Spring is the perfect time to get your lawn into top shape and prepare it for hot and humid St. Louis summers.
Our Ultimate St. Louis Landscaping Spring Cleanup Checklist is the perfect guide to preparing your entire yard for the months to come.
If you’re already overwhelmed with all the landscaping work you have to do, give us a call today and see how we can help!
1. Clean up debris.
First things first: Take care of any big debris that might be laying around the yard. Do you have any large sticks or branches that have fallen off of trees in recent storms? If so, you’ll want to remove those. Make sure to also remove any piles of leaves that may have accumulated around fences and in the corners of your yard.
2. Clear out the garden.
Now that you’ve tidied up the big sticks and piles of leaves in your yard, let’s take a look at your flower and garden beds. Have weeds taken over your beds? Have the dividers you’ve used in the past broken or moved? If so, make sure to remove any weeds and replace any broken dividers.
You want your flowers to have a nice place to grow, free of any harmful weeds. Place fresh mulch around flowers, consider adding a weed guard fabric, and remove any flowers that are dead and won’t be coming back. If your flowers will be coming back, make sure to prune off any dead or dying branches.
3. Start composting.
If you haven’t already, consider starting a compost pile for your yard. A compost pile can be made in a designated area, or a composting bin can be purchased. Not only is a compost pile great for the environment because it reduces what goes into a landfill, compost also makes excellent fertilizer for your plants!
4. Handle pets and pests.
During winter, your yard may have accumulated pet waste that needs to be removed. Before you get too far into the summer landscaping process, make sure to clean up and throw away any pet waste. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t throw pet waste into the compost bin.
As you clean up pet waste, take the time to look for any unwanted pests that you may need to take care of, like wasps or rodents.
5. Mow the grass.
Now that you’ve gotten the big debris out of the way and made sure your flower and garden beds are nicely divided, it’s time to mow the lawn. If you’re having trouble getting your lawn mower started after a long winter, why not call Allen Outdoor? We’ll handle it all for you, from mowing to meticulous edge work.
6. Cut out crabgrass (and other invasive species).
If your yard is full of crabgrass or invasive species like Bush Honeysuckle, you need to remove those—and make sure they don’t come back. If you aren’t sure how to remove a problem plant (or you’re not sure if it’s actually a problem in the first place), call in the experts. We’re happy to explain what’s working in your yard and what’s not.
7. Reseed any bare spots.
Once your grass is freshly mowed and you’ve cleared debris away, are you seeing any muddy spots or patches of dead or dying grass? If so, you might need to reseed these spots so that new grass can grow. If you’re not sure what kind of grass is best for your lawn, give us a call to set up a consultation with one of our specialists who can walk you through your options.
With the ample spring rain the grass should be able to get off to a good start. If the ground is too dry or your grass seed just isn’t growing, consider working with us to install an irrigation (sprinkler) system that can handle hydration.
8. De-winterize your sprinkler system.
Speaking of sprinkler systems, if you haven’t already, make sure that your sprinkler system is de-winterized and ready to go this season. Now’s the time to schedule a maintenance appointment so our lawn care technicians can check for leaks or blockages.
9. Clean off patios and walkways.
Now that the yard is looking great, make sure to clean off patios and walkways. We recommend using a leaf blower to clear any leftover debris from your patio, followed by power washer to really make a difference. If your walkways and patios are missing pavers, are broken, or just need a little attention, give us a call. You’ll be amazed at how, with just a little bit of work, we can give you great results.
10. Check outdoor lighting.
Are your outdoor lights in good working order? Do any bulbs need to be replaced? Is your patio in need of a style update? We can handle all of that and more! Our lighting solutions are customized to your needs and style.
11. Mend fences.
A solid fence is extra important in the warm weather when pets can get out and little critters, like rabbits or stray cats, can get in. Now’s the time to replace missing or broken boards and repair any other issues with your fence. If the paint on your fence is chipping off, think about repainting before it gets too hot! Another option is replacing your fence entirely with a modern style to give your whole home a facelift!
If a fence just isn’t your style but you have a dog (or want to get one this summer!), consider installing an invisible fence instead—it’s the best of both worlds.
12. Take care of your soil.
Part of keeping your lawn healthy is the regular maintenance work of soil aeration and fertilization. Many people choose to hire a company to do this rather than doing it themselves. If you are worried about your soil condition, give us a call and we can come out and give you our recommendations.
13. Prune trees and shrubs.
If your shrubs or trees have dead or dying branches, make sure to remove those as soon as possible. Removing the dead and dying parts of the trees and shrubs will make it easier for the shrub or tree to grow new branches.
14. Mulch your garden beds.
Make sure to mulch around your trees and garden beds to protect from weeds. Mulching can be difficult and tedious work; call the experts at Allen Outdoor and let us take it off your hands!
15. Make the perfect outdoor living space.
Maybe your lawn is already in perfect shape. (If so, good work!) But have you thought about what comes after that? A fully outfitted outdoor living space is the cherry on top of a gorgeous lawn. Consider adding a brick patio, permanent firepit, or even a weather-resistant outdoor kitchen! These big jobs are hard to do on your own, and often require an experienced professional. Give us a call to hear our recommendations and how we can work together.
