The Importance of Spring Clean-Up
After a long winter of snow blanketing the landscape it is finally time to get ourselves outdoors to clean up the refuse Mother Nature bestowed onto our once manicured properties. First order of business is to cut back perennials, broken branches, ornamental grasses and shaping shrubs (do not prune or shear shrubs that flower in spring).
After all of your gardens have been cut back now is the time to start raking up your piles of leaves, branches and any other organic debris from all growing areas. The purpose of a spring clean-up is to let the plant material start to breathe and let air circulation, moisture and any available nutrients to absorb into the soil. Not only is it healthy for your landscape but you're also achieving aesthetic beauty and all of this can intern increase your mood in a positive way. Following the clean up of the gardens, now is the time to pull any weeds that may have survived the winter. Cultivate the soil, add soil amendments and define garden boarders with a crisp edge using a spade or edger. For turf areas, providing the soil isn't too wet you should aerate your lawn, over-seed, top dress and fertilize. All of this promotes a healthy landscape and adds value to your investment. Now that you have finished your spring clean-up, your garden is ready for a thriving growing season ahead.