Are your plants still shivering after the Texas freeze? With spring finally here, it’s time to get your yard back into shape and ready to entertain your friends and family. If you’re struggling with where to start the TLC your landscaping needs, we’ve got you covered.

Fertilize the Lawn

Nothing says spring fun like a soft, green lawn to run barefoot across. If your grass is looking a little worse for wear or browner than you’d like, it might be time to buy some fertilizer! Fertilizing your lawn in mid to late spring will stimulate growth and recovery after the cold temperatures. Going organic is recommended this year as it will have the least amount of potentially harmful chemicals to already weak lawns.

Minimizing foot traffic on a stressed lawn will also increase the chances of preserving the grass root systems and help grow new turf blades. Let the grass breathe, and pay a little extra attention to your irrigation patterns over the next few months. You’ll be ready to bust out the lawnmower again in no time!

Why fertilize in the spring?

The spring is the ideal time to fertilize your lawn because the grass is actively growing. Fertilizing during this time will help your lawn to green up quickly and develop a strong root system.

When choosing a fertilizer for your lawn, it is important to select one that is specifically designed for grass. You should also consider the nutrient needs of your soil. If you are unsure of the nutrient needs of your soil, you can have a soil test performed. This will help you to choose the right fertilizer for your lawn’s needs.

Fertilizer can be applied to your lawn by hand or with a spreader. If you are applying fertilizer by hand, be sure to distribute it evenly over the entire lawn. If you are using a spreader, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Prune the Plants

Sudden low temperatures like we had in March can kill plants, but you’d be surprised at their resilience as well. A plant that appears dead on the surface could be teeming with life just under the dirt. Give your plants a chance to bounce back before ripping them up.

Cutting away dead leaves or buds will also allow nutrients to spread to the healthy parts of your plants and increase their chances of recovery. Don’t be afraid to get out a pair of pruning shears and trim away the parts that are not growing back.

Clearing away dead vegetation will also make room for new life to spring forward (pun intended). Trees can be harder to figure out. If you’re not sure if a tree is beyond repair, cut away a small section of bark. If the flesh underneath is green, your woody friend will wake up soon.

Here are a few tips for helping your plants recover from the freeze:

• Cut away dead leaves or buds. This will allow nutrients to spread to the healthy parts of your plants and increase their chances of recovery. Be careful not to over-prune, as this can weaken your plants.
• Clear away dead vegetation. This will make room for new life to spring forward.
• Water your plants deeply and regularly. Plants need more water during the spring and summer months, especially after a freeze.
• Fertilize your plants regularly. Fertilizing will help your plants to grow strong and healthy.

Be Patient

It’s much harder to let nature take its course when you’d rather be out in the yard fixing things now. But just like humans, plants need a little time to recover from a bad cold. Let them heal on their own time as much as possible. Over-pruning or watering can kill a sick plant.

Being patient will also give you time to observe your plants. Monitoring their growth (or lack thereof) will clue you in on which plants might be on the mend and which need to be replaced completely. Finding out which greenery needs replacing can save you money in the long run on unnecessary landscaping and replacement costs.

Get an Evaluation

If you’re still not sure where to start, it never hurts to get an expert opinion. The Good Contractors List has a wide variety of trusted DFW local landscape specialists who would be happy to help nurse your yard back to good health.

It’s time to shake off the winter frost and enjoy the sunshine. A little extra care can go a long way to ensuring your landscape gets back to green and stays green all season long.

Don’t risk your home or your wallet. The Good Contractors List is here to bring you the quality contractors you deserve. Visit www.thegoodcontractorslist.com to find trustworthy contractors near you. We only allow the very best to be on The List, and we back their work with a $10,000 guarantee!