Spring is really here! After a winter of dormant, grass, dozing flowers, used up petals, leaves and messed up mulch- we are all ready to throw off that blanket of fall and winter’s left- overs!
First – let’s get rid of all the debris- so that we’re starting with a clean slate. Get all your tools out and clean them up so that you have what you need them.
What kind of tools do you need? Hand trowel, garden rake, pruners, loppers, gloves, lawn size garbage bags, wagon or wheel barrow. Trim and clip away the dead leaves, grasses, limbs, stems, vines and branches.
Rake up all the debris, and place them into the garden wagon and haul away- or move to your compost heap. In our area- we have city and county trucks that drive around collecting branches if left by the side of the road. If you have a lot of branches- you might want to call the city of Bardstown to see if there are services being offered now.
Rake up all the old leaf and grass covers to keep fungus and bacteria from developing. Now your yard should be ready for spring re-seeding. Keep in mind that raking a spring yard, there’s a special rule you need to follow. You’re supposed to do it when the grass is relatively dry not to pull it out with roots out of the wet soil. Wait till the melted snow disappears completely and let your yard dry up for a few days before raking the lawn. It will be a lot easier to rake then as well. If any thin or bald spots formed on your lawn, get rid of dead turf to make way for the seeding areas.
Garden beds have to be cleaned, annual flowers and plants – removed, perennials – trimmed to a height of 4-5 inches and divided wherever necessary, soil – aerated and fertilized for future planting. Getting the flower beds repaired after the winter damage is quite fitting to spring yard cleaning as well. Make sure that all the throw-aways are disposed of.
Now is a good time to get out the pressure washer and tackle porches, decks, fences, walkways. All the remnants of last winter and fall that you can blow away and spray off goes a long way to making your spring and summer yard more healthy and enjoyable!
Wooden fences take a beating in the winter- therefore; don’t forget to give them some love during your spring yard clean up session. Replace broken or rotten boards, strip off flaked paint. Scrub the pickets clean using a water, bleach and liquid soap solution (2 gallons, 2 quarts, and 1 cup accordingly) and let them dry. After that, examine your fence for small rotten sections and patch them with wood epoxy. Sand and apply a fresh coat of paint. Your brand new fence is ready.
Okay- I know some of you might not have time, energy, tools or the interest in doing these things- but love the idea of a fresh, colorful and fresh flower bed when spring arrives in May. So- just go ahead and cut out this article, call you husband, son, brother, or whoever might have the time, talent and tools to get it done and hand him/or her this list and offer the lunch, dinner, cake or pie in exchange for a couple hours of spring yard clean-up!
Next… picking out and planting your flower bed.
Peggy R. Smith is the Association Executive for the Old KY Home Board of REALTORS®. The Old Kentucky Home Board of REALTORS® owns and operates the MLS for the Nelson, Washington, Marion, Larue and Hart Counties in Kentucky and has spent over 50 years serving our local area. Member of Kentucky Association of REALTORS® and National Association of REALTORS®.
~~~~~ All About Real Estate, Kentucky Style ~~~~~~ by Peggy Smith 