This is a practical Winter & Early Spring landscaping guide designed specifically for Property Managers and Facility Managers overseeing commercial and strata properties in Metro Vancouver.
This month-to-month cheat sheet outlines essential tasks from January to March, while also providing a quick seasonal overview to help managers plan budgets, schedule projects, and reduce liability across their sites.
Month‑by‑Month Breakdown: Winter & Early Spring Landscaping Priorities
| Month | Primary Focus | Key Actions |
| January | Structural Pruning | • Make sure deciduous trees and shrubs are pruned while branch structure is clearly visible. • Confirm that dead, damaged, or crossing branches have been properly removed. |
| February | Landscape Bed Preparation | • Confirm soil amendments (dolomite lime) are applied as needed to support proper soil balance. • Oversee winter bed clean-ups and refreshed edges for spring weed prevention. |
| March | Weed Control & Planning | • Ensure the site is starting the season with a clean, weed-free baseline. (If pre-emergent weed control is permitted, confirm it’s being used appropriately. Otherwise, confirm other weed control measures are in place.) • Plan with your Landscape & Irrigation specialist to start irrigation once temperatures reach 10°C, and make sure all systems are running properly by mid-April. • Take an early March site walk through to spot areas for improvement and plan your spring improvement projects and budget. |
Winter & Early Spring Landscaping Tips for Metro Vancouver Property Managers
January – Winter Structural Pruning
When leaves drop over the Winter, it’s like giving trees an X-ray. This is the ideal time for structural pruning of deciduous trees and shrubs, when branch structure is fully visible. Removing dead, damaged, crossing, or overly dense branches helps maintain plant health and reduces future shading issues.
Manager Tip: Ensure pruning is completed before new growth starts in early spring and verify that your landscaping contractor has removed all hazard branches.
For property managers looking for more detailed winter landscaping guidance, we also recommend our Winter Landscaping Guide from the experts. It covers winter maintenance, hardscape and softscape care, irrigation considerations, and seasonal risk management, helping you make informed decisions and stay ahead during the winter months in Metro Vancouver.
Read the full guide here: Discover Winter Landscaping: A Guide from the Experts
February – Landscape Bed Preparation & Soil Care
Winter bed clean-ups and refreshing vertical edges help maintain a tidy appearance while preparing for spring weed control. Applying soil amendments such as dolomite lime supports proper soil pH and nutrients. This month also allows time to prepare for the heavier workload in March.
Manager Tip: Use February to review all garden beds and confirm soil amendments are scheduled. This is your chance to make sure beds are ready for weed control, planting, and any improvements before the busy season begins.
March – Early Spring Weed Control, Irrigation & Site Planning
At this stage, managers should confirm that the properties are starting the season with a clean, weed-free baseline. Where pre-emergent weed control is permitted, make sure it’s applied appropriately. Where it isn’t permitted, ensure other weed control measures are in place. For details on herbicide legality and usage restrictions in British Columbia, refer to the BC Provincial Pesticide Use Guidelines.
Plan the irrigation start-up once temperatures reach 10°C, and make sure all systems are fully operational by mid-April. Proper irrigation planning helps prevent stress on lawns and plantings and supports overall turf maintenance.
An early March site review is essential. Use this time to assess how the property fared over winter, identify any damage, prioritize improvements, and plan your spring projects, including any new plantings.
Manager Tip: Use your March site review to assess any improvements needed. Plan and budget for those improvements. Confirm your contractors are scheduled or request quotes for additional work. Finally, identify any seasonal risks that could affect property appearance or safety.
Winter and early spring landscaping lay the groundwork for a successful landscaping season across commercial and strata properties. At Premier Landscaping, we support properties throughout the entire Metro Vancouver region, including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Delta, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Langley, Abbotsford, and Maple Ridge.
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