With the arrival of warm weather, it's the perfect opportunity to give your yard a fresh start and get it ready for the season. Here are some tips for preparing your yard and home for spring:
Clean Up Debris: The first step in preparing your yard for spring is to remove any winter debris. This includes fallen leaves, branches, and any other dead vegetation. Clearing the debris not only makes your yard look neat and tidy, but it also prevents mold and pests from thriving in your yard. Look especially at areas next to your house. Any debris or soil that is against your house can be a pathway for pests and water to enter your home. Make sure you clear away anything that may have accumulated up against your home to reduce the chances of damage. A clearance of 8 inches from ground to any wood structure is optimal but may be difficult to achieve. Create as great a gap as you can.
Gutters: Check and clean your gutters. Over the winter we see lots of debris fall from surrounding trees which can accumulate and block the drainage in your gutters. Blocked gutters can allow water to back up into your home and cause damage. If working on ladders or on your roof is not something you look forward to, there are many companies around that will come and clean your gutters for you. It may also be a good time to consider installation of gutter guards that can help reduce the accumulation of debris in your gutters.
Moss: Spring can be a good time to deal with any moss that has accumulated on your roof. Moss on a roof can trap water and allow it to wick up under the shingles and cause damage to the interior of your home. Moss can also significantly decrease the lifespan of your roofing material. Spraying a moss killer specifically designed for roofs is one strategy that can help. If you have any doubts or are not comfortable working on your roof, call a professional to come and help. Note the use of a power washer to remove moss on the roof is not recommended as the power washer can damage the roof covering and, in an extreme, cause enough damage to require roof replacement.
Aerate Your Lawn: Aeration is the process of removing small plugs of soil from your lawn to allow water, air, and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the soil. This helps promote root growth, reduces soil compaction, and improves overall lawn health. You can rent an aerator machine or hire a professional to do the job for you.
Fertilize Your Lawn: Fertilizing your lawn in the spring helps promote healthy growth and gives it a boost of energy. Look for a fertilizer that contains a mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for application.
Prune Shrubs and Trees: Pruning your shrubs and trees helps to encourage healthy growth, remove dead or diseased branches, and promote the overall shape and structure of your plants. Be sure to prune at the right time for your specific plants, as some are best pruned in the spring and others in the summer or fall. Pruning also keeps vegetation away from the side of your house. There should be a gap of 2 feet between any trees or shrubs or other vegetation and your home to promote proper drying of your siding and home. A gap also reduces the chances of pests using the shrub as a highway into your home.
Mulch Your Garden Beds: Mulch helps conserve soil moisture, regulates soil temperature, and prevents weeds from growing in your garden beds. Spread a 2-3 inch layer of mulch over your garden beds in the spring, taking care not to pile it up against the stems of your plants. Remember to keep it away from the siding of your house!
By following these simple tips, you'll be able to prepare your yard and home for spring and enjoy a beautiful and healthy outdoor space all season long.
