Stepping into spring gardening can be a challenge. After all, the wintry weather has likely left your garden in a not-so-great condition, so getting into gardening in the spring can feel like a chore. Although it is overwhelming, it’s also an opportunity to design your dream spring garden. So, when the weather starts to warm, your garden will be ready to welcome guests who’ll be in awe of what you’ve done to your outdoor area.
If you’re scared of spring gardening, don’t fret – as a property management company that’s been managing garden upgrades for over fifteen years, we’ll let you in on a few of our tried and tested spring gardening tips:
#1 Inspect Your Spring Garden
Start by inspecting your garden to assess its state. Since your garden was ‘asleep’ during the entire season, it likely needs a lot of care to bring it back to life. So, take out your gardener’s notebook and take note of elements that weren’t there pre-winter. First, inspect the trees and look for branches that should be trimmed. Then, remove ‘leftover’ foliage such as leaves, and throw them into a compost pit. Don’t forget to get rid of the mulch you added during fall garden maintenance, and add a fresh layer of mulch afterward.
#2 Deal With Hardscaping Issues
Hardscaping refers to architectural features, such as pathways, stone steps, and so on. Although it’s tempting to get straight into gardening, don’t forget to deal with hardscaping issues because these were probably damaged during the winter. Begin by repairing retaining walls that have fallen down and leveling out the stepping stones. You should also check the fence, deck, and other hardscaping elements to determine if they’re in dire need of repairs. And, if the weather is warm enough, consider adding sealant to wooden hardscaping elements. It’s better to address these hardscaping issues now, while your plants are still “resting”.
#3 Sharpen Your Tools
In the winter, you should store your gardening tools in the shed so that they’re in good shape in the spring. If you forgot to do that, don’t worry – you can still sharpen your tools in the springtime, but you won’t be able to get into gardening on day one of spring. Sand tools with wooden handles and sharpen them with a whetstone. Note the tools that need to be replaced so you can order new tools for the new season.
#4 Prune Your Shrubs
Another spring gardening tip is to prune or trim your plants. However, don’t prune too early, or else your flowers won’t be able to bloom. You can shape your spring-flowering plans, but wait until they begin to grow. In other words, give your plants enough time to recover from the wintry weather. For plants that flower in the summer, such as potentillas, you can shape them at any time. If you’re in doubt about when you should start shaping your plants, consider consulting a professional gardener through a South Florida property management company.
Pro Tip: Pruning and tree trimming shouldn’t be done at the start of spring only! These activities should be done regularly throughout the year as part of your property management plan.
#5 Create New Beds
Adding a new garden bed can be a great way to spruce up your lawn during the spring. Start by choosing where you want to create a garden bed. Since the location is the key to growing certain kinds of spring-flowering plants, it’s important to get it right. Dig the soil and clear the area by making sure it’s free from sod and weeds – this allows you to start “working” the soil. Then, spread compost and amendments on the soil to enrich it.
#6 Separate Perennials
When perennials grow in the spring, consider dividing them to give them enough space to grow. Separating perennials also allows their roots to absorb more nutrients, especially if the plant has gotten too big for its garden space. Ideally, spring perennials should be separated in the fall, and fall perennials in the spring. Separating plants while they’re dormant means that they won’t be too “stressed”, allowing them to re-establish their roots at a faster rate.
#7 Add Mulch To Your Spring Garden
Mulch goes a long way when it comes to helping your garden “wake up”. Consider mulch as your spring garden’s cup of coffee that helps it spring (no pun intended) into action. Spread pine-needle mulch or compost around trees and shrubs when they start to grow in the spring. Fertilizing encourages the growth of flowers and fruit, however, pay attention to your zone. Some areas are susceptible to a “late freeze” which can harm plants that were fertilized.
#8 Clean the Bird Feeder
Finally, after tending to your spring garden, it’s time to tend to the birds. Refresh your bird feeder by scrubbing it with bleach and water, but be sure to rinse and dry before filling it! The same goes for your spring garden’s birdbath. Since the bird feeder and birdbath are part of your garden, be sure to regularly change the water so it stays clean. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you could also make a “suet cake” to attract birds that are migrating in the spring. Although birds aren’t really part of your garden, they can give your garden that dreamy vibe that’ll be the envy of your neighbors.
Conclusion
Homeowners tend to avoid the topic of spring gardening since it involves undoing the damage that the winter has done. The checklist seems like a lot (and it is), but by tending to your garden, you can design a spring garden that everyone will envy.
If you don’t have a green thumb, enlist the expert services of Luxury Property Care today. With us by your side, you can rest assured that the best of the best will get your spring garden ready. We partner with South Florida’s top gardeners and landscapers to give you a prized lawn that’s worthy of being featured in gardening magazines.
Remember – garden management is a great part of property management, so don’t neglect it during the spring! Call us today at (561) 944 – 2992 or contact us online for more information.
