Spring is the ideal season in North Texas for landscape updates and general maintenance. Beginning in March, many lawns, trees, and ornamental plants start to emerge from dormancy as the growing season kicks off. During this time, rainfall is more frequent, providing your landscape with an excellent opportunity to thrive throughout Spring and Summer.
Regular Lawn Mowing Service
As spring arrives, most customers begin the lawn mowing season with a technique known as scalping. Scalping involves lowering the mower to about one inch while using the mower bag to catch all grass clippings. This process helps remove excess thatch and creates space for new growth. It also allows for the removal of leaves and organic debris from the yard. After the lawn has been scalped, regular maintenance should occur every two weeks until growth accelerates. Typically by April, the lawn should be mowed weekly to maintain a well-groomed and clean appearance. Once weekly mowing begins, changing the mowing pattern each week is a good practice. For example, perform horizontal cuts one week, vertical the next, and finish with a diagonal pattern. This variation helps prevent soil compaction and promotes healthier grass.
Spring Lawn Care – Landscape Clean Up Service
Spring cleaning for your yard and landscape is essential for ensuring plants maintain optimal health and appearance during the growing season. A comprehensive landscape cleanup typically consists of several tasks, all completed in one visit. The cleanup process usually begins with leaf and debris removal from both the lawn and flower beds. Following that, all shrubs and trees should be trimmed to their proper shape, with dead branches removed. Trees should undergo light trimming to achieve the appropriate canopy height. Once shrubs and trees are pruned, the next step is to remove weeds and grass from flower beds before adding fresh mulch. The most common type of mulch used is made from native hardwoods, though various wood, bark, and color options are available. After these tasks are finalized, the yard should be mowed, edged, and grass clippings removed if the lawn is overgrown. Finally, all concrete surfaces should be blown off as the finishing touch to the cleanup.
Sprinkler Check and Upgrade
Regular maintenance of sprinkler systems is essential to ensure proper coverage and function. A well-functioning irrigation system is crucial for healthy plant growth during Spring and Summer. Performing sprinkler checks guarantees that all sprayers are positioned correctly and operating effectively. Regular repairs may be necessary for broken heads, nozzles, and pipes.
As water restrictions become increasingly common in North Texas, each city regulates landscape water usage. During drought conditions, a well-planned watering strategy is vital to prevent your landscape from suffering. Water conservation upgrades can help mitigate the impact of drought and restrictions by optimizing systems for increased efficiency while using less water. Consider implementing upgrades such as smart controllers, moisture sensors, solar-powered rain and freeze sensors, high-efficiency nozzles and rotors, drip systems, and bubblers. Modern systems often incorporate these features, while older systems can be costly and wasteful. By upgrading your irrigation system with new, efficient parts, you’ll provide your landscape with the necessary hydration while reducing watering costs.
New Plants and Hardscapes
Spring is the best time to enjoy the outdoors in North Texas. Many homeowners take this opportunity to renovate their existing landscape to fully utilize and appreciate their outdoor space. Installing new plants, flower beds, and trees can dramatically transform the appearance of your front and back yard. Additionally, hardscape projects can serve as finishing touches to a well-designed yard. Hardscaping includes the construction of decks, stone patios, stone borders, water features, and retaining walls. We can help create your desired outdoor living space through meticulous design and construction. A current trend in landscape installation is using native, drought-tolerant ornamentals, which thrive in high heat and drought-prone climates.
Spring Weed Control and Fertilizer
As your lawn and shrubs begin to thrive, so do the weeds. Early Spring is the ideal time to apply weed control measures to prevent broadleaf and grassy weeds. Pre-emergent herbicides are most effective at stopping unwanted weeds from germinating before they sprout. Timing is crucial, as there is a specific window for applying pre-emergent treatments. If missed, a selective post-emergent application will be necessary to eliminate weeds without harming your grass.
Spring fertilizers are designed to kick-start your lawn's growth, ensuring it remains thick and lush as the growing season approaches. These fertilizers contain both quick and slow-release components that provide essential nutrients to the soil for plant uptake. Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia, and Fescue grasses have specific yearly nitrogen and nutrient requirements that must be met for optimal health.
Lawn Rejuvenation and Sod Installation
Rejuvenating a stressed or damaged lawn requires a deep understanding of grass types, fertilizers, and rejuvenation techniques. If your lawn isn’t too far gone, various methods can help revive it. Strategies such as overseeding, compost top-dressing, core aeration, and fertilization can significantly impact a struggling lawn. While not a quick fix, rejuvenation can be planned and completed within a single growing season if enough healthy grass remains. After rejuvenation, regular fertilization, weed control, and insect control are necessary to support healthy turf.
In some cases, however, a neglected lawn may be beyond revival. When most desirable grass has been lost to weeds, replacement sod may be required to reclaim control of your yard. Sod installation typically involves tilling the soil to break up compaction and remove existing weeds. Fresh, nutrient-rich soil is then added, followed by the installation of sod, leveling, and irrigation system checks to ensure no sprinkler heads are obstructed. The best sod options for North Texas include Zoysia, Bermuda, and St. Augustine.
