As the warm weather of summer starts fleeting, that can only mean it’s time to prepare your home’s landscaping for the impending winter weather! We tend to push aside our chores this time of year, whether it’s because of last minute vacation plans or lazy days by the pool. Without the proper preparation for cooler weather, your yard could pay the price. To keep your yard healthy throughout the fall and winter, follow these tips to prep your yard now.
- Reseed bare patches. First, determine what caused the bare patches. If it’s from people walking all over it, you may need to create a designated pathway for your family members and neighbors to follow. Use lights, decorative stones, or flower pots to do so. If the patches are a result of pests or fungi, grab a bag of seed. Then, rake the bald spot and the area surrounding it and lay the seed. Make sure it’s compact and mixed well with the soil. Water daily for best results.
- Get rid of weeds. If you find yourself quite literally in the weeds, it’s time to strike while they’re soaking everything in. Spray a herbicide on them when the temperature is above 60 degrees and the ground is moist. If you prefer to rip those weeds out with your bare hands, make sure you get the entire root. More importantly, make sure you don’t leave any seeds behind. This will only cause them to multiply, which is counterproductive to the task at hand.
- Mow the lawn. It’s not the time to put away the lawn mower just yet. Check your settings and make sure you are cutting blades of grass that are 1 1/2 to 2 inches. It shouldn’t be cut any higher than this so the grass doesn’t get matted down later on in the winter. Plus, it will help the blades maintain their lush green color instead of turning brown once the weather begins to change.
- Plant bulbs. Gardening is still possible in the fall. Choose the right bulbs and you’ll have a beautiful garden by early spring. Some bulbs that will bloom in time for the spring are crocuses, daffodils, irises, and tulips. Plant them in a spot that receives a lot of sunlight. Follow the directions that come with each type bulb to ensure you plant them correctly. For best results, trust a professional Bucks County landscaping company.
- Prep your deck. Don’t neglect your deck. It is a place for entertaining in the summer and you want to do everything you can to keep it in pristine condition. Give it a good sweep and hose it down or perform a power wash. Start figuring out what you want to do with your furniture as well. When the weather starts to turn, wrap your outdoor furniture or place it in storage to further protection and keep it in good condition for next year.
Use the final days of summer to your advantage and give your yard some TLC. All of the hard work you put into it now will pay off come spring.
This post brought to you by Triumph Building Group, custom home builders in Montgomery County, PA.