Spring Into Action - Tips to Prepare Your Lawn, Garden, and Landscape for a Blooming Season!

Spring is a time of renewal and growth, and it’s the perfect time to prepare your garden and landscape for the upcoming season. With a little bit of planning and effort, you can ensure that your outdoor space is healthy, beautiful, and ready to thrive. Here are some spring lawn and garden tips to help you get started:

1.      Clean up debris: The first step in preparing your outdoor space for spring is to clean up any debris that has accumulated over the winter. This includes fallen leaves, dead branches, and any other debris that may have accumulated. Rake up any leaves and debris, and dispose of them properly, or add them to your compost pile.

2.      Prune trees and shrubs: Spring is the perfect time to prune trees and shrubs. This will help to promote healthy growth and ensure that your plants are looking their best. Be sure to use sharp, clean tools and make clean cuts to avoid damaging the plants. For blooming varieties wait until the blooming cycle has finished.

3.      Test your soil: Before you start planting, it’s important to test your soil to determine its pH level and nutrient content. This will help you to determine what types of plants will thrive in your soil and what types of fertilizers you may need to use.

4.      Add compost: Adding compost to your soil is a great way to improve its nutrient content and promote healthy plant growth. You can purchase compost from a garden center or make your own by composting kitchen scraps and yard waste. Leaves make great compost, they break down quickly and create clean nutrient-rich soil. You can even work shredded leaves directly into the soil.

5.      Plant new flowers and vegetables: Once you’ve cleaned up your outdoor space and prepared your soil, it’s time to start planting. Choose flowers and vegetables that are well-suited to your climate, soil type, and sun exposure in the area you’ll be planting. Be sure to follow the planting instructions carefully. When installing new plants it’s best to dig a hole 2x the size of the root ball and backfill with a 50/50 mixture of existing soil and compost.

6.      Mulch your garden beds: Mulching your garden beds is a great way to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. You can use a variety of materials for mulch such as straw and wood chips. Maintaining a 3 inch layer of mulch is a great way to conserve water and as it breaks down it provides additional nutrients to your plants.

7.      Minimize weeds: If you choose to use a pre-emergent to minimize the growth of new weeds early spring is the best time for it. Add it before plants begin to bloom and spread their seeds. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's label on any chemicals you apply. You can also choose a chemical-free approach and remove any weeds before they flower and have a chance to reseed themselves.

8.      Water regularly: Finally, be sure to water your plants regularly to ensure that they are getting the moisture they need to thrive. This is especially important during the hot summer months when plants can quickly become dehydrated. Installing a drip system is a great way to ensure plants receive the water they need. This can help get the water directly to the roots and reduce unnecessary usage.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your garden and landscape are healthy, beautiful, and ready to thrive this spring. With a little bit of planning and effort, you can create an outdoor space that you can enjoy all season long.