Spring Yard Care Essentials
Spring is the prime season for rejuvenating and preparing your yard for the months ahead. Whether you’re dealing with pruning, weed control, or lawn maintenance, these 10 tips cover all you need to know to ensure your yard stays beautiful and healthy.
- Pruning for Growth
- Trim off any damaged branches caused by winter storms, and remove unwanted lower branches from evergreen shrubs and trees.
- Timing for pruning depends on the type of shrub—spring-flowering shrubs should be pruned after their blooms fade while summer-flowering ones should be pruned before new growth begins.
- Mindful Leaf Cleanup
- Leave a layer of leaves on your lawn to support pollinators and wildlife during winter.
- Remove heavy piles or layers of leaves to prevent mold and disease, but avoid raking wet ground.
- Hold off on cutting down spent perennial stems until spring warmth has truly set in to protect overwintering beneficial insects.
- Tackle Weeds Early
- Address invasive weeds early in spring to prevent them from taking over during summer.
- Implement good lawn care practices like proper mowing height and allowing grass clippings to return to the lawn to minimize weed growth.
- Use pre-emergent herbicides at the right soil temperature to prevent weed seeds from germinating.
- Repair Bare Patches
- Spot-seed bare patches in your lawn early in spring, before applying pre-emergent herbicides for weed control.
- Prepare the soil by loosening it, adding compost, and covering the seeds to promote germination.
- De-thatch Wisely
- Wait for dry conditions before de-thatching to prevent damage to healthy grass and seeds.
- Rake gently to remove thatch buildup and promote airflow in the grass.
- Timing Matters for Fertilization
- Reserve heavy fertilization for autumn and apply a light spring feeding when the grass is actively growing.
- Avoid fertilizing too early to prevent excessive leaf growth before the grass needs it.
- Loosen Compacted Soil
- Loosen soil in garden beds to improve oxygen flow to plant roots, and consider aerating the lawn to encourage new growth.
- Monitor moss growth as it could indicate soil acidity, and adjust soil pH as needed.
- Define Garden Beds
- Redefine garden bed boundaries using a garden hose to mark out desired shapes, then clear grass and mulch the area for planting.
- Mow with Care
- Wait until grass reaches 2 to 3 inches tall before mowing to allow for proper recovery after winter.
- Maintain your mower regularly to ensure a clean cut and healthy grass.
- Mulch Wisely
- Delay mulching until the soil has dried out and temperatures have warmed to support overwintering insects and pollinators.
While not every tip may be necessary for your specific yard, these guidelines cover essential practices to maintain a vibrant and healthy yard this spring.
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