Archive for Spring
Springing Forward
Spring is an exciting and one of the most beautiful times of the year. The days are becoming longer, the weather is getting warmer, you awake to birds chirping in the morning, and spring blooms and lush green plants come alive in your landscape.
After a long winter, your lawn and gardens may be looking a big ragged and dreary. So before you pull out your lawn furniture from storage, get in the “spring spirit” by getting your yard looking spectacular. Help your lawn, trees and shrubs get off to a healthy growing season with these six luscious landscaping tips:
1. ASSESS YOUR TOOLS: Check, maintain, sharpen and repair your landscaping tools for a smooth spring and summer experience. This includes your lawnmower, weeding/pruning tools, rake and edger.
2. CLEAN UP: Clean out dead leaves, branches, trash or anything else that could impair your garden and lawn’s growth. Prune
3. WEED CONTROL: Uproot any existing weeds you find out of flower beds and check your lawn for any weed growth, whether they’re leftover stalks from last year or brand-new shoots. Once weeds are clear, DK Landscaping recommends spending between 10-15 minutes a few times per week to prevent new weed growth in your garden.
4. FERTILIZE: Make sure your early spring fertilizer has less nitrogen and more phosphorus to promote strong roots. Be sure to keep fertilizer on target to prevent run-off, and sweep fertilizer granules that may reach pavement back onto your lawn. Give your lawn a slow, steady watering about once a week, but adjust depending upon rainfall, grass and soil type in your area.
5. MULCH: A fresh layer of mulch can take any flower bed from drab and dreary to beautiful. DK Landscaping suggests applying four inches of mulch over the top soil, which will help retain moisture and prevent growth of those pesky weeds.
6. IRRIGATION: Check your in-ground sprinkler system and make sure all your sprinklers are working properly. Remove any overgrown grass that may have covered up any part of the pop-up heads. Check the sprinkler heads for cracking and breakage from last year and have them replaced if needed.
It’s the perfect time in Northern California to gather up tools, slide into your boots, pull on your garden gloves, and enjoy that first breath of spring.
DK Landscaping specializes in landscape maintenance, irrigation, clean-up and colorscape in Sonoma County. Contact Kathy or David Lee for more information and a consultation on your landscaping (707) 280-3632.
How to Create a Landscaping Design Plan
Another mild winter has come and gone. So when the sun starts shining and the weather begins to get warmer, it’s the perfect time to begin thinking about some spring landscaping projects. This gives you the opportunity to list all the current features you enjoy about your current landscaping, and any that you would like to improve upon. It could be as simple as enhancing a focal point, such as a pool area with a stone patio or water feature or it could be having the landscape that you always dreamed of having.
Even if you have a naturally green thumb, DK Landscaping suggests hiring a landscape designer. They are trained professionals that can save you from wasting money on wrongheaded ideas and open your eyes to possibilities you haven’t considered. Landscape designers can take all of your big picture ideas and create a realistic plan that works with your budget and time. It can also help you make decisions on prioritizing your needs with the landscape project.
- How long do you intend to live in your home? This helps with budgeting and prioritizing phases of the landscape project.
- How do you see yourself using your yard? hosting Sunday barbeques, working on a crossword puzzle in your hammock, swimming laps, growing vegetables, roasting marshmallows by fire pit, waterfalls/ponds, putting green? The ideas are endless.
- What is your Landscape Design Style (formal, informal, contemporary, Asian flare, Tuscan, Mediterranean, eclectic, tropical)? It’s important that you select a landscape design style that best matches the look and feel of your home and still reflects your unique personality.
With a bit of proper planning with our design consultant, Kathy Lee, you and your family will be able to enjoy a resort style space for years to come. To get started on your project contact your friends at DK Landscaping (707) 280-3632.
