5 Ways to Maintain Your Yard
1. Soil Test
Plant health often is a result of the available nutrients in the soil and the PH content. A soil test can be performed to check the PH or see what nutrients may be low. Nutrients are essential for plants and trees to grow and flourish and especially for fruiting and flowering vegetation. A regular Fertilization regiment in spring and summer is beneficial. This can be accomplished using organic or inorganic products.
2. Irrigation
Although we had record rainfall this year, as soon as the dry summer months enter, the plants will start to be stressed for water again. Irrigating plants and trees is essential for health. Fertilization will accomplish little if the plants are stressed for water. Caution must be taken not to over water or underwater mature plants and trees.
Large trees can be irrigated 1-2 times per month with a heavy soaking while smaller well established plants may get away with being irrigated once a week.
We typically recommend heavy irrigating beginning in June and ending in October.
3. Replenish Mulch
Mulch is a great addition in the spring and summer. Not only does it look great, but it helps the soil retain moisture by protecting it from the hot sun. It also naturally adds nutrients to the soil as it decomposes. A natural mulch is better than the treated varieties. Mulch is best when added to a depth of 3-4″. Caution should be taken to keep the mulch away from the tree and shrub trunks to avoid fungus development or root rot.
4. Lawn Care
The most important factor is the correct amount of water. Each city may still have regulations on frequencies so watering is limited. Ideally every other day is best. The other items that contribute to a healthy lawn are soil aeration, Treating lawns for weeds and invasive grasses, fertilization, reseeding bare spots, and treating for grubs. Grubs can be a major issue in the warmer months and proactively applying insecticides to treat for this will avoid large dead patches this summer.
5. Pruning
Now that all the leaves are emerging, some trees have heavy limbs which have the potential to fail. Often in the warmer months large tree branch failures occur in Oaks, Pines, and Cedars. Proactive pruning can prevent this. The ideal time for pruning is the winter, but for safety, and if the tree is in need, it may not be an option to wait. We expect most vegetation to have a great year of growth from all the winter rain so light pruning to maintain aesthetic appeal and overall size management will be helpful this spring and summer.