With all the rainy, cold weather behind us, it looks like we’re in for another beautiful Leon County season! Spring is right on time, and you know what that means for Tallahassee residents. It’s time to spring into action and get our yards summer-time ready with some good old fashion spring grooming!
Get it Shipshape and Looking Good!
Before you pick-up that rake, pull that mower cord or gas up your trimmer, it’s always best to create your “to-do” list first. By checking items off your agenda, as they get completed, the job will go faster and eliminate what needs attention next. Go ahead and compare your list with ours shown below:
PART 1
Clean gutters
Prune dead wood
Pull weeds
Remove fallen leaves
PART 2
Mow
Edge
Mulch
Plant bulbs, eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers
PART 3
Scrub the grill
Pressure wash surfaces
Sand down and clean patio furniture
Stain and paint fence, barn, shed, etc.
Wash out bird bath and feeder and refill
We highly recommend that with any yard work always work smarter, not harder. Begin your yard work from the top and move your way down. There’s no reason to clean your yard first before trimming overhanging tree limbs or overgrown shrubs and bushes.
Patience is a virtue with proper lawn care
A healthy lawn that gets appropriately fertilized watered and mowed keeps weed growth under controlled. However, some degree of weed management is often required to supplement even when using the best cultural practices.
Some weeds, after they have emerged can be chemically controlled. Others, mainly grassy weeds, are better-controlled pre-emergence. To control the wild plants in your lawn before they appear, you need to know where and what they are. You’ll then want to select the correct product and know precisely the exact time it needs to be applied.
We strongly encourage those who prefer using a “do-it-yourself” applicators; please wait until your grass has naturally come out of dormancy then after it has received a minimum of two cuts, at the correct calibrated height. Once that has taken place, then use the 15-0-15, 50% slow release nitrogen, fertilizer product you’ve chosen for your grass.
A soil test is highly recommended so only nutrients that your grass requires get applied. That prevents excess chemicals leaching into our groundwater and polluting our natural lakes and springs. Dickerson Landscaping recommends by mid-April after the Azaleas and Dogwoods have finished blooming, that is the best time to consider fertilizing for spring!
All-hands-on-deck!
Before the heat from summer sets in and we move into yet another rainy season, you’ll want to scrutinize the conditions of your deck. Should it have a slippery surface, there’s a good chance you have mold and possibly mildew build-up. Not to mention the potential hazard for slipping and falling.
If after your examination and you find it does, then it’s time to pressure wash and seal your deck. By doing so, you’ll:
Beautify your deck
Protect your deck investment
Extend the lifespan of your deck
Luckily, decks are low maintenance, requiring only pressure washing and sealant (as needed) for years of use and enjoyment!
Herbal Essence
If you love having fresh herbs, you can plant a healthy and productive herb garden in minutes and enjoy the convenience all summer long. Herbs are natural to grow, don’t need a lot of space, thrive in just about any soil, and many are cold hardy.
Herbs get used for cooking, fragrance, and landscaping. They grow well in containers, making them ideal for balconies, decks, and patios. You can buy herbs as seeds or as small transplants. Annual herbs can quickly be started from seed because they germinate rapidly and grow fast.
Some perennials— thyme, chives, and oregano — you can start from seed, but if you need only a few plants, it’s easier to buy the plants, especially when planting in containers.
Did you find “Now That We’re Into April…“ informative? If you liked this one, check out Is Your Tallahassee Lawn Ready For Another Hurricane Season? (2019 Checklist Update) we think you’ll find it interesting too.