Get Ready for Spring! Pre-Spring Yard Checklist
The spring thaw is quickly approaching and getting your yard ready can seem overwhelming. You can jump-start your landscaping needs by making a pre-spring checklist. Here are some suggestions that will get your checklist started.
Prepare Compost Area
Fertilizer and yard waste removal can get expensive. A cheaper and environmentally friendly alternative is to make a compost pile. Take a look around your yard and find a composting spot. It should be a dry shady area that is inconspicuous yet easy to get to. Three components are needed to have a balanced compost, and these include brown organic matter such as twigs and leaves, green organic matter such as grass clippings, and water. Vegetable and fruit waste are acceptable ready for spring. There are ways to compost indoors as well as outside. Remember to keep the compost pile moist.
Clearing the Gutters
Before it gets too warm outside, late winter is the perfect time for clearing out the gutters. Clogged gutters can cause damage to the roof and sides if left unattended. Lay a tarp on the yard under where you are cleaning to catch the debris. Drag the tarp to the composting area to make maximum use of the organic matter. This step also saves time on the cleanup of debris in the yard. Gutters should be cleaned at least once a year but both spring and fall will help ensure the health of your roof and sides.
Early Tilling of the Garden Beds
Late winter and early spring is a great time to till the garden plus the annual flower beds. Pick a day when the soil is dry to ensure the integrity of the soil. By tilling the soil early, weed roots are exposed to the UV rays of the sun and the unwanted plants die. Do not add compost until the second till. Tilling also aerates the soil while helping to keep it loose so plants can grow easily.
Other things to add to the checklist is removing any excess sticks and leaves that may have accumulated in the yard over the winter. This is more fodder for the compost pile. Trees and shrubs may need pruning while they are still dormant. Add a compost layer to the top of perennial beds so they get an early boost of food.
Sometimes winter can leave your yard in shambles. It’s important to act early to make your yard the best it can be. These tips will help you get a head start on your landscape so by spring your yard will have great curbside appeal with less effort.
For extra help with your yard, let Criders Landscaping get the job done!