5 Simple Ways to Refresh Your Landscaping

Complement your indoor cleaning this spring with an outdoor landscape refresh so you feel great about your home inside and out! Taking regular care of your landscape will ensure that you have a healthy and inviting outdoor space for years to come.

1. Take your spring cleaning outdoors

Sprucing up your outdoor space starts with some good old-fashioned tidying. Start by cleaning up around your yard. Pick up fallen branches, forgotten toys, or other things that are out of place.

The next thing you'll want to do is check on hardscaping elements and water features. You can use a pressure washer, or a bleach solution and a scrub brush, to remove dirt and mildew. Just these simple clean-ups will make a big impact on how your yard looks.

2. Invite wildlife

Birds, bees, and butterflies, oh my! If you want to enjoy the benefits of pollinators in your yard this spring, then think about how you can make your environment hospitable to them. Plants like Lantana, Rudbeckia, and Day Lily will attract butterflies.

In addition to plants, pollinators need water. Why not add a pond or other water feature so that hummingbirds and others can cool off or stop for a drink? Using native plants in your Gainesville landscape will ensure that your yard is a great host to pollinators of all kinds.

3. Add or repair hardscaping

Look for places in your landscape that are bare. Maybe they're heavily-traveled, or it just isn't a sunny spot. Consider adding hardscaping to these areas to keep them from being unsightly, and to develop a safe and usable space. Landscape stone, gravel or shredded bark can be used to create a pretty path through your yard.

If you have existing hardscaping, inspect those elements for pieces that are broken or out of place. Ensure that any walkways, borders or paths are neat and in good condition. Not only does broken hardscaping look ugly, but those loose pieces can also be a safety concern.

4. Basic maintenance

Little details make a huge difference to how pleasant your indoor and outdoor spaces can be. You'll feel happier and more relaxed in your yard when your entire landscape is tidy and well cared for. After the dry winter weather, you may need to give some of your plants a little extra attention.

Check for patches of grass in need of repair. Look out for fungus or rot, and ensure that any dead or diseased branches are removed. Overgrown hedges need to be trimmed, and ground-cover plants in landscape beds should be cut back to keep them where you want them. Simple maintenance like this is a great way to preserve the harmony of your beautiful landscape.

5. Check your beds

Plants in beds are one of the most attractive elements of your landscape design. Keep them growing well and looking great by caring for them in the spring. Check the health of all the plants in the bed. Trim and prune depending on the needs of your specific plants. Weed growth should be removed before it takes over your beautiful flower beds.

Check your mulch by picking it up and seeing how much it has deteriorated. If it falls apart easily in your hands, it's mostly decomposed, and you'll want to put down a fresh layer. If it has held its shape and there isn't any mildew or fungus, then it's safe to use for another season.

Once you've determined that your beds are in good shape, it's time to think about whether you'd like to add or remove any plants. A professional landscape designer will be able to help you maximize the space in your beds and select the appropriate plants for your yard so that you can have blooms throughout the year.

Spring is an important time of year for your landscaping and home maintenance. Taking care to help your landscaping transition from winter to summer will enable you to keep your lawn and home looking their best!