Grounds Maintenance: An Introductory Guide

Making a good first impression is paramount to any sector, and showcasing a professional, well-kept premises is the best way to guarantee this. Having a grounds maintenance contract in place ensures that this is always the case.  

Here at Grounds Care Group, we truly understand the importance of grounds maintenance, and how it contributes to the overall appearance and safety of your business.  

What Does Grounds Maintenance Mean? 

Grounds maintenance can be defined as a wide variety of tasks involved in the care and maintenance of gardens or external spaces. From pruning and grass cutting to gritting and weed control, grounds maintenance is an essential step to take in caring for your premises. 

Different Types of Grounds Maintenance  

Not only does grounds maintenance allow you to make the most of your grounds, it also keeps your external space safe and ecologically diverse year-round. Whether it’s hedge cutting, pothole repair, or weed control you’re after, knowing the different types of services that make up grounds maintenance is vital when searching for the right grounds maintenance contract for your premises.  

How Could a Grounds Maintenance Contract Work? 

Grounds maintenance contracts will often work on a year-round contract, with a base level of services provided regardless of the time of year, and then specific services added on a one-off or seasonal basis.  

For example, a grounds maintenance contract for an office building in a business park could look like:  

Regular Tasks	Seasonal Tasks
Lawn Mowing and Care	Gritting
Hedge Maintenance	Tree Surgery
Litter Picking	Weed Control
Car Park Clearing	Planting
Leaf blowing

What Sectors Suit Grounds Maintenance? 

Most businesses that have outdoor land, even if it’s just a car park, need maintenance. However, for different sectors, the type and regularity of any maintenance will vary. For example, those in the education sector will require more intensive maintenance done during school holidays, and regular maintenance will need to be carried out during lessons to prevent any danger to students.  

Broadly speaking, to have a need for regular grounds maintenance, you will have at least one of the following:  

• Large outdoor space 
• Gardens 
• Car park 
• Sports fields and grounds 
• Pathways and cycle paths 

How Does a Grounds Maintenance Contract Change Throughout the Year? 

Ensuring your contract is flexible and adapts to your needs is key. Your contract should provide you with the right services you need for your grounds, whether it’s on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. As the seasons pass, your grounds maintenance priorities will need to change, too. A grounds maintenance contract will allow you to plan ahead, so your grounds can be well-kept all year round.  

Grounds Maintenance in Spring 

Spring is a time for new beginnings, and in grounds maintenance, it’s exactly the same. The season starts off with the continuation of winter gritting, and weed control and grass cutting begins. By the end of the season, knotweed management has begun (if necessary) and gritting has stopped.  

Grounds Maintenance in Summer 

During summer, a lot of ongoing work will need to be carried out on grounds. Pruning, grass cutting, and hedge maintenance all take a precedence in summer months, as this is when most of the growing happens.  

It’s also a chance to plant any seeds, and assess the health of any on site plants.  

Grounds Maintenance in Autumn  

Autumn time is when leaves start to fall, and as such, leaf blowing and clearance becomes an important maintenance task. This, coupled with pre-winter checks such as weather proofing, road and surface repairs, as well as planting out bulbs and cutting plants back ready for winter.  

Grounds Maintenance in Winter 

During winter season, it’s important to prepare for your gritting needs. Gritting contracts can either form part of your yearly grounds maintenance contract, or you can get them as an additional contract if your existing contractor doesn’t provide it.  

The Benefits of Grounds Maintenance 

As well as maintaining your grounds year-round to prevent them from running astray, it’s also important for other reasons:  

• Prevents slips and trips, reducing risk of potential injury 

• Boosts employee wellbeing and morale 
• Enhances visitor experience and business’ identity 
• Improves ecological diversity of the area 
• Reduces your carbon footprint 

Looking For a Grounds Maintenance Contract You Can Rely On? 

Here at Grounds Care Group, we provide a range of grounds maintenance services for year-round care. No matter your sector, get in touch today.