Prep Your Yard For Your Spring Landscaping Goals Now
After staying inside all winter long, it’s hard to resist the urge to run outside when the weather begins warming up. Although the sunshine and warmth might not stick around for long, you don’t need to wait to get outside. Here’s how to prep your yard for your spring landscaping goals now so maintaining your property is much easier later on.
Landscaping starts long before the last snow melts off your driveway. These tips will get you started so you can accomplish whatever goals you have for your yard this year.
CLEAR OLD DEBRIS PILES
Even though you don’t have to mow your lawn during the winter, you still pick up debris after storms. Many homeowners leave branches and various clippings in a backyard pile. It’s likely out of sight for now, but it’ll grow into an eyesore when routine yard work begins again.
Clear out your debris pile before the weather warms up. Dump sticks and any other collected yard waste into a garbage can. Most cities have disposal directions on their websites, which typically indicate a specific landfill that handles natural waste. It only takes a few minutes to get rid of debris and free your lawn for easier maintenance and landscaping renovations.
REMOVE CURRENT MULCHING
Old mulch left over from last summer may look fine underneath your bushes, but it breaks down after brutal winter weather. Decaying mulch can’t do its job, so replace it with a fresh layer while your plants are still bare. Laying mulch early in the spring prevents weeds from growing too early and gives your plants better access to nutrients. Your yard will also appear fresh with the soft new brown color blanketing your soil.
CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS
Spring changes weather patterns and makes storms more likely. Leaves and other debris will fill your gutters, so clean them to reduce water damage to your roof and around your foundation. Rainwater will easily flow down your gutters and through your drainage piping like intended instead of overflowing onto your plants and washing away your yard.
AERATE YOUR GRASS
After constant melting and refreezing, the soil in your yard is likely dense. It will be difficult for your grass to grow if the ground remains packed and unable to absorb the spring rains. You can prep your yard for your spring landscaping goals now by aerating it before applying fertilizer or planting any new grass seeds. It encourages new root growth, promotes oxygenation and allows for better watering.
RESEARCH SPRING PLANTS
Landscaping should make your yard look better than ever, but your hard work won’t pay off if your plants don’t bloom on time. Before heading out to your local plant nursery, research which flowers and bushes thrive during early to late spring. They’ll respond well to the fluctuating weather until temperatures stabilize closer to summer.
LOOK INTO WATERING SYSTEMS
People often think the most challenging part of landscaping is watering their yard. Hardly anyone has time every day to water their grass and plants, along with any potted flowers they have indoors. Looking into various watering systems will pay off when you need to keep up with your property during busy weeks. A set of sprinklers or a drip irrigation hose will save the day without requiring a big budget.
PREP YOUR YARD THIS WEEKEND
Now that you know how to prep your yard for your spring landscaping goals, get started this weekend. Research the plants you’d like to grow, clean your gutters and replace old mulch to finish the essential yard care jobs before spring arrives.
Rose Morrison is a freelance writer who covers home improvement and maintenance topics. She is also the managing editor of Renovated.