As spring begins, we hope you are having an enjoyable spring season and you are looking forward to upcoming vacations and summertime activities.

This time of year is a perfect time to refresh and maintain your property and ensure your home looks its best throughout the season and beyond. Here are some springtime maintenance recommendations that you may want to consider completing on your property to keep it in good repair.

Adding Mulch: Refreshing the mulch in your garden beds enhances the aesthetic appeal, helps to retain soil moisture, and suppress weeds. Choose a color that complements your landscape and apply a 2-3 inch layer around your plants.

Adding Compost: Compost is the best material to use around the base of trees. 1-2 inches is best.

Painting Trim: A fresh coat of paint on your property’s railings, exterior man doors and garage door trim can make a difference in its overall appearance. Pay attention to areas that have become chipped or faded over time. This not only protects the wood from weather damage but also looks appealing.

Tree Pruning: Removal of dead or dangerous limbs that may be impacting the house trim or damaging roof shingles can and should be removed at any time. Hire a professional to assess any trees that may be impacting or are near any power lines.

Major tree pruning should be completed in the cold weather months late December, January, or February when trees are dormant.

Renewal pruning of shrubs is generally completed in the fall. However, it is important to determine the type of shrub being pruned and consider the timing. Some blooms or flowers like Lilacs or Hydrangea only bloom on new wood and a hard pruning of these type of plants in late fall or early spring would remove the new growth limiting the amount of blooms. 

Conversely, aggressive pruning of shrubbery in the early spring can impact the amount of blooms and flowers on a plant for the entire summer. An example would be aggressively pruning a Butterfly Bush in early spring to encourage or “force” a greater number of blooms on the plant over the summer. 

Gutter Repair and Cleaning: Inspect your gutters for any signs of damage or blockages. Clean out leaves and other debris to ensure proper drainage and prevent water damage to your home. Repair any leaks or loose fittings to maintain the integrity of your gutter system. Depending on the situation it may be best to hire a professional to complete the task.

Lawn Care: Early to late spring, aerate your lawn to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil more effectively. Aeration also helps keep the lawn from getting lumpy by discouraging unevenness caused by worm castings.  Reseed any bare patches and apply a suitable fertilizer to promote lush, green growth. Regular mowing and edging will keep your lawn looking well-manicured.

Window Screens: Wash screens and window tracks. Check for any signs of wear and tear on your window screens. Torn or sun rotted window screens are fairly easy to rescreen. When the screen is removed, take the opportunity to wash the window. Depending on the location of the screen it may be best to hire a professional to complete the task especially if the frame is bent or missing. 

By attending to these springtime maintenance tasks, you can enhance the beauty and functionality of your property.