Days are getting just a bit longer, and you can picture yourself enjoying your beautiful and well-manicured yard. But a glance out the window only reveals tattered flower beds and a lawn that is far from pristine.
Even though spring temperatures have come earlier than we thought, it’s not too late to get started.
Start fresh
You don’t want to fight the weeds all spring and summer, so do your yard (and yourself) a favor by spreading pre-emergent. It can be purchased at any of your local home improvement or nursery retailers and will help prevent unwanted dandelions and more. Make sure to read the label and spread as directed.
Every yard needs a good scalping at the first cut of the year, so make sure the mower is set on the lowest height setting and power it up. This will take off all the dead growth to leave room for new, beautiful grass.
Don’t forget the trees and bushes
Your trees and bushes need a good clipping, too, so make sure to prune them all, so they have room to grow this spring. Beware: Our mild winter has led to early blooming, and you do not want to prune flowering trees and shrubs until the flowering process is complete. Be sure not to cut back crepe myrtles or any ground cover pushing new growth.
Mulching matters
The mulch helps protect your tree and shrub roots from the blazing rays of the summer sun, and it locks in moisture and allows your plants to hydrate with less water for a longer period of time. While we like shredded hardwood mulch and long needle straw, the type of mulch you use is based on your personal preference. It comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.
Flowerbeds need love, too
Before installing flowers for the year, flower beds need to be nice and nutrient-rich. The first place to start is to get a soil test done at the Cherokee County Extension Office located in Canton. The results will tell you what your soil has and what is it is lacking.
You also want to rid your beds of any weeds. A pre-emergent that is annual and plant-friendly should be applied before any planting.
Getting a pristine yard takes time and a lot of TLC. Rushing will not get the desired result, and if you feel you haven’t the time for such a project, there always is the option of calling in a professional.
By Jeff Miller, contributing writer, Woodstock resident and owner of Blade and Bush Company LLC, 404-316-8252.
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