With spring in the air and the snow melting, it’s time to get the lawn, softscaping, and landscaping prepped and ready for planting. Yet how do you go about this? What do you need to know to make sure that you are in the best possible position to plant a fantastic garden that will be the envy of your neighbours?
Following a few steps, you can be more than ready to get planting and grow as you have never grown before.
Equipment… Check
Before the snow has fully melted or even before the last frost, check your gardening equipment. The lawnmower that has been sitting all winter in the garage or shed, your pruning shears, trowels and more should all be checked for rust or chips in the blades.
Ensuring all your tools are in great shape and ready to go will save time later. Even checking expiration dates on plant foods, or making sure you have the freshest fertilizer and compost, even if you make your own — new soil for things you put in planters, and even the planters themselves.
Even your garden hose and gloves should all be checked for holes and tears. Most garden centers are putting out new products, so if you need to replace anything, now is a good time.
Time To Make Your Bed
As kids, parents tell us to make “your bed.” Well, the same applies to your garden beds. When the snow clears, and you can see the beds, you can begin prepping them for the new flowers and plants.
Make sure to wait until the soil is dry. Working or walking on wet ground will make the beds harder to work with. Compacted soil doesn’t allow for proper water filtration. Walking on wet soil can lead to damage, preventing new plants from growing.
At this perfect time, you can rid the beds of weeds and leaf litter, remove dead plants and prune the ones that will grow again this season.
Check your bed borders for any signs of damage that occurred during the winter months. Sometimes the snow will damage wooden edges, which will be seen when the frost has gone.
If you have a lawn that requires attention, remember to be gentle with it until the grass starts to perk up after the winter snow and cold. Raking the lawn too hard too soon will damage the grass, and it won’t grow properly.
Let’s Get Fertilized!
Any seasoned gardener will tell you to be careful with fertilizer; this is undoubtedly true for the beginner. While your lawn, some shrubs, trees, and even some plants will benefit from fertilizer, it should be used cautiously.
Testing the soil you are looking to feed is the first step you should take. Testing will tell you the ground’s condition, what it lacks or has in abundance and therefore doesn’t need anymore.
Choosing the right fertilizer is also about the compound. Is it slow release or a pre and post-blend for certain plants? Once you have the right one, apply it to the soil about a week before the final frost, but only if it has fully thawed and dried from the snow.
Clear The Deck!
Every year you sweep off the snow, pressure-wash it and maybe reapply some stain. Your desk is always looking good in the spring. Yet, how good is it? We all see the top side, rails, and stairs but rarely check the underside. Some damage can occur here, and we would never know it.
Deck issues can encourage pests. These pests can dig up and eat away at the pristine garden you have worked so hard to achieve.
Wasps, mice, hornets, and even rodents love to bury in soft or rotten wood. Also, make sure to check any fences on your property and gates. Depending on the amount of snow build-up, you may find that other wooden structures have succumbed to winter-related damage.
A good sanding, a fresh coat of paint, and some replacement nails will make everything look good again.
Mulch Away
Are you looking to increase your curbside appeal? Mulch.
Want to insulate your delicate plants in the winter and keep them cool in the summer? Mulch.
Moisture control? Mulch.
It would be best to refresh the mulch used in the flower beds and planters every spring. This fantastic substance has many uses that will help keep everything healthy looking and prevent roots from rotting and over-watering.
A consistent depth of 3 inches will help regulate the soil and plant environment. Ensuring that the mulch isn’t touching trees or shrubs and refreshing it in the springtime will benefit the plant’s health and work on weed control.
The Secret to Stunning Softscapes: Landscaping in Brantford and Hamilton
There is a lot to consider when it comes to softscaping, landscaping, or even just refreshing your planters. Ensuring that your deck is elegant, your mulch is refreshed, and your fertilizer is suitable for your needs can all feel overwhelming.
If you’d rather spend your time enjoying your yard, instead of mucking around with fertilizer and much, JW Landscaping has you covered. From yard clean up to softscaping and overseeding, we can ensure your yard is expertly maintained with no stress on your part.
JW Landscaping has been caring for residential and commercial landscaping needs for over 15 years. We have the experience to know what you need and how to make it happen, so softscape landscaping in Brantford and Hamilton has never been easier. While lawn-cutting services are only available to commercial clients, our residents are not forgotten.
All your dreams can come true from seeding, mulching, planting, and even deck services. Take advantage of our Spring Cleanup Services and let us ensure your lawn is free unsightly leaves, stick and other debris ahead of the summer months.
Reach out for an online quote, or call to speak to one of our green-thumbed experts at 905-512-6549, and let’s get planning and planting your dreamscape.
