March 14, 2023

Big Landscape 3: Pruning, Edging and Trimming

The landscape of your commercial property can have a massive impact on how customers perceive your business. Regular pruning, edging, and trimming is essential to keep it looking neat, tidy, and professional. Not only will it improve the aesthetics of your lawn but also ensure that any potential hazards are dealt with promptly. This helps keep employees, customers, and visitors safe while providing a pleasant environment for all.

In addition, regular maintenance can help save you money in the long run by preventing more costly repairs from being done later. Taking the time to care for your commercial property's landscape pays off in many ways! Find out more about Rubicon’s landscape services! Here's a guide on how to best prune, edge, and trim your landscape.

Pruning vs. Edging vs. Trimming for Landscaping

When it comes to keeping your landscaping looking neat and tidy, it is important to understand the difference between pruning, edging, and trimming. Pruning is the process of removing dead or overgrown branches from trees and shrubs. Edging is cutting a crisp line between sidewalks, driveways, lawns, and other areas of the landscape. Trimming involves cutting back grasses and foliage regularly to maintain their shape or desired height.

These three practices are essential for any commercial property looking to keep its lawn looking manicured and inviting. Pruning helps keep plants healthy by removing damaged or diseased branches before they can spread disease throughout the entire plant. It also promotes new growth in plants that can help them grow in a more aesthetically pleasing way.

Edging helps define the boundaries of various parts of the landscape and gives an overall sharp, clean look. Trimming keeps grasses and foliage looking neat and controlled for a uniform, professional appearance. By understanding the differences between these three practices, property owners can keep their lawns looking beautiful year-round. 

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Pruning

Close up of a branch that's recently been pruned for your landscape

Pruning can help reduce the risk of damage from falling branches as well as improve the overall health of the plants. However, it is important to know which techniques are best for pruning different types of trees and shrubs.  

For deciduous trees like maples, oaks, and elms, proper cutting back will promote new growth by removing damaged or dead wood. Use sharp shears sanitized with rubbing alcohol to keep disease from spreading from one tree to another. When making pruning cuts always cut just above a lateral branch and angle cut away from the bud. 

For evergreen trees, like cedars and pines, it is important to avoid pruning too much at one time in your landscape. If necessary, try to keep your cuts small and gradual to reduce stress on the tree or shrub. Furthermore, when cutting back evergreens it can be helpful to remove any dead or diseased branches first before making any further cuts. 

When pruning bushes or shrubs, you should start by removing any dead wood or stems damaged by disease or insects. After that, you can shape the plant with shears as needed to give it a desired form. If a bush is overgrown, consider reducing its size gradually over several years to keep it from becoming stressed out. 

No matter the type of tree or shrub you are pruning, always take caution and use proper safety equipment such as gloves, goggles, and long sleeves when possible. Additionally, keeping an eye on nearby power lines will help ensure that no damage is done to yourself or your property. Follow these tips and recommendations for best practices when it comes to pruning dead and overgrown trees and shrubs! 

Edging

A straight edging job can send a message of professionalism and care in your landscape. When you make the effort to take care of the small things, clients will know you will take care of the big things. For commercial properties, a harder edge such as concrete or brick pavers provides a distinct look that better frames walkways and drives.  

Without proper edging, your landscaping can quickly become overgrown with weeds or grass encroaching upon flower beds or pathways. Edging also provides structure and definition to the landscape, making it look neater and more aesthetically pleasing. In addition, edging can help keep mulch in place to reduce weed growth and conserve moisture in the soil while improving drainage. Finally, well-defined edges create crisp lines between different planting areas which also makes your property look more professionally maintained. All these benefits make edging an essential part of any landscaper’s toolkit.  

The various methods for creating edges for a landscape can vary depending on the size and shape of the property, as well as the desired aesthetic look. For example, hardscaping such as brick or concrete can be used to create a more formal edging for straight lines, while softer materials like wood chips or gravel provide an organic look.

In addition, gardeners may use manual tools such as shovels or shears to trim grass to achieve an even edge that makes your landscaping look neat and tidy. No matter what type of edging you choose for your property, it is important to maintain it regularly to ensure that it remains attractive and effective at keeping weeds out of flower beds and other designated areas. 

Trimming

The first step in trimming your foliage and grass in your landscaping is to check the condition of the soil around it. Ensure that any weeds have been pulled out, removing debris from the area as well. Loosen up compacted soil by tilling with a rake or shovel before you begin cutting as this will help promote healthy growth.  

When trimming your foliage and grass, use sharp blades for clean cuts on shrubs and edging tools when edging pathways and borders. When cutting grass blades, go against the grain to avoid damaging it. Be sure to alternate directions when mowing for a uniform look.  

Finally, use a string trimmer to edge along driveways, sidewalks, patios, and trim overly long or out-of-place foliage that can detract from the overall appearance of your landscaping. Regularly trimming your grass and foliage will help keep pests away while preserving the health of your landscape.  

By following these simple guidelines for trimming your foliage and grass, you will be able to maintain a professional looking lawn all year round! With regular maintenance, you will have an attractive outdoor space that you can enjoy for years to come 

Conclusion

Overall, pruning, edging, and trimming are essential tasks to maintain the appearance of any landscaped lawn or commercial property. By performing these practices on a regular basis, you can ensure that your turf looks its best year-round. Additionally, these services help increase the curb appeal of your property and improve its overall aesthetic. With proper pruning, edging, and trimming techniques in place, you can have a beautiful landscape that will be sure to impress all visitors. 

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