Winter weather is hard to deal with, but the aftermath is sometimes even worse. Months of cold temperatures and snowfall means your backyard needs care to regain shape. One of the most affected areas is usually the vegetation. The lawn may have lost its luster and developed issues like bare patches or weeds.
The overall solution for reviving your backyard is a thorough backyard landscaping project. A well-executed backyard landscaping will help reduce energy costs, provide a safe and healthy environment for family and pets, create a beautiful outdoor space for entertaining, and even increase property value. Here are five tips to get you started:
Remove Debris
Clear away fallen branches, leaves, and other debris that accumulated during the winter. It’s also an excellent time to inspect fences, trellises, or other structures for signs of damage. Note that winter weather may cause wooden structures to rot, others to become loose, and metal structures to rust. Write down every issue, plan, and budget for the repairs. For extensive damage, consult experts.
Remember also to clean outdoor furniture and fixtures thoroughly. Repaint or fix damage due to the elements. You can also add new pieces, restyle or rearrange furniture to give the space a fresh look.
Re-Seed the Lawn
Cold weather will leave you with bare and dead grass patches. To restore your backyard, dethatch and reseed with compatible grass types. Dethatching removes the thick, mat-like cover of mulched leaves, dead grass, and debris.
The cover prevents moisture and fertilizer from reaching the roots, leading to poor growth. The exercise exposes the soil, giving the grass seeds a good start. After reseeding, water the lawn at the right time and quantity. Mornings and evenings are the best watering times. The amount should be enough to moisten the root zone and avoid waste. Overwatering leads to disease, rot, and pest infestations.
Prune and Trim
Begin pruning trees, shrubs, and other plants after the danger of frost has passed. Pruning prevents overcrowding, maintains a healthy shape and size, improves air circulation, and encourages new, healthy growth. It also controls diseases and pests.
Aerate
Aerating means making small holes in the soil to allow water and nutrients to penetrate the ground. The effort helps plant roots grow deep and robust, resulting in a beautiful lawn. Depending on the size of your yard, do this using an aeration machine, hands, or a garden fork. Afterward, you can buy grass seed and spread it over the newly aerated ground.
Apply Fertilizer
Fertilizers provide essential nutrients to the soil, promoting healthy growth and strong defenses against weeds, pests, and diseases. Organic fertilizers such as compost, manure, or mulch are the best. If you want something faster-acting and more effective, synthetic fertilizers will do the job. However, go for high-quality options with balanced nutrients and low water-soluble salts.
After completing these steps, your backyard should be in better shape, but don’t stop, as it requires constant attention and maintenance. Regularly inspect for signs of disease and pests, water properly, fertilize where necessary, mow regularly, and follow other lawn care tips.
