5 Ways to Save Money

Just because lawns and shrubs are dormant during the winter months doesn’t mean your business has to be. As rain, snow and extreme temperatures send customers into hibernation, don’t forget that December, January and February also can be the best months to save money and diversify your services. Depending on the climate you’re in, savings on landscape and lawn maintenance can be applied instead to snow removal.

Plan ahead by following these five winter tips that could give your business reason to celebrate during even the coldest holiday season.

Time Your Purchases
When you buy can be just as important as where you buy. Pre-purchase bulk discount items you’ll use during the winter, such as snow shovels and ice melt, says a Denver-based landscaping company director. Other purchases, such as lumber for outdoor projects, often are cheaper during winter months. Save money on trees, shrubs, perennials, soil and mulch by buying late in the season. Don’t buy newly released plant varieties on impulse; they may be expensive initially because supply is low and demand is high. Prices likely will drop as production increases.

Winterize Gardens
A winter garden takes much longer to create than a spring garden with fast-growing bulbs and perennials. When designing a new garden, it makes sense to plan for winter first and then work backward, because a successful winter garden depends upon the structure it gets from hardscaping, architecture, and mature trees and shrubs.

If you’re in an area that gets lots of snow, snow fencing can help protect plants and save money. It’s also imperative that grounds workers avoid the use of melting salts and chemicals, which can cause severe damage and death to plants and trees.

Diversify Your Services
While lawn care, plant and mulch sales diminish significantly in the winter months, you may try diversifying into non-mulch areas to provide a steady source of income. Sales of items such as artificial plants and flowers, concrete yard ornaments, birdhouses, firewood, holiday flowers such as poinsettias and Christmas trees are just a few examples. In the winter, snow removal also is in high demand. Alternatively, consider subletting portions of your lot space if and when it’s not needed, the Denver-based director says.

Prune Away
Prune trees and shrubs in winter months—this will save you money year round, says Vicki Bendure, a spokesperson for Herndon, Va.-based Professional Landcare Network (PLANET). “It’s safer and easier to prune trees and shrubs when they are dormant because it’s easier to see which limbs need to come out,” she says. “Pruning protects trees and shrubs year-round from winter storms, and summer storms, as well.”

Cut Back Employee Hours
A reduction in winter staff and hours will help save money. Set your staff levels accordingly so you can afford to cut back during the winter months. The director says to look for alternative plans for nonessential staff, such as job-attached unemployment programs (depends on state), return to work bonus/incentives, and partnering with companies that could lease your staff or vehicles.