Pest Infestations: Overgrown and unkempt areas can attract insects, rodents, and other pests that pose health hazards or damage plant life. Standing water from poor irrigation or rainfall can also increase mosquito activity.
Hardscape Damage: Concrete walkways, patios, and edging suffer from extreme heat, leading to cracks, shifting, and uneven surfaces. These can become trip hazards or detract from your property’s overall visual appeal.
Increased Maintenance Demands: Summer requires more frequent mowing, trimming, and monitoring, placing greater strain on in-house maintenance teams or DIY efforts, especially for larger properties.

To stay ahead of these seasonal threats, your landscaping strategy needs to be rooted in smart planning, routine care, and sustainability. Let’s explore the best summer landscaping practices to help your commercial property stay beautiful all season long.

The Top Landscaping Tips for Summer

Keeping your commercial property attractive and functional during the summer requires more than routine mowing and watering correctly. From proper irrigation to thoughtful plant choices, here are the most effective landscaping practices to keep your exterior looking sharp in the summer.

Create Watering Schedules That Work

Effective irrigation is essential in the summer, but overwatering can be just as damaging as underwatering. The best practice is to water early in the morning, when temperatures are cooler and evaporation is minimal. Smart irrigation systems with moisture sensors and timers can help commercial properties avoid waste while ensuring consistent coverage.

For areas prone to drought, converting to drip irrigation systems or using rain sensors can also significantly cut water usage and operating costs.

Choose the Right Plants for Summer

Plant selection can make or break your summer landscaping strategy. Native and drought-tolerant plants are naturally adapted to your region’s climate and require far less maintenance and water. Incorporating a layer of mulch around plant beds also helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, making your landscape more resilient in hot, dry conditions.

Prioritize Lawn and Turf Care

Commercial lawns can take a beating in the summer, especially under heavy sun and foot traffic. To help your turf thrive, raise mower blades to a higher setting to encourage deeper root growth and reduce heat stress. Avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass height at a time, and fertilize sparingly—too much nitrogen during high heat can scorch the lawn.

Regular edging and spot-weeding also help maintain a polished appearance around entryways and common areas.

From routine upkeep to seasonal strategy, discover how professional landscape maintenance from American Maintenance keeps your commercial property looking its best.

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Keep Up With Hardscape Maintenance and Safety

Summer heat can also damage hardscape elements. Inspect walkways, retaining walls, patios, and curbs for cracks or uneven sections that pose safety risks. Power washing surfaces and resealing exposed concrete or pavers can prevent long-term wear. Make sure overgrown plants or low-hanging branches are trimmed back from signage, doors, and walkways.

Consider Eco-Friendly Landscaping Solutions

Sustainable landscaping reduces your environmental impact and also lowers long-term maintenance costs. Start by incorporating xeriscaping principles, which emphasize water-efficient design and the use of drought-tolerant plants. Swap out high-maintenance turf for native ground covers or decorative gravel in low-traffic areas.

Solar-powered landscape lighting and energy-efficient irrigation systems also contribute to greener operations while preserving your curb appeal through the hottest months.

Professional vs. DIY Summer Landscaping Maintenance

For many businesses, summer landscaping presents a fork in the road: continue handling it in-house or bring in a professional crew? Each option has its place, but they deliver very different results when the summer heat kicks in.

DIY Landscaping for Commercial Properties

If your property is small and your staff already handles basic exterior upkeep, a DIY approach may seem cost effective. It can work well in situations where necessary landscape care is simple and the workload manageable. Businesses that choose this route often benefit from:

Built-in control over scheduling, allowing your team to decide when and how often to mow, water, or trim
Lower short-term costs, especially if landscaping is absorbed into existing maintenance roles
Hands-on attention to detail, since your team is already familiar with the property’s unique needs

However, summer can quickly overwhelm DIY efforts. Without deep knowledge of plant care or irrigation efficiency, small issues like dry patches, weed overgrowth, or unnoticed pest damage can escalate. And with internal staff already stretched thin, landscaping often gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list.

When Professional Landscaping Makes a Difference

Professional landscaping teams bring expertise and consistency to the table—two things that become especially valuable in the peak of summer. Hiring a commercial provider ensures your landscape stays in top condition, even when heat, pests, and fast growth create new challenges. Businesses that opt for professional care benefit from:

Specialized seasonal care, including water-smart irrigation, proper fertilization, and pest monitoring
Access to commercial-grade equipment and materials that improve efficiency and results
Scheduled, reliable upkeep, with tasks like trimming, edging, turf care, and hardscape inspection handled regularly

Most importantly, professional teams can spot problems before they become expensive repairs, saving you time, stress, and liability. For larger properties or businesses that rely heavily on curb appeal, working with an expert landscaping partner is often the more effective, long-term solution.

Keep Your Property Looking Sharp All Summer Long With American Maintenance

American Maintenance’s commercial landscaping services are designed to keep your exterior looking polished, safe, and stress-free all season long. From expert plant care to hardscape maintenance, we handle it all so you can focus on running your business. Get in touch today to schedule a consultation and see how we can elevate your curb appeal this summer.