As the winter snow piles recede and the temperatures begin to rise, we can see spring peeking around the corner. Spring, for most of us, is a time to go outside and begin to enjoy Mother Nature’s amenities in our backyard. But as we know, winter can leave a mess behind before the green grass, flowers, trees and shrubs begin to awaken from their long slumber. Here are a few helpful pointers to keep in mind when you venture out to the backyard for spring clean-up.
Trees, shrubs and perennials are awakening from their dormancy stage. Focus on supplying their buds with nutrients from the roots in the soil. This is a great time to prune most trees and shrubs, promoting vigor growth. Removal of dead wood from winter kill can also rejuvenate root growth. Perennial flowers will normally die back to their growing point, and this is the best time to remove the dead foliage near the base of the plant, allowing the new growing points or buds to emerge from the root base.
Besides pruning and foliage removal, spring offers a great time to give your landscape beds a refreshing appearance. Adding fertilizer and pre-emergent herbicide will give your plants the added nutrients and weed control needed during their first months of growth. Pre-emergent herbicide prevents the germination of unwanted weeds, and as a result, trees, shrubs and flowers flourish with unwanted competition for moisture, light and nutrients in the soil.
Winter snowbanks may drop debris within the landscape beds, causing mulch or rock beds to appear dirty or faded. Spring is the time to refresh those beds with a new layer of wood mulch or rock, giving your landscape a fresh and clean appearance.
Landscape beds may include additional amenities such as patios, retaining walls and water features. As the frost begins to work itself from the ground, brick paver patios may heave or settle. You may need to adjust the bricks, sweep polymeric sand in between the joints of the bricks and properly reset the edge restraint. Retaining walls occasionally move with the frost, causing the cap block to become loose. The caps may be reset by removing the old glue and applying additional adhesive.
When freezing temperatures are no longer a threat, the pumps and filters of fountains, ponds and waterfalls may be installed along with the removal of unwanted debris in the water.
For more helpful tips, call or e-mail Chad Erickson of Oasis Landscape Maintenance at 701-361-2401.
