In the US, 81% of us have a lawn and unsurprisingly, 79% of Americans say the lawn is an important feature when they’re either renting or buying a house! Having some green space to relax in is vital, even more so now that we’re in the middle of a pandemic. So if you’ve neglected your lawn, it’s time to change that so you have a yard you’re proud of. Interested in hearing more? Then keep reading to find out how to practice good landscape maintenance throughout the year!
Spring Care
Spring is the time for new growth, so you want to make sure all conditions are optimal! Here’s what you should do.
Check Your Yard
For good landscape care, you’ll want to inspect everything first. Check that your plants are healthy and remove any broken or damaged branches.
Get out your gardening tools and prune your trees and shrubs! You should also rake up all dead leaves and debris from your plant beds, as well as apply any appropriate pre-emergent weed control products. Or you can hire a professional landscaper like Franz Witte to take care of that for you.
Test the Soil and Get Fertilizer
If you haven’t tested your soil in recent years, do so. You want to double-check that all the right nutrients are there and that the pH is right. And if you’re trying to grow vegetables and fruits, you also want to make sure the soil isn’t toxic.
Once you get the results, you can then determine which fertilizers you’ll need to bump up certain nutrients. Do note that while most grass types need to be fertilized in spring, not all of them do! Some will need to be fertilized in the fall or summer, so make sure you research which types you have to get healthy grass!
Generally, you’ll want to purchase slow-release fertilizer. This can help your grass absorb the nutrients better.
You’ll also want to fertilize your trees and shrubs.
Apply Mulch
Once everything’s cleaned up, you can apply mulch in an inch-thick layer around your plant beds and trees. Take care that the mulch doesn’t touch the tree trunks.
Check Your Sprinkler System
Growth means thirst, so you need to make sure your sprinkler system is working properly. Hire a professional to test and fix it if necessary.
Summer Care
During the summer, you’ll want to water your plants correctly. It’s true that they’ll need more water, but there’s a right way to do this.
Water less frequently, but when you do, make sure you water deeply. Also, water your plants in the early morning or evening so the sun doesn’t evaporate all the water before your plants can drink.
Mow your lawn regularly (don’t mow it too short though!)and check the soil pH still, as this will tell you if you’re on the right track.
You’ll also want to keep up with weeding. Weeds will grow rapidly since the conditions are right, and you want to prevent them from stealing nutrients from your other plants.
If you have potted outdoor plants, you should consider mulching them. This will help them retain moisture and not become dried out too quickly.
Fall Care
Many people mistakenly think there’s not much lawn care to be done in the fall. Just rake up the fallen leaves and call it a day, right?
However, there’s much more to fall care than you think! The things you do in this season will prepare your landscape for next spring, so it’s important that you’re proactive.
Here are the things you’ll need to do.
Seed and Fertilize Your Lawn
Do you have cool-season grass types? Then this is when you need to seed and fertilize your lawn. The optimal time to do so is between September and November, when the harsh summer heat is gone.
Keep Pulling Weeds
Be vigilant in pulling weeds out of the ground (make sure you get the roots). The more you get, the fewer you’ll see crop up next spring.
Mow Your Lawn Right
Keep mowing your grass, but you should keep the grass at about 2 inches tall. Shorter than that, and the grass won’t be able to grow lush next spring, which will help weeds proliferate. But taller than that, and you might get snow mold in the winter.
Prune and Deep Water Your Plants
Once all the leaves drop on your trees and shrubs, give them a deep water and then shut off your sprinkler system. You’ll also want to prune them close to the ground.
Winter Care
If you haven’t already, you’ll want to apply mulch. This will help keep your plants’ roots warm during the winter.
If it snows in your area, you’ll want to keep up with removing snow from branches. Don’t shake the trees, as this might break the branches. Instead, brush off the snow with your hands.
You should also tie branches together to prevent snow from gathering on them.
If you’ve noticed teeth marks on your young trees, then get some wire mesh and tie it around the base. This will prevent wildlife from chewing on your plants.
At the very end of winter, do another round of pruning. This will minimize the time the plants have open wounds before they start growing again.
Practice Good Landscape Maintenance
Practicing good landscape maintenance all throughout the year is key to having beautiful and usable space at any given time. While it might take some work, it’ll be something worthwhile in the end.
And if you really can’t be bothered with yard maintenance, at least hire a professional so they can keep your property looking good and healthy. We promise you won’t regret it!
Want more garden care tips? Then be sure to take a look at our blog page!