5 Ways to Spring Clean Your Home’s Landscape Design

How to Maintain & Update Your Outdoor Living Space for Springtime in Kansas

With the warmer weather we’re experiencing, it is easy to start thinking about spending more time outdoors! Whether you’ll be entertaining, barbecuing, or simply relaxing in the sun, if you want your yard to look truly incredible for the upcoming season, now is the time to do a little spring cleaning and landscape maintenance. A bit of extra work in the spring can prevent weed growth, improve soil conditions, and help your plants get off to a good start.

For assistance with your spring landscaping maintenance, contact our team at Topeka Landscape today!

The Top 5 Spring Landscaping Tips for Your Topeka Home

After even the most mild winter, your yard will still require plenty of attention, and here are a few ways you can make sure your landscape design is ready for the spring:

1. Clean the Area Thoroughly

Remove any debris that has accumulated over the winter, including dead grass, fallen leaves, broken branches, and other waste. Rake the lawn thoroughly, and clean out plant beds and gardens, removing any debris and dead plants.

Eliminating debris will improve airflow and sun exposure, while discouraging the growth of molds or bacteria that can harm your plants, as well as insect infestations.

2. Apply Pre-Emergents & Fertilizers

Have your landscaping professionals apply pre-emergent to prevent the growth of weeds now, so that they are easier to control over the summer. This application aids in the prevention of annual grassy weeds, such as crabgrass and goosegrass, from germinating in your lawn while providing the grass with important nutrients that are necessary for a good spring start-up. If broadleaf weeds are present, it’s a good idea to spot-treat those as well.

3. Aerate the Lawn

First, we should note that if you’re planning to do pre-emergent, you should aerate first! If you have any questions on the order in which to take these steps, don’t hesitate to contact us for help.

Over time, the soil of your lawn will naturally compact, making it difficult for the soil to absorb air and moisture—which makes it tough for new grasses to root properly. By aerating the soil, you loosen it up, allowing better soil penetration and water absorption. The best method is core aeration, which removes a small plug of soil (rather than spike aeration, which merely disturbs the soil).

4. Trim & Prune Plants

Spring is a great time to trim plants and prune, encouraging new, healthy growth and eliminating old growth. Remove dead or damaged sections of plants, cutting off individual areas or the entire top, depending on plant type. Make any hard cutbacks that are necessary for trees or shrubs, and prune individual branches to shape trees and encourage new growth.

When it comes to pruning trees, be sure not to go overboard! Fresh cuts could attract insects and disease in warmer weather. It’s important to remember that pruning guidelines vary based on the variety and type of tree or shrub in question, as well as local climates. If you have questions about how and when to prune your trees and shrubs, the best thing you can do is reach out to a professional. Our team is full of plant lovers and horticulturists, and we’re always happy to help answer your questions.

5. Plant & Mulch

Test the soil condition, adding nutrients as necessary, and install any new plants or trees that require spring planting. Add compost as necessary, as well as mulch to protect the new plantings. If there are bare spots in your lawn, now is a good time to seed them, as well.

However, a word to the wise: if you’re doing pre-emergent, you shouldn’t seed, so tread carefully! If you have questions about this, contact us and we’ll walk you through the process.

Call Topeka Landscape for Spring Landscape Maintenance in Topeka & Surrounding Areas

At Topeka Landscape, our team can help you with all your landscaping needs, from basic lawn care and maintenance to fertilizing, irrigating or creating custom landscape designs.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment!