As winter turns to spring and spring into summer there are several things that need to be done to your landscape to prevent it from looking run down. Spring clean-up on landscaping as well as summer maintenance can turn an okay landscape into major curb appeal for your home. Don’t think you have the time or drive for spring lawn clean up or summer maintenance? Look into hiring a local landscaper to help. Many landscape companies employ ground crews who are in charge of lawn mowing, mulching, brush clearing; the laborious work when it comes to a home’s landscape. Don’t be led to believe that all landscapers only work to design and install the landscape for your home as most also provide year round maintenance to ensure that your lawn is in top shape no matter the season.
Upon your lawns initial spring consultation the landscape crew will come in and evaluate the lawn and survey the damage that was created from the winter. This includes anything from evaluating the damage from animal waste and urine to moles and bare patches left from the harsh winter. Most often patch seeding takes place as well as fertilization, aerate and watering.
Lawn maintenance teams in the north also look for “snow mold”. Snow mold is a disease that occurs on your lawn when blades of grass become stuck together and prevent new grass from growing. It basically created a grass mat that will need to be gently remedied. This can be done with a light raking to the area and an early mowing. This helps to break up the grass as well as mulch up the dead grass from your last mow before winter. Mowing also helps to mulch in any let over leaves and materials that are still covering the lawn. Of course a good light raking will help with this as well.
Any plants that are highly susceptible to frost should be left covered until two weeks after the last frost for your area. The quickest way to ruin a beautiful rose bush is introducing it before the fear of frost is completely eliminated. In some areas this could take until Memorial Day or later. Once it is decided that the fear of frost is gone the plants can be uncovered. This is the perfect time to address the plants health. First remove any dead or blackened areas of the plant then prune the branches down to healthy wood right above where the leaf buds. Wait to add mulch to the area in order for the ground to warm thoroughly. Mulching too soon keeps the cold around the plants root system therefore inhibiting seasonal growth.
Your landscape team will check over all plants, shrubs and trees in the yard and recommend options in care if needed. The spring and summer seasons are meant for enjoying the outdoors and becoming one with your surroundings. This can easily be achieved in your very own yard by hiring a lawn maintenance crew to provide care for your lawn and gardens.