I’m not gonna lie, I despise yard work. I love being outside, but for some reason digging in the dirt feels tedious and painful to me. I know that’s not the case for everyone though. Some fabulous people in my life find landscaping to be delightfully relaxing. Luckily, one of them happens to be the Chaney Group’s own Justin Davis! Fun fact: Justin has a degree in horticulture and was in the landscape design business for 13 years!
Well spring has sprung and it’s time to get it together people. I’ve consulted with the internet and my favorite expert and here are some tips:
- Remove anything from your yard that has died; tree limbs, fern fronds, etc
- Clean leaves out of gutters
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Leaf debris is great garden food, especially in natural areas of the yard
- Reserve raking for a time when the grass is dry
- Don’t walk on wet areas of grass, wait until the areas are dry to avoid damage
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Fix unattractive turf spots and weed & feed
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Wait until grass it 4-5 inches tall to mow and don’t cut shorter than 3 inches
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Mulching this time of year will help you avoid weeds
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Spread new mulch over beds to freshen up beds and keep them to a depth of 2-3 inches
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Hardwood mulch is great. It still helps keep weeds down/retain moisture, but will also provide nutrients when it decomposes.
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Fertilize annuals when planting for better bloom action
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Some good annuals (possibly perennials in Charlotte, less likely as you get higher in elevation):Begonias (tuberous are a favorite, angel/dragon wings are also gorgeous)New Guinea impatiens (they love water, though, and will wilt if not given enough)Lantana and scaevola (loves it dry, don’t overwater)Sweet potato vine, Algerian ivy, Diamond Frost Auphorbia, Dusty Miller (all good filler foliage, especially for pots)Calibrachoa (better bloom time with maintenance, pinching off old blooms)Bacopa (also good in pots)
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Perennials are great if you don’t want to redo color every year. Some that thrive in the mountains: Salvia, Buddlea, Oak Leaf Hydrangeas, Lady’s Mantle, Heuchera (most cultivars), Ajuga, and Hostas will do in the mountains. Irises are also a favorite; plant them near the surface, so their risomes can breathe
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Prune blooming shrubs after the flowers drop to prevent clipping next year’s buds. Most shrubs prefer hand-pruning to whacking away with shears; plants will perform better and stay healthier, longer
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Trim back dead perennials, such as coneflowers (Echinacea spp.) or ornamental grasses, to within a few inches of the ground.
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Remove dead annuals that are still in your yard
My favorite tip: boulders are great as accents for space filler; no watering, no dying in winter. (No killing when I get my hands on them!)
Also, for those of us in the High Country, we have the Appalachian State Spring Plant Sale coming up!
