It seems we've made it to that time of the year when our gardens need constant attention so they don't grow out of control. Winters can be brutal on your lawn, wherever you live, and when the spring comes, there are many ways to keep your yard in top shape without spending a fortune. Whether you're looking to revamp your garden for your own pleasure or you need to boost lawn-appeal to sell your home faster, this is what you should do.
Start with yard cleanup
The yard cleanup is a very important start
Don't bother with dustbins or those flimsy refuse bags that will only get torn by the clippings anyway. Use garden waste bags that are much sturdier and let you compress the waste well before you need a new one. This is especially important if you've let your yard go in the previous period and apart from regular clippings and trimmings you need to tear things down and throw away larger amounts of rubbish. In those cases, even a bagster wouldn't be out of reason. Although you'll have to pay your local waste management service to pick it up, it can literally take tons of garbage and costs only about $20-30.
Get rid of pests
Having many tree and plant clippings in your yards attracts a diversity of beautiful animals, but they are not coming to admire your work. They are here for the pests like mice, ants, termites, mosquitoes, gnats, beetles, etc. that have been breeding and hatching in your garden waste. The more leaves or branches you allow to pile up, the more your yard will be attractive for pests. An effective and environmentally-friendly way to deal with unwanted insects is to spray beneficial nematodes. These microscopic round warm are safe for people and pets but can wreak havoc to populations of over 250 kinds of insects, like fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and many others.
Mow the lawn
Roll out your lawn mower and sharpen the blades so they make a clean cut the desired length. Never use dull blades, as they can damage the lawn and make the surface uneven. If your mower doesn't work like it used to, you should have it repaired, but since this is landscaping on budget 101, even better buy the parts you need online and replace them yourself. Online vendors now stock parts for Briggs and Stratton as well as many other popular mower brands. Adjust the blade height so that it cuts the grass at a minimum 2.5 inches. Although this length might seem too short, maintaining the lawn at this length will cut the weeds in their tracks and promote healthy roots.
Prevent weeds from returning
Use a specialized weeding tool or hand pull any large weeds you see and rake the smaller ones by loosening up the soil. Then apply weed preventer in garden beds and larger pots according to the instruction on the back side of the package and water the soil. However, you should avoid putting weed killers around edibles, instead pull those weeds by hand. Spread mulch using a garden fork to prevent weeds from taking root in the first place. Mulch also adds a layer of insulation to the plants and prevents moisture from evaporating too quickly.
Make sure you’ve got the tools
Your gardening gloves will take you through much of the tasks described here, so check if they are salvageable from the previous season or you need a new pair. Before slipping them on for a good day's work make sure you rub some lotion on your hands for extra protection. Also, make sure you have all the gardening tools you need for the clean-up, such as hand pruners, pole pruners, a tree saw and ladder, and, of course, that your mower is working. A wheelbarrow will always make the work easier, whether for carrying tools or compost, mulch, and other gardening materials, or debris.
These five simple steps will help you with your yard cleanup after the winter dormancy and prepare it throughout the spring season, without breaking the bank. From clearing the debris and clippings to mowing, and taking biological warfare to the pests, the final result will give you a rewarding experience.
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Bo Kauffmann is a residential real estate agent with over 18 yrs experience in helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals. Inducted into the REMAX Hall of Fame in 2010 and receiving the REMAX Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Bo has sold over 500 houses and condos in the Greater Winnipeg market. He is an accredited buyer representative (A.B.R.) and a Luxury Home Marketing Specialist.
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Simple, effective and timely tips to clean up your yard. Make a great first impression with a super yard!