Common Things That are Included in a Spring Clean-up Checklist

If you want your lawn or yard to be smooth and fresh after winter, then you should pay special attention to spring cleaning. A lawn has to be prepared for the spring season so that the plants can grow properly and look fresh. There are some tasks included in every spring cleanup and are crucial in making your lawn ready for gardening etc. A thorough spring cleanup not only readies your lawn but accomplishes much more. Here are some important tasks included in a common spring clean-up, so let us have a look.

1- Cleaning the Area Thoroughly

When you start the spring clean-up landscaping, the first and basic step is to remove all winter debris, including dead grass, fallen leaves, broken branches, and other debris. Here is how you can do this:

• Thoroughly scrape the lawn, clean plant beds, and remove debris and dead plants.
• Remove stains to improve air circulation and exposure to sunlight, preventing the growth of mold and bacteria that can damage plants and invasion of insects.
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2- Application of Fertilizers

Application of the fertilizers is the next step involved in spring cleaning and landscaping.

• You can ask the landscape architect to apply fertilizers to prevent weed growth for better management in the summer.

• This application helps to prevent annual weeds such as crab and goosegrass from germinating on the lawn.

• It also provides the grass with the essential nutrients needed for a good start in spring.

• If broad-leaved weeds are present, they should be treated as well.

3- Lawn Aeration

Please note that if you are applying the pre-emergent in spring cleaning and landscaping, it is better to aerate the lawn before that. You can consult an expert landscape architect if you find this step difficult. Over time, the lawn soil naturally compresses, making it harder for the soil to absorb air and moisture, which makes it even harder for new grass to take root properly. By aerating the soil, the soil loosens up, thereby improving soil penetration and water absorption. The best way is core aeration, which removes small plugs of soil instead of ear aeration that only disturbs the soil.

4- Trimming and Pruning of Plants

Spring is the perfect time to trim and prune your plants, which promotes new healthy growth and gets rid of old growth of the plants. Here is how it can be easily done:

• Depending on the type of plant, remove dead or damaged parts of the plant and cut out individual areas or the entire top.
• Do the tough cuts needed for trees and shrubs and prune individual branches to shape the tree to encourage new growth.
• Be careful not to overdo it when pruning trees. Fresh fillets can attract insects and diseases in warm climates.
• It is important to remember that pruning guidelines vary depending on the type of tree or shrub in question and the climate of the area.
• If you have any questions about how and when to prune trees or shrubs, it is advised to consult an expert.
  
  

5- New Planting and Mulching

New plants increase the beauty of a landscape. But before you do that, make sure to follow these guidelines.

• Test soil conditions, add nutrients as needed, and add new plants and trees that need to be planted in the spring. 

• Add compost and mulch as much as needed to protect the new planting. If there are rough patches on the lawn, now is a good time to sow them. 

• If you have any questions, get the help of an expert contractor.