DLP Property Services

If you are a first time gardener, the process of getting from A to B can be intimidating. Lucy Bradley with NCSU’s Master Gardener Program offers great advice, “Start small. Create a beautiful, manageable space that you love rather than tackling the whole project, being unable to keep up with the w**ds, unable to care for the new plants through their first year and unable to find any joy in the project.” Now…Keeping this advice in mind, what will you create?

If you haven’t mulched your garden beds yet, do so now. Mulching will help moderate soil temperature, suppress w**ds, and retain moisture during the summer heat. There are many types of mulch to choose from, so it all depends on your preference. Whether you choose shredded hardwood or shredded pine bark, mulch is sure to dress up your garden and make it look tidy.

Spring is a good time to apply pre-emergent w**d control for w**ds such as crabgrass. One hint on timing is that when forsythia is in full bloom, it’s usually the perfect time to apply crabgrass w**d preventer.

When planting, consider putting plants with similar watering needs together. Most gardeners know to meet the plant’s sun or shade requirements, but often forget to look at a plant’s need from a watering perspective. Group moisture-loving plants in one spot, and in another, plant those that do well with average moisture. This way, when it is time to water, you can do a group at a time.

Timing is important. For the best results, plant as soon after the last frost date as possible. The earlier you plant, the more time the plants have to establish their roots and take advantage of the steady spring rains. It will soon be time to plant tomatoes, beans, squash, as well as herbs such as parsley, basil, lavender, and rosemary.

Perennials such as hostas, daylilies, phlox, and peonies often become too large and overcrowded. March is a great time to split them up and replant them in other areas. Doing it now will ensure that flowering this summer is not disturbed.

Beautiful Zoysia Sod was installed for its ability to tolerate shade. Zoysia is a great alternative to Centipede and Bermuda.

It’s easy to get lost in the delight of selecting plants; deliberating between those with captivating fragrances, determining if a climbing vine or a flowering tree would look best or making tough choices between classic beauties like hydrangeas or rhododendrons. Such considerations can be a bit overwhelming at times as there are so many incredible plants from which to choose. While it may seem that you can’t make an incorrect choice, you can. Selecting plants that are not destined for success in your landscape can be a disappointing and costly mistake. Learn how to balance your preference for certain plant types with the reality of what your plants need to thrive.

Proper lawn and garden care can keep w**ds under control. Application of pre and post emergents play a key role in this management.

The term w**d can be used to describe virtually any unwanted plant. Weeds can smother vegetables, dominate lawns, and make landscapes less attractive and less enjoyable. Contact a professional or your local extension agent for help identifying these w**ds. Certain w**d strains are resistant to selective herbicides and treating with non-selective herbicides will kill the turf.

Start your spring spruce up with a thorough inspection of your yard. Look for any branches that might be broken or damaged and prune them or have them removed by a professional.

Creating usable outdoor living space. This area was a “mud pit” after rain. It’s now a dry, usable space to enjoy the coming spring.

Pruning in late winter, before spring growth begins, leaves fresh wounds exposed for only a short amount of time before new grown begins

Mulching is an important control for erosion and loss of water. A 2-inch layer of mulch will reduce water loss and help maintain uniform soil temperature around the roots.

As the ground warms we are sure to begin to see these pesky little creatures. It’s never fun to discover fire ants while walking or working in your yard. Call us today to discuss options for enjoying a fire ant free spring and summer.

Now is the time of year to get your home “spring” ready. Vendors have the best pine straw pre-spring and it did wonders for this property!!

Get the most from your outdoor living space.

DLP Property Services updated their phone number.