Memo To Self: Spring Landscaping To Dos
As Spring Approaches - It’s Time To Think Landscaping Again
Landscaping in the spring deals with a wide array of activities and projects. There are various projects homeowners should consider doing as spring arrives:
- Ensure proper drainage
- Thicken your lawn by seeding weak grass areas
- Begin planning patios or outdoor living areas
- Amend your planting beds and install new plantings
- Timing to find a landscape contractor
Drainage
Water flowing into your house from melting snow or spring rain can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. Check for proper slope from the foundation out 10 ft. and in drainage swales around your house.
Lawn
Spring is an excellent time to spread seed and fertilize the weak areas of your lawn. Add topsoil as needed if you have erosion or uneven lawn areas. Apply weed killer 45 days after seeding.
Patio or Outdoor Living Spaces
Well designed outdoor spaces for living and entertaining are amust for every homeowner. Brick and stone patios, planters, steps and retaining walls are just a few ideas that can add functionality and style to your yard. Spring is the time to start planning your landscape. Plantings add texture, color and interest.
Plantings
Spring is the best time to plant annual or perennial flowers to add color and texture. Your planting beds should be amended with compost or manure to improve your soil. Work the compost ormanure 8" to 10" into your planting beds. Fertilize with proper pH fertilizer depending on the needs of particular plants. Shrubs and trees can be planted to give curb appeal or shade your home. A tree planted 15' to 20' away from the southwest corner of your home will reduce air conditioning costs and actually pay for itself within 10 years.
Rain Gardens
Rain gardens are a fast growing trend. Rain gardens are an environmental improvement to most landscapes. You can direct downspouts or drain tile to a depression you create 15’ or more from your house. This depression should have 8” to 12” of a sandy/compost/loam soil to have water infiltrate. This aids in improving surface runoff from your lot. Deep rooting flowering perennials and grasses assist in the filtering of runoff and also add color and texture. These plantings have a better chance of establishing themselves in the spring.
