Tend to Your Landscaping
Sure, it’s cliche, but spring really is the perfect time to get outside and tend to your yard work. After all, spring rain and summer sun are the ingredients needed to get your landscape blooming.
First, trimming plants and trees not only improves your home’s curb appeal, it serves a more practical purpose. Foliage that risks interfering with power lines should be cut back, but this is dangerous work and should be done by a pro. Trimming back nearby or overhanging limbs can also reduce the risk of damage to your roof, windows and other property during a storm.
Pruning bushes and other vegetation will also help the plants to grow faster and healthier by removing dead or damaged branches and leaves as well as redirecting growth in the desired direction. Prune your shrubs in early spring. Dogwoods, forsythias and other budding bushes should be taken care of before the weather really heats up.
Spring is also a good time to re-seed or re-sod your lawn, if needed. If you are trying to fill in those bare patches, sprinkle each patch liberally with grass seed and water it regularly. New seeds and sod should be kept moist, so water it 3 to 5 times a day, particularly in drier climates with less chance of rain.
At the very least, rake the lawn again to get rid of any dead leaves, branches and undergrowth and aerate your soil. While you probably raked most of the dead stuff up in the fall, you don’t want any thatch (a layer of mostly dead material between the vegetation and the roots) to remain in the summer. That will kill off parts of your lawn by depriving it of water and nutrients.
Always consider your climate and the amount of shade available when planning your garden. Different flowers and plants thrive with different amounts of rain, sun and shade. And consider how different plants might affect pest control, as some types of plants attract pests while others might repel them.
In fact, late winter and early spring are also the best time for pest control, before hibernation ends and infestations become a real problem. Spray down all the nooks and crannies on the exterior of your home, particularly under eaves or in corners where nests hide. If you spot any nests, spray them down or have a professional exterminator remove them.
Test Home Security Measures
When checking off your spring home maintenance to dos, add testing the batteries in all smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and other alarms to your list. Batteries should be replaced annually while the units themselves should be updated every 5-10 years. Always write the date you installed the alarm on the inside cover to easily keep track of when it needs to be replaced.
Check the locks on your doors and windows. All it takes is one window with a broken latch to let in a burglar. Replace burned out bulbs in outdoor lights so your home remains well lit at night to deter prowlers.
If you have a sliding glass door that leads to a back deck or patio, check the latch and secure it further overnight with a slide-locking bar. Consider applying shatterproof film to the glass to enhance your security.
Next: DIY or Hire a Pro?
