We’re well into Spring. As the days warm, we’ve got a plan for you to get your outdoor space ready for Summer’s delight. But, first, we’re going to need to take care of what the Winter left behind. We’re talking about a thorough yard clean-up.
It All Starts Here
Everyone who aspires to brighten their green thumb for growth has to do a little due diligence. It all begins with a total yard clean-up.
Even if you’ve raked your yard in Autumn, Winter has a strange way of leaving stuff behind. Grab a rake. Start combing around the existing plants to remove the dead foliage and leaves which may have blown onto your property from a neighbor’s yard. Left alone, this junk can choke your plants or make them sick. Put everything (except weeds — bag them for complete disposal) you gather into a wheelbarrow. More on where you’re going to dump that refuse later.
Old Mulch is Out of Here.
Remove last-years mulch. It’s overstayed its welcome. Where to put the mulch? Read on.
- Composting is a Snap.
To make effective compost, simply grind all the stuff in your wheelbarrow into baby-bite sized pieces. Garden centers also have a material which will speed the process. Just remember to keep the contents moist and toss it around with a pitchfork every couple of weeks. Don’t be alarmed if you see mist rising occasionally. Composting matter will get hot.
- The Stage is Set.
A much overlooked Spring gardening tip is forgetting to feed the soil after the yard clean-up. Once you’ve prepped your outdoor space, this is the time to spread some pelletized fertilizer around your growing beds. We recommend using a 5-10-10 compound. What do those numbers mean? A bag of 5-10-10 fertilizer is composed of 5% percent nitrogen, 10% phosphate and 10% potash. It’s safe for lawns, flowers and other plants.
- Edgy Business.
With a square-head shovel, dig-in to your beds. Give the space between your lawn and your plants a nice, clean edge. Wouldn’t hurt to purchase some inexpensive stone or pavers to maintain that pesky grass from invading the flower space.
- Looking Up. Looking Down.
Winter does a number on growing things which kiss the sky. Get that ladder from the garage and climb it, pruning those branches which have suffered damage. And while you’re up there, remove the dead stuff, too. We’re not ones to employ an electric or gas-powered device to prune. Instead, we prefer going old school — employing a handsaw if the wood is thick. Likewise, invest in a hand clipper. These tools allow you to “barber” your foliage with the precision of a true Spring gardening surgeon. Be careful not to clip-away at plants about to flower. But, it’s O.K. to trim those Summer-blooming shrubs. They will thank you by bursting with color when the time is right. For evergreens, snip them back a tad. It will encourage the conifers to sprout in that direction as the temperatures rise.
Got Perennials?
Those lovelies should be pruned so they’re about 4-inches from the ground. Ornamental grasses — around 2-inches high will do the trick. That will let new growth shoot to the stars. Another Spring gardening tip: Gently dig a few of the crowded plants from the Earth. Thin things out. Simply transplant the perennials to other areas where some greenery is needed. Roses? Look for the blackened area, measure an inch inside and cut.
Good Lawns Gone Bad.
The first order of business is to test the soil’s pH in areas where the turf has gone South. You will need to remove the dead turf. Maybe even get rid of some topsoil. In other cases, augmenting it with the right chemicals will prepare your dirt. Sprinkle that stuff around, then begin turning the soil with a shovel. If you have a tiller, even better. Water the area, wait a few days and run another pH test. If you’ve gotten to the sweet spot, toss on some fertilizer and a compound to make the soil taste ugly to crabgrass.
Beyond Green.
Into every landscape a little gravel, stones, bricks, wood borders and the like must fall. Tidy-up these areas. We’re going for extreme curb appeal. If need be, purchase some new materials to top-off the elegance.
You’re done. By taking these yard clean-up ideas and Spring gardening tips, not only will you see green on your property, but you might also detect a shade of that color in your envious neighbor’s faces.
Spring Clean-Up | Green Bay, WI | 920.434.7918
