Spring is in the air! The cherry blossoms are blooming, the flowers gardens are awakening and fresh warm earthy fragrances are radiating through the atmosphere.
For us Canadians, springtime has a special meaning. It’s a time of rebirth, renewal and rejuvenation from the winter slumber and below zero temperatures, to warmer weather and cheerful moods - a time when snow boots and winter jackets are stored away and bright, colourful attire dominates the closet space; where parks are brimming with outdoor activities, cyclists are out in full force and snowbirds begin to return home.
Spring is a reminder that summer and the holiday season will soon be approaching and nothing but good times lie ahead.
Landscaping projects may seem like a mission at the first go but can become a fun family activity.
Start with the Basics: Begin with the fundamentals. There are a few general things you can do to prepare your outside space for the coming summer months. You may get ready by buying supplies, conducting spot checks, and designating dates on your calendar to start as soon as the weather warms up and plan out your strategy in advance.
Clean-up: Then, take a walk around your property to inspect the condition of your trees and shrubs and look for signs of damage or illness. Items that did not survive the winter may need to be removed, and broken or damaged branches may need to be trimmed such as dead leaves and other debris.
Fertilizer: According to experts in the industry, Love Your Landscapes, the decision about whether or not to fertilize should be based on the nutrition requirements needed by your soil conditions. Determine your soil nutrient needs through testing. If your soil does need nutrients, make sure you choose a fertilizer that matches those needs. Most plants, trees, and shrubs will benefit from proper fertilization with a slow-release product just before mulch is applied.
Weeds: Pre-emergent weed treatment for weeds like crabgrass is best applied in the springtime. When forsythia is in full bloom, a crabgrass weed preventer is normally applied at the optimal period.
Decide on what to Plant: The following step is to decide what to plant. Keep the importance of sunlight in mind, and choose plants that complement each other in terms of colour, growth, etc. Furthermore, certain plants cooperate to repel pests, obviating the need for insecticides. Tall varieties in back and low-growers in front.
Growth: Map out or stake out the area where they'll be planted and estimate the size of how huge the plants will grow in six weeks or six months and so on ... while picking landscaping and plant sizes. If you plant too many little shrubs in front of your living room window and later discover that they are actually small trees, you may have to dig them up. When you buy plants from your nursery, they will come with height and growth requirements written on the pots. Ensure that walkways have safe footing and that tall plants do not obstruct view lines from inside your home.
Ornaments: Add a garden decoration to the mix. Whether it's a small stone frog, a gazing globe, or a bamboo water flute, the accent will give the garden a new dimension while also brightening up the winter environment.
Check your Equipment: Turn on your irrigation system to inspect it to see if it is in good operating order.
Following these basic rules will ensure that you have a great summer garden to sit back, relax and enjoy the Spring and Summer.
Team
