Warm weather is finally upon us! What better way to celebrate than to give your property’s landscape some much needed TLC? Before you get into the fun stuff like planting, here are some basic preliminary lawn care steps you’ll want to take.
1. Lawn Care To properly care for your lawn you will definitely want to add rubbish clean up to the top of your to-do list. Just like building exteriors, the surrounding foliage suffers from damages and debris built up from the winter months. Once the snow melts all the sticks, leaves, dead plants, broken branches, etc. that have been accumulating become visible.
2. Tree Care/Pruning
Heavy snow, strong winds, hail, etc. can all lead to broken branches on your trees and shrubbery and possible even dead trees. You will definitely have to get a landscaper in to remove them and prune your shrubs. Be careful with pruning, because timing is key for different sorts of shrubs. The dead trees and broken branches are not only unsightly, but more importantly they are dangerous. During a storm branches could fall on a passerby, car, phone line, etc. After everything is trimmed and pruned, be sure that all the left over debris are removed.
3. Mulch
Mulching is a major key when it comes to lawn care because it provides multiple benefits. It is great for weed control. It prevents weeds from growing/spreading. It also moisturizes plants because it locks the wetness in the base of your plants. Your vegetation won’t have to work as hard to keep itself watered when there is a drought or particularly harsh sun. Not only that but it prevents soil erosion, or rain water washing away your soil. There are certain types of mulch that serve different purposes as well. For example, organic mulch can maintain nutrients, and cedar bark mulch acts as a natural insect repellent.
4. Fertilize/Seed
If you really want to spruce up your turf, fertilization and seeding is the way to go. Fertilizing your trees/shrubs/perennials will make them greener and give them a stronger immune system against disease, damage, etc. Add in a little seeding for growth and before you know it your plant life will be thriving.
5. Pest Control
No one wants to deal with creepy-crawly’s invading their space. Pest control methods tailored to your landscaping will not only keep them out of your grass but your home as well. Trimming and mulching is already helping, but a lot of it depends on your location. A professional lawn care company should be brought in to identify what critters your land is exposed to so that they can identify and offer the proper solution. For example, certain insects are attracted to moisture so reducing shade would be a good measure to take. Also certain plants attract certain insects and pests, so plant choice will also come into play.