As we get closer and closer to the wonderful days of Spring, the time left to prune and clean up yards and landscaping is growing shorter. Utilizing the next few weekends ahead, to do a bit of yard maintenance, a little at a time, will help to avoid sore muscles and bad backs. However, there’s a few key tips you should follow, guaranteed to make your Spring cleanup a cinch and will minimize yard work through the next two seasons!
Shaping Hedges:
Use hand pruners versus electric shears to prevent thick outer layers of leaves and a naked core. Hand pruners will allow for sunlight and oxygen to reach the shrubs center, promoting a thick layer of growth throughout the entire shrub. - Thinning Shrubs and Hedges: Cut select branches back to a lateral branch, bud or the main trunk.
- If you have an overgrown shrub that is overcrowding other plants, cut the shrub back 6 to 12 inches above ground level. It will grow thicker and look much healthier by the end of the month.
Perennials:
- Dig up Perennial bulbs that have multiplied (lilies, spring bulbs, hostas) and divide three stems per clump. Transplant the extras in empty areas of your garden.
- How to divide: Dig a trench around the clump of perennials. Cut down on an angle and under the clump of roots around the outer edge. You should be able lever the clump out of the hole. Gently massage the soil with two hands to loosen roots and separate.
- Prune blooming perennials down to 4-6 inches. Cut ornamental grasses down to 2 or 3 inches. This will allow for a much fuller new growth.
Roses:
- Rake away old mulch and any dead leaves from the soil.
- For rose bushes, you want to prune at least 40% off to stimulate new growth and more blossoms.
- Remove any dead stems all the way down to the base.
- Always cut the stems on a 45 degree angle, just above an outward facing bud.
- Use a low fertility organic fertilizer for the first feeding. Optional: Add a quarter cup of epsom salts to the soil.
- Cover the soil with new Mulch afterwards.
Russian Sage
Russian Sage plants can become overcrowded by early summer. You can choose to prune down the entire plant to 2 – 3 inches from the base or simply remove dead branches. This is a judgement call that should be made based on what you have growing around the Russian Sage.
Crepe myrtle
Crepe myrtle blossoms grow on new wood. You want to prune all dead branches, empty seeds and side branches completely off. A Crepe Myrtle should have no more than 3 to 4 side branches per main trunk. Start at the bottom of the tree. To maintain an attractive frame, a Crepe myrtle should have no more than five main trunks. Cut any weak or excessive trunks all the way back or as close to the soil as possible. Next remove redundant interior or crowded branches and any low growing branches. Prune branches that are growing in a cluster to promote the best blossoming conditions. Finally, prune any weak branches or dead growth.
For the entire landscape, rake away leaves and debris and any lingering old mulch. Add a layer of pelletized fertilizer throughout the soil. Cover with new mulch after any new spring bulbs have been planted.