Maintaining outdoor spaces year-round is essential for schools, sports clubs, and community organisations across Greater Manchester. Whether it’s a playing field, car park, or garden area, consistent grounds maintenance keeps your site looking professional, safe, and welcoming for students, staff, visitors, and members.

At Proscape Landscapes, we work with educational and recreational organisations across the Manchester region to deliver tailored, reliable grounds care all year long. Below is our seasonal maintenance checklist, highlighting what needs doing – and when – to keep your site in excellent condition.

Spring: Time to Refresh and Revive

As the weather improves and plants begin to grow, spring is the perfect time to revitalise your outdoor spaces after the winter.

Key Maintenance Tasks:

  • Lawn repair & first cuts – Address winter damage, re-seed bald patches, and begin regular mowing.

  • Weed control – Apply early treatments to pathways, beds, and artificial surfaces.

  • Shrub & hedge pruning – Shape and tidy hedgerows to promote healthy regrowth.

  • Soil preparation & planting – Prepare flower beds or sensory gardens and plant seasonal displays.

  • Tree inspections – Check for winter damage and deadwood, especially around playgrounds and walkways.

  • Jet washing – Clean moss, algae, and debris from hard surfaces to reduce slip hazards.

Pro tip: Spring is a good time to review your annual maintenance schedule and plan any larger landscaping or improvement works before summer usage peaks.

Summer: High Use, High Maintenance

Summer brings more foot traffic, longer growth cycles, and outdoor events – especially for schools, sports teams and holiday clubs.

Key Maintenance Tasks:

  • Frequent mowing – Keep playing fields and lawns in top condition with weekly cuts.

  • Strimming & edging – Maintain neat paths, borders and fence lines.

  • Irrigation & water management – Monitor dry areas and use mulching to retain moisture.

  • Pest & disease checks – Spot and treat any signs of pests on trees, turf or plants.

  • Play area inspections – Ensure equipment and surrounding surfaces are safe and vegetation is controlled.

  • Tidy-up for open days/events – Enhance kerb appeal with planting, weeding and litter clearance.

Pro tip: Schedule early morning or late-day visits to avoid disrupting school activities or summer sports sessions.

Autumn: Preparing for the Cold

Autumn is about tidying up after summer and getting your site ready for the colder, wetter months ahead.

Key Maintenance Tasks:

  • Leaf clearance – Prevent blockages and slip risks on paths, car parks and pitches.

  • Hedge cutting – Final tidy before growth slows; ensure visibility and access are maintained.

  • Aeration & over-seeding – Repair worn turf from summer usage to support healthy root growth.

  • Gutter & drain checks – Ensure efficient water run-off before heavy rains.

  • Autumn planting – Install bulbs and hardy perennials for spring displays.

  • Tree safety checks – Inspect and manage high-risk branches before storms hit.

Pro tip: Now is a great time to arrange winter gritting services to keep your site operational and compliant in freezing conditions.

Winter: Safety First

With less daylight and harsher conditions, winter maintenance focuses on safety, accessibility, and keeping core grounds areas functional.

Key Maintenance Tasks:

  • Gritting & snow clearance – Keep paths, car parks and entrances safe for pupils, staff and visitors.

  • Tree risk management – Continue deadwood removal and storm damage response.

  • Hard surface care – Maintain clear access to fire exits, bins and key facilities.

  • Litter & debris removal – Prevent accumulation of leaves, twigs and rubbish that could create hazards.

  • Winter planting – Install hardy shrubs or evergreens for year-round structure and colour.

  • Equipment & fence checks – Inspect and repair items that may have weather damage or wear.

Pro tip: Even if plant growth slows, year-round visits ensure your site stays safe, tidy, and ready for spring.

Create a Year-Round Grounds Maintenance Plan

Every school or club has unique needs based on site layout, usage, and budget. At Proscape Landscapes, we offer tailored annual maintenance plans to suit your organisation. Whether you need weekly visits during term time, seasonal support, or one-off improvement works, we’ll work around your schedule.

Our professional, DBS-checked teams are experienced in working on educational and community sites—and we’re proud to be trusted by schools, clubs, and charities across Manchester and the North West.

Areas We Cover:

We deliver grounds maintenance services to schools, colleges, nurseries and community groups in:

  • Manchester

  • Stockport

  • Trafford

  • Salford

  • Tameside

  • Bury

  • Rochdale

  • Cheshire and surrounding areas

Need Expert Help Maintaining Your Site?

Let’s take the hassle out of outdoor upkeep. With Proscape Landscapes, you’ll benefit from:

  • A reliable, friendly team

  • Fully insured, compliant service

  • Custom schedules and reports

  • Competitive pricing for all budgets

Your grounds are the first thing people see. Let’s make sure they leave a great impression – season after season.

Contact us today to arrange a free site visit and quote.