On the east coast, spring ushers in long-awaited warmer temperatures, perfect for outdoor enjoyment. To make the most of your outdoor space, use the following checklist to help you get your yard in shape for the season ahead.
How to Spruce Up Your Landscape for Spring & Summer
Inspect your shrubs and trees
A good spring spruce-up starts with a thorough inspection of your property. Look for branches that might be damaged or broken, and have them safely removed by a professional landscaping company.
Test the soil
It’s a good idea to test your soil once every few years to ensure it has the proper pH balance and nutrients. You can ask your landscaper about testing the soil or your local agricultural extension office can help.
Fertilize your lawn
Before fertilizing your lawn or plants, always check with the local agricultural extension office. Some state and local governments place limits on when, what kind, and what amount of fertilizer you can apply. Professional, licensed lawn care companies will follow state, local, and federal regulations.
- Test your soil’s nutrients. If your soil does need nutrients, make sure you choose a fertilizer that matches those needs.
- Be sure to fertilize at the correct time of year for your variety of grass. Not all grasses should be fertilized in spring. A few cool-season grass varieties do better when fertilized in fall. June is also a good time to fertilize many cool-season grasses.
- Choose a slow-release or controlled-release fertilizer to increase nutrient absorption and reduce possible losses to the environment. In certain situations, it may help to use organic materials which can improve the health of your soil.
- Know the exact size of your lawn and read the label on the fertilizer bag. Using too much fertilizer can harm your lawn and cost you more than you planned. Conversely, using too little won’t yield the results you expect.
- Fertilize trees and Shrubs, too. Most plants, trees, and shrubs will benefit from proper fertilization with a slow-release product just before mulch is applied.
Control weeds
Spring is a good time to apply pre-emergent weed control.
Neaten up your planting beds
Rake old leaves and debris from plant beds and create neat, natural edges around the beds using an edging tool.
Add mulch
Adding an inch-thick layer of fresh mulch in plant beds and around trees not only makes planting areas look neat, but also helps to retain moisture in the soil, keeps roots cool in the summer, and insulates them in the winter.
Inspect your irrigation system.
Once the weather has warmed up for the year, turn on your irrigation system and inspect it to ensure it is in working condition. If you have a landscape or irrigation company, they can do this for you.
As the world outside finally begins to turn green after a long winter, your yard will thank you for taking the time for a little preparation. If you’re looking for more landscape advice and maintenance tips, reach out to Jersey Landscaping to schedule a landscaping consultation.