Feb 2012 Spring Landscaping Tips


 

So, spring is now among us and although some part of the country are still experiencing snow, others are thawing out and budding with new growth. One of the best ways to get in the Spring Spirit is to get your yard looking great. After a long winter, your lawn and gardens may be looking a big ragged and weary. Don’t know where to even start? Use these 5 Tips for Lush Landscaping and you will be on your way to a terrific looking lawn.

1- Clean Up and Clean Out! Take an afternoon and clean out any dead foliage and/or tree branches from your lawn and garden beds. Harsh winter storms can leave branches, leaves and other tree debris.

2- Weed Patrol- Clean any existing weeds out of flower beds and check your lawn for any weed growth. Once you are clear of weeds- you should plan on spending 10-15 minutes a few times a week to keep new weed growth out of your gardens.

3- Fertilize- Fertilizing your grass, shrubs and flowers now will make sure that anything you want to thrive this season will. For your lawn, there are an array of options available including terf builder and organic weed killers. The same goes for flower beds and shrubs. If you plan on fertilizing herbs and/or vegetables that you will use for cooking, consider using an organic fertilizer that is free of pesticides.

4- Check your Irrigation System- Whether you have an in-ground sprinkler system or a hose attachment, you should check to make sure all your sprinklers are working. For an in-ground system- make sure your pump and tank are operating correctly especially if they haven’t run in a few months. Check the sprinkler heads and test them to see if any need to be replaced.

5- Mulch- A fresh layer of mulch can take any flower bed from drab and dreary to beautiful. Professional landscapers typically suggest about 4 inches of mulch on top of any soil in order to prevent weeds and help plants retain moisture. Make sure to pull the mulch around the base of all plants and shrubs as this will help keep moisture around the root ball.

**HomeInsurance.com Tip: If you plan on purchasing any shrubs or trees this year, ask your home insurance agent about what type of coverage, if any, you have for shrubs and trees on your property. Sometimes a homeowners insurance policy will provide some coverage in the event that your shrubs and/or trees are destroyed or damaged in a covered peril (wind, hail, hurricane).