Spruce Up Your Yard For Spring!

After the long harsh winter we endured, colorful crocuses popping out of the ground are a welcome sight!  Spring is finally here!

To greet the season, we offer these reminders of annual spring yard chores that, while not fun, help maintain your property in tip top condition and keep your home’s value and curb appeal high!

Before all else, start with a basic clean up of the leaves, pine cones, broken branches and other debris that now litter your yard and flower beds.  You won’t be raking the way you did in the Fall, but you will need the rake!  If you’re motivated, giving the grass a good overall raking will help control thatch build-up in your lawn – which is that layer of brown dead turf grass tissue that develops between the new green grass and the soil.

Once your lawn is clean, you can turn your thoughts to fertilizing and weed prevention.  Stop the weeds before they begin growing!  Fertilizer with crabgrass control herbicide is most effective when used during a limited window of time in early spring.  Crabgrass seeds germinates when soil temperature reaches 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit so you need to stop germination from happening.  An easy way to judge the right application time is to spread the pre-emergent herbicide sometime before the yellow blossoms drop off area forsynthia bushes.

Next give your flower beds some attention.  Remove the remains of last year’s annuals to make way for new ones. Cut back your perennials so that they’re ready for new growth – if you didn’t cut them back in the fall.  Flowering perennials should be cut down to 4-5″ high, while grasses can go shorter at 2-3″ high.  You can also use this opportunity to cut and divide any larger perennials and transplant the new plants elsewhere in your garden.  Look over your shrubs and prune away any visibly dead branches and improve their overall shape.  Finally, there’s nothing like edging the beds and spreading a layer of fresh dark mulch to give your whole yard an amazing spring makeover!

Now tackle outdoor the entertaining areas.  Sweep off your patio or deck and get the patio furniture out of hibernation.  Give furniture a quick hosing down to clean off dirt and cobwebs and if mildew has taken root a mix of water, bleach and liquid soap will do the trick.  Try 2 gallons of water and 2 quarts bleach with 1 cup of dish soap and use a soft brush to scrub away any green mildew.  This bleach formula is also great for scrubbing fencing as well!  Scrape away any rust or peeling paint from your furniture and touch up with paint as needed.  Tighten screws, oil hinges and your outdoor furniture is now ready for the cushions – and soon for you!

Finally, to inject some needed color into your landscape, stop by a garden center and pick up some potted pansies or bulbs like daffodils, tulips, or hyacinths.  These spring flowers can endure the occasional drop in night time temperatures so common in April and May.  A container or two by the front door – or in flower boxes – sets a cheery note that lets people know you truly care about your home!  Happy Spring! 

Find us at www.mendosabaloni.com or 978-341-5400