Spring Landscaping To-Do List

We’re entering some of the most beautiful months in the Phoenix metropolitan area, which means it’s the perfect time to give your landscape a little extra love. We’ve pulled together a few to-dos to help you navigate the spring transition and care for your yard. Prune rose bushes This one should top your list because the ideal time to prune rose bushes is almost over. If you’ve not already done your pruning, now is the time to make it a priority. Pruning is an art and needs to be performed carefully. Along with fertilizing, it allows your roses to flourish. For helpful information on caring for and growing roses, go to http://roses4az-mevrs.org. Prune other plants and bushes This is also the time to prune other trees and bushes. Remove dead and broken branches, and thin out crowded plants. Doing so strengthens the structure of your plants and allows for healthy growth and blossoming during spring. Fertilize and plant citrus If you have not yet fertilized your citrus, do so now. Fertilize the outer 2/3 of the leaf canopy. If you are planning to plant new citrus, now is the time to do so as well. Planting citrus trees and bushes at this time encourages root growth before it becomes too hot. Ready garden beds for spring planting All flower and vegetable gardens should have their beds ready for spring planting. For a list of vegetables to plan for spring/summer harvest, visit http://extension.arizona.edu. Also, be sure to fertilize existing vegetables and flowers. Protect against pests Warmer weather tends to bring out some less favorable critters as well. Aphids are one of the top visitors that will likely pop up in your garden this spring. They are tiny light pink or green bugs that especially love roses and vegetables. To get rid of them, forcefully spray your plants with a hose. If that doesn’t do the trick, try spritzing your plants using a spray bottle filled with water and a small amount of dish soap. It may be necessary to repeat this several times to send these pests away. If birds or larger pests are getting to your garden, use chicken wire to protect seedlings. Care for lawns When nighttime temperatures are over 60 degrees for a minimum of five days in a row, your lawn needs a little extra support. To boost the spring transition back to Bermuda grass, progressively mow your lawn down to 3/4 inch tall. Keep in mind that you should never mow the lawn when it is wet. Doing so can create clumps of clippings that keep your lawn from looking it’s best. And, the sticky grass can clog your mower. If you are reseeding your lawn, wait to do so until April or May. Root out weeds Be sure to take care of any weeds now. Though it’s not the most exciting task, doing so now will make the job much easier. As the season progresses, weeds tend to grow out of control, requiring more work to get rid of them. We hope these tips help you enjoy your yard even more this spring!]]>