A new landscape looks its best the day it's finished. Whether it still looks that good in five years depends on care: clean-ups, pruning, weeding, mulch and attention to lighting and hardscapes. In Central New York, where winter takes a real toll, that care is what protects your investment.
Syracuse Lightscapes offers landscape maintenance in Syracuse and Central New York, from spring and fall clean-ups to pruning, bed maintenance, lighting service and hardscape repairs. Here's what each service includes and when it happens.
- Spring clean-ups
- Fall clean-ups
- Pruning
- Bi-weekly bed maintenance
- Mulching the right way
- Lighting, hardscape and irrigation care
- A Central NY care calendar
- Frequently asked questions
Spring Clean-Ups
Winter leaves behind debris, broken branches and road salt. Our spring clean-ups include:
- Edging, weeding and mulching planting beds
- Removing debris before fresh mulch goes down
- Raking lawn areas as needed to clean up debris and road salt
- Removing broken branches from shrubs
Spring clean-ups begin in March or April, depending on the weather, and are scheduled first come, first served, so it pays to get on the list early.
Fall Clean-Ups
- Clearing leaves and debris from lawns and beds
- Cutting back perennials
- Pruning as needed to help protect plants through winter
- Prepping plants for winter conditions
Leaves left on the lawn over winter can smother grass, and leaves left on patios can stain pavers, so fall clean-ups protect both the plantings and the hardscape.
Pruning
Pruning at the right time keeps plants healthy, shapely and the right size for their space. As a general rule, spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after they bloom, so next year's flower buds aren't cut off. Our pruning service covers shrubs and trees up to 10 feet tall, using hand pruners, gas shears, ladders, pole pruners and pole saws. We also prune plants back from landscape lighting fixtures, so the light reaches its target.
Bi-Weekly Bed Maintenance
Bi-weekly maintenance keeps beds weeded and perennials looking their best, with spent perennials cut back once they finish flowering. Staying on top of weeds every two weeks takes far less time than a monthly visit, because weeds never get the chance to grow large and spread.
Mulching the Right Way
- Keep it to about 2 to 3 inches deep. More can hold too much moisture.
- Don't pile mulch against trunks ("volcano mulching"), which can rot bark.
- Edge beds first for a clean line that holds mulch in place.
- Keep mulch off fixtures and away from house siding.
Lighting, Hardscape and Irrigation Care
- Landscape lighting maintenance at $95 per man hour for the lighting technician. See our lighting maintenance guide.
- Hardscape maintenance at $95 per man hour, including cleaning and sealing pavers and repairing settled pavers and walls. See our paver care guide.
- Irrigation start-up and winterization, typically $250 to $800 a year per our pricing FAQ. See our irrigation guide.
A Central NY Care Calendar
| Season | What to do |
|---|---|
| Early spring (March to April) | Spring clean-up, edging, mulch, irrigation start-up, lighting check |
| Late spring and summer | Bi-weekly weeding, prune spring-flowering shrubs after bloom, cut back spent perennials |
| Fall | Leaf clean-up, cut back perennials, prep plants for winter, winterize irrigation before a hard freeze |
| Winter | Keep salt and piled snow off beds, mark fixtures, plan next year's projects |
See full details and rates on our maintenance contracts page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included in a spring clean-up?
Our spring clean-ups include edging, weeding and mulching beds, removing debris before mulching, raking lawn areas as needed to clean up debris and road salt, and removing broken branches from shrubs. They begin in March or April depending on the weather.
What's included in a fall clean-up?
Fall clean-ups clear leaves and debris from lawns and beds, cut back perennials and prepare plants for winter, with pruning as needed to help protect them through the cold months.
How much do clean-ups cost?
Clean-ups are billed at $78 per man hour plus sales tax. A typical crew is two people, and the time includes travel, work on site and debris disposal. Debris removal is charged per load depending on weight and material.
Why bi-weekly weeding instead of monthly?
Staying on top of weeds every two weeks keeps them small and quick to remove. Waiting a month lets them grow and spread, which takes much longer to clean up.
How high can you prune?
Our pruning service covers shrubs and trees up to 10 feet tall, using hand pruners, gas shears, ladders, pole pruners and pole saws.
Related Services
Get on Our Spring Clean-Up List
Spring clean-ups are scheduled first come, first served. Contact us to reserve your spot.
Request Free ConsultationOr call 315-751-0540
