What Do Landscapers Do In The Winter? (18 Services)

Many landscaping businesses close during winter, struggling with seasonal work that affects their income and operations. The offseason doesn’t have to stop business entirely. Landscapers can offer winter services to keep their business thriving even in colder months. Providing winter landscaping services ensures a steady revenue stream and strengthens client relationships year-round.

What do landscapers do in winter? They offer services such as snow clearing, holiday lighting, and tree and shrub planting, which significantly increase winter earnings.

Landscapers grow their winter income by expanding service offerings, using landscape business software, and enhancing marketing efforts.

The below table shows the 18 winter services landscapers can offer their customers.

1. Yard Cleanups

Yard cleanups involve removing debris, trimming overgrown bushes, and preparing landscapes for the winter break. They are one of the most popular winter jobs for landscapers and don't require any additional investment from your standard summer landscaping services.

For this service, you'll need to address fallen leaves, dead branches, and other material that may accumulate during autumn. It’s tailored for residential homeowners seeking to maintain their property’s appearance and health through the colder months, as well as commercial properties needing to ensure a clean, professional look year-round.

Essential tools for yard cleanups include rakes, leaf blowers, trimmers, and waste bags. Depending on the property size and the amount of debris, the process can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. Prices you can charge typically range from $150 to $400 per cleanup.

2. Lawn Winterization

Lawn winterization is the process of preparing a lawn for the cold winter months. It's one of the more specialized winter business ideas for landscapers, as it involves aerating the soil, applying winter fertilizer, and treating the lawn to prevent weeds and diseases. The target clients are residential homeowners who wish to protect their lawn investments and ensure a healthy, vibrant start in the spring.

Equipment you'll need for lawn winterization includes lawn aerators, fertilizer spreaders, and weed and disease treatment sprayers. Depending on the size of the lawn, the timeframe for completing this service usually spans a few hours to a day. The cost for lawn winterization services can range from $200 to $500, offering winter income for landscapers.

3. Snow Clearing

Snow clearing involves removing snow from driveways, sidewalks, and entrances to ensure safe access and mobility. It's one of the most critical winter landscaping services, aimed at both residential and commercial clients in snow-prone areas, and focuses on safety and convenience during the winter months.

The equipment required for your snow removal company includes snowplows, snow blowers, shovels, and de-icing materials. Depending on the frequency and amount of snowfall, snow clearing can be an ongoing service throughout the winter, with costs ranging from $50 to $150 per visit or under seasonal snow removal contracts for continual management.

4. Holiday Lighting

Holiday lighting services encompass designing, installing, and removing festive lighting and decorations for the holiday season. Holiday lighting is one of the main niche side hustles for winter and can be a big business if done correctly. This service caters to residential homeowners looking to celebrate the season without the hassle of holiday shopping and installing lights themselves. It's in demand for businesses seeking to attract customers with eye-catching displays.

You'll require equipment such as ladders, light clips, and electrical cords, and you should not be afraid of heights. Installation of holiday lights can take from a few hours to several days, depending on the complexity of the display. Prices vary widely, starting at around $50 to $1,000 or more, making holiday lighting installation one of the most profitable winter landscaping jobs.

5. Leaf Clearing

Leaf clearing is the removal of fallen leaves from lawns, driveways, and other outdoor spaces. This service is essential for maintaining the health and appearance of outdoor areas, preventing pests and diseases. Target clients include homeowners and commercial properties with substantial tree coverage.

Leaf clearing requires rakes, leaf blowers, and collection bags. The timeframe for this service can range from a few hours to a full day, with costs averaging between $50 to $300 per session. It’s an essential winter job for landscapers, contributing to their offseason landscape services.

6. Weed Control

Weed control during the winter involves the application of pre-emergent herbicides to prevent the growth of weeds in the spring. This service is directed at homeowners and commercial property managers aiming to maintain pristine landscapes year-round and as a preventative measure to reduce lawn maintenance in the spring.

Equipment for weed control includes sprayers and safety gear for handling chemicals. This preventative service typically requires a few hours to complete, with prices ranging from $50 to $200, depending on property size. The demand for weed control in the colder seasons isn't that high, add it to your winter landscape services list as an extra source of income.

7. Mulch Application

Mulch application in winter involves spreading a protective layer of mulch over garden beds and around trees to insulate plant roots from cold weather and retain soil moisture. This service is ideal for residential gardens and commercial landscapes seeking to protect delicate flora during the winter.

You'll need shovels, wheelbarrows, and rakes to ensure even mulch distribution. The project duration can range from a few hours to a day, with costs starting at $100 to $300 for basic coverage. Mulch application could be a valuable addition to your landscaping winter services list, offering you a way to make money while your main source of income waits for warmer seasons.

8. Gutter Maintenance

Gutter maintenance involves cleaning leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts during the winter months to prevent water damage and ice dams. This service targets residential homeowners and commercial buildings, aiming to protect their properties from winter weather damage.

Required equipment includes ladders, gloves, and debris removal tools, such as gutter cleaners. Gutter maintenance typically takes a few hours and costs between $100 and $250. Offering gutter maintenance is one of the more practical winter landscaping business ideas that help homeowners prepare for the winter.

9. Tree & Shrub Planting

Tree and shrub planting during the winter focuses on species that can be planted during the colder months, providing a head start on spring growth. This service includes consulting with clients to select appropriate winter-hardy species, preparing the planting site, and properly installing the trees and shrubs to ensure their survival through the winter. It's particularly suitable for homeowners and commercial properties looking to beautify their landscape, even during the offseason.

The equipment needed typically involves shovels, augers for larger projects, and mulch for protecting the newly planted trees and shrubs. Depending on the scale and number of plants, this service can take from a day to several days. The cost for tree and shrub planting services can range from $150 to $300 per tree or shrub, including the cost of the plant and labor.

If you're a lawn care business attempting tree and shrub planting, please do proper research on what type of plants you can plant in the winter months. Planting trees and shrubs that aren't equipped to handle the severity of winter can even cause you to lose a loyal client for the summer months. When you do it correctly, you can even continue with a profitable arborist business in the warmer seasons.

10. Power Washing

Power washing involves the use of high-pressure water to clean surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, decks, and exterior walls. This service is ideal for homeowners and businesses looking to maintain or improve the appearance of their property. It's especially useful in winter to remove grime, salt, and mildew that can accumulate during wetter, colder months.

Necessary equipment includes a power washer and various nozzles to accommodate different cleaning needs. The duration of power washing projects can vary, typically taking a few hours to a day, depending on the area's size and condition. Prices for power washing services start at around $100 and can go up to $1,000+ for larger or more complex jobs.

Publishing before-and-after videos on YouTube demonstrating your power washing services is a great way to market this winter service!

11. Winter Irrigation Shutdown

Winter irrigation shutdown is the process of draining and shutting down irrigation systems to prevent freezing and damage during the winter. If water in the pipes freezes, the irrigation system can burst and require hundreds of dollars to fix. This essential service targets residential homeowners and commercial properties with sprinkler systems that need to be winterized to avoid costly repairs.

Equipment needed includes air compressors for blowing out water from the lines and tools to open and close system components (custom keys and pliers). This service usually takes a few hours and costs $75 to $150 per system. It’s a critical winter landscaping job that prevents damage and ensures systems are ready for the spring thaw.

12. Seasonal Pruning

Seasonal pruning involves trimming and shaping trees and shrubs to promote healthy growth and remove dead or diseased branches before the spring. This service is aimed at residential and commercial property owners who want to maintain plant health and appearance.

Pruning shears, loppers, and sometimes chainsaws for larger branches are required, along with safety equipment (gloves, safety harnesses for high trees, etc.). The timeframe for pruning can range from a day to several days, depending on the property size and number of plants. Costs typically start at $100 to $400 for smaller jobs and can reach $1,000+ for large jobs.

13. Protective Cover Installations

Protective cover installations involve placing burlap or specialized covers over sensitive plants, shrubs, and young trees to protect them from winter wind, ice, and snow damage. You usually do this service after the tree and shrub planting service. Target clients include those with high-value landscaping, tree and shrub planting clients, or clients with particular species requiring extra care during winter.

Basic tools like stakes, hammers, and the protective materials themselves are needed. Installation usually takes a few hours, depending on the number of plants the client wants to protect. The service can cost from $50 to $200.

14. Ice Management

Ice management includes applying de-icing agents and salt to driveways, walkways, and parking lots to ensure safety and accessibility. This service is crucial for commercial properties who want to avoid lawsuits, residential complexes, and homeowners concerned about ice hazards.

Equipment includes salt spreaders, shovels, and sometimes plows for larger areas. This ongoing winter service can vary in cost from $50 to $200 per application, depending on the area size and frequency of treatment, and represents one of the most profitable winter jobs if done correctly.

15. Hardscape Protection

Hardscape protection involves applying sealants and protective treatments to patios, walkways, and other hardscape elements to prevent damage from freezing and thawing cycles. This preventative service is aimed at homeowners and businesses with significant investments in hardscaping who want to maintain their landscaping throughout the winter.

Preparing the surfaces requires sealant applicators and cleaning equipment. The process can take a day or more and cost from $200 to $600, depending on the hardscape's extent and material.

16. Lead Generation

This service is essential for any landscaping business looking to expand its winter jobs for landscapers and secure winter income. You can focus on onboarding your summer month clients as well as do marketing to land new clients. It's an essential process for landscapers looking to grow their summer and winter business.

This is why many landscapers choose to outsource lead generation and marketing to a specialist firm like Zentive. When you utilize Zentive, you focus on providing your core services while ensuring a steady stream of clients throughout the winter months.

17. Client Retargeting

Client retargeting involves using marketing strategies to re-engage previous customers with the aim of encouraging repeat business. This service is critical for landscaping businesses seeking to maximize offseason landscape services by reminding past clients of the need for winter maintenance, holiday lighting installations, or snow clearing services. Effective client retargeting can transform a one-time service into an annual engagement, providing a steady winter income for your business.

Techniques for client retargeting include email marketing campaigns, social media ads, and personalized direct mail. It's as simple as handing out cards to summer month clients listing all your winter services. While costs can vary based on the campaign's scale, investing in client retargeting is a strategic move you should make to ensure continued business growth, especially during the winter months when traditional landscaping work may decrease.

18. Business Development

Business development for landscapers in the winter involves a strategic landscaping business plan that outlines service offerings, how to enter new markets, and how to enhance customer relations. This could include training staff on winter-specific services, investing in new equipment for snow removal or holiday lighting, or forming partnerships with other businesses to offer bundled services.

Successful business development requires a mix of market research, investment in marketing and equipment, and, perhaps most importantly, networking. Attending industry trade shows, participating in local business associations, and leveraging online platforms are all effective strategies.

Offer to help train other landscaping business' staff and crew members & earn extra income if you're an expert in a particular landscaping service.

How Can Landscapers Increase Winter Earnings?

Landscapers can increase winter earnings by adding more services, using a landscape business software, and expanding marketing efforts. You can increase your business's income by adding more winter-orientated services, such as snow removal, holiday lighting installations, and tree and shrub planting.

When you use landscape business software, you can increase your winter earnings. Implementing specialized software such as Zentive can streamline operations, improve scheduling efficiency, and enhance customer communication. What this software basically does is reduce your operational costs while improving operational efficiency, meaning more jobs are completed per day.

Another vital aspect of increasing winter earnings is expanding marketing efforts. Enhance your marketing strategies by highlighting winter services, which can attract new customers and remind existing clients of available services. I mentioned a simple method of handing out business cards to existing clients detailing all your winter services. Utilize online marketing, social media, and local advertising to raise further awareness and drive business during the slower months.

What Landscaping Services Should You Offer?

You should offer landscaping services like snow clearing, hanging holiday lighting, hardscape protection, and seasonal pruning..The landscaping services you should offer depends on the demand within its specific market and each service's potential return on investment (ROI). To determine the highest ROI services, construct a landscaping services list detailing each service's equipment cost, the training required, and the potential pricing of the service in their market.

Services that offer a high ROI often require investing in specialized equipment and tools but can be priced at a premium due to their necessity or convenience, such as snow clearing, holiday lighting, and ice management.

Which Tools Are Needed For Winter Landscaping Services?

The tools and equipment needed for winter landscaping services can vary widely based on the services offered. Generally, you need to include these tools in your landscape tool list.

• Snow blowers and plows for snow removal.
• Salt spreaders for ice management.
• Shovels and other manual tools for snow and ice clearing.
• Trucks for transporting snow and ice management materials.
• Ladders and safety equipment for holiday lighting installations.
• Protective gear for handling cold temperatures and hazardous materials.

How Does Landscaping Software Improve Winter Profits?

Landscaping software improves winter profits by enhancing your business's operational efficiency, improving job scheduling, and streamlining communication with clients. This reduces operational costs and increases revenue generated per day.

When you use landscaping business management software, you gain financial benefits such as reduced time spent on administrative tasks, optimized routing for winter jobs to minimize fuel and labor costs, and quicker invoicing and payment processing.

Should All Landscape Businesses Use Software?

Yes, all landscape businesses should use a landscape management software to increase their operational efficency. The benefits, including improved scheduling, efficient job routing, streamlined quoting, and easier invoice processing, contribute to reduced overhead costs and increased customer satisfaction. For winter services, the ability to quickly adapt schedules to weather changes and efficiently route teams for snow removal can be a game-changer for landscaping businesses. Landscape business software can help manage customer expectations and communication, further enhancing the business's reputation and client retention.

How Can Landscapers Enhance Winter Marketing?

Landscapers can enhance winter marketing by implementing strategies that focus on SEO to improve online visibility, engaging in targeted lead generation campaigns, and utilizing ads that highlight their winter services. By emphasizing the unique needs of the winter season, such as snow removal and holiday lighting, in their marketing materials and optimizing their online presence for these services, landscapers can attract more business. Including a mention of fall services, such as leaf removal and gutter cleaning, in their landscaping strategy for marketing helps smooth the transition into winter offerings, keeping the business top of mind for clients year-round.

How Can Landscapers Get More Business In The Fall?

Landscapers can get more business in the fall by focusing on services that prepare properties for winter, such as lawn winterization, leaf clearing, and gutter maintenance. By marketing these services aggressively in late summer and early fall, landscapers can capture the attention of property owners looking to maintain and protect their investments. Offering package deals or promotions for multiple services incentivize clients to book more comprehensive fall landscaping services, ensuring steady business as the season changes.