When the long winter ends in Maine, you want to be outside enjoying the warmer weather…and that means you need your yard to be spruced up! Raking old leaves and planting flowers is a good start, but making sure your lawn and garden beds are healthy and looking great takes a few more steps.
At AC Yard Services, we’ve been working to recover Maine lawns and properties from winter for over a decade. Over the years, we’ve been able to compile some tips for revitalizing your property in the spring, and we wanted to share them with you.
As you start working on waking up your property from winter, here are things to think about from our owner, Justin Hayden, to get you started:
1. Prepare your lawn for growing season by removing debris and raking to remove any accumulated thatch. Lawn thatch is the layer of dead turf grass tissue between the green vegetation and the soil surface that must be removed (a process known as “dethatching”) to maintain lawn health. Thatch consists of stems, leaves, stolons, rhizomes and roots. If this is something you want to tackle on your own, we suggest renting a power rake to get the job done. If dethatching isn’t a project you want to take on yourself, AC Yard Services can help with our spring dethatching services.
2. Review your lawn looking for grass blades that look stuck or glued together. This can be caused by a disease known as “snow mold.” Luckily, only a little bit of raking is needed to remedy this situation.
3. Don’t forget about your inside greenery, either! Houseplants need a little attention in the spring as they are “waking up” with the longer days and brighter light. A haircut (cutting back), some fresh soil, some 1/2-strength organic fertilizer and a shower are all things that can help make your houseplants happy.
4. Have your lawn mower serviced before use. Sharpening and balancing the blade(s) will keep your mower working to its full potential, and will ensure it doesn’t quit on you right before that first big barbecue of the year.
5. Think small! If you’re looking to add some larger greenery to your yard, plant smaller trees as the root system will establish quicker than a newly planted larger tree.
6. Do you have too much moss in your yard? Moss grows in a lawn where dense shade, low soil fertility, poor drainage, wet soil, compacted soil and/or poor air circulation exist. The best way to address moss problems it to improve the soil for grass growth. Doing so will create a healthier and more attractive lawn overall.
7. Deep watering: As you get your gardens going in the spring, water plants slowly and deeply using a soaker hose once a week, instead of watering frequently for short periods. What’s the advantage? Deep watering promotes deep plant roots.
8. Pass on compost and fertilizer. Leaving them both out helps roots become acclimated to the native soil. When planting trees and shrubs, soil does not need to be amended with compost or fertilizer, unless the soil is extremely gravelly or heavy.
9. Dig deep: Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and 2 to 3 times as wide when planting trees and shrubs. This will ensure your tree gets all the nutrients needed for a long and healthy life.
10. Use a mulching blade when mowing and leaving clippings on the lawn. Doing so will cut the grass into fine pieces and also help reduce trails of clippings showing. (which, as we all know, can make your yard look quite messy)
Maintaining your property can be a lot of work, but it’s worth it to enjoy the warmer weather and have a lush, green lawn. Yes, it is a time-consuming process, but AC Yard Services is always here to help if you need some help keep your property looking its best.
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