Your Spring Lawn & Garden Checklist

While the spring of 2021 is a little different than usual due to COVID-19, breathing some life into your property after a long winter might be just what’s needed in this season of uncertainty. After all, research shows that beautifully landscaped properties are good for our minds, bodies and the environment.

Out with the old, in with the new!

Here’s our guide to “spring cleaning” — we use these tips and tricks to get your landscape to shine again. If you’re a customer of ours, you can use it to hold us accountable. (Though we’re confident you won’t need to.)

Get rid of debris. — Before you do anything else, remove any debris left on your property after the snow has melted. Removing litter, trash and leaves isn’t just for looks — it prevents leaves and other organics from rotting on your garden beds or turf, which can lead to mold, mildew, pests and poor lawn health.

Test your soil. — It’s a good idea to test your soil to make sure it has the proper pH balance and mix of nutrients. You can get your soil tested through Virginia Tech’s Soil Testing Lab, or you can ask the Brandon Rushing team to look after it for you.

Edge all garden and tree beds. — A manicured edge around your gardens and trees stops grassroots and weeds from taking over. It also makes mowing around flower beds easier and greatly reduces the risk of damage. Plus, we all know that it makes your landscape look amazing!

Stop the weeds dead in their tracks. — This may seem obvious, but weeds need to be taken care of right away before they become a bigger problem. Spring is the best time to apply pre-emergent herbicides to prevent weeds from emerging in the first place.

Fertilize your lawn. — How you go about fertilizing should be based on your soil nutrition and requirements. It’s best to choose a slow-release or controlled-release fertilizer to reduce possible losses to the environment and increase nutrient absorption. Read the label on the fertilizer bag and know the exact size of your lawn. Using too much fertilizer can harm your lawn and cost you more than you planned! On the other hand, not using enough fertilizer won't give you the results you’re after. Always follow the instructions on the label!

Fertilize trees and shrubs, too. — Most plants, trees, and shrubs will benefit from proper fertilization with a slow-release product just before mulch is applied.

Mulch as much as you can. — Fresh mulch can feel (and look!) a lot like adding a fresh coat of paint to a tired landscape. A 1 to 2” layer of new mulch in the spring offers loads of benefits for your gardens. For starters, mulch prevents weed germination and growth. It also helps the soil retain moisture and stay cooler as temperatures rise, which can really help keep your plants healthy during the summer heat.

Inspect your irrigation system. — Once the weather has warmed up for the year, turn on your irrigation system and make sure it’s in working condition.

Keep in mind that these are just the basics — the Brandon Rushing crews perform a much more robust spring cleanup. They’ll also let you know of any issues or concerns they notice.

Schedule a clean-up on your property today!

Scheduling a spring clean-up today could save you from headaches later in the year.

Don’t skimp on the details — hire a lawn and garden care company that’s as detail-oriented as you are. Get a quote today.