When most people think about spring cleaning, tasks like dusting, vacuuming, and washing linens come to mind. However, spring cleaning should also involve the outdoors. Cold weather often wreaks havoc on landscaping and it’s time to refresh your property for the warm weather. Here are some of the basic steps you’ll need to take:
1. Pull Weeds and Prune Shrubs
Few things are as unsightly as nasty weeds and dead shrubs. The first thing you’ll want to do is get rid of these eyesores. Weeds should be pulled from the root and thrown away. If you simply pull off the greenery that’s visible above the surface, the weed will quickly return.
As for shrubs, prune away any branches that have been damaged by the cold, wind, or snow. You should prune the branches back to the live stems, using a handsaw for any branches that are larger than half an inch in diameter. Now is also a good time to shape hedges and bushes with hand sheers.
2. Mow the Lawn
While your lawn remained dormant during the cold weather, it’s likely experiencing massive and frequent growth spurts now. We’re at a point where weekly mowing is the best way to keep your lawn looking neat and healthy. If you notice any bare spots, go ahead and put down some seed and fertilizer to fill in the gaps.
3. Cover Beds
One of the quickest ways to rejuvenate a bland landscape is to cover the ground around bushes and shrubs with some sort of ground cover. The most common solutions include pine straw and mulch. Pine straw will likely cost you a bit less, but mulch will provide additional protection. Other than that, the deciding factor is the aesthetic appeal.
4. Add Some Color
The next step is to add some color to your lawn in the form of flowers. If you have existing flowerbeds, you’ll simply need to mix in some new soil and begin planting. Otherwise, your best option is to plant a few flowers in pots and neatly display them on you front porch. You’ll be surprised by how much of a difference a few splashes of color can make.
5. Pressure Wash the Driveway
Your driveway can take a beating over the winter. This is especially true if you frequently use salt to melt away ice and snow. While blowing the driveway will remove some of the surface level dirt, you really need to get a deep clean. In order to do this, use a pressure washer. In addition to using it on walkways and driveways, you can also use the pressure washer to clean decks and siding.
It’s Time to Spring Clean
With these five tips, you can take a dormant landscape and turn it into a vibrant yard that you can be proud of. Make a list of the tasks you need to complete and take them one step at a time. You’ll be surprised by how quickly it goes.
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