Get ready for the Spring and Summer!
1. Start up all your powered landscape equipment. Repair any tools that are not running at top notch. Re-fill you gas jugs with fresh gas and mix oil. Sharpen any tools that were missed last fall. Replace air filters. It is better to sort this out now than when the grass is growing like crazy!
2. Renovate lawns as needed. Aerate and thatch your lawns to remove moss and thatch buildup. Spread a quality grass seed and cover with a thin layer of peat moss to protect the new seeds.
3. Fertilize. Apply your first round of fertilizer for the year. Wake your lawn up with a slow release granular 3-1-2 or 3-1-3 ratio of nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium. Be sure not to over apply and always clean off hard surfaces like patios and walkways to prevent staining. For more fertilizer tips, peruse our September 2016 blog about fertilizer!
4. Apply ferrous sulfate. If you are fighting a serious moss invasion in your lawn, apply ferrous sulfate to kill off the moss. Adding a lime product will also change the soil pH to help the grass prosper while hindering the moss. Again, be sure to clean off hard surfaces to prevent staining.
5. Get your sprinkler system ready for spring. Repair any broken parts. Starting your irrigation system now will allow plenty of time for repairs as needed before the heat sets in. Consider updating your system to include more efficient nozzles. Double check your controller has a well-timed irrigation schedule. Installing a weather sensor is another great investment to not waste water while it is raining.
6. Make a plan of landscape projects you want to complete this summer. Know you budget. Find pictures of landscape designs you like as inspiration. If you plan to use a professional landscape company, contact them now before their schedules fill up for the busy summer season.
7. Get a jump on weeds. Apply a pre-emergent chemical to prevent weed seedlings from germinating. Be sure to read the package. Some pre-emergent chemicals are detrimental to grass and bulbs. Do not over apply.
8. Clean out beds and apply bark. Rake out all the leaves and debris that settled in your flowerbeds over winter. Apply a fresh 1-2 inch layer of bark to your beds. This tidies up your landscape and helps keep weeds down.
9. Inspect your shrubs and trees. Take note of any plants that were damaged over winter. Check your tree trunks and larger limbs for splits and cracks. Make a plan to remove any damaged and dangerous trees.
