Spring Guide To Caring For Your Lawn And Landscape

When the chill of winter abates and you start seeing green as the signs of spring emerge, you know it's time to give your yard a little tender loving care. Use this checklist to make sure you get a head start on all your lawn and landscaping care.

• Take a look at your bushes and trees, checking them for any winter damage or signs of disease.
  
  
• Prune any damage branches, or hire a professional landscaper or arborist.
  
  
• Test your soil pH if you haven't done so in a few years, making sure that it's well-balanced and has all the nutrients your plants will need. Your state agricultural extension office may do soil testing, or you could ask a professional landscaper.
  
  
• Spring is an ideal time to consider weed control. By applying a pre-emergent weed control product, you can hinder or eliminate the growth of weeds like crabgrass. Looking for the perfect time to apply crabgrass killer? Watch for the forsythia to reach full bloom, and you'll know it's time.
  
  
• Check over your irrigation system thoroughly for any damage or wear. When it's warm enough, turn the system on to make sure it's working properly and see if it requires maintenance. An irrigation company or landscaper can also perform this task for you.
  
  
• Provide fertilizer for your lawn if needed. This is where your soil testing comes in handy, helping you decide if and when you may need to add fertilizer.
  
  
• Prior to embarking on lawn fertilization, it's important to check with your local extension office and find out if your area imposes any restrictions on what kind and what amounts of fertilizers you may apply, or when you're allowed to apply them. A licensed lawn care company will be familiar with all city, state, and federal rules regarding lawn care.
  
  
• Before fertilizing, find out what type of grass you have, so you can learn the best time of year to apply fertilizer for your particular type of grass. Some grasses need to be fertilized in the fall rather than the spring, and others should be fertilized in June.
  
  
• Be sure that the fertilizer you choose addresses the nutrient needs of your particular soil, based on the testing you've done.
  
  
• Consider the use of organic materials such as compost for some growing applications. Such natural fertilizers will help build the soil and improve its condition.
  
  
• If choosing a store-bought fertilizer, it's usually ideal to use a controlled-release fertilizer or a slow-release fertilizer for optimum absorption. This avoids loss of nutrients to the environment as well.
  
  
• When applying commercial fertilizer, it's crucial to know what size your lawn is, and follow the directions exactly. More is definitely not better when it comes to your lawn too much fertilizer can damage your lawn. Even if it doesn't, it's a waste of money to over-fertilize. Using too little is also not desirable, as you'll likely be disappointed with the results, and may lead to soil erosion or soil runoff.
  
  
• Don't forget your bushes and trees! All plants, whether it's grass, trees, lawn, or your garden, can be helped with the proper slow-release fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer prior to laying down your mulch.
  
  
• Clean up your planting beds by tearing out old annuals and weeds, and rake out any leaves or other garden debris. When the bed is clear, use an edging tool to create neat borders around the beds for a clean look.
  
  
• To keep roots moist and protected and to add a neat appearance to your garden or landscaping, add an inch-deep layer of mulch around your trees and in your plant beds. Keep the mulch away from the tree trunks to prevent rot.
  
  
• Over time, the mulch will break down and become part of the soil. You may need to add more mulch over the years. Make sure the mulch layer never builds up to more than three inches deep.

By performing these springtime tasks (or having a landscaping company perform them for you), you'll keep your lawn, garden and landscaping in top shape, and have a yard that your neighbors will envy all summer long.