If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram this winter looking for just the right inspo for your property’s landscaping, now’s the time to get started on all the ideas you want to implement.
Maybe you’ve been dreaming of a symphony of colorful florals coordinated to bloom group by group, season after season. Or you’re visualizing a full garden update for the outdoor retreat you’ve always wanted.
Perhaps this is the year you install a luxurious outdoor kitchen, accessorized with the best appliances, a custom-built bar, and a quartzite island.
Whether your plans are relatively moderate or you’ve got some big ideas in store, consult Middle Tennessee’s leading team of designers, horticulturists, and craftsmen at Landscape Solutions for prep, maintenance, and construction of the highest quality. As one of the most experienced and talented design-build teams in the region, we create beautiful outdoor spaces that harmonize with Middle Tennessee’s ecology and elevate properties into showstopping works of art.
To follow is a spring garden checklist that we’ve put together to help you plan for what’s next. And to make sure you enjoy the exquisite spring and summer garden you have in mind, schedule a consultation with our elite landscaping crew today. Together, we’ll transform areas that could use some attention into a stunning display of landscape choreography that your friends and neighbors will soon strive to emulate.
What to Prune Pre-Spring
Good news! A welcome relief from the winter monotony is just around the corner, but every healthy garden needs a bit of a pre-spring nudge. Proper pruning of perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs, and trees will entice new growth and prevent disease, leaving you with a perfectly prepped canvas that’s ready for nature’s next steps.
Now is also the time to clear away old branches and rake up the last of the leaves that protected your plants over the winter, so new buds can get the sun they need to grow healthy and strong. Turning the soil and adding compost or aged manure will build a nutrient-rich, aerated foundation for a strong spring start.
If you’re noticing that certain perennials in your yard, such as your azaleas, are overgrown, split them to create new plants and reinvigorate existing ones. Planning to include some vegetables this year? Now’s the time to get started on cool-season crops such as lettuce, spinach, peas, and carrots.
January Landscape Weeding and Mulching
To encourage new growth and prevent disease among your pansies and violas, remove cold-damaged (mushy, black, or brown) blossoms in January and February. You should also cut back lavender bushes and deadhead any other flowers that will unfold soon.
Pull out any weeds that have sprouted in your garden beds and apply a fresh layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress new weed growth. Monitor your mulch level throughout the growing season and add more when needed to maintain a depth of about three to four inches.
Once all the waste and weeds are removed and the soil has been loosened, you can mix in some plant food to optimize the nutrient value of your soil. Speak to our horticulturists about the difference between plant food, organic matter, and when to apply what, where. You don’t want to make any mistakes at this crucial time, especially with the application of synthetic fertilizers that can cause harm or wash away.
Our landscapers can conduct a soil test to determine what your garden and lawn need, and tailor an appropriate schedule to nurture beautiful spring blossoms and healthy, green grass. We’ll also ensure tender plants are protected in the event of a late frost.
Planning New Garden Beds
Just like design upgrades to your home’s interiors require detailed planning, so too do your planting and garden beds. You can begin by mapping out where you’d like plant groupings to go, along with any vegetation.
Things to consider when you’re putting this plan together include the amount of sun different areas of your property receive and the characteristics of your soil, so you can align plantings accordingly. Full-sun plants generally require six hours of sunlight per day, so those that tolerate heat well are best suited to the open areas of your garden beds.
Add New Hedges for a Beautifully Manicured Aesthetic
January or February is a great time to incorporate hedges or bushes to delineate areas of your property. If every time you look at the pathway that leads to your front door, or the patio in the backyard with the severe transition to your lawn, and you think about how beautifully a line of hedges would look, fret no more! Speak to our landscape designers for just the right hedging or shrubbery to elevate these areas and turn them into a showpiece. By planting hedges early in the year, they have the time they need to grow and bloom in spring and summer.
About those borders and pathways. After the brunt of winter, your property’s borders can look dirty and disheveled. Sweep up any fallen leaves that can become a slip hazard while the weather is still cold, and ensure existing plants aren’t encroaching on walkways. Some detailed edging can keep borders and pathways looking pristine now, and into the spring and summer.
Ensure Your Irrigation System Is in Working Order
If you don’t have an irrigation system on your property, talk to our technicians about whether a drip system, subsurface system, or sprinklers with smart controllers and sensors would be your best choice. We will work with you to map out zoning and plan for efficient lines, controllers, and other specifics to optimize your grass and garden performances while complying with Middle Tennessee conservation restrictions.
If you do have an irrigation system in place, regular inspections will keep it functioning properly and prevent any watering delays by spring. You’ll want to check valves and nozzles for cracking and look for any leaks.
Landscape and Design Pre-Spring
If you’re wondering, “What do landscapers do in the winter?” The answer might surprise you. Professional landscapers have a full roster of pre-spring preparations we like to get a jump on in January and February to deliver the backyard oasis homeowners dream about over winter. Pre-spring planning and landscape design create the ‘wow’ factor that transforms a tired backyard into a glorious and jaw-dropping home retreat, and we love the joy and genuine excitement our clients express time and time again as we surpass expectations.
Thoughtful design updates, expert pruning, soil conditioning, and precise maintenance allow you to reap the full rewards of your landscaping investment. With our design-build teams at the helm, your property will always reflect a discerning standard and luxurious aesthetic.
Schedule a consultation with Landscape Solutions today, and let’s put the right plans and strategies in place for a dazzling yard year-round.