No matter the time of year, your home can be made beautiful by the right landscaping. We all know that with the arrival of spring comes gardening, planting, and pruning our yards, but what about the rest of the year? With the right tools and a bit of planning, you can maintain a lovely yard year round. In fact, there are certain steps you should take as the seasons change to make sure that your yard remains as beautiful as can be.
Winter
Don’t bring in any new plants until after the last frost– introducing plants while the temps are still near freezing can be fatal. Instead, use this time to prune any perennials and remove dead annuals. Trim your trees before they get new spring growth to keep them from running wild. Till your flower beds and prep them for mulch. By the time winter has passed, all the hard work will be done, and you’ll be ready to bring in your new flowers. Winter is also a great time to set up more permanent landscaping projects like patios and pathways, because you won’t have any overgrown plants in your way.
Spring
This is the ideal time for gardening! Plant whatever you choose, keeping in mind when your favorites will bloom. Be sure to fertilize both new and old plants regularly for maximum growth and bloom. If you have any potted perennials, this is also a good time to consider repotting them if needed. Keep trees and shrubs trimmed, and don’t forget to mow the lawn regularly. You may also need to begin pesticide treatments if you choose to do them.
Summer
Some plants tolerate summer heat well, while others wilt at the first sign of the warmth. In hot climates like the South, it is extremely important to keep your plants watered daily, sometimes twice a day in the event of a drought. Potted plants are most critical here, but those planted in the ground will likely need some extra water too. For plants that bloom through the summer, pick off dead flowers throughout the season to keep them blooming longer.
Autumn
Annuals will begin to die off and perennials will fade for the season. As the temperatures cool, you can get a jump start on your maintenance by pruning any excessive new growth on trees after the leaves fall. Cut branches make great fuel for those fall bonfires! Keep leaves raked regularly, or if they cover a large part of your yard, you can chop them up with your lawn mower. To protect shrubs and other perennials as things cool off, you can use mulch or pine straw to insulate the ground and add a little bit of variation in your yard.
Take the time each season to keep your yard looking amazing. You won’t regret it!
