Spring, planting and yard clean-up the R & R Container Style
Thankfully, Georgia isn’t known for its hard winters. About every 3 to 5 years a winter storm will grace us with a dusting, or if the kids are lucky, several inches of white powder, though it never lasts long enough for parents to wish they lived further south. But that doesn’t mean this winter’s wild storms didn’t leave our yards in need of a major spring-cleaning.
Here’s a step by step on how to clean up your yard and get ready for summer:
Step 1 – Clean-up the debris. If the North winds and rain have done a number on your trees and shrubs, begin by collecting fallen branches, broken limbs and scattered sticks. If you need mulch, you can rent a wood-chipper from a hardware store or garden center. Otherwise, depending on the amount of debris you need to dispose of, you can rent a roll-off container in small, medium or large sizes.
Step 2- Rake any leaves into piles for easy pick up. Last year’s leaves make great compost for gardens and flower beds. If mold allergies effect you don’t work the leaves if they are wet. If you don’t have a garden toss them into your roll-off container. Just don’t let them keep the new grass from absorbing sunlight.
Step 3 –Get out your pruning shears. Trim back weatherworn bushes and hedges as well as any perennials that are overgrown. Cut back loose tree branches and limbs that you can reach. Don’t hesitate to call a professional tree-trimmer to take care of bigger trees or branches that are out of your reach.
Step 4 – Visit your local garden center to start planning your garden and landscaping for the summer. Take a drawing of your yard and consult a professional on the sort of trees, shrubs, or plants you’d like to add.
Step 5 – Start your planting. Check the planting dates on your new greenery. Any trees, plants or shrubbery hearty enough to survive spring’s still chilly nights can be put in the ground now.
