Even if you’re not an avid gardener, if you have a yard you care about, there are a few things you should do as the seasons change to keep your property and landscaping looking their best. Keeping up with spring yard maintenance isn’t too hard, and will pay off in the long run. Spring lawn maintenance routines will help you head off many landscaping issues on your property before they start. If you live in the Kansas City area, here are some things to add to your spring lawn maintenance checklist.
Inspect
There are many landscaping elements you should check in on at the start of the spring season. Look for broken or damaged branches on your trees and shrubs that have had a hard winter. Many plants cannot be pruned during the summer, so this could be your last chance to address the issue for many months. You should also inspect any irrigation systems you have in place. If you notice any irregularities, you should make an appointment for professional repairs right away.
Over time, winters can also wreak havoc on hardscaping elements, from retaining walls to paved garden walks. Make sure ice has not created any cracks in your paving or disrupted stones in any garden walls. If you haven’t done so in a few years, it could also be time to test your soil to make sure it has the proper nutrients to keep your lawn and garden lush and healthy.
Clean up
Spring is a great time to set yourself up for a fresh start with lawn maintenance in Kansas City. It’s a good idea to take advantage of the time before things start growing to rake all the old leaves and debris from your plant beds and make sure all of the edges of your garden look clean and tidy. You can also apply pre-emergent weed control agents to get ahead of problems like crabgrass taking over.
Spring lawn maintenance should include any mulching you have planned for the year as well. Mulch serves many purposes. Beyond looking nice, mulch helps insulate your plants from extreme temperatures, keeps them hydrated by retaining water and also adds organic matter to the soil when it decomposes.
Fertilize
If you’ve included a soil test in this year’s spring lawn maintenance routine, you will know just how much to fertilize your lawn. Most varieties of grass should be fertilized in the spring, but be sure to check what is best for your particular lawn, since some grasses do better when they’re fertilized in the fall. Do your research into the kinds of fertilizers best suited to your landscaping as well. All kinds of plants in your garden will benefit from being fertilized—even trees and shrubs can use some help from fertilizer.
Make landscaping changes to enjoy all summer
If you’re looking to beautify your Kansas City property in more drastic ways beyond basic spring yard maintenance, the spring is also a great time to begin any patio, retaining wall, fireplace or outdoor kitchen projects, since the weather is warm and it will give you an entire season to enjoy your new features. If you’re interested in adding hardscape features to your property in the Kansas City, MO, area, contact MSE Hardscape Design and Installation today.