Expert Advice for Spring Cleanup and Garden Bed Planning
Do you know what happens on Super Bowl Sunday other than the Super Bowl (and while we also love it, we are not talking about the Puppy Bowl…). It’s the unofficial start of the spring real estate season! In the world of landscaping, the spring cleanup and project planning season is not far behind.
We start getting calls in February from families looking to get a jump on their spring landscaping projects; not only are these clients able to book some of our first spring project slots, they also have the benefit of time to properly prepare. Let’s talk about some of the things you can be thinking about and doing now as you consider spring cleanup in your yard and plan for your landscape project in the western suburbs.
Spring Garden Bed Cleanup
When If you didn’t get up all your leaves from your garden beds in the fall, you’re not alone. Even better, it’s actually a good thing! The layer of leaves over garden bed helps protect the roots of any perennials you have during extreme winter temperatures. Plus, working some of those leaves into the soil acts as a great organic soil additive. There is no need to worry about getting started until later in the spring, but if you do have early bulbs such as crocuses, you will want to clear leaves and cut back other vegetation as you see those telltale purple flowers emerge.
Once the ground thaws, spend time deweeding and mixing in a quality topsoil to prepare your beds for planting. Pro tip – we’ve learned the hard way that yellow jackets and some varieties of wasps may build nests under the soil before their winter dormancy. Be careful as you dig!
Related: 5 Spring Landscaping Tips for Your Naperville, IL Front Yard
Safely Clean Stone Borders and Siding
Wondering how to safely clean your stone border, retaining, or seating walls and siding without harming your gardens? We’re here to help! Stone is an excellent choice for border walls and garden edging because of its durability and beauty, but every so often, you may notice organic matter such as dirt or moss growing on it. A simple solution of diluted dish soap and water is a great way to clean stone. Wet the surface, spray the dish soap and water solution onto the stone, and scrub. Don’t worry if some of the solution runs off into your garden – it should not harm any plants.
If you have gardens lining the house and want to power wash your siding, it is okay to do so! Just make sure that the plants themselves do not get sprayed by the power washer, as the pressure is too great for many fragile plants. You may want to add some mulch once the power washing is completed to top dress and add some extra nutrients to the soil.
Related: 3 Ways to Boost Your Downers Grove, IL, Landscape Design with Natural Stone
Ask the Horticulturist: When is the Right Time to Plant?
Our resident planting expert, Carlos, has his degree in horticulture, so he is a great resource for all things planting! If you’re looking to get a jump on the spring planting season, shrubs and trees (particularly larger trees) are safe bets so long as the ground is not frozen. With those larger trees, by the time they leaf or bud out, they will not require much care, and you can just spend the summer enjoying them.
It's better to wait until later in the spring, mid-May or so, to plant your perennials. Particularly if you are planning a landscape design around your perennials, you want to wait until they are no longer dormant and are a little larger. That will make it easier to stage the rest of your garden design. If you like to utilize annuals for the pops of color they provide, the month of May is a good time to plant. You want to make sure there won’t be another frost, as annuals need to be covered if it does happen to frost once they are in the ground.
Special Considerations for New Construction
New construction properties are notorious for having soil with high clay content and very little topsoil. It is critical that high quality soil be mixed in prior to planting shrubs, trees, plants, or flowers. One of Carlos’s clients from a number of years ago put it perfectly when he said to make sure you plant a $1 plant in a $5 hole. Take the extra time to dig a hole a bit bigger than you think you need and put good soil around the root ball. It will ensure the plant gets the nutrients it needs to thrive.
Spring will be here before we know it, and with it comes the desire to have a beautiful outdoor garden to enjoy all summer long. We hope these tips help you create the garden of your dreams! If you need some inspiration or decide DIYing it isn’t quite for you, just give us a call. We have a special passion for creating stunning gardens!