Spring has sprung all across the south! Every year, southerners welcome the hope spring brings of warm weather, blooming flowers and green lawns. Now is the time of year for spring cleaning indoors, but let’s not forget the outdoors, too! Today we’re spilling the tea on several southern landscaping secrets and a few spring landscaping tips to keep your yard looking healthy and lush.
Enhance Hydrangea Color
Did you know? The color of your hydrangeas will vary according to the type of soil in your yard. Whether you want to deepen the color of your blue hydrangeas or boost pink hues, some everyday items in your kitchen can help. For many years gardeners have been known to sprinkle coffee grounds at the base of the plant for deeper blues (the coffee grounds make the soil more acidic, allowing the plant to better absorb aluminum) or adding crushed eggshells to the soil to enhance pink shades (eggshells break down and reduce the acidity of the soil, making it harder for hydrangeas to absorb aluminum). Whatever colors you are going for in your yard, enhance them accordingly!
Prune to Improve Plant Health
Pruning is a key tool for long-term shrub and tree health. Whether you are pruning to reshape a shrub that has become overgrown or to thin out a dense tree canopy to allow space for sunlight and breezes to reach the interior leaves, pruning can increase the overall health of your plants.
Fertilize Plants As Needed
From making sure boxwoods have plenty of nitrogen, to fertilizing your lawn around the same time you mow it for the first time in the spring, fertilizing is important for promoting healthy plant growth and strong root systems. Don’t forget to plan ahead, though. For the best absorption, water the grass a few days before you want to apply fertilizer to your lawn.
Spruce Up Natural Areas
Spring is a great time to add mulch or pine needles to natural areas, such as plant beds or around trees. Keep the depth of mulch to about an inch to retain moisture in the soil, but don’t place the mulch right up against tree trunks. Pine needles can give a softer look to the edges of your natural areas, and not as much material is needed to cover large areas. Weigh the pros and cons and choose whichever you prefer for your beds.
We hope these tips help you as you care for your plants and lawn this season. If you’re considering enhancing the appearance of your yard before listing your home, contact your preferred Dickens Mitchener agent. Don’t have an agent? Contact VP of Relocation Catharine Pappas if you need help finding the right match. She is skilled at selecting an experienced agent with the community knowledge and pulse on your local market to achieve your real estate goals. Enjoy Spring!
