The snow has melted and the weather is warming up. As we come out of winter hibernation and head outside, many people are noticing that their lawns and gardens are in rough shape. If that’s you and you’re not sure where to start, here are some easy tips to following so you can enjoy your yard this spring season.
1. Take inventory of the mess - Winter can be harsh. Look around and see if anything has broken or needs repair, such as fencing or outdoor lighting. Now is the perfect time to assess where you stand and start a “to do list” to tackle must-do maintenance. Also, consider creating a separate wish list. Have you always wanted beautiful flowers beds, a stone wall in the backyard or just drop-dead curb appeal? Now is the time to make those dreams happen.
2. Get started cleaning up - Even if you performed a thorough fall clean up, leaves and brush can blow into your yard and then sit there under the snow. Be sure to rake up all the leaves, pick up sticks and clean out any brush that may have landed in your yard. It’s not fun or glamorous, but it’s necessary to keep your yard in tip-top shape.
3. Check your lawn care tools - Check your lawnmower, leaf blower, chipper and the other tools you use to maintain your yard and make sure they’re ready to go. It’s a good time to oil your pruning shears, locate your gardening gloves, and purchase new rakes, too. There’s nothing worse than to be motivated to get started and then getting sidetracked because your tools aren’t ready to work.
4. Measure for mulch - Once you’ve clean up the leaves and debris, measure so you can estimate how much mulch you'll need. Mulch is incredibly valuable for many reasons. It helps the soil retain moisture, provides organic matter and nutrients to the ground, prevents evaporation so you save water, and is a natural barrier to weed growth, plus much more! We've created a calculator to make sure you get the right amount that you need. Check it out. >>
5. Wake up the grass - Lightly rake the grass to assess where the grass is significantly matted down, if there’s any crabgrass or major bare patches. Some areas of your lawn may need fertilizer, more watering, additional mowing, or to be reseeded (which is often a better left for the fall season). Now is the best time to determine what you need to keep your yard and lawn lush and healthy.
Good luck getting started!