The best time to prepare your landscaping for spring is several weeks before the season starts. This ensures your property can grow into bright, healthy foliage when warmer temperatures and rain arrive. Below are several strategies to help your grass look beautiful after the thaw.

What Tasks Will Help Your Lawn When Spring Arrives?

1. Rake Debris

When the yard starts to dry, rake the property to remove any leaves, twigs, and thatch. This debris can accumulate throughout the winter and remain hidden beneath snow and moisture. While these materials aren't significant when your lawn is dormant, removing them ensures sunlight, oxygen, and water reach the roots of the grass, helping your lawn grow to its full potential.

2. Fertilize the Lawn

To give your grass, shrubs, trees, and flower beds the nutrients they need for healthy growth, fertilize them after a light rain. A slow-release fertilizer is the best choice, since it must stay in place for the remainder of winter without further storms washing the material away before it can benefit the landscaping. Always follow the instructions on the package when applying fertilizer, as too little can result in soil erosion, while excessive amounts can harm plants and pollute local water sources.

3. Add Fresh Mulch

Mulch retains moisture and deters weeds, both of which are essential for protecting new growth and emerging plants. If you apply it every year, the batch from the previous season has likely lost its protective properties, so remove it and allow new plants to sprout. Then, add a fresh, 1-inch layer to plant beds and around the bases of trees and shrubs. This will safeguard your plants without smothering them.

4. Monitor Weed Growth

It’s never too early to protect your lawn from weeds. Use a preventive weed control product to deter these unwanted plants before they appear. Also, consider buying a soil thermometer to check that the ground is at least 55 degrees before applying the herbicide, as this is the temperature when many weeds begin to germinate.

When you need help getting your landscaping ready for spring, contact Arselli’s in Chillicothe, OH. These expert landscapers have nearly 30 years of experience creating and maintaining unique, beautiful landscape designs. They can help you throughout the yard, as well as install decks, patios, and landscape lighting. Call (740) 775-8177 to discuss your needs with a team member, or visit them online to learn more about their work.