If you’re like a lot of people here in Alexandria, Arlington, and Springfield, VA, you likely take great pride in your property. Not only do you want it to exude optimal curb appeal, but you also want to have a backyard space that you can fully enjoy for yourself (and with your friends and family).

Of course, that being said, you’re busy. You have other important things that you want to do and as much as you want to be sure that your property stays in tip-top shape, you also don’t necessarily have the time to be the one to do it.

Fortunately, you can hand landscaping tasks off to a professional and not only make sure that they’re completed (and completed in a timely manner) but that they also help make your property look professionally maintained.

Landscape maintenance is important at any time of the year, but as with any season, the spring poses its own set of challenges and tasks that must be completed. Since springtime is also when people start getting outside more and really want to enjoy their properties, it’s likely something that might be at the forefront of your mind. For that reason, we’ve rounded up a list of spring landscaping tips so that you know what’s most important.

With this spring landscaping checklist, you can be confident that your property is getting everything that it needs to look its best.

1. Pruning Dead Limbs Off of Shrubs and Ornamental Trees

Spring is the time to prune many of your shrubs and ornamental trees. Of course, knowing when to trim shrubs and ornamental trees is important, as this can differ based on the species. Some plants are best pruned in the spring, some in the fall, and some can be pruned most times of the year. 

Although it can be tempting to go out and prune everything at once, this is not ideal as it can actually cause damage if you prune something at the wrong time. Fortunately, by allowing a trained landscape professional to handle this task, you can be sure that the right plants are pruned at the right time (many of which will be pruned in spring).

2. Clearing Leaves and Debris

This is a task that should appear on both your fall and your spring landscaping checklist as debris on and around your property can not only be an eyesore but also an invitation to critters to take up residency under the debris. We often find that leaves (which fell off after leaf clean-up services have ended or from neighbors’ properties) get really blown around during the winter and end up tangled in shrubs and plant beds. All of this should be cleaned up to get your property looking neat and tidy. 

You’ll likely also find that twigs and branches broke off with winter winds and also need to be cleaned up.

3. Mulching and Edging

By spring, mulched areas are generally looking tired and really need some refreshing. Having mulch installed in the spring not only makes your plant beds look great, but it also serves some important, functional purposes. For one, mulch helps soil to retain its moisture by acting as a barrier between the soil and the sun.

However, mulch will also assist in weed suppression, which tends to be more problematic as the weather heats up.

You might also want to think about adding edging, which creates space definition between your lawn and landscape. Edges can be created by cutting them in or using hardscaping. Edging is also one of several landscaping tasks that can reduce ongoing maintenance.

4. Weeding

Weeds are an ongoing problem, but one that tends to get a lot of attention in the spring as the weather warms up and people are spending more time outside. But regular weeding will help boost the overall aesthetics of your plant beds by eliminating these eyesores. A property with weed-free plant beds automatically gets a big boost in curb appeal.

5. Planting Early Season Color

The spring is also a time when we start thinking about adding some color in the form of annuals, so this might be something on your spring landscaping checklist. Most often, we start annual planting around May. You’ll want to take good care of early blooming spring flowers so that you get as much time out of them as you can.

Ensuring Your Northern VA Property Gets Everything it Needs

Of course, what you really want is to know that your property is getting everything that it needs not only in the spring but year-round. You’re likely interested in ongoing programs that cover your lawn care as well as your landscaping in order to ensure that your property is always looking its best. Besides some of these spring landscaping tips, you might also be looking for services like mowing (which typically goes from March to November) and other landscape maintenance services, lawn care, and even plant health care.

One of the biggest benefits of handing these services over to a pro is that it takes the burden off of you. After all, you’re busy, and you don’t necessarily have a lot of free time (nor do you want to spend that limited free time performing landscaping and lawn care).

That being said, you want to be able to know these services are being performed properly and exactly when they’re supposed to be. After all, timing is everything in landscaping.

Fortunately, with the right professional, you can absolutely gain that peace of mind that you’re after. Your landscape is going to look neat and tidy not only in the spring but all year long.

If you’re ready to get your property in great shape, then hand over your lawn and landscape services to a company that can handle it all. Request a maintenance quote and relax knowing that you’re getting the royal treatment.