The lawns around your business premises are one of the most visible parts of your property. Whether you run an office, a hotel, a retail park, or a healthcare facility, the condition of your grass says something about the standards you keep. A lush, well-cut lawn tells visitors and customers that you pay attention to detail. A patchy, overgrown lawn suggests the opposite.
Commercial lawn care is a different challenge to looking after a domestic garden. The areas are usually larger, the footfall is heavier, and the expectations are higher. Here is how to keep your business grounds looking their best, whatever the season.
Why Commercial Lawn Care Is Different
A domestic lawn gets moderate use, usually from one family. A commercial lawn might be walked on by dozens or hundreds of people every day. It faces vehicle traffic at the edges, compaction from regular footfall, and wear patterns in high-traffic areas. It also needs to look good at all times because it is always on show.
This means commercial lawns need a more structured maintenance programme than the average garden. You cannot just mow it once a fortnight and hope for the best.
The Impact of a Well-Maintained Lawn
A professional-looking lawn does more than just look pleasant. For businesses in County Louth and beyond, it contributes to:
- Brand image — customers associate tidy grounds with a well-run business
- Property value — well-maintained landscaping increases commercial property values
- Staff wellbeing — green spaces improve morale and provide areas for breaks
- Compliance — some business parks and landlords require tenants to maintain grounds to a certain standard
Creating a Commercial Mowing Schedule
The backbone of any commercial lawn care programme is a consistent mowing schedule. In Ireland, the growing season runs roughly from March through to October, with the most vigorous growth between April and August.
Recommended Mowing Frequency
| Time of Year | Growth Rate | Mowing Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| March — April | Moderate | Every 10-14 days |
| May — August | Peak growth | Every 7-10 days |
| September — October | Slowing down | Every 10-14 days |
| November — February | Dormant | Occasional tidy-up if mild |
For commercial premises where appearance is critical — think hotels, corporate headquarters, or showrooms — weekly mowing during peak season is the standard to aim for.
Mowing Height Matters
One of the most common mistakes in commercial lawn care is cutting the grass too short. It might look neat immediately afterwards, but scalping the lawn weakens the grass, encourages moss and weeds, and leaves it vulnerable to drought stress during dry spells.
For general commercial lawns, a cutting height of 30-40mm is ideal during the growing season. For high-quality ornamental areas, 20-25mm gives a finer finish. The key is never to remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single cut.
Seasonal Lawn Treatments
Mowing alone will not keep a commercial lawn in top condition. A seasonal treatment programme addresses the issues that build up over time and keeps the grass healthy and resilient.
Spring (March — May)
- First cut of the season — set the mower high and gradually reduce the cutting height over the first few weeks
- Aeration — spike or hollow-tine the lawn to relieve compaction from winter use
- Fertiliser application — a spring feed with a balanced nitrogen-rich fertiliser gets growth going strongly
- Weed treatment — selective herbicide application targets broadleaf weeds without harming the grass
Summer (June — August)
- Regular mowing — maintain the schedule and raise the cutting height slightly during dry periods
- Watering — commercial lawns may need irrigation during prolonged dry spells, though this is less common in Ireland than you might think
- Spot treatments — address any weed or disease issues as they appear
Autumn (September — November)
- Scarification — remove thatch build-up that prevents water and nutrients from reaching the roots
- Aeration — another round of aeration helps the lawn recover from summer use
- Overseeding — fill in any bare or thin patches before winter sets in
- Autumn feed — a potassium-rich fertiliser strengthens the grass for winter
Winter (December — February)
- Keep off frozen grass — walking on frosted grass damages the blades and leaves brown footprints
- Leaf clearance — remove fallen leaves promptly to prevent smothering and disease
- Drainage checks — address any waterlogging issues before they cause lasting damage
Common Commercial Lawn Problems
Compaction
Heavy foot traffic compresses the soil, which prevents air, water, and nutrients from reaching the grass roots. Regular aeration is the solution, and for heavily used commercial lawns, it may be needed twice a year.
Moss
Moss thrives in shaded, damp, poorly drained areas — conditions that are common on commercial sites. Improving drainage, reducing shade where possible, and applying moss treatment in autumn are the best approaches.
Wear and Tear
High-traffic areas will always show more wear. Strategic overseeding and the use of hardwearing grass varieties help, but for the most heavily used areas, you may need to consider alternative surfaces such as reinforced grass systems.
When to Call in the Professionals
Many businesses attempt to manage their own grounds maintenance, often assigning it to a caretaker or facilities team. While this can work for basic tasks, professional commercial lawn care delivers a noticeably better result.
Professional grounds maintenance companies bring:
- Commercial-grade equipment — ride-on mowers, professional aerators, and calibrated spreaders that deliver consistent results across large areas
- Specialist knowledge — understanding of grass species, soil conditions, and treatment programmes
- Reliability — a scheduled programme that happens rain or shine, without relying on internal staff availability
- Efficiency — a professional crew can complete work in a fraction of the time it takes non-specialist staff
Get Your Business Grounds Looking Their Best
At Gardening Services Dundalk, Seamus and Pete provide professional commercial grounds maintenance to businesses across Dundalk, Drogheda, Ardee, and the whole of County Louth. From regular mowing programmes to full seasonal treatment plans, we tailor our service to suit your premises and your budget.
Call us on 085 168 5170 for a free, no-obligation quote. We will visit your site, assess what is needed, and put together a plan that keeps your grounds looking professional all year round.
