Boosting Property Appeal with Back-to-School Landscaping Ideas

As May rolls in, it brings longer days, warmer weather, and the perfect opportunity to elevate your property’s landscape. With students wrapping up the academic year and families preparing for summer routines, commercial properties—from schools and childcare centers to office parks and retail hubs—can benefit from a seasonal refresh that’s both eye-catching and functional.

At Priority Landscape, we understand that first impressions are everything—especially during a season filled with events, transitions, and increased outdoor activity. May is a month where people notice details. Whether it’s a graduation ceremony, a busy retail weekend, or a corporate campus welcoming seasonal staff, a clean, vibrant, and organized landscape helps your property stand out.

Whether you’re preparing for summer programs, improving outdoor spaces for public-facing events, or simply aiming to enhance curb appeal before the heat of summer sets in, late spring is the ideal time to invest in fresh property upgrades that leave a lasting impact.

Why May Landscaping Is a Smart Investment

May is a transitional month—winter is fully behind us, spring is in full bloom, and summer is just around the corner. Your landscape should reflect that progression. Investing in landscaping during this time ensures your commercial property is not only beautiful but also well-prepared for the demands of the busy season ahead.

For educational institutions, back-to-school curb appeal in May means preparing for high-visibility moments—graduations, award ceremonies, open houses, and the start of summer enrichment programs. Parents, students, and faculty all take notice of how the grounds look, and a well-maintained landscape sends the right message about the professionalism and pride of your institution.

Retail and office properties are also shifting gears in May. With foot traffic increasing and outdoor spaces becoming more active, investing in seasonal property design ensures that your commercial grounds are inviting, functional, and reflective of your brand standards.

Seasonal Property Design Ideas for Late Spring

Creating a standout commercial landscape in May doesn’t require a complete overhaul—strategic enhancements and proactive maintenance go a long way in improving both aesthetics and usability. Here are several impactful upgrades you can implement right now:

1. Graduation-Ready Grounds and Event Preparation

If you manage a school or educational facility, May is your landscape’s moment in the spotlight. Whether it’s an outdoor graduation ceremony or a campus tour for prospective families, your grounds need to look pristine. Focus on fresh-cut lawns, clean edges, trimmed hedges, and colorful flower beds around high-traffic areas like entrances, courtyards, and parking lots.

We help education clients design landscapes that are not only beautiful but also safe and easy to navigate, with clearly defined walkways, durable surfaces, and low-maintenance planting beds.

2. Colorful Annuals and Eye-Catching Container Plantings

Late spring is ideal for planting heat-tolerant annuals like marigolds, petunias, salvia, and begonias. These seasonal favorites offer consistent color and visual interest throughout the summer months. Use bold combinations in raised beds or large planters near entryways to highlight signage or create natural flow toward your front doors.

At Priority Landscape, we help clients choose the right plant varieties for their exposure, soil, and irrigation needs to ensure long-lasting color and curb appeal.

3. Mulch Refresh and Flower Bed Redefinition

One of the fastest ways to give your landscape a polished, professional look is a mulch refresh. Adding new mulch improves soil health, prevents weeds, and provides contrast that makes flowers and greenery pop. Re-edging your flower beds and tree rings gives the space a well-maintained, crisp look that can elevate your entire exterior in just a day’s work.

4. Lawn Optimization and Turf Enhancements

Your turf is actively growing, which means now is the time to mow consistently, apply a mid-spring fertilizer, and treat emerging weeds. For properties that experienced damage from salt, snow plows, or winter compaction, we offer aeration and overseeding to restore health and vibrancy.

Green, healthy grass is the foundation of great landscaping—it sets the tone for everything else. With our expert lawn care services, you’ll enjoy a lush, uniform appearance that lasts all season.

5. Outdoor Amenities: Freshen Up the Details

Benches, planters, bike racks, trash receptacles—these are all small elements that add up to a big impression. In May, it’s a good time to inspect, clean, repaint, or replace worn-out site furnishings to ensure your space looks fresh and inviting.

We also help clients assess outdoor gathering areas to ensure they’re ready for increased use, whether that means power-washing patios or enhancing lighting for early evening events.

6. Irrigation Inspection and Summer Prep

Before summer heat arrives, a professional check of your irrigation system ensures water is reaching all the right areas efficiently. We can recalibrate timers, replace broken heads, and make water-saving adjustments to help you maintain healthy plant life and turf throughout the summer.

Landscaping for Schools and Commercial Sites in May

When it comes to landscaping for schools, it’s about more than just flowers—it’s about function, flow, and first impressions. May events bring guests, parents, and public visibility to your property. A clean, vibrant, and well-maintained exterior shows that your institution values its environment and the people who spend time there.

Commercial properties—whether retail, industrial, or office-based—benefit equally from fresh property upgrades this time of year. A well-landscaped storefront or campus helps attract tenants, retain clients, and create a more welcoming experience for employees and guests. In a competitive market, those visual and functional details matter more than ever.

By mid-to-late May, we are working with clients across the Chicago Southland to implement impactful late spring upgrades that carry their properties seamlessly into summer.

Let’s Get Your Property Summer-Ready—Contact Us Today

Don’t wait for summer to roll in—take advantage of May’s perfect planting conditions and growing season to create a lasting impression. Whether you’re managing a school, retail center, or office park, Priority Landscape has the expertise and resources to make your vision a reality. Call 708-946-6121 today to schedule your late spring landscaping service and take the first step toward a cleaner, greener, and more beautiful property.