Spring strategy

SUSTAINABILITY & BIODIVERSITY

“Using tools and materials that have been created with sustainability in mind is the first step,” says Beaumont, “and of course, recycling and disposing of any waste effectively.” It’s important that work is carried out without causing damage and that hard surfaces can be cleaned and maintained without causing any issues for surrounding softer landscaped areas.

“Improving soil health early in the season reduces reliance on fertilisers and irrigation later in the year,” says Gibson. Replacing winter losses with pollinator-friendly or drought-tolerant planting enhances biodiversity without increasing maintenance inputs. Selective pruning and habitat preservation support early-season pollinators, while reduced-mow regimes encourage natural regeneration.

These measures contribute not only to environmental performance but also to wider ESG objectives. Thoughtful grounds management demonstrates responsible stewardship of land, supports local ecosystems and aligns estates strategy with organisational sustainability goals.

WELLBEING

Spring is when people tend to reconnect with outdoor spaces and post-winter preparation plays a key role in shaping the user experience. Restoring safe access routes, refreshing planting schemes and improving visual quality signals to users that the estate is managed proactively and responsibly. Even small interventions, such as reinstating seating areas, pruning to increase natural light or introducing early-season colour can transform how a space feels.

Pearson adds that for organisations considering their outdoor spaces from the perspective of wellbeing and aesthetics, winter planting is key to ensure gardens can be enjoyed to their full potential from the start of spring.

Green space and mental wellbeing are inherently linked. Exposure to nature, even in modest landscaped settings, supports cognitive restoration and reduces fatigue. In this context, spring grounds maintenance becomes part of a broader wellbeing strategy by prioritising safe, functional and appealing external environments.

TOP PIECES OF ADVICE

Martin Beaumont’s advice is clean, seal, and maintain:

• Once areas have been cleaned effectively, it is then just a case of ongoing maintenance, which won’t cause as much disruption in the spring and summer months when people and wildlife are more likely to be using the spaces.
• Sealants are key for maintaining hard surfaces such as paths, fences and furniture as they help protect against everyday damage from usage as well as from inclement weather, which we do of course have here in the UK.

Tony Gibson’s top advice is:

• Start with a structured assessment. Survey winter damage, drainage performance, plant health and surface condition to prioritise works and budgets.
• Restore soil and plant health. De-compact hight footfall areas, reinstate mulch, apply nutrient treatments and repair damaged planting to give landscapes a strong start.
• Rectify safety hazards early. Treat algae and moss, repair damaged paving or edging, and clear debris from drainage channels before footfall increases.

Dean Pearson’s top tips are:

• Teamwork and partnership are key. Work with trusted partners to develop a clear plan that sets out the objectives and methods and that also explains the rationale and timings for specific interventions.
• A lot of winter work can take time to show results leading to people feeling like their investments aren’t delivering value. However, the opposite is true, the work you do during winter and early spring is an essential investment for year-round success.
• Don’t fall into cost-cutting opportunities when it comes to safety. For example, many remove leaf clearance from contracts to save money. This is a false economy, as uncleared leaves and moss create significant risks which can obviously be incredibly costly in the case of a liability claim.

CONCLUSION

The shift from winter to spring is more than a seasonal shift, the decisions made in these early weeks influence safety outcomes, maintenance budgets and landscape resilience for the rest of the year. Addressing pressing and hidden issues properly before activity intensifies prevents the problems from multiplying later in the year. By approaching post-winter maintenance as a proactive, structured programme rather than a reactive tidy-up, facilities managers can move into spring with confidence knowing their external environments are safe, sustainable and built to endure the seasons ahead.