The spring season is approaching, which means it is time to make sure you have all of the types of landscaping materials you need to reinvigorate and strengthen your yard and garden after winter. Chances are that the winter provided you with plenty of things to take care of in the spring, whether that be routine maintenance or the desire to make some landscaping upgrades.
Before you begin your spring landscaping, here are some steps to take to make the process run smoother. Test your soil once every few years to make sure it has the proper pH balance and mix of nutrients. Fertilize your lawn if necessary. Apply weed control on the areas that need them. Early spring is ideal timing to add soil nutrients, ensure the soil isn’t compacted, and remove any stray weeds. Now is the time of year to build garden beds, install shepherd’s hooks or window boxes, and order new pots to ensure that you have enough room to showcase all your gorgeous new plants. Also, make sure your tools are clean, sharpened, and oiled. The right tools will make the whole season much easier.
Do you know all of the types of landscaping materials you will need to begin your projects? Well, the answer depends on where you live and your landscaping plans. But most of the time, here are the 4 types of landscaping materials you will need to begin your spring projects.
MULCH APPLICATION
One of the first things you will need to restore your landscape after winter is some new mulch. There are numerous benefits to finding good mulch. Mulch comes in a variety of colors to suit your style and add some uniqueness and life to your landscape. Mulch provides your landscape with a uniform look that gives it that professional-looking touch. Additionally, mulch helps protect plants from sun rays and holds a cooler soil temperature. Mulch can prevent the growth of weeds and help your soil retain more moisture. When it comes to mulch application, add an inch-thick layer of fresh mulch in plant beds and around trees. But don’t let do more than 3 inches and don’t let the mulch touch tree trunks. Make sure to do it at the right time depending on the weather of your home. In general, mid-to-late spring is the mulching season. This is because the soil is warming up from the freezing temperatures. Mulching too early can slow down the process, which the soil needs to do its job.
Applying organic shredded or bark mulch enhances the beauty of your garden beds and increases the curb appeal of your home. With all of these advantages, mulch is one of the most important types of landscaping materials for your spring rejuvenation.
TREES AND SHRUBS
One of the first things you should do in the spring is to go outside and assess the status of your trees and your shrubs. Locate any broken branches and debris around the lawn to remove. After you trim things back and remove the debris, you will want to fertilize these trees and shrubs so they can grow nicely for the spring months ahead.
Does your lawn need more trees or shrubs? Dormant seasons, like the fall after leaf drop and early spring before bud break, are ideal times to plant new trees. Planting in spring gives the tree a chance to grow all summer and get ready for winter. Leaves develop, soon after planting, and they are able to make food for the plant all summer. However, many experts still argue that planting in the fall is better. Whichever you choose, remember that planting trees and shrubs take a bit of preparation work if doing it yourself. Apply 3 to 5 inches of mulch to the soil surface to conserve moisture and to prevent weeds. Keep the soil moist and allow trees and shrubs time to grow before applying fertilizer. When planting shrubs, the small ones should be planted at least 2 feet from a house foundation, medium shrubs about 3 feet, and tall shrubs 4 to 5 feet away.
Trees and shrubs are a great addition to your yard’s landscape. You can use small trees in your yard to change the climate and improve the air quality substantially. Additionally, according to Energy.gov, strategically planting shrubs and trees around a property can save up to 25% in energy bills by reducing air conditioning and fuel costs. Similarly, shrubs are an essential part of every garden’s ecosystem.
DECORATIONS AND LANDSCAPING ROCK
A landscape always needs a little color and energy outside of the traditional types of landscaping materials. With springtime gardening comes tons of fun ways to get creative and even do some DIY projects by repurposing old items and incorporating them into your landscape. When we think about spring garden design ideas, we think of colorful flowers. Add some decorations in with your flowers this season. Some popular options are fences, flags, ornaments, and paint. Using natural decorations such as granite boulders or cobblestones can add a unique touch to your landscape. For trimming your garden, creating an accent wall, or lining your driveway, stones are a great option.
While trees, plants, and flowers are usually what we think of when we think of landscaping, rocks can also be used for beautiful landscapes features. Landscaping rock, also called cobble or gravel, supports healthy drainage rather than retaining moisture. Landscaping rock offers several benefits. These benefits include the color not fading, the material does not need to be replaced as often, and it can withstand heavy storms. Rocks are also excellent at overpowering weeds and show a better success rate at weed prevention than mulch. Landscaping rocks can be used in many different ways. You can use it around your garden to break up the look of greenery, as stepping stones to create a nice aesthetic passageway, or can be used to enhance a water feature in your landscape.
GET THE GARDEN SOIL YOU NEED
Enriched garden soil is essential to growing healthy plants. Garden soil, unlike topsoil, contains essential nutrients that boost plant growth. Whether your spring garden has vegetables, herbs, flowers, shrubs, or landscaping trees, high-quality garden soil will be necessary to get these off to a great start for growth.
Before you begin the main parts of your landscaping projects, your compacted soil needs to be loosened to provide airflow and allow young roots to grow. There are multiple ways of loosening your soil. It is said that spring is soil’s most vulnerable season. What happens to the soil in the spring? Rain breaks down soil aggregates into small particles. It then dries rapidly and a hard crust layer can form on top. Soil crusts can be a significant challenge for plants as they emerge. Before you start working your garden beds and soil, it’s important to make sure everything has thawed. This time differs based on region, but a good way to test this is by picking up a handful of soil from your garden, forming it into a ball, and trying to break it. If the ball breaks then the soil is good to work but if it keeps its shape, it is not ready. The next step would be to add compost and amendments. You can use a soil test to see where the pH and nutrient levels are, and this will tell you what materials need to be added. If you have poor or clay-based soil, add a healthy layer of compost to improve the soil’s texture, nutrient content, and moisture retention. Then rake the soil to be level and water it lightly to help it settle and release air pockets.
You have many options for types of landscaping materials. Plan out your strategy for your landscaping in advance and do not be afraid to seek advice from a landscaper or a nursery staff member. Do not plant what you don’t think you will have time to take care of. Your landscaping should be an enhancement of your exterior home so choose plants that can go with the colors of your home. While you may think that all of you have to plan for is sun and water for your landscaping, pests such as wildlife, insects, and stray animals can cause issues with your landscaping.
When it comes to how to prepare your yard for spring, it can require a lot of time and resources on your end, but also great attention to detail. However, landscaping is one of the joys of springtime and it will be a fun experience for you. Go get the different types of landscaping materials you will need ahead of time to begin your preparation. Contact us today at Gateway Home and Garden Center to discuss the needs of your landscape for spring.
