Landscaping is a rewarding and enriching endeavour. Not only do you increase your home’s value, but you can bring the restorative qualities of the outdoors into your own backyard. One of the most essential things to remember when landscaping is that starting off with strong, established plants in the spring will set you up for year-round success. The easiest way to plan your spring landscaping is with a step-by-step system to guide you.
However, not every climate and type of landscape works in the same way. Knowing when to start your spring landscaping is the first step to establishing your plants. In order to plan for the spring, you need to know exactly when to start putting your plan into motion.
When Is The Last Frost?
When starting to plan your spring landscaping, you’ll need to look toward the past for clues. The ideal time to start planting new seedlings and saplings is after the last frost of the year. This ensures that your plants will have the best chance of survival.
In Sandwich, our last frost generally occurs around April 30th. This means we have the first few months of the year to plan and prepare our landscape. This includes making to-do lists, researching any new plants you’d like to add, and gathering all the seeds you’ll need to start the new growing season off.
If you have been continuing your lawn care during the winter months, it will make your spring landscaping significantly easier. Spending the winter planning your landscape means you can be totally prepared to start after the last frost.
When Do Your Plants Thrive?
Just because the last frost is around April 30th does not mean you will need to start planting that early. For many flowers, fruits, and vegetables there are ideal planting dates. These dates are not 100%, as each year may have different weather patterns. Some plants may need to go into the ground as soon as possible in spring in order to grow to their full potential. Other plants, however, may not begin to thrive until early summer.
Do your research for each type of plant you plan to add to your yard. If you are starting with saplings, it will be much easier to transplant them during the proper growing season. Your land may not thaw enough to support new growth until several weeks after the last frost.
Additionally, you should research what type of soil conditions your land needs to nurture each plant. Most plants require nutrient-rich soil that is moist, crumbly, and easily worked. If your soil is too muddy or dry, it will need extra attention before you can start putting your landscaping plans into motion.
What Type of Preparation Does Your Land Need?
Depending on how much landscaping you have done during the winter, your land may require extra preparation before you can implement your spring plans. Making sure your soil is ready to nurture new growth is your top priority. This means you may need to treat your yard with several rounds of fertilizer, mulch, and compost.
The first step is to ensure that your landscape is free of dead or dying plants. This includes shrubs and trees. Not only do these look unsightly, but they can also cause issues with your irrigation system.
Speaking of your irrigation system, make sure it is in working order. You should do this before you add any new plants or landscaping features such as walkways. These can have negative effects on your drainage system. If it has been several years since the last time you updated your irrigation system, consider if there are any improvements you could make. This includes replacing sprinklers, adding new drainage mechanisms, and seeing if there are any areas that need a retaining wall.
It is best to start inspecting your land during the winter months. This will give you ample time to start to plan your spring landscaping project. If you find that you need several new sprinklers and a better mulching system, you will have months to decide what you need to do.
Additionally, starting your planning during winter allows you to think about your choices for a longer period of time. You have time to plan out a change to your soil, research multiple types of plants, and create the perfect landscape plan for your yard. Creating a solid plan means you can work step by step until you’ve finished the job. It eliminates guesswork and allows you to spend more time enjoying your yard.
Gade Masonry and Landscaping is ready year round to discuss your landscaping needs. Whether you need help with maintenance or want to design a whole new look, we can help! Give us a call today.