Winter is finally exiting and the weather is warming up. Now is a good time to take advantage of the early spring and get your landscaping chores in order. You need to take care of several things in the garden before the summer arrives, and we’ll cover them in this post.
Early Spring Landscaping Essentials
Test the Soil pH
The soil forms the foundation of your flowerbeds and lawn. Understanding its properties is essential for a successful growing season in the summer. The first thing to do to prepare the terrain is to check the soil pH.
The pH scale ranges from 1 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline). Grass and flowerbeds enjoy a pH balance of around six to seven. So, ensuring your soil is within this range is critical to kick off the growing season.
Take your soil sample to your local garden center and have them analyze it for you. It’s an affordable test that gives you an accurate starting point. If the soil measures too acidic, you can amend it with sulfur. If it’s too alkaline, add some garden lime to bring it into the optimal range.
Check the Soil Composition
Identify if the soil is loamy, sandy, or clay. Loamy soil doesn’t require any amendments outside the typical addition of compost. Sandy soils require the addition of mulch, compost, and manure. Clay soil needs compost, peat, and mulch to lighten it.
Check Soil Drainage
Ensure water drains from the soil effectively and doesn’t pool. Dig a two-foot-deep hole in the ground and fill it with water. If water is still in the hole after 12 hours, then there is a drainage issue. Add mulch and compost to improve drainage.
Remediate the Garden Beds
Rake away the old mulch and remove the dead winter debris. Add a fresh layer of mulch to help your garden retain moisture and suppress weeds. Trim the perennials and ornamental grasses to inspire new growth and neaten the garden borders.
Early Spring Pruning Tasks
Trim the trees and shrubs around the yard before they start budding and leafing to prevent them from becoming leggy and encourage new growth. Use the right pruning tools and strategy to ensure you don’t damage the plants. Remove dead branches and dead wood left after winter.
Start the Seeds
Germinate your seeds indoors this spring season. Early spring gardening means you have more time to enjoy flowers during the summer. Transplant them into the garden after the last frost date passes. Be aware that it may still frost after the first day of spring depending on your location.
Most seedlings will thrive in well-maintained, fertilized flowerbeds; ensure you have all the soil amendments in place before planting.
Use a Pre-Emergent Herbicide
Add a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weeds from strangling your spring lawn and flowerbeds. Ensure you add the pre-emergent after planting and sowing, as it kills seeds. If you recently purchased your home, applying pre-emergent is necessary for under-maintained flowerbeds.
Fertilizer
Feed the shrubs, trees, and perennials to inspire summer growth. Pay attention to the instructions on the product when using it. Overfeeding the plants results in burning, making them more appealing to pests and diseases.
Most plants require a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer for the best results. Use a spreader to apply the fertilizer and water thoroughly after applying it to the lawn and flowerbeds.
Irrigation Maintenance
Check the irrigation system to ensure it’s in working order. Turn it on and check for cracks and leaks in the sprinkler lines. You should repair the system when necessary and set up your timer for the watering cycle. Consider installing a drip irrigation system for your trees and shrubs for deep watering during the summer months.
Lawn Care
Rake the thatch and remove it to aerate the grass before the warm weather of the summer arrives. This task feeds air to the roots and allows moisture to permeate the ground. Reseed sparse areas to ensure an even look to the lawn and apply weed-and-feed fertilizer to prepare it for the growing season. Service the lawn mower and ensure it’s ready for operation when the grass comes to life.
Early Spring Planting
Look for gaps in your flowerbeds where you can add plants to fill them in. Plant perennials for a year-round addition to the garden that looks great in all seasons. The early spring is a great time to plant bare-root tree species.
Plant annual spring blooming flowers in containers to fill in the gaps as your perennials thrive. If you’re planning a veggie garden for the summer, now is the time to start it.
Mulching
After you finish your planting tasks, cover the ground with a layer of mulch to lock in moisture and prevent overheating during the summer. Shredded bark or wood chips are a great choice for mulch. The mulch improves the visual aesthetic of the flowerbeds and keeps your plant roots moist when the weather warms.
Hang a Bird or Bee House
Every yard needs pollinators. Attract bees and birds to your garden by setting up bee and birdhouses. Attract Mason bees with a pre-made house featuring ready-made cells the bees can cover with mud to grow the hive.
Take advantage of early spring opportunities and enjoy a beautiful yard this summer through the cool season.
Additional Reading: What Should Be On Your Spring Landscaping To-Do List?
Antler Country Landscaping Omaha
Antler Country Landscaping was incorporated in 1997 and over the years has grown to offer professional landscape services, lawn care, and outdoor living spaces. Our mission is to enhance your outdoor experience. Contact us to learn more about our Omaha landscaping services.