- 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
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