5 Tips and Tricks for Revitalizing Landscapes After a Long Winter

ACACIA Commercial has had a big 2018 so far, providing snow, ice, and landscaping services to more clients in more states than ever before. One thing that almost all of our clients, whether a multifamily, retail, or commercial property, have in common is that 2018 was also a big year for snowfall.

After an excruciatingly long winter, with nor’easter storms all the way through late March on the East Coast, your landscape has endured the elements for months and likely looks that way. Reviving your lawn and flower beds after winter, especially a long one with significant snow and ice, can be challenging. Here are five tips and tricks that ACACIA has picked up over our years of experience.

1. Replace and Refresh

There are likely some trees and shrubs on your property that did not make it through the winter, or have significant overgrowth. Dead trees and shrubs will need to be removed and replaced as part of your initial cleanup. Plant beds should be refreshed with new mulch.

2. Aerate and Seed

Aeration is key to allowing for new growth. After a long winter, your soil was under snow and has become packed down, which does not allow for nutrients to enter roots. Once you have aerated the soil, you’ll need to seed your lawns. Seeding is not an instant solution if you don’t have time to water and wait for grass to grow. We recommend double aeration and 2-4 pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet. If you are looking for an instant green lawn, sod will do the trick.

3. Adjust Soil pH and Calcium

Overall turf health is greatly influenced by availability of nutrients and optimal soil pH. A great trick for returning your soil’s pH and calcium levels to their correct levels after damage from ice and salting. ACACIA recommends applying gypsum and lime to lawns. We recommend Solu-Cal.

4. Fertilize and Prune

Fertilizing trees and shrubs with homogenous fertilizer ensures the health of foundation plantings, shrubs, ground covers, trees, and flowers and is a necessary step after a long winter. We recommend Woodace 14-14-14, which contains the secondary nutrients Magnesium and Sulfer, as well as the micronutrients Iron and Manganese, for increased vigor and exceptional foliage. Any plants and trees that have survived winter will need to be pruned and trimmed back to allow for them to grow again in the spring and summer.

5. Execute a Lawn Care Program

Once you’ve completed steps 1-4, it’s time to put a lawn care program in place for the rest of the season. We recommend pre-emergent weed control fertilization and broadleaf weed control to maintain your lawn. Three applications is a minimum requirement, and five applications per year is ideal. It is important to provide adequate Nitrogen (about 3-5 pounds per year) and add Iron for a deep, rich, green color to your grass.

Don’t let a long winter cost you your curb appeal! Preserve your investment with a highly capable landscape maintenance partner to beautify and maintain your property’s landscaping. Reach out to ACACIA Commercial to learn more about how to ensure your outdoor space looks the best it can this season!