How to Care for Vacant Land in the Summer

by Laura Mueller The heat of summer is on its way, and with it, some special concerns that you’ll want to be aware of as you maintain (or improve) your vacant land. Owning a vacant plot doesn’t usually require much work on your end, however it’s still important that you take proper steps to keep it in the best condition possible—especially if you’re planning to eventually develop or sell the property. With that in mind, here are some quick tips on how to care for your vacant land during the summer season.

Do some general landscaping

You don’t need to do a complete land improvement, but you should undertake some basic landscaping tasks to ensure that your land doesn’t get out of control during the warm months, and that it’s less prone to wildfires. This may include trimming your trees and bushes back, mowing the grass, and possibly doing some strategic planting—especially if you’re concerned about boundary lines or potential trespassers.

Take on those weeds

Speaking of landscaping to-dos, practicing routine, preventative weed control each summer is a whole lot easier than dealing with a major weed issue later on. Mowing and cutting will go a long way toward keeping weeds at bay, as will establishing competitive vegetation that slows down or prohibits the growth of weeds in the first place. If you opt for a chemical control method such as herbicides, just be sure to choose a product that won’t harm the surrounding plant life.

Keep pests under control

Vacant land isn’t actually so vacant when you consider how many pests are calling it home. Most bugs and rodents are perfectly safe to have on your land—and many are even quite beneficial—however you’ll want to be aware if your property is experiencing excessive rates of not-so-great pests like mosquitos or wood-boring insects. Bring in a professional if you’re worried, since they’ll be able to source out any pest problems and direct you on your best next steps.

Check for water issues

Summer means rain, and rain could mean serious property damage if you’re not paying attention. Keep an eye out for lingering drainage issues, such as large areas of standing water. Depending on the circumstances, these can lead to soil contamination, or they may speak to other, more extensive issues that you’ll need to take care of.

Make improvements

If you’re planning on making improvements to your vacant land, then summer is a great time to do it. Add in access roads or utility lines, do some of that aforementioned landscaping, and get to work on building any structure(s) that you have in mind. You don’t need to cram everything in to one summer, but the warmer months are certainly worth taking advantage of since you won’t have to be concerned about frozen ground or heavy snowfalls causing delays in your plans. Just as summer is a great time to improve your vacant land, it’s also a great time to make a vacant land purchase. If you’re thinking of entering the land market or expanding your current portfolio, there’s a good amount of inventory currently available—plus much better weather for touring, surveying, and making sure you get exactly what you’re looking for. Like this article? Please feel free to share or post a link on your site: https://www.landhub.com/land-news/how-to-care-for-vacant-land-in-the-summer/