Preparing your property for spring requires some important late-winter cleanup tasks.
As winter draws to a close, homeowners eagerly anticipate the arrival of spring. However, before your yard can fully embrace the new season, some essential late-winter cleanup is necessary. Proper preparation ensures your landscape thrives as temperatures rise.
Remove Debris and Fallen Leaves
Over the winter months, leaves, twigs, and other debris accumulate in your yard. Clearing them out not only improves your lawn’s appearance but also prevents mold growth and pest infestations. Use a rake or leaf blower to clear garden beds and grassy areas.
Prune Dead or Damaged Branches
Inspect trees and shrubs for broken or dead branches caused by winter storms. Pruning these limbs encourages healthy growth and prevents potential hazards. Use clean, sharp pruning shears and make precise cuts just above new buds.
Aerate and Dethatch Your Lawn
Compacted soil and thick layers of thatch can hinder new grass growth. Late winter is an ideal time to aerate your lawn, allowing oxygen, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil. Dethatching removes the buildup of dead grass and promotes a healthier lawn.
Refresh Garden Beds
Weeds and old mulch can prevent new plants from thriving. Remove any weeds, turning the soil lightly to loosen it up. Adding fresh compost or mulch will enrich the soil and provide a protective barrier for upcoming plant growth.
Check Irrigation Systems
Inspect sprinklers and irrigation lines for any damage caused by freezing temperatures. Ensuring your watering system is functional before the growing season begins will save you time and effort later.
Apply Pre-Emergent Weed Control
Late winter is the perfect time to apply pre-emergent weed control to prevent weeds from sprouting in early spring. This proactive step can reduce the need for extensive weeding later in the season.
Plan for New Plantings
Take inventory of your landscape and decide on any new flowers, shrubs, or trees you’d like to add. Early planning allows you to purchase seeds or seedlings in advance, ensuring you’re ready to plant as soon as the weather permits.
Clean and Sharpen Garden Tools
Before the growing season begins, clean and sharpen your gardening tools. Well-maintained tools make gardening tasks easier and more efficient, reducing plant damage and effort required for pruning and digging.
Bring in the Professionals
There are a lot of tasks to manage in order to get your lawn and garden ready for spring. It can help to bring in a professional landscaping team in order to save yourself a lot of time and energy managing all of your property’s needs before the spring thaw.
By tackling these late-winter cleanup tasks, your yard will be in prime condition to flourish throughout the spring and summer months. A little preparation now leads to a vibrant, healthy landscape later!
Choose Edward’s Lawn & Landscaping
Since 2007, Edward’s Lawn and Landscaping has been offering premier residential and commercial services to improve your property all year. The options are endless, from a new patio to a backyard fire pit, let the winners of Angie’s List Super Service Aware serve you! If you’re interested in finding out more about our services or getting a quote, you can contact us online or give us a call at 443-341-6539. For more information about our services or DIY tips and tricks, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Houzz.