Springtime Landscaping Preparations

Remember these things? Yes, they are on the way!

So this long winter is finally showing some signs of Spring.  A few more days approaching 60 degrees will quickly help to melt away all of this snow.  As a home owner, one thought that crosses my mind is springtime landscaping cleanup and preparation.  Before the first Crocus buds from the ground, plan ahead and consider taking the following steps to ensure that your yard is at it's best this year:

Make a Landscape Plan
Plan ahead and consider what you would like to achieve, add, or change with your landscaping.  Are you looking to add any annuals?  Re-seed an area of grass? Create a mulched island?  Taking the time to plan ahead will help you achieve your goal and save you time.

Clean up of Branches, Leaves, and Debris
Even with the best Fall clean-up, leaves are likely to have been carried to your lawn and planting areas last year.  Take care to remove this from your grass with a good raking, as soon as possible, to encourage new grass growth and also to help keep the PH of the lawn consistent.

Add New Mulch
Mulch beds are a good place to start with Springtime lawn care.  A few inches of fresh mulch turned into your existing mulch helps the soil maintain a manageable moisture level.  Also, old mulch oxidizes, deteriorates, and fades with age, so new mulch and cleaned up mulch-bed edges are a great way to see some progress right away.

Prune branches and Remove Dead Material
Prune any dead branches and remove any plants that may have not made it through the winter.  This is another good opportunity to take an inventory of your plantings and consider adding to or revising the layout of areas with plantings, trees and shrubs.  Use quality, sharp, pruning shears and cutters to ensure that they are not detrimental to the health of the plants, shrubs, and trees.  Here is a link to an article on How and When to Prune trees and shrubs: http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/prime-time-pruning

Aerate the Soil
This is where I usually call my landscaping company with the big rollers that leave all of those plugs of soil and sod behind.  This can be done by hand, but is very tedious and should be part of a regular maintenance routine from a landscaping company.  Here are a few companies that have serviced our Academy Hill Homes:

P. C. Mayette in Groton
http://www.pcmyette.com/
(978) 448-3838

Cataldo in Littleton
http://www.cataldolandscape.com/
(978) 486-4331

Babin Landscaping, Pepperell
http://www.babinlandscaping.com/
(978) 433-5169

De-Winterize and Check Irrigation Heads and Lines
The sprinkler irrigation heads that are closest to the roads and driveways often encounter damage from snow removal.  Have a qualified irrigation specialist evaluate irrigation system needs and plan to test the irrigation system to ensure that it is working properly and providing suitable coverage of all areas during the drier months.  If equipped, test your rain sensor to ensure that it is functioning properly, and set and test any timing devices to lessen waste and improve efficiency.

image courtesy of John Deere Landscapes, Chelmsford, MA

Check and Maintain any Landscaping Equipment
Riding mowers, motor-tilling tools, leaf blowers, motorized saws, weed-eaters, and spreaders all require regular attention to ensure that they are working at their best.  A local equipment sales and service company, familiar and qualified with your specific equipment, should be consulted at the beginning of the season.  A few great options for equipment sales and service companies are found near Academy Hill, but I personally have great experience with Shepherd's Sales and Service in Townsend, MA:

Shepherd's Sales and Service
http://www.goshepshop.com/
(978) 597-8907

If you take the time to address all of these things early in the season, you can be assured that your lawn and gardens will look better than ever as the warm weather progresses. Perhaps you will find yourself wanting to spend more time outdoors... a paver-stone patio, perhaps? Screen porch or 3 season room?  Enjoy the Spring and good luck with your landscaping endeavors.

Arthur Haskins

Sales Director

Academy Hill Homes

Groton, MA

(877) 448-0055

www.AcademyHillHomes.com

@AcademyArthur

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