Sprucing Up for Spring
Monday, March 31, 2014
by: Zoen Baldwin, Pacific Green Landscape, Inc.

Section: Trends and Tips




Having a well maintained landscape and common areas makes being outside pleasurable for your residents, and adds value to your property. Here are a few tasks to ensure that your landscape and common areas will look beautiful throughout spring and the many months ahead.  

Irrigation
With Governor Brown declaring California in a drought, make sure your landscape continues receiving the right amount of water to thrive without wasting one of our state’s most precious resources.
 
That’s why it is especially important for you and your landscape professional to check your irrigation system regularly and verify that water coverage is appropriate. Look for broken heads and check for pipe leaks. If you decide that your current system does not meet your needs, make sure that your landscape company is an expert in system repairs, restoration and installation. It is important to select a company that stays up to date on all the state-of-the-art, water saving technologies available.
 
Also, many local water municipalities are offering rebates for various water saving products.  Now is a great time to check out what is available and see if you qualify.
 
Turf
Your residents love a well manicured lawn.  To ensure a vigorous turf, here are three important tasks …
 
Apply Pre-emergent Herbicides
Apply pre-emergent herbicides to turf.   This will suppress the weeds and helps to maintain a relatively weed free lawn for the months ahead. This application helps with the targeted control of Crabgrass too!  Crabgrass infestations can really detract from your turf areas appeal and health.
 
Fertilize
Right now is a good time to fertilize your lawn.  However, depending on the type of turf, some fertilizers work better than others.  Make sure your landscape maintenance company has the knowledge and experience to know which fertilizer works best for your type of turf.
 
Aerate
It is recommended that you have your lawn aerated at least once a year.  In heavy use turf, it may be advisable to aerate several times throughout the year.   Aeration is an important step in maintaining a beautiful, healthy lawn.  It helps the turf absorb water better, gets oxygen in the soil and gives the roots a chance to breath.
 
Talk to your landscape maintenance professional about your properties’ fertilizing, aeration and weed control schedule.
 
Pruning

Depending on the type of plant material you have on your property, now may be a good time to prune.  Proper pruning minimizes disease, controls growth, rejuvenates plants and helps develop thicker foliage and more flowers. There are many plants that do not need pruning or can go through the “natural” pruning cycle.  With natural pruning you let the bloom cycles go and enjoy the plants natural beauty. Talk to your landscape professional about the type of plants you have on your property, when it should be pruned and if the plants you have can go through the natural pruning cycle.
 
By accomplishing these few task, your landscape will look its best in spring and the months ahead.
 
If you have any other questions, you can always contact Pacific Green Landscape, Inc. online at www.pacificgreenlandscape.com or via phone at 800.439.9962.