Even though there’s still a chill in the air, it’s time to start thinking about your spring clean-up landscaping. Make plans now and ensure your commercial landscaping partner understands your expectations so they can prepare an appropriate strategy for your Dallas-Fort Worth commercial properties.
Take these eight steps to get your DFW property ready for spring.
- Inspect trees for freeze damage
The cold temperatures we experienced this winter can cause long-term damage to your trees and shrubs. Trees like oak, elm and cypress are typically hardy enough to withstand a short-term freeze. But if your tress appear damaged or dead, don’t count them out. Start by having your landscape partner prune and trim any dead branches and give them a few months to see if they come back. Similarly, for fruit trees and shrubs, keep an eye on them for now, and when they sprout, you can prune them back to the live growth.
- Trim back perennials for healthy growth
Cutting back perennials in late winter will encourage spring growth. Cut back varieties like ornamental grasses; low-growth or semi-evergreen plants like hardy geranium, dianthus and hellebores; and perennials that birds feed on like sunflowers and black-eyed Susans. Because their leaves help protect their roots, leave tender perennials like hyssop and garden mums standing.
- Prevent weeds with a spring pre-emergent
Make weed prevention part of your spring landscaping clean-up efforts by applying a pre-emergent to your turf. This is typically done in early spring but aim to do it before weeds are visible. Then follow up with another application late in the season.
- Give your flower beds some attention
Before adding new plants and flowers, take a few steps to refresh your flower beds. Prepare flower beds at least a couple of weeks before you plan to plant your spring flowers by turning over the soil, adding nutrients and removing weeds as needed. Then finish with a fertilizer that’s designed to work best with what you’ll be planting.
- Fill your flower beds
Whatever you choose to plant, aim to add native and adaptive species that are zoned for North Texas. This will help ensure their likelihood of surviving and thriving in the area’s climate. And we always encourage you to keep water conservation in mind when selecting any flowers or plants.
- Make sure you mulch
Mulching makes your landscaping look better and have a better chance to thrive. It improves the quality of your soil, discourages weeds, provides insulation against the cold and helps conserve water. Apply a new layer of mulch as part of your spring landscaping or remove old mulch and replace it.
- Aerate for healthier turf
Core aeration removes excess thatch buildup, encourages growth in the root system of your grass, and helps it stay healthier overall. Your landscaping partner should use a core aerator to easily tackle this task for you, so you can keep your turf in top shape.
- Assess your irrigation system
Pipes can freeze or become damaged during the winter months. Once it’s warm enough to do so, your commercial landscaping partner should conduct tests on your irrigation system to ensure it’s in good shape, making any necessary repairs and monitoring for leaks all spring and summer.
Maintaining a commercial property’s landscaping in Dallas-Fort Worth most likely requires the knowledge and expertise of a professional landscaper to ensure your properties look their best. SHINEscapes can partner with you to meet all of your commercial landscaping needs this spring — and all year round — whether you have a few properties or dozens of locations across the Dallas-Fort Metroplex. Learn more about all of our exterior services or request a spring clean-up landscaping quote today by contacting SHINEscapes today.