Commercial property managers near Inwood Forest and Jersey Village face unique landscaping challenges. The area sits along White Oak Bayou, where flooding strikes regularly. Clay soil struggles to drain appropriately. Tropical storms dump massive rainfall with little warning.
Your property’s landscape affects more than appearance. Poor maintenance leads to drainage problems, pest infestations, and safety hazards. Properties with overgrown plants or dying grass lose tenants and customers fast.
This guide helps you manage your commercial landscape through every season. You’ll learn what tasks matter most, when to do them, and how to protect your investment year-round.
Why Does Seasonal Maintenance Matter for Properties Near Inwood Forest?
The Inwood Forest area has mixed soil conditions with acid-loving soils north of White Oak Bayou and alkaline-loving soils to the south. This makes plant selection tricky. The wrong species dies within months.
The Tax Day Flood of 2016 damaged 230 homes in Jersey Village, and Tropical Storm Allison flooded approximately 500 homes in 2001. These flooding events prove that proper drainage and landscape maintenance aren’t optional. They’re essential.
Houston’s flat terrain rises only about 1 foot per mile, and the clay soil repels rainwater. Your landscape must help water drain away from buildings. Neglected properties become flood magnets.
Spring Landscaping Tasks (March-May)
How Should You Prepare Your Turf for the Growing Season?
Spring kicks off the active growing period for warm-season grasses. St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia grass wake up from winter dormancy hungry for nutrients.
Start fertilization after the second or third mowing. Apply a slow-release fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio (like 19-4-10 or 18-4-6). This provides nitrogen for green growth while supporting root development. Skip early spring feeding if your grass looks healthy; waiting until May prevents excessive growth that attracts pests.
Best grass choices for commercial properties:
- Raleigh St. Augustine: Requires 6-7 hours of direct sun, handles heat and humidity well, most popular choice locally.
- Palmetto St. Augustine: Needs only 4-5 hours of sun, best for shaded areas under mature trees.
- Tifway 419 Bermuda: Fine-bladed, handles heavy foot traffic, needs full sun.
- Palisades Zoysia: Tolerates both sun and shade, drought-resistant, slow-growing (less mowing).
Apply pre-emergent herbicide in late April or May. This prevents summer weeds from sprouting. Products containing Barricade or Dimension work best for our area.
What Irrigation Repairs Prevent Summer Disasters?
Spring is your last chance to fix irrigation problems before brutal summer heat arrives. Test every zone in your system. Look for broken sprinkler heads, leaking valves, and poor coverage patterns.
Houston’s flat terrain, extensive impervious cover, slowly absorbing soil, and potential for thunderstorms and tropical storms combine to create ideal conditions for flooding. Intelligent irrigation systems detect moisture levels and automatically adjust watering. This prevents overwatering, which contributes to drainage problems.
Check drainage around buildings and parking lots. Standing water after rain signals clogged drains or poor grading. Fix these now before heavy summer storms hit.
How Do You Add Color Without Breaking Your Budget?
Seasonal color installation transforms dull properties into welcoming spaces. Spring flowers like petunias, snapdragons, and alyssum thrive in our climate.
Plant in well-draining beds with fresh mulch. The 2-3 inch mulch layer retains moisture and regulates soil temperature. This reduces water needs by up to 30%.
Prune trees and shrubs after the last frost. Remove dead branches, shape plants, and promote airflow. Proper pruning prevents disease and encourages healthy spring blooms.
Summer Landscaping Maintenance (June-August)
How Do You Keep Grass Alive During Extreme Heat?
Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F. Grass struggles to survive without proper care.
Give your plants another dose of slow-release fertilizer around mid-summer, ideally in June or early July. Use the same 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio products from spring. Light feeding during summer prevents stress while maintaining color.
Skip fertilization if drought conditions exist. Fertilizer makes grass more succulent and increases water needs. During water restrictions, let the grass go semi-dormant rather than forcing growth.
Iron supplementation in August: Heavy irrigation leaches nutrients from the soil. Yellow grass doesn’t always need nitrogen; it often needs iron. Apply iron sulfate if leaves turn yellow but veins stay green. This greens up grass without stimulating excessive growth.
What Pests Attack Commercial Landscapes in Summer?
Chinch bugs devastate St. Augustine grass during hot months. These tiny insects suck plant juices, creating irregular brown patches that spread quickly. Check for them by parting the grass near damaged areas; you’ll see small black bugs with white wings.
Apply targeted insecticide at the first signs of infestation. Products containing bifenthrin or permethrin work well. Treat the surrounding areas too, as chinch bugs migrate from damaged sections.
Grubs feed on grass roots underground. Brown patches that peel back like carpet indicate grub damage. Apply preventive treatments in June before populations explode.
How Often Should You Water Commercial Properties?
Deep, infrequent watering beats frequent shallow watering every time—water 1-1.5 inches per week during summer. Apply early morning (4-8 AM) to reduce evaporation.
Clay soil in our area absorbs water slowly. Split watering into two shorter cycles if runoff occurs. This allows water to penetrate rather than pooling on the surface.
Monitor for drought-stress signs: blue-gray grass color, footprints that remain visible, and folded leaf blades. Increase watering frequency before the grass dies.
Fall Landscaping Preparation (September-November)
What Makes Fall the Best Planting Season?
Lower temperatures minimize the shock of transplanting, giving plants time to anchor strong roots ahead of winter. With this foundation, they can face next summer’s high temperatures more resiliently.
Install new trees and shrubs in September or October. Native species like Live Oak, Bald Cypress, and Yaupon Holly adapt well to our mixed soil conditions. These mature trees provide shade, reducing cooling costs by 15-20%.
Apply fall fertilization in October or November. Use a winterizer formula with higher potassium (the third number in the ratio). Products like 8-12-16 or 10-10-20 improve cold tolerance and disease resistance. Potassium strengthens cell walls and helps grass store energy for spring green-up.
How Do You Prepare for Flooding Season?
Jersey Village’s drainage system can reach capacity during significant rainfall, causing flooded streets, local ponding, and overflowing bayous and ditches. Fall preparation reduces flood damage risk.
Clean gutters and downspouts before heavy rain starts. Extend downspouts at least 6 feet from buildings. Clogged drainage systems direct water toward foundations.
Check parking lot drains and catch basins. Remove leaves, sediment, and debris. One clogged drain can flood an entire parking area during storms.
Grade landscape beds away from buildings. Water should flow toward drainage areas, not toward structures. Add soil or adjust grading to prevent water from pooling against foundations.
When Should You Overseed for Winter Color?
Most commercial properties skip winter overseeding because warm-season grasses naturally go dormant. Brown grass is normal and healthy during the winter months.
Properties requiring a year-round green appearance can be overseeded with annual ryegrass in October. Ryegrass grows during cool months and dies when summer heat returns. This process costs more and requires extra maintenance, so budget accordingly.
Apply pre-emergent herbicide in October. This prevents winter weeds like henbit, chickweed, and rescuegrass. Skip this step if overseeding, pre-emergent kills ryegrass seeds too.
Winter Landscape Management (December-February)
Winter Tasks and Installation Projects
Winter slows landscape growth but doesn’t stop maintenance entirely. Our mild winters allow year-round work on most projects.
Complete these winter tasks:
- Install landscape lighting to highlight property features and improve security
- Repair hardscaping (sidewalks, retaining walls, patios) before the spring rush
- Correct drainage problems identified during fall rains
- Plan spring color displays and order plants early
- Service mowing equipment and sharpen blades
Hold off on major pruning until late February. Early pruning stimulates new growth that frost can damage. Exception: remove broken or dangerous branches immediately, regardless of season.
How Do You Protect Landscape Investments from Hard Freezes?
Although Houston’s winters are mild, unexpected hard freezes can still occur. Protecting sensitive plants prevents costly replacements.
Cover tropical plants (hibiscus, bougainvillea, palms) when temperatures drop below 32°F. Use a frost cloth, not plastic; plastic damages plants when it touches leaves. Remove covers once temperatures rise above freezing.
Deep watering prior to frost allows the soil to retain heat, offering protection to plant roots from freezing conditions.
Avoid fertilizing from November through February. Late-season fertilization stimulates tender new growth that is prone to freezing. Let plants harden off naturally.
Drainage Solutions for Flood-Prone Areas
What Drainage Improvements Protect Your Property?
Jersey Village’s soil can be challenging, requiring nutrient-rich amendments to promote robust growth and drought resilience. Poor soil drains slowly, leading to standing water problems.
French drains channel water away from problem areas. These gravel-filled trenches with perforated pipes redirect water to storm drains or detention areas. Install them along building foundations or low-lying sections where water pools.
Rain gardens absorb excess stormwater naturally. These shallow depressions planted with native species filter runoff while adding landscape interest. They’re particularly effective in parking lot islands and along property edges.
Permeable paving reduces runoff from parking areas and walkways. Water passes through the surface rather than running off. This reduces flooding downstream while recharging groundwater.
Plant Selection for Mixed Soil Conditions
Which Plants Thrive in Inwood Forest’s Unique Soil?
Land north of White Oak Bayou supports acid-loving trees and soils, while areas south of the bayou support alkaline-loving trees. Test your soil pH before selecting plants.
For acidic soils (north of bayou):
- Azalea and Camellia (spring bloomers)
- Blueberry bushes (edible landscaping)
- Magnolia trees (shade and flowers)
- Gardenia (fragrant shrubs)
For alkaline soils (south of bayou):
- Texas Sage (drought-tolerant blooms)
- Mexican Plum (native tree with spring flowers)
- Esperanza (yellow blooms, heat-loving)
- Turk’s Cap (red flowers, hummingbird magnet)
Plants for both soil types:
- Live Oak (evergreen, hurricane-resistant)
- Bald Cypress (wetland areas, fall color)
- Yaupon Holly (berries, birds love them)
- Muhly Grass (ornamental, pink fall plumes)
Prepare the soil by adding organic amendments prior to planting. Compost enhances structure and nutrient flow, improving soils of varying pH. Incorporate a 2–3 inch layer into the upper 6 inches of earth.
Safety and Liability Considerations
Overgrown landscapes create liability risks. Tree branches scraping buildings damage roofs and gutters. Shrubs blocking sight lines at driveways cause accidents. Dead trees fall during storms, crushing vehicles and injuring people.
Schedule regular tree inspections. Certified arborists identify hazardous branches, disease problems, and structural weaknesses before failures occur. Remove dead wood promptly.
Keep walkways clear and well-lit. Overgrown plants force pedestrians into parking areas where they’re vulnerable. Trim shrubs to maintain 6-foot clearance above sidewalks.
Remove fallen leaves promptly from walkways and parking areas. Wet leaves create slippery surfaces that cause slip-and-fall accidents. These incidents cost property owners thousands in medical bills and lawsuits.
Budget Planning for Year-Round Maintenance
Smart property managers budget for seasonal needs rather than reacting to emergencies. Emergency repairs cost 30-50% more than planned maintenance.
Create a monthly landscape budget that includes:
- Regular mowing, edging, and blowing (weekly during growing season)
- Fertilization and weed control (4-5 applications annually)
- Irrigation repairs and adjustments (monthly checks, repairs as needed)
- Seasonal color installation (2-3 rotations per year)
- Tree and shrub pruning (annual trimming, emergency removals)
- Mulch replenishment (annual in spring or fall)
- Drainage maintenance (quarterly inspection, repairs as needed)
Set aside 15-20% of your landscape budget for unexpected repairs. Tropical storms damage trees, floods wash out beds, and equipment breaks. Reserve funds prevent delayed repairs that worsen problems.
How Brookway Landscape and Irrigation Helps Commercial Properties Thrive
Maintaining commercial landscapes demands expertise, equipment, and constant attention. Property managers juggling multiple responsibilities struggle to stay ahead of seasonal needs.
Brookway Landscape & Irrigation provides comprehensive maintenance programs for commercial properties across Houston. Our FEMA certification means we respond 24/7 to storm damage emergencies. We understand the unique challenges properties near Inwood Forest and Jersey Village face because we’ve worked in this area for decades.
Our services include:
- Large-scale landscape design and installation
- Complete maintenance programs customized to your property
- Intelligent irrigation systems that reduce water waste
- Drainage solutions for flood-prone areas
- Tree care and emergency storm response
- Pest and weed control programs
- Seasonal color rotations that keep properties vibrant
We back every job with our “No Hassle, No Excuses, No Nonsense, You’ll Love What We Do Guarantee.” This isn’t just a slogan; it’s how we’ve built lasting relationships with clients since 1997.
Ready to Transform Your Commercial Property?
Stop worrying about landscape maintenance and start enjoying a property that attracts tenants and customers year-round. Contact Brookway Landscape & Irrigation today for a free consultation. We’ll assess your property’s specific needs and create a customized maintenance program that protects your investment year-round.
