Even though it may seem like a good idea to wait for warm weather, long days, and sunshine, getting a head start on your backyard maintenance is the best way to prepare your backyard for the summer.
For most homeowners, a little planning now can make for a magical and relaxing summer later. Preparing your backyard doesn’t need to entail an endless slog of manual labor. There are simple things you can do that don’t take up much time, yet make all the difference. With the right attitude, getting ready to welcome summer can be quite fun.
Simple steps such as making a master plan for your yard, lawn maintenance, removing brush, mulching, and more can make a huge difference in the enjoyment one can receive from their garden in the summertime. This can also be a good time to dream up additions to your backyard – like a new deck.
Below, we will cover all the pertinent details you need to know to have a healthy and thriving backyard all summer long.
Make a Plan for Your Yard
If you aren’t very strategic in your approach towards landscaping, it may be time to scheme up a more comprehensive and intentional plan instead. If you already know roughly how much sun that various parts of your backyard receive, you can probably piece together a planting planner that will give your garden its best chance to thrive. If you have no idea where to start, famed British botanist Monty Don runs an informative blog that can help newbies figure out what tasks to undertake and when to do them.
In general, when coming up with your plan, give plants more room to grow than you might think they need. This is especially true with ground covers, which can choke out other less prodigious plant life if plotted too closely together. Aside from being a deterrent to other existing plants, not leaving enough space can give your yard a cluttered appearance. When in doubt, give extra space between plants.
Take Care of Your Lawn
If you have grass in your backyard, the off-season is one of the best times to aerate it. Aerating your lawn allows the grass to rest and recover (often growing with new vigor) before it is continuously being trodden upon during the summer months. This is a simple process that can be done all on your own. There are shoe attachments available for smaller yards, or more industrial options for large, sprawling yards.
Springtime is also a good time to fertilize your grass. But you should make sure that you are utilizing a fertilizer that is rich in phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium for best results and a healthier-looking lawn.
This is also a good time to start the routine of regularly watering and cutting your lawn, as this will help encourage a dormant lawn to wake up and produce new growth. It is good to get into this routine at some point during the spring. Note that as the weather changes, you want to avoid over or under watering your yard. Additionally, you want to avoid cutting your grass too short during hot summer months.
Remove Brush
Pruning and removing dead or decaying plant life is essential to allowing new life to grow in its place in your garden. Dead and decaying plant life can block important nutrients from getting to plants that are a live and well, so by eliminating them, you eliminate multiple risks. Additionally, gathering leaves, twigs, and other debris will also keep your lawnmower running as it is less likely to clog during use.
Lay Down Mulch
Mulching may seem like a tedious chore, but it is an important job to undertake annually as good mulch will protect the trees, shrubs, and flowers that grow in your backyard. In addition to offering a layer of protection, mulch can also provide vital nutrients and help plants retain moisture during arid conditions. This can also help promote healthy soil by preventing over drying and regulating tempurature.
When putting down mulch, be sure to spread it evenly and thinly. Too thick of a layer of mulch can choke out new shoots before they even get a chance to reach the surface.
Trim Trees and Hedges
Spring is a good time to trim back any trees or hedges that have become overgrown. Consider this, the more branches there are, the more places that the tree has to work to provide nutrients to – this can be exhausting. Pruning away branches regularly can help eliminate diseased branches while promoting new and healthy growth. Pruning trees can be difficult as you only want to cut branches at a joint – so if you are inexperienced, be sure to check out videos on how to prune an apple tree for reference.
Consider New Additions
Our last entry is to consider what additions may improve your backyard. This is more of a big-picture task that will require sincere reflection on your yard’s needs and capabilities. But, while you’re dreaming up new additions, don’t limit yourself, plan big! If you’ve always wanted a deck or a pool, see if you can realistically make that happen on your own, or if you can afford to have someone do it for you. You’ll never know what your backyard can have until you look into the logistics.
If you want a deck with an infinity pool or a firepit, ask local decking professionals if they think it’s possible. This is when having the right local partners can make things much easier for homeowners. For example, deck builders in Kennett Square, PA should be able to give local customers a good idea of what is possible with a deck set up in the area and what is an unrealistic dream.
Prepare Now to Better Enjoy Summer Later
In conclusion, preparing your yard for summer can be a fun way to get back into the landscaping routine. A little extra work now can cause big returns in terms of vibrant summer foliage and blooms later.