Grounds maintenance

Our service promise: 

• We make 20 visits per year to attend to grassed areas, 16 from March to October, and four visits from November to February. Some grassed areas, such as meadows, may be cut at different times throughout the year. 
• During the growing season grass is cut on a twice-monthly cycle. Visits are scheduled and fall into either the first and third week of the month or the second and fourth. 
• All grass sites are inspected, and litter picked before mowing. 
• Once grass cutting has started, we finish without delay unless bad weather prevents us from doing so. 
• We ensure that grass cutting mowers are suitable for the size of area being maintained. 
• Grass cutting mowers are sharp, properly set, and cut evenly and cleanly. 
• Obstacles and edges on estate sites are treated with herbicide in spring to reduce strimming visits and maintain tidy edges. 
• The strimming of edges and obstacles are completed at the same time as grass cutting 
• We use a cut-and-drop grass cutting method which has plenty of benefits, as the cut grass left behind limits weed growth and provides the soil underneath with essential nutrients whilst helping to lock in moisture during hot and dry weather. 
• All pathways and hard surfaces are blown clean after mowing is completed. 
• Leaves are removed from all communal hardstanding areas as part of general grounds maintenance visits. 

Find out when your next visit is scheduled and explore and before and after photos via the Environmental Tracker.  

Our service promise: 

• Hedges are maintained so that there is no obstruction to footpaths, roads, windows, parking areas and sightlines. 
• Encroachment growth on shrubs and hedges is pruned as and when required. Due to bird nesting restrictions between March and September, a full and thorough check is made for nests and work will stop if any are found. 
• Hedge reductions and hard pruning is completed between October and February. 
• Pruning is carried out in line with best practice for the type of shrub or hedge. In all cases, self-seeded trees, dead, diseased, and damaged material is removed. 
• All planted areas are kept free of weeds and litter. Weeds in beds and hedge bases are spot sprayed with herbicide. 
• After pruning all cuttings are removed or mulched to the base of the shrubs. 
• Shrub beds are edged off as part of programmed winter works for a neat and tidy appearance. 

Find out when your next visit is scheduled and explore and before and after photos via the Environmental Tracker. 

Our service promise: 

• We make 20 visits per year to attend to hard surface areas, 16 from March to October, and four visits from November to February. 
• Hard surface areas include bin stores, bike sheds, car parks, pathways and yards. 
• Hard surface areas are kept weed and litter free as far as is practically possible. All sites are maintained on the scheduled visit and any issues reported. 

• Herbicide is used on all hard surface areas as required. 
• Moss is sprayed before scraping and only removed after it has died back. Moss is treated year-round. 

Find out when your next visit is scheduled and explore and before and after photos via the Environmental Tracker. 

We have a legal obligation to control certain invasive species on land we own and manage. 

Onward Environmental attend sites where invasive species are growing. They treat with herbicide and manage the infestation.  

Japanese Knotweed 

• All sites are photographed and measured at assessment stage and before each treatment so the spread and vigour of the infestation can be recorded and monitored.  
• Neighbouring properties and land with Japanese Knotweed present will be notified as landowners have a legal responsibility to treat, control and stop the spread. 
• All sites will be treated twice a year to control spread. 

Giant Hogweed 

• Giant Hogweed enquiries will be responded to immediately and if verified will be prioritised for treatment. 
• All other enquiries about invasive weeds are reported to the management team. 

To report an invasive or non-native weed, please contact us. 

We are committed to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint. Where possible, we make every effort to establish sustainable landscapes in our neighbourhoods. This includes: 

• More tree planting 
• Introducing wildflower meadows 
• Low maintenance ground cover plants and shrubs 
• Spring and summer bulbs 
• Mulching beds where possible for weed suppressant and moisture retention 
• Neighbourhood improvements