By: Amanda Gray, VP of Client Relations, Harvest Landscape
If spring is a season of promise, summer is the battlefield—and no one knows this better than your landscape team.
This year, especially, we’re facing a perfect storm: an unusually wet April followed by intense early heat. That combo has ignited explosive growth—particularly in weeds and fast-growing plant material—making this one of the most aggressive summers we’ve seen in recent years. Crews are up against relentless conditions, battling rapid growth, heat exhaustion, and water constraints all at once.
For HOA boards and community managers, this is a critical time to lead with understanding, not just expectations.
1. Summer is the Toughest Season in Landscape
It’s hot. It’s fast. And it’s nonstop.
Landscaping in triple-digit heat requires a different approach: shorter windows of safe work time, altered crew patterns, and an intentional shift toward plant health over pure aesthetics. What might look like slower service is actually a hyper-targeted strategy to protect your investment long-term—think weed suppression, smart irrigation tuning, and trimming that prioritizes plant vitality over appearance.
Board Tip:
Ask your landscaper what they’re focusing on right now—and why. This opens the door to collaborative problem-solving, not reactionary fixes.
2. April’s Rain Gave Us Growth… and Problems
While the spring rains brought needed hydration, they also created the perfect foundation for rampant weed outbreaks and overgrowth that we’re now racing to manage. That kind of growth surge can outpace even the most prepared crews—and the delay in spring enhancements due to wet soil has had a domino effect.
Board Tip:
Recognize that your landscape team is in catch-up mode from a spring that threw off schedules across the board. Patience here isn’t just helpful—it’s necessary.
3. Water Management Isn’t Optional, It’s Urgent
With temperatures rising and water costs climbing, now is the time to dial in your irrigation strategy. From leaks and coverage checks to converting inefficient zones, our teams are working overtime to ensure every drop counts—without compromising plant health.
Board Tip:
Request a mid-season irrigation review. A 20-minute conversation could uncover thousands in savings and help future-proof your system for fall.
4. Great Results Start with Trust
Your landscaper is your partner, not just your contractor. When things get tough—as they do every summer—the most successful communities are the ones who engage regularly, ask questions, and respect the complexity of what’s happening on the ground.
Board Tip:
Walk the property with your account manager. Use that time to align on goals, ask about current priorities, and make sure the long-term plan is still the right one. Collaboration is the best weed killer out there.
5. Planning Now = Fall Payoff
Even in the heat, we’re looking ahead. From turf renovation timelines to seasonal color planning and tree work, decisions made now will show up in September and October. Fall beauty doesn’t start in fall—it’s designed in July.
Board Tip:
Talk to your landscape team this month about enhancement priorities and budget alignment. Starting early gives you more options and better results.
Final Thought: Beating the Heat Takes More Than Muscle
This season tests everyone. Your landscape crews are pushing hard, adapting daily, and doing the behind-the-scenes work that keeps communities thriving—even when it’s 110° before lunch. A little grace, a little trust, and a willingness to partner through the hard months will go a long way in setting your community apart.
Let’s get through the battlefield of summer—together.