Outlining a seasonal landscape maintenance schedule is vital to ensuring your property remains at its peak throughout the year, regardless of fluctuations in weather.
By mapping out the most optimal times to tackle certain tasks, property owners can rest assured their grass, trees, shrubs, flowers, fruits, and vegetables are able to continuously flourish.
Spring Cleaning
Spring is the prime time to repair dead patches of grass that may have manifested during the long, cold winter months, by dethatching and aerating your lawn to revive it in time for the growing season. Be sure to remove old mulch, and replace and refresh the ground cover at the base of existing trees and shrubs.
Cool-season flowers, such as pansies, should be planted now, along with fruits, vegetables and berries. Overcrowded perennials should be divided and replanted as needed, and summer-flowering shrubs should be pruned as well, to maximize space. As blossoms from spring bulbs begin to yellow over the course of the season, take care to trim excess foliage.
The Summer Swelter
As the summer heat takes hold, establishing a regular mowing schedule becomes far more crucial, though leaving blades slightly longer is advisable to provide added shade for the soil during this period. It’s recommended you alternate cutting patterns, leaving clippings behind to serve as a natural fertilizer and help retain moisture.
Be sure to regularly weed around trees, adding mulch as needed. Water your lawn in the morning when necessary, and newly planted shrubs weekly, at a minimum. Hedges should be trimmed back after the first new growth, and flowers on spring-blooming shrubs should be deadheaded and pruned once they’ve run their course.
Autumn Refresh
Come autumn, your lawn may be in need of some serious TLC, as the beating sun of summer tends to take its toll. Seed select spots of lawn as needed, and apply fertilizer to rejuvenate dead patches. Newly planted conifers should be watered and mulched at this time, and any rotten crops and leaves had best be cleared away to avoid further decay.
Once again, perennials should be assessed for overcrowding, and divided and replanted if required. This is also the time to cut back roses and cover the remaining shrub with a protective layer, if possible. Harvest any remaining vegetables, and move non-hardy spring bulbs into storage for safekeeping during the winter months, while taking the time to plant new ones. New plantings should include cold-weather flowers such as mums and pansies.
The Winter Slumber
While the winter months are typically devoid of new growth, this doesn’t mean that seasonal maintenance ceases.
Any remaining fruit trees should be pruned, and tender foundations wrapped in burlap, for added protection from the elements. Be sure to water newly planted evergreens, as they will use this season to take root and establish their viability.
Now is the perfect time to order seeds for spring, as well as to discard any rotten bulbs you may have come across during your autumn inventory. Avoid walking on frozen or dormant grass if possible, as this puts added strain on the lawn. It’s also recommended to use natural alternatives to salt and sand during snowy conditions, as these can do damage to your property over time.
For more information on seasonal maintenance, contact Dodds & Eder today.