Spring Cleaning Your Cape Cod Landscape

Though it may not seem like it as we brave one storm after another, spring really is just around the corner. Before we know it, this harsh weather will be a distant memory and Route 6 will be a parking lot once more. You’re probably already planning on giving your home a thorough once-over when winter finally departs, but your Cape Cod landscaping will benefit from a spring cleaning as well. Here are a few ways you can spruce up your landscape to prepare for spring and summer on the Cape.

Standard Cleanup

Start your spring cleaning with a thorough removal of the debris fall and winter likely left behind in your outdoor space. This includes fallen branches, pinecones, leaves, pet droppings… the list goes on. Once you’ve raked and bagged to your heart’s content, you can focus on the fun stuff.

Split Perennials

Next, we recommend dividing any overgrown perennials in your landscape. There are several benefits to dividing your perennial plants: it protects them from infestation and disease, keeps them healthy, and ensures they have enough room to grow and flower without overwhelming neighboring plants. Dividing perennials will put some stress on the plants, so spring’s cool and moist conditions are ideal for this task. Keep in mind that while most perennials benefit from being split every few years, there are some you shouldn’t divide, including lavender and oriental poppy.

Treat Your Lawn

Get ahead of weeds and crabgrass by treating your lawn with a weed killer. To boost the look of your lawn in the coming months, spread grass seed, turf builder, and fertilizer. And if insect control is a concern in your outdoor space,spreading a pest control treatment now will save you headaches later in the season.

Prune

Pruning is a key part of spring cleaning for your Cape Cod landscaping. However, note that some spring-blooming plants shouldn’t be pruned until later in the season—pruning them now will remove buds and decrease the amount they bloom. Among those flowers you shouldn’t prune in early spring are hydrangeas, roses, rhododendrons, lilacs, and forsythia. Summer bloomers, however, can be pruned in early spring without affecting their bloom. Once you’re sure what to prune, remove dead, damaged, or diseased stems, as well as crossing branches, from your plants and trees to prevent disease and infestation. This creates room for healthy flowers to bloom throughout the spring and summer. Cut low-hanging branches that will interfere with outdoor activities when the weather warms up. And remove faded flowers from perennials and annuals alike, but keep in mind that you can deadhead annuals all year long.

Power Clean

Finally, don’t ignore the hardscaping elements in your outdoor space, which will likely require a thorough power cleaning after the long winter. These elements include patios, steps, walkways, retaining walls, and any other structures incorporated in your landscaping. Making sure these elements sparkle and shine will ensure your home looks its best throughout the warmer months.

Hang in there, everyone. The snow has to stop sometime.