The end of winter is a wonderful thing in most respects. Windows can be opened, patios can be visited, and heavy coats can be left behind. The outdoors become a playground for all to enjoy. However, winter also leaves quite a mess on its way out.  

This is especially true for landscapes. 

When the temperatures start to rise and the snow melts way, you’ll mostly be left with brown grass, patches of mud, dead branches, and soggy leaves across your yard. It’s hard to even remember how lush and green your landscape was just a few months ago. Thankfully, your grass and shrubs are biologically designed to return to life on their own.  

Mostly. 

If you want your landscape to really spring back, there are a few simple actions you should be taking to help it along. However, you also need to be patient. No matter what you do, your lawn still needs time to recover and start growing again. Additionally, you want to ensure that winter is truly over. The last thing you want is to put a lot of effort into your landscape, only for it to freeze and snow one more time. 

Pruning 

With the snow melted and most of the leaves still gone, you can really see the “bones” of your trees and shrubs. This gives you a great opportunity to even out branches, cut off dead limps, etc. A little pruning now will make a big difference once everything starts growing back in. 

Removing Dead Remnants 

With the snow gone, you’ll likely find a lot of leaves, branches, dead grass, and other debris in your yard. Even if you properly raked your yard before the snow started to fall, you should still rake it again. By removing all of this debris, you allow the dormant grass to easily soak of the sun and moisture so that it can return to life. 

Fill in the Gaps 

Once you’ve raked away all of the remnants, you’ll likely find some patches in your lawn where grass has either been torn up or died. Assuming you’re past freezing temperatures, you should go ahead and lay grass seed in these spots. Once you do, make sure to keep these spots moist until you start to see growth. 

Wait to Mow 

When your lawn is brown and patchy, it’s tempting to mow it as soon as you start to see growth. This, however, can be a mistake. Mowing too soon can result in stunted or otherwise uneven growth. Generally, it’s best to wait until the grass is two inches or taller. Even then, you’ll want to raise your mower a bit when you first cut it. 

You should also wait until the ground warms up before adding a fertilizer. Fertilizer works best when the grass is actively growing. For cool season grasses, this is typically early to mid-spring, while warm season grasses don’t hit their peak until early summer. 

While you’re waiting on mowing and fertilizing, consider spreading a thin layer of topsoil across your lawn. Then rake the lawn to mix in the soil and remove any remaining dead grass. 

Make Some Upgrades 

While the advice above will help revive and fill out your lawn, it won’t transform it into a true landscape. For that, you’ll want to turn to a professional. Landscaping isn’t just hard work; it’s also an artform.  

At Nature’s Own, we provide custom landscaping design that breathes new life into your yard. The end result is a landscape that uniquely represents your home. When we’re done, you’ll find yourself wanting to spend more and more time outside. 

If you really want to bring your landscape back from the winter, use a trustworthy landscaping company. For landscape design in the Dayton, Ohio area, contact Nature’s Own today!