Now that spring has finally arrived in Wisconsin, dialing up your lawn’s curb appeal is probably at the top of your to-do list. After a long season of ice, cold and snow, you may be wondering where to begin. Here are our top ten suggestions to help you prepare your outdoor “home” for spring landscaping.
- Know your climate – Know your climate before heading to the home improvement store or local nursery. Choose plants that are appropriate to your geographic location and the climate of your yard.
- Do preliminary research – Plan your landscaping strategy in advance. For example, determine whether you will be breaking your project into phases or if you plan to outsource the project to a landscape professional. Having a concrete plan will help prevent problems and increased costs down the road.
- Plant according to the season – Don’t get so excited about planting that you neglect to follow basic seasonal planting guidelines. Many plants will better thrive if you plant them during the appropriate time of year, so pay attention to planting guidelines. Your nursery or local home improvement store can help you determine when certain plants should be planted.
- Know your local “pests” – Everyday pests can wreak havoc on your landscaping. Determine in advance whether you will need to build a fence to ward off wildlife or if there are certain flora you should plant to ward off insects.
- Look for inspiration – Get inspired by looking at neighboring yards, strolling through your local nursery, or by reading gardening magazines. Don’t settle for the same boring plants and hardscape. When it comes to your outdoor “home”, allow yourself to let your imaginating roam free.
- Stake out your area – Before planting, map out your planting area. Estimate enough room for a pedestrian walkway and for future plants and hardscape.
- Create a maintenance plan – Unlike other home improvement projects, landscaping requires regular maintenance and care. Consider hiring a professional gardener or lawn and landscaping company to pull weeds, water and prune, or replace dead plants.
- Plan for growth – When choosing plants, do your best to estimate how large your plants will be in the coming weeks and months. Doing this will prevent you from overcrowding your lawn, or worse, under-planting. Most plants come with growth and height information, so pay attention before you plant!
- Contrast with your exterior home – Plan your landscaping so that it complements and enhances your home’s exterior. Choose plants that work well with your home’s colors, style, and architecture. For example, if you live in a minimalist home, you could aspire to a more “zen” look complete with wild grasses and bonsai.
- Know which plants are low or high maintenance – Check with your nursery or with a professional landscaper to see which trees and plants suit your home and your home’s climate. Remember: there are plants for every lifestyle and every sensibility.
Without a doubt, landscaping is one of the great joys of springtime. Not only does spring landscaping signal warm weather, it also brings to mind growth and renewal. This spring, partner with the number one Waukesha landscaping company, Central Services Company. We have proudly served the Waukesha and greater Milwaukee community since 1974. Call us today at (262) 548-0005 for a free estimate of your spring landscaping project.