Spring Cleaning Landscape Tips with Roots

Now that we’ve got an extra hour of sunlight and the temperature is steadily climbing higher, we’re spending our free time outside preparing our gardens and lawns for the warmer months ahead. It’s a busy time that’s accompanied by a long to-do list of weeding, pruning, planting, and edging—so many steps to take this season! We recently chatted with Nate Tuno, one of our friends at Roots Landscaping, about how to properly plan out spring cleaning in the garden. Read on for his top six tips.

1. Knowledge is power. “Make sure you’re equipped with the information on how to properly maintain your particular lawn, plants, and flowers. Take inventory of the plants on your property and read up on them! That way you’ll know which soil is best, when is the best pruning time, what kind of sun is needed, and what other plant material pairs best with them,” Nate says.

2. Time to trim. “Early spring is the ideal time to cut back any perennials that were left through winter and to thin out trees and shrubs. We do this type of pruning at this time of year because we’re able to see the plant’s structure clearly and can selectively prune any dead wood, cross branching, or dangerous limbs without destroying new or emerging buds.”

3. Get creative with space. “As spaces get tighter and landscapes grow, a great way to keep adding plant material is to plant sedum, creeping thyme, and ajuga into the cracks and spaces between walkways and patios. This gives a lived-in look that will accentuate your garden.”

4. Weed, seed, and fertilize. “Make sure to overseed and fertilize the lawn as necessary. After that’s done, it’s time to spread pre-emergent weed preventive and mulch. With that said, be careful not spread the preventative too soon, especially in areas with bulbs, because they can stunt new growth.”

5. Lead the way with a footpath. “Adding a flagstone pathway with gaps to plant small, creeping perennials and annuals to your garden is simple, cost effective, practical, and pretty.”

6. Give the garden structure. “I like adding trellises and finials such as orbs, metal pieces, and found objects during the spring because it’s when you can see the garden without the growth of perennials and annuals. This way you can make sure do you have enough room to add your structures without disturbing plant material.”

Nate’s final—and most important—spring landscaping tip? “Enjoy your garden!” If you’re feeling inspired to start landscaping and fixing up your own garden, be sure stop by your local terrain nursery to stock up on the essentials.