A long and heavy Utah winter appears finally ready to come to a close, and spring has been ushered in yet again. This means several things for homeowners, particularly those with previous landscapes or those looking to install new ones.
At LaytonScape, we’re proud to offer a wide range of landscape design and upkeep services, ranging from new installations to sprinkler services, hardscape materials and much more. We know spring is an important time of year for those with landscaping on their minds – this two-part blog will look at several steps we can recommend for getting things up and running in the spring season, whether you’re moving forward with a previous landscape or installing a new one from the ground up.
Step #1: Early-Season Preparation
For starters, the early part of the season is the perfect time to get moving on various preparation areas. A great landscape begins with a clear space to work on, plus soil and other related areas that are primed for new growth.
Some basic prep areas we recommend hitting include the following:
- Generally assess your space, noting plants and other items you’d like to remain along with those you want to remove to open up additional space.
- Dig up and dispose of dead plants or unnecessary items, including the previous year’s annuals.
- Take the time to properly fertilize your entire grass and soil areas, then lay mulch to keep moisture in the soil and immediately begin limiting weed growth.
Step #2: Base Planting
For a landscape that’s both beautiful and easy to work with on a daily basis, the basics are important: Grasses, trees and flowers, preferably those that are native to the Utah climate and soil. While it’s okay to use plants from other regions if you understand them, these often come with greater care and upkeep requirements. In addition, they might be less likely to thrive in this climate even with the best care possible. Especially for landscaping beginners, native plants are a must.
Step #3: Incorporate Diversity
Once you have your baseline established, you can consider branching out and bringing variety to your landscape as well. One frequent tip we offer to our clients here is using plants that bloom at slightly different times during the season – these will allow your landscape to progress as the year goes on, showcasing several beautiful elements and keeping you on your toes.
Another good visual theme in the landscape is varying heights. An ample combination of grass, flowers and shrubs, bushes or trees helps establish several visual levels, making the landscape aesthetically pleasing.
Step #4: Edging Features and Design
For depth, texture and layering, adding decorative features like edging, pavers, stone walls and other hardscape elements go a long way. There are many themes you can prioritize here, and decorative elements will help maintain the shape and appearance of your landscape even once the season is over and plants aren’t actively blooming.
For more on the steps of spring landscaping upkeep, or to learn about any of our landscaping services, speak to the staff at LaytonScape today.
