Spring Gardening Tasks
Walk around the yard and check shrubs and trees for winter damage and remove broken or diseased limbs. If a large tree has damage, it’s helpful to consult an arborist to survey what needs to be done.
Clean up sticks and leaves around the yard and put in the compost pile. If you don’t have a compost pile, start one. Even if you don’t intend to work at it, letting yard waste decompose instead of sending it to a landfill, is a good thing.
Cut back perennials and grasses and divide if needed. Many perennials need to be divided into smaller clumps in order to stay healthy. Cut the dead tops of ornamental grasses back before the new growth starts.
Remove spring weeds from plant beds. Mulch bare spots, making sure the mulch is at least 3″ deep. Mulch helps prevent weed problems and keeps moisture close to plants’ roots during times of drought.
If there are drainage issues in your yard, make sure that culverts and drainage ditches are free of debris. If there is water pooling near the foundation of your home, gutters and downspouts need to be checked and grading may need to be done to slope the soil away from the home. Often water can be diverted into a rain garden, which can be pretty and beneficial to wildlife.
Have your lawn mower and yard tools serviced. A sharp mower blade cuts grass more cleanly which can help prevent fungal diseases.
Take a soil sample from lawn areas to check the ph. Add lime as needed. Seed bare spots in your lawn and fertilize.
Soil test planting areas and apply nutrients that are lacking. If you are planning any new plantings, a test will help show what amendments are needed and in what amounts. Proper nutrition prevents many health and pest issues with plants.
Check walkways and paths, and repair broken concrete and level stones. Think about new pathways that may be needed to create more efficient traffic flow through your landscape.
Analyze how you use your outdoor space and have new areas designed if you aren’t using it to its fullest. Outdoor lighting can extend the time you spend outside enjoying your landscape.
Snow Creek Landscaping is a full service landscape company, offering design, installation, maintenance, and tree services. Give us a call for a free estimate or visit our home page at snowcreekinc.com.