A Comprehensive HOA Landscape Maintenance Guide for Board Members
Maintaining the landscaping of a homeowners association (HOA) is crucial for the aesthetic appeal and property value of your community. A well-kept landscape fosters a welcoming environment and ensures homeowners take pride in where they live. Here’s a quick guide for HOA board members to ensure landscaping stays in top shape:
Effective communication
Effective communication is the backbone of successful HOA landscape maintenance. It's essential to ensure that both the landscaping company and the HOA management are on the same page.
Key Communicators: Avoid confusion by designating specific communicators between the HOA and the landscaping company. Rather than having all residents contact the landscapers, streamline communication through the property manager. This keeps interactions organized and ensures that the right person addresses concerns like shrub pruning, mowing schedules, or plant installations.
Updates and Reporting: Ensure that the landscaper has a system for keeping the HOA updated. A solid example is a digital property service report that outlines completed tasks such as weeding, tree pruning, or mulch application. These updates provide clarity, prevent confusion, and keep the community informed.
Essential Services for HOA Landscaping
Think fast! How many HOA landscape maintenance services can you name in 30 seconds?
Go ahead...mowing, trimming, edging, fertilizing, weeding...did we mention mowing twice?
Every HOA needs a comprehensive set of services to keep its landscaping in top shape. These services are scheduled throughout the year to ensure that your community’s landscape always looks pristine.
Tailored Services for Your HOA
No two HOA communities are exactly the same, so your landscaping needs might differ. Some communities opt for full-service mowing for all properties, while others may only need common areas handled. (And no, we don't clean out garages—nice try!)
Some communities may want extra services like mulch and pruning for individual homes, while others don't. Start with these standard HOA landscaping services, and customize as needed:
Weekly Lawn Care
Regular mowing is a must. Typically, mowing begins in mid-April and lasts until the first week of November. During these visits, tasks like trimming and edging are also completed to ensure a polished look.
Weeding
Weeds are the bane of every homeowner’s existence, but you can keep them under control. Whether it’s pre-emergent or post-emergent herbicide applications, or good old-fashioned hand weeding, keeping plant beds and tree saucers tidy is crucial.
Fertilization and Weed Control
A four-application fertilization and weed control program, spaced throughout the year from spring to fall, is your best strategy for a lush lawn. It’s the backbone of any HOA landscaping plan.
Spring and Fall Clean-Up
Winter can leave a mess behind, and no one wants a shabby landscape during the prime home-buying season. Your HOA landscape maintenance should include spring clean-up to remove leaves, weeds, and debris. Fall clean-up is just as important — schedule two or three visits to tidy things up, one before Thanksgiving and one before Christmas.
Aeration and Overseeding
This process removes small plugs of soil, letting water and oxygen reach the lawn’s roots, which leads to deeper, healthier growth. Aeration is often followed by overseeding to fill in any bare spots with fresh grass.
Rejuvenation Pruning
While it might not be as thrilling as a flower delivery, rejuvenation pruning is essential for curb appeal and safety. This involves cutting back overgrown shrubs to encourage new growth. It also prevents overgrown plants from obstructing signage, snagging passersby, or blocking lighting.
Curb Appeal is Everything
Take a quick drive through your HOA community and ask yourself: would any of the homes tempt you to slow down for a better look? The charm of a community starts with its curb appeal. Whether it's the vibrant blooms, lush lawns, or the refreshing scent of flowering trees, first impressions matter.
Flowers, Flowers, and More Flowers
Flowers catch the eye, and a colorful array makes your HOA community stand out. Consider a mix of vibrant annuals like vinca, petunias, and coleus, paired with lush greenery. Key areas to enhance? Your main entrances and high-traffic common areas. Talk to your landscaping team about rotating seasonal flowers year-round for continuous beauty.
Maintain the Lawn for a Perfect Welcome
Nothing says "welcome" like a healthy, green lawn. Regular mowing with those satisfying mowing lines shows care and investment in the community. To maintain that lush look, ensure your landscaping team provides a comprehensive lawn care plan that includes proper irrigation, weed control, and occasional aeration.
Festive Touch with Holiday Lights
Don’t overlook the magic of holiday lights. Twinkling lights at entrances and wrapped around trees add an inviting, festive charm that makes every visitor feel at home. Let your landscaping crew handle the installation for a professional look—no risky ladders required!
Keep it Clean with Portering Services
A beautiful landscape can be undone by stray litter. Regular portering services ensure your community stays pristine by removing unsightly trash. Scheduling frequent cleanups keeps the entire property looking fresh and inviting year-round.
HOA Landscaping: Policies That Simplify Your Job
Dealing with residents’ questions about landscaping can sometimes feel like handling a group of curious five-year-olds. Common inquiries range from "Can I add a patio in my backyard?" to "Is planting bamboo okay?" or even, "Are fountains allowed?" And, of course, "Will there be cookies at the next board meeting?"
While most HOAs hire landscaping companies to handle common areas, many homeowners manage their own yards under the guidance of HOA landscaping rules. Having clear, effective policies in place will save your HOA board time and prevent confusion. Consider these five essential policies:
Provide Clear Planting Guidelines
Offer a list of approved plants for homeowners to follow. By sticking to a similar selection of flowers, shrubs, and trees, the community’s overall look remains consistent and well-maintained.Minimize Clutter
Everyone knows that one house with odd lawn decorations, like furniture made from old skateboards or eccentric garden gnomes. Limiting what types of decorations, water features, and sculptures are allowed helps keep the neighborhood looking polished.Hardscape Regulations
Hardscaping is a more permanent addition to the landscape. Whether it’s a retaining wall or patio, these projects need to be carefully planned and approved. Require residents to submit designs and ensure that they adhere to community standards for materials and aesthetics.Garden Guidelines
Gardens can be a delightful addition, but rules should be in place. Maybe potted tomatoes are acceptable, but a large vegetable plot might not be. Well-maintained gardens add charm, but when left unkempt, they can become eyesores. If enough residents are interested, consider a community garden.Clarify Responsibilities
Misunderstandings about landscaping responsibilities are common. Make sure your policies clearly define which areas are maintained by the HOA's landscaping team and what’s up to individual homeowners. Clarity here avoids frustration and ensures a well-kept community.
HOA Landscaping: How to Handle Rule Breakers
Let’s be honest—not every HOA resident will love or follow all the landscaping rules. There’s always someone who wants to plant anything they desire, others who crave brightly colored mulch, or a couple considering replacing their entire lawn with wildflowers. But in most cases, that’s not in line with the rules. So, how do you enforce landscaping regulations without causing tension? Here are some practical steps:
Gently Remind Everyone of the Rules
Every HOA has governing documents (CC&Rs) that outline what residents can and can’t do with their landscaping. However, not everyone reads them thoroughly. Send out friendly reminders to ensure that residents understand the landscaping guidelines and avoid unintentional rule-breaking.
Start with a Friendly Conversation
Before escalating matters, have a polite conversation with the resident. Let them know that their landscaping choices may not align with the HOA’s rules. This approach can often resolve issues without formal actions.
Issue a Written Warning
If the friendly chat doesn’t lead to changes, the next step is to issue a written warning. Clearly outline the specific policy violations, provide a reasonable timeline for corrective action, and explain any consequences, such as fines or legal measures, for failing to comply.
Impose Fines if Necessary
If all else fails and the resident still doesn’t follow the rules, it’s time to enforce penalties. Impose fines for each day the violation continues. While enforcing the rules isn’t always easy, it’s necessary to maintain order and the community’s overall aesthetic. Stay strong—being “The Enforcer” isn’t always fun, but it’s crucial for keeping harmony in your HOA.