8 Fall Landscaping Services To Market To Your Clients

image_pdf

Do you have fall cleanup packages established? Do you show up for the final mow and then just say goodbye until spring?

If you want to start offering another service in the fall to build your client base or increase revenue, pick one or two of these services that you would be comfortable providing and that your existing customers would be most receptive to.

1. Bringing in color

Falling for Color
PHOTO: JOHNSON’S NURSERY

The colorful plants from summer are fading quick so now is the perfect time to help clients revive their landscape with some vibrant annuals or perennials with some fall color. Colorful container gardening options for on the patio can give clients the ability to change up how their outdoor living spaces look.

Read more: Introducing Fall Color to Client’s Landscapes

2. Planting spring bulbs

bulbs with fall leaves
PHOTO: ISTOCK

If clients aren’t as concerned about fall color as they are in the spring and summer, offer your services to instead plant spring bulbs. “One of the reasons we push the bulbs, is that it is a natural transition to talk about our spring services,” says Brad Swortzel, owner of BWS Landscaping.

Read more: New Fall Cleanups: Packages, Equipment & Sustainability

3. Aeration or overseeding services

Strengthen Autumn Aeration Sales
PHOTO: TURFCO

Aeration can help compacted soils get better air and water circulation. If performed incorrectly or when it’s not needed, aeration can be damaging to the turfgrass. The tried-and-true method has been to aerate in mid- to late August and then overseed in September. This might not be the best add-on service for you if your business isn’t ready to invest in the equipment, according to some contractors.

Read more: The Strong Case for Core Aeration

4. Irrigation system winterization

Irrigation on property with flowers and shrubs
PHOTO: THINKSTOCK

It is best to winterize systems before temperatures get below freezing and the ground is frozen several feet down. Winterization is an important service to offer customers in terms of preventing damage to the system. “When customers with a newly installed irrigation system find their pipe fittings, sprinkler heads and valves split or cracked and broken apart from frozen water left in their systems, coupled with rising water bills come spring, they then start paying for winterization services,” says Craig Otto, owner/operator of Irrigation Otto, and a part-time instructor for Raid Bird.

Read more: Irrigation Winterization: A Must-Have Service Add-On

5. Fertilization & weed control

Photo: KOCH Agronomic Services, LLC
Photo: KOCH Agronomic Services, LLC

Now is the time to strengthen plant and turf roots so they survive winter. This helps set the turfgrass up for success for the following season. Getting weed problems under control in the fall will also benefit the turfgrass in the spring. Different turfgrass types call for different management and winter preparation, so be sure to educate yourself on the type of turfgrass in each of your client’s lawns.

Read more: Fertilization and Other Fall Turf Tips

6. Seasonal decorating

Holiday Lighting in green, red and white
Photo: Paulk Outdoors

Helping decorate for fall by building or refreshing the fire pit, bringing in pumpkins or corn stalks. Holiday lighting can be installed now as well. Holiday lighting has a unique set of requirements. Installers must have an eye for detail, be comfortable working at heights as well as willing and able to work in very cold conditions. According to Kevin Allen, Pro Care general manager, most clients will want to have any holiday lighting installed and operational by Thanksgiving.

Read more: Light Up Your Fall Revenue

7. The ‘classic’ cleanup

Mulching
PHOTOS: DON NICHOLS/ISTOCKPHOTO

Typically when thinking fall cleanup, services like leaf removal, mulching, raking, etc. come to mind. Leaf removal can keep you and your employees busy but it is a time consuming service that you must be sure to charge for properly. While cleaning up leaves, it is also common to give the flower beds a quick refresher by removing annuals and performing any trimming or edging around the beds. A fresh layer of mulch will enhance the property’s curb appeal and gives an added layer of protection to the plants for the winter.

Read more: Fall Profit Boosters

8. Power washing

power washer
PHOTO: ISTOCK

This service can be thought of as the cherry on top. It will make your client’s property look like you went above and beyond to complete the finishing touches on their fall cleanup. Whether or not this service will be a revenue generator depends on knowing the numbers. Jimy White, owner of Outdoor Oasis in Knoxville, Tennessee, offers power washing as a cleanup service when he’s already on a job site, as opposed to a stand-alone service.

Read more: How to Add On Power Washing Services

Bonus:
Some other fall service ideas include: gutter cleaning, driveway sealing, pool closing, trash can cleaning.

What fall add-on services have worked for your company? Let us know in the comments below.

2 COMMENTS

  1. The following states require some form of licensing to service irrigation systems. You should inform landscapers who offer winterizing of irrigation systems in these states that fines run into many thousands of dollars. Do not encourage just anyone to start offering irrigation services-leave it to the pros.

    Louisiana
    New Jersey
    North Carolina
    Texas

    California
    Connecticut
    Oregon
    Illinois
    Rhode Island

    • That is exactly correct Cindy. Irrigation professionals often take the time while winterizing, to survey the system heads and valves making notes for items needing attention the following spring. Often noted, are heads obstructed by being too deep in the turf, over grown by maturing landscapes, non rotating or an occasional broken head not observed by the owner. These notes can be shared with the client at the end of the winterization so the can budget for needed repairs and upgrades the next season.

      Irrigation contractors also carry needed parts to make quick repairs of pipe or head breaks that may allow dirt contamination of downstream irrigation system components. If not repaired, valves, heads or piping may become clogged requiring additional repair or replacement beyond the original problem.

      Experienced irrigation technicians sometimes can detect signs of defective supply shutoff valves that can water to seep into the system over the winter which can result in freeze damage of some components.

      Irrigation system winterization needs be left to irrigation professionals.

Comments are closed.