Doing April Lawn Care the Right Way
Sheryl L. Houck
Founder of Cash Offers Consultants | Investor Solutions | RE Investment Strategist | State Certified Residential Property Appraiser #RD4826 | Volume Acquisition Specialist | Growth Leader at eXp Realty
MULCH: Now that winter is gone it is time to re-freshen your mulch. Setting yourself up for the hot summer months, mulch will protect your plants from water loss due to evaporation. Mulching also helps suppress weeds and moderate soil temperature. With certain plants, such as azaleas and roses it may be best to remove and replace the old mulch, due to potential winter disease and insects. Once you've put the mulch down, be sure you give it a good soaking.
LAWNS: You should begin to cut the warmer season turf grasses, including St. Augustine and Bermuda. But be careful of cutting the grass to low. For spring cutting it is best to set your mower blades a little higher and remove just the top third of the grass. Keep your mower blades sharp and be sure to mulch your clippings to put the nutrients back into your lawn. And stick to a tight schedule -- about once a week.
FERTILIZATION: As temperatures start to rise in early Spring, it's time to feed your lawn. To pick out the proper fertilizer, test your soil’s PH level, and select the blend that balances out the acidity/alkalinity of your yard. To save time and money, consider granular fertilizer and slow-release products, as you won't have to apply the fertilizer as often.
HERBS: Though herbs can be grown year-round in Florida, Spring is a great time to plant some of your favorite culinary herbs: Basil, Coriander, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary and Thyme, among others. Consider incorporating them into border plants or flower gardens, create hanging baskets or even container gardening. And make sure to plant plenty! It generally takes twice as many fresh herbs as dried ones in your recipes to achieve the same flavor. Check for seeds and starters at your local stores and seed retailers.