Spring Landscaping in Omaha, NE 2017
The temperatures are climbing, the grass is returning to green, the trees are budding, the flowers are blooming – yes, spring has officially arrived. With all of these new seasonal developments, everyone is out and about getting their landscaping projects underway, along with handling all of the general property maintenance tasks that must be done each year at this time. Here’s a quick brush up on the basics, and for those who are considering establishing or transforming outdoor living and entertaining areas, we’ve got that covered too!
The Basics: Spring Cleaning Checklist
- Clear your lawn of all leaves and debris by raking heavy and matted grass areas. A light spring rake is best for this chore. It may cause a few sore muscles but it will be well worth it in the long run, and your lawn will love it.
- Once you’ve cleaned the lawn, it’s time for the first mowing of the season. Set your lawn mower to approximately 2”, which is generally the second lowest setting on the wheels. It’s always best to bag the first couple mowings of the season to pick up any leftover debris.
- Next, do the same in your landscaped areas, clearing all leaves and winter debris. Be careful of any perennials and bulbs that are hiding below the leaves; this being a somewhat early spring, many plants are already making their appearance.
- Aeration of your lawn is also highly recommended in the spring, which allows fertilizers and moisture to reach the lawn’s root system.
- Apply a spring fertilizer with a pre-emergent herbicide to best control crabgrass.
- Water your lawn, as this has been an unusually dry winter and there’s little moisture in the soil to feed your lawn and plants. It will also help the fertilizer get to where it needs to go to be most effective. Your lawn and plants are coming out of a very dry winter and the forecast is for above normal temperatures and below normal moisture. That means as your lawn and plants are waking up from their winter dormancy, they need moisture to begin growing, turning green, activating fertilizer, and other natural nutrients and foods. If applicable, make sure to perform regular spring maintenance on your sprinkler system before firing it up full force.
- Do all of your planting and spruce up your outdoor living and entertaining areas.
- Now, enjoy! After all your hard work, don’t forget to take some time for yourself and your family to reap the rewards of the great outdoors.
Project Focus: Installing New Features
The latest and greatest in property development as far as landscaping goes is outdoor living and entertaining spaces. Residential landscapes are now typically designed around the family’s use of the outdoor space, whether it be the installation of a swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, fire pit or fireplace, and recreational or sports areas. Commercial properties have also followed suit to an extent, as business owners are recognizing the value of providing a relaxation space for their employees and an inviting space to conduct meetings and business on nice days.
“Spring is the perfect time to install a new patio, driveway, or walkway,” explains Barbara Moore of Moore’s Concrete. “These are all popular requests this time of year. As the weather gets warmer, people like to be outdoors more, so creating an extension of their living space by adding a new patio, for example, makes great sense timing-wise. There are a lot of options for colored and stamped concrete that will enhance the design; from outdoor kitchens and bar areas to firepits, these all turn out beautifully.
Since the weather is still somewhat unpredictable going into April, we keep a close eye of the forecast and weather conditions. That being said, we can start with the planning of your project ahead of time and then we’ll be ready to execute as soon as the weather cooperates.”
Moore also offers a few pointers for hiring out this type of project:
Do your homework. Always get at least 3 bids for every project you are considering. Ask about insurance, licensing, permits and who will actually DO the work – is it their employees or will they subcontract the job out?
Do not put money down up front if at all possible. If it’s unavoidable and the company is reputable, then it should be no more than a small percentage as a deposit, and always get the agreement in writing.
Ask your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, and those you trust for contractor references (but still follow 1 & 2 above!). We’re happy to provide references, and hope that you’ll consider us for your next project, whether it’s a driveway, patio, walkway, steps or pool deck!
While some projects are definitely best left to the professionals, there are plenty of others you can tackle on your own if that’s your thing. For any special tools or equipment required for your DIY projects that you don’t have handy in your garage or shed, keep Honeyman Rent-All in mind as a resource. They truly have everything you could possibly need to complete your project without having to invest an arm and a leg to buy something that won’t get regular use, particularly with respect to large equipment. In addition to their extensive inventory, Honeyman Rent-All even has trained staff on-hand six days a week to assist customers in selecting the right tool to complete their jobs successfully.
Just like you see on all of the home improvement shows, transforming your property is all a matter of putting the right team in place to execute your vision. Even with a well-established landscape and areas of interest already in place, any property owner will find that there’s work to do once spring rolls around. There’s always room for improvement, and each new year provides a fresh, new start with plenty of possibilities to explore. With the help of the professionals, your property will be the envy of the neighborhood, but most importantly, the place you’re proud to call your own where you can simply enjoy life outdoors.