After a long winter, it may appear that you have a lot of work to do in your garden and garden. Don’t worry if you’ve been putting off your spring cleaning; there’s still time before summer arrives! Fortunately, we are in the midst of the spring season for 2023, and it looks like a beautiful season.
Landscaping both your front and backyard can be very beneficial to the look of your home, with the best realtors in the GTA agreeing that good landscaping can help increase the value of your property.
While there is plenty to do, this list also includes some don’ts. Things you should put off for a while longer, if not until the fall. Here’s a checklist of do’s and don’ts for spring landscaping.
Treat Dead Lawn Patches
If you have a dog, you’re probably starting to notice dead spots on your lawn. You can get a head start on these right now. With a hand rake, remove the dead grass and loosen the top layer of soil. Aerate the entire area by hand with a garden fork if it has been growing sparsely. Then, evenly distribute grass seed across the patch, blending it in with the surrounding grass. Spread a thin layer of soil over the top and gently tamp it down to help the seeds make contact with the soil. Then, apply a light layer of fertiliser and water the area gently. If it doesn’t rain, water the lawn every day until the new grass grows in.
Plant Trees and Shrubs
Spring is an ideal time to plant trees and shrubs in your landscape so they can establish a strong root system and settle into their new surroundings. Water them regularly and apply a thick layer of mulch over the roots to help regulate moisture and soil temperature.
Don’t Prune too Soon
Don’t start pruning all of your spring plants just yet – research them first! While Many plants require pruning in the spring, certain early flowering plants such as lilac, forsythia, viburnum, and quince should not be pruned until they have finished blooming. Pruning now will not harm them, but it will remove some of the buds, resulting in fewer flowers.
Don’t Work on Wet or Partially Frozen Soil
Walking on or working in saturated soil, or soil that still is partially frozen and thawing, can cause compaction, so let your garden and beds dry out before getting into them. If you really need to get into an area to do some landscaping cleanup, place a board of wood where you need to walk to distribute weight more evenly and prevent excessive compaction.
Don’t forget to take advantage of your landscaping and the beautiful weather this spring. There may appear to be an endless amount of work to be done in the garden, but don’t forget to take a moment to appreciate what you’ve accomplished. Enjoy the first perennial blooms, the bursting of the leaves, and watching the honeybees buzz around early flowers.
