An outline of the seasonal grounds maintenance services delivered can be found below.

Service Spring/Summer Autumn/Winter
Trimming fronts of hedges and shrubs ✔
Grass cutting ✔
Litter picking ✔ ✔
Planting new trees ✔ ✔
Tidying lawn edges ✔
Blowing fallen leaves away from footpaths ✔
Removal of moss on footpaths ✔
Hedge and shrub reductions ✔
Gritting at identified high risk sites only ✔

Our grounds maintenance services

Here, we provide more information about our grounds maintenance services.

We look after grassed areas and will visit throughout the year, with more visits in spring and summer when the grass grows faster. Before mowing, we will check the area and pick up litter, then tidy edges and clear paths so everything looks neat and safe.

We use a cut and drop method across most of our sites, which helps to keep weeds at bay and ensures the soil gets a natural boost of vital nutrients. Plus, this approach helps the ground retain moisture during those sunny spells, ensuring your green spaces stay healthy and vibrant.

On a small number of sites, such as leasehold, we use a cut and collect method so cut grass is taken away. As a reminder, Right to Buy leasehold sites receive a cut and drop service.

We keep hedges and shrubs tidy to stop them from blocking paths, roads, windows or parking spaces. We cut back extra growth when needed, but in bird nesting season, we always check for nests first and stop work if we find any. In winter, we do bigger pruning jobs, clear away dead or damaged plants, remove weeds and litter, and leave the area looking neat and cared for.

We look after hard surface areas like paths, car parks, bike sheds and bin stores throughout the year. We work to keep them clean, tidy and safe by removing weeds, litter and moss, and we report any problems we find. This helps shared spaces stay welcoming and easy to use all year round.

We remove harmful weeds, such as giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed on the land we look after. Our team checks these areas, treats the weeds, and keeps track of them with photos and measurements.

Japanese knotweed is treated twice a year, and we will inform nearby landowners in case it spreads. When we receive reports of giant hogweed, we will visit immediately to check, and this will be treated as a priority.

If you think you’ve spotted an invasive or non-native weed, please report this to us by:

Environmental services

Onward Environmental is responsible for maintaining and managing spaces across your neighbourhood. As well as grounds maintenance, this includes waste management, cleaning, and tree maintenance in shared areas, shared gardens and some open spaces.