We may be in the perfect time of summer where we’re full swing into the season, but that doesn’t mean we can’t maintain our yards or begin new projects. While interior home improvement projects may be a one-time job, your landscaping requires constant and regular upkeep. We’ve put together a year-round yard guide with expert advice and handy resources!
Year-Round Yard Maintenance Checklist
[ ] Initial Lawn Clean Up
You’ve had a long break off of yard work for the winter, may have traded the rake in for a shovel instead, but now it’s time to catch up. Clear leftover leaves, pick up fallen branches and weeds and remove the dead shrubs, bushes and trees to begin the landscape season.When: Late Winter – Early Spring
What You’ll Need: Rake, clearing tools, ladder and yard waste disposal option.
How-to: Start big, clear out the fallen tree branches. Then move onto the smaller tasks like weeding and clearing leftover leaves. For larger amounts of yard waste and large tree branches, be sure to have a disposal option planned.
[ ] Mow, Edge and Fertilize
Trying to keep up with Jones’ and keep a green as can be lawn this year? The secret to a healthy looking lawn is feeding and trimming it regularly.When: Spring – Fall
What You’ll Need: Lawn mower, edger, fertilizer and spreader.
How-to: A good rule of thumb is to never cut the grass more than 1/3 of its current height. ProTip: Setting your mower deck higher will allow you to mow less frequently as the weather gets hotter and dryer.
Best time to fertilize: April, around Memorial Day, around July 4, and after Labor Day.
[ ] Spread Mulch
How do you know when to add more mulch? If you can start to see the spotty areas or it’s looking thin, it’s time to add more. This may not be a necessity for lawn care but it sure does give an instant lift to your flower beds.When: Late Spring – Early Summer
What You’ll Need: Shovel, wheelbarrow or wagon and a landscaping rake.
How-to: Dump the mulch pile where you would like it, then use the landscaping rake and your hands to spread it. Good rule of thumb is 2-4 inches thick. If you have extra, load it back into the wheelbarrow or wagon and move it to the next area.
[ ] Thin Bushes and Shrubs
The direction on this one isn’t a one-size-fits-all. Some experts recommend trimming your shrubs before blooming in spring so you can see the dead spots. Others say to wait until your shrubs have bloomed and grown for the season so you can shape and trim them as needed. Either one works fine, it all depends on your personal preference.When: Summer – Early Fall
What You’ll Need: Clearing tools, hedge clippers and shrub rake.
How-to: For the smaller branches, use your hedge clippers. For your larger ones, use the clearing tools. Your shrubs and brushes should be trimmed for an appealing look while also making them functional for shade and privacy.
[ ] Regrow the Lawn
Your lawn can take a beating from year round weather which often causes inevitable patches. Whether it’s a small section or a large area, clearing out the leaves is the first step before re-seeding.When: Early Fall
What You’ll Need: Lawn seed, lawn mower and shovel.
How-to: Remove and clean up any remaining lawn patches with a shovel, then make sure the dirt is loose. Spread lawn seed in the bare areas and immediately water. Keep the re-seeded patches continually moist for the best results.
ProTip: Warm soil encourages seed germination, cool fall air stimulates growth causing soil moisture to stay more consistent.
[ ] Remove Dead Branches and Trees
The weight of snow on dead branches and trees can be enough to cause them to fall and break, which may cause additional damage to your property.When: Fall
What You’ll Need: Clearing tools, ladder and yard waste dumpster.
How-to: Use your clearing tools to cut off the dead and broken off branches near the trunk of the tree. You can remove smaller trees by yourself and easily within your own home garbage bag. If you have enough tree branches or logs, consider a waste dumpster for disposal.
[ ] Protect Plants From Cold Water
While many plants can withstand the colder weather on their own, there are some that need some extra love and protection from the cold weather to come. Various shrubs and smaller plants need to be covered from the snow and bitter frosts to survive the bitter frosts and bloom into beauty when spring warms back up.When: Late Fall — Winter
What You’ll Need: Mulch and winter barriers.
How-to: Add some mulch near the base of the plant for insulation and water absorption. Then, cover the plant with burlap, sheets, plastic or blankets. In the case of shrubs, let them hang loosely to the base instead of tying to the trunk.
Year-Round Maintenance Adds Up
The more you stay current and on top of your landscaping cleanup efforts, the easier it gets year after year. The cleanup can be overwhelming, especially with a large area. Let a large yard overhaul be seamless with a dumpster rental. We’re here for all your yard waste needs and happy to be a resource for all your home projects.