Most of us consider the job of creating a budget a necessary evil. To achieve financial success, budgets are indeed necessary but don’t have to be considered evil. The same is true for creating a budget that identifies landscape requirements and associated costs for your property. This budget preparation can be successful and painless if you consider three guidelines; timing, planning and knowledge.

The time to prepare a landscape budget for next season is now while the property is colorful and alive. Plant materials, turf conditions, seasonal color rotations, irrigation needs and tree care are best evaluated while they are active and thriving. It’s more effective to make decisions about summer annual flowers during the summer instead of trying to remember during the dead of winter.

Planning your landscape needs, should not only include next season but two or three seasons out as well. Landscapes are not static; they are ever-changing elements of your property. Substantial expenses like tree removals/replacement, irrigation expansion and entryway re-design, may require a three year plan to implement. This planning may require the help of your landscape professional to evaluate and identify the proper steps to maintain and improve your landscape environment.

You are working with a knowledgeable landscape professional because you trust in their experience and ability to care for your property as if it was their own. Expect them to assist you in this budget preparation to help you identify elements and expenses for consideration.

Their knowledge of your property, potential challenges and creative input will help make this budgeting process much simpler for you and result in a successful plan for the years ahead.

Fall season is undeniably the best time of year for planting here in the Midwest. Soil temperature, moisture availability and seasonal temperatures indicate optimum conditions for planting. Installation of new plants as well as sowing new turf seed produces better results than any other time of the year.

Does your landscape budget indicate dollars for fall plantings? Are there surplus dollars in other budget categories that can be reallocated to fall landscaping? We can help you identify where best to invest these dollars for your property.