What is the primary function of landscape maintenance planning?

The primary function of landscape maintenance planning is to create a schedule for upkeep that extends the life of the landscape. This involves systematic planning to ensure that all aspects of the landscape, including plants, hardscapes, and other features, receive the necessary attention and care over time. By establishing a maintenance schedule, landscape professionals can address tasks such as weeding, pruning, mowing, fertilizing, and mulching at appropriate intervals, which helps maintain the health and aesthetics of the landscape. Ensuring regular maintenance not only prolongs the life of plants and materials but also contributes to the overall sustainability and functionality of the landscape environment.

On the other hand, increasing soil acidity is not a primary goal of maintenance planning; rather, it might be a specific task that could be necessary in certain contexts but is not a broad function of maintenance itself. Similarly, while planting new trees and flowers can be part of a landscape's lifecycle, it doesn't encompass the overarching goals of maintaining existing installations. Designing a new landscape layout falls outside of maintenance planning—it is a separate activity focused on the initial creation or significant renovation rather than upkeep. Thus, the focus of maintenance planning is rightfully centered on the ongoing care and management of existing landscapes.