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Spring Landscaping Checklist: Get Your Yard Ready for the Season

As the snow (finally) melts and temperatures rise across Ontario, it’s time to prepare your front and backyards for a healthy growing season. Paramount Landscaping’s team is preparing for spring cleanups for properties across the Golden Horseshoe. Spring is when we start to plan for a successful summer season – now is the perfect time to think about refreshing your landscape, boosting curb appeal, and ensuring your outdoor space thrives throughout spring, summer and fall.

Preparing Your Outdoor Spaces for Spring With Paramount Landscaping 

Here’s the Paramount Landscaping spring landscaping checklist – follow it to get your outdoor spaces ready for warmer weather so you can take full advantage as we get into the warmer temperatures (with or without our help!)

1. Spring Cleanups

Winter can leave behind debris, fallen branches, and compacted soil. At Paramount Landscaping, we always start with the following tasks to get your property ready for the buds and grass growing back:

  • Rake up leaves and any leftover winter debris.
  • Remove dead plants, weeds, and broken branches.
  • Power wash hardscapes like patios, walkways, and decks.

We’re meticulous about early spring cleanups because removing debris and extra garden prep ensures we prevent mold, pests and lawn diseases that can run rampant as the temperatures rise.

2. Aerate Your Lawn

For some lawns, winter can compact the soil making it difficult for grass to absorb water and nutrients successfully when spring hits. Aerating can help loosen any compacted soil to allow air, water, sunlight, and nutrients to reach the roots and help your grass grow in green! If you have thick layers of thatch (dead grass and roots), we might want to also dethatch your lawn to promote new growth. If you’re using fertilizer, aerating your lawn helps with maximum absorption.

3. Fertilize the Soil

A healthy lawn starts with nutrient-rich soil – and this could mean testing your soil’s pH and nutrient levels to know that you have the right ratio to promote green growth! If your soil’s pH is less than 6.5 or more than 7, you might need fertilizer to bring the pH back to ideal standards. When it comes to nutrients, there’s three that you need to know for optimal growth: Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium. A good formula may be a fertilizer that is Nitrogen 25 – Phosphorus 15 – Potassium 20. Compost can also change the ratios and add organic nutrients, while a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer may help if the grass is growing slow and coming in yellow. Iron deficiency could cause grass to turn yellow or have bleached spots, while potassium deficiency could cause brown along the edges. At Paramount Landscaping, we’re intimately familiar with all the lawn issues and know exactly how to address the various problems so that your landscape comes in green! 

4. Prune Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials

It’s especially important to prune all your trees, shrubs and perennials as the weather warms up. When you do spring pruning correctly, it promotes healthy plant growth and removes dead or damaged branches for new growth to come in. Spring is the time to trim any overgrown shrubs and shape hedges for optimal curb appeal. Cut back any perennials to encourage fresh growth, and remove winter-damaged branches from trees. If you plan to do this yourself, be sure to use sharp pruning shears to make clean cuts and avoid damaging plants! 

5. Refresh Mulch and Edging

There’s a time and place for mulching and edging, and that time is Spring and in your garden beds! Mulch can help your garden retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature so it’s especially important to remove any old, matted mulch ahead of the growing season. Only then should you apply a fresh layer of mulch (2-3 inches thick), to help your garden grow as summer comes in. You can use natural mulch options like wood chips or shredded bark for long-lasting benefits. At Paramount Landscaping, we’ll also edge your garden beds to help you achieve a clean, polished look so when your garden starts to come in, it comes in beautiful!

6. Plant New Flowers, Shrubs, and Trees

It’s also the best time of year to add fresh plants to your landscape. At Paramount Landscaping, we know all the native plants that thrive in your region – whether you’re looking at perennial or annuals. In early spring, we’ll plant early-blooming flowers like tulips, daffodils and pansies. Group planting ensures that plants with similar watering needs are put in close proximity to simplify maintenance. It’s also the ideal time to add trees or shrubs to enhance curb appeal and provide shade – we’re happy to provide recommendations.

7. Inspect and Maintain Irrigation Systems

Irrigation is commonly overlooked, but it’s one of the easiest ways to keep your lawn and garden getting the optimal amount of water throughout the seasons. A properly working irrigation system is key to keeping your lawn and garden healthy. If you already have one, spring is the time to check for leaks, broken sprinkler heads, and clogged drip lines, as well as set up watering schedules based on seasonal needs. If you don’t have an irrigation system, consider installing a smart irrigation system for efficient water use – Paramount Landscaping can help you choose, install and maintain your system so your garden stays beautiful and well-watered. If you’re managing your watering by hand, remember to water very early in the morning to reduce evaporation and promote deep root growth.

8. Control Weeds Early

We all know the struggle with weeds taking over your lush green lawn and garden beds –  weeds of all kinds compete with grass and plants for nutrients and water, which can become a real problem if not addressed early in the spring. There’s a few different ways to help your lawn battle against these natural predators – we already talked about using mulch as a natural weed barrier. You can also apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weed seeds from germinating, and hand-pull or spot-treat any existing weeds. Just remember, if you delay, weeds can quickly take over your lawn!

9. Add Hardscape Elements for Outdoor Living

Start the design and build process early so you can enjoy your property throughout the warmer months. Spring is the best time to upgrade your outdoor space with new hardscapes. It’s important to repair any patios, walkways or retaining walls before it gets hot, and refreshing gravel pathways or stepping stones. If you’re thinking of installing any new interlock or hardscaping features, early spring is best so that weeds can be eliminated and grass can grow nicely around these elements. Consider even adding outdoor lighting for evening ambiance. Such hardscaping elements can increase property value and outdoor functionality to really create your dream backyard!

10. Plan for Ongoing Maintenance

Property maintenance is one of the most important things you can do once you’ve gone through all the steps of refreshing your landscape. Regular maintenance – mowing every two weeks to keep grass at 2.5-3 inches – is key to a successful and lush green lawn. Once the grass is established, you’ll want to water deeply but less frequently to encourage strong roots. And don’t forget to inspect plants for pests or diseases and treat them as needed.

Get Professional Help for a Picture-Perfect Landscape

Do you need help getting your front lawn or backyard in top shape for spring? Paramount Landscaping offers professional lawn care, garden maintenance, and landscape design services to keep your outdoor space looking its best. Contact us today for a free quote!

By following this spring landscaping checklist, you can ensure your outdoor space thrives and enhances curb appeal, welcoming in the new season with beauty!