Spring is officially here, which means it’s time to get out in the yard and start that spring landscape maintenance! Especially when we experience heavy snows late in the season (as we did more than once this spring), getting your yard ready for summer entertaining can be a daunting task. If that sounds like more than you would like to take on, give us a call! But if you’re one of the brave, consider the following landscape tips to get started:

Tip#1: Pruning

Spring is a great time to remove any dead parts from your shrubs and trees. However, it’s best to do any major pruning after the shrubs have flowered out, so as to allow for the greatest show of blooms. Make sure you clear out the debris under your shrubs and take off the shoots on your trees (shoots are branches that have begun to grow straight up, usually due to damage over the winter). If you haven’t already, now is also the time to cut back your perennials and ornamental grasses. Any non-woody plants should be cut down to ground level to prepare for this year’s growth, and ornamental grasses should be cut just above the crown (usually 6-8 inches from ground level).

Tip#2: Fertilizing

Fertilizing is one of the best ways to jump-start the health of your yard. Spring snow provides needed water, but it can also wash out some of the nutrients in the soil that make your yard thrive. Fertilizer will help to replenish the soil with nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous. As you buy fertilizer, pay attention to the particular blend of nutrients you purchase and make sure you buy a bag that is high in nitrogen content, as this will aid in greening up the turf quickly! If you’re still uncertain about which fertilizer to use on your yard, feel free to ask us, we are more than happy to come out and discuss your landscape’s needs.

Tip#3: Mulching

New mulch will create the biggest visual difference in your landscape. First, mulch helps to prevent weeds from breaking through the ground, which keeps your beds looking tidy and your back from aching. Mulch also retains moisture for plants and smaller trees. With the drought conditions we are facing, this will enable us to do our part to conserve resources (and lower our water bill at the same time!). Lastly, mulch can create and an aesthetically pleasing look with interesting colors and textures. Our favorite mulches are the choice colors, which provide a phenomenal background for plant materials and keep their color for a long time.

Tip#4: Planting

Whether you’re planting flowers or trees, the cooler days of spring offer the perfect weather for your plants to establish without the stress of summer heat. Large trees provide shade and windbreaks for your home, while smaller trees can accent your house or a new outdoor living area. Smaller trees can also create a sense of balance and dimension and add a beautiful fragrance and color to your yard. Perennials can increase the effect with flushes of color that give an extra “pop” to your landscape. Spring planting should begin right after the last threat of frost has passed, which is usually around Mother’s Day (May 12th this year).

Spring is one of the best times of the year for yard work, especially considering how beautiful Colorado becomes during this season. If you think your yard could use an overhaul, let us know! We?ll work closely with you to create the outdoor living space of your dreams.