lawn care tips for spring

Lawn Care Tips for Spring

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As the warmth of spring approaches, it’s the perfect time to revitalize your lawn for the upcoming growing season. Here are some key tips to ensure your yard is lush and healthy.

Sharing our landscaping tips

1. Power Rake: Start by clearing away debris, leaves, thatch, snow mold, and any signs of vole damage with a power rake. This step not only enhances the appearance of your lawn but also improves airflow, which is crucial for preventing disease.

2. Aeration: Compacted soil can hinder the growth of grass by restricting access to water, air, and nutrients. Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to alleviate compaction and promote better root growth. This allows essential elements to penetrate directly to the root zone, fostering a healthier lawn overall.

3. Fertilization: Fuel your lawn with the nutrients it needs by applying a slow-release fertilizer. This nourishes both the blades and roots, providing the foundation for a robust and vibrant lawn throughout the season. A well-fed lawn is also better equipped to resist the invasion of broadleaf weeds, promoting a uniform and weed-free appearance.

4. Weed Control Application: Keep broadleaf weeds at bay by applying a targeted weed killer as needed. Spot treatment is effective in maintaining a healthy lawn while minimizing the use of chemicals. By tackling weeds early on, you can prevent them from competing with grass for essential resources.

a photo of a lawn
5. Know Your Lawn: . A healthy lawn naturally suppresses weed growth, so prioritizing its overall health is key. Keep an eye on thatch buildup, the layer between the green blades and white roots, ensuring it remains below 2cm or ¾”. Excessive thatch can suffocate the grass and hinder its growth, so timely removal is crucial for maintaining a vibrant lawn.

Follow these Lawn Care Tips

By following these spring lawn care tips, you can set the stage for a season of lush greenery and outdoor enjoyment. With proper maintenance and attention to detail, your yard will be the envy of the neighborhood in no time.

Want a hand? Reach out to us about our Spring Maintenance Services.

Landscape Plus Client Showcase

Landscape Plus Client Showcase – Gagnon Residence

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About the Job

This property owner worked at Landscape Plus when she was 18 and has remained in touch ever since. Her yard is in the northwest quadrant of Calgary. She loves plants and wanted to get rid of her thin awful grass. The yard is sloped towards the road so any water that lands on the yard runs off into the road.

Landscaping & Design

We completely gutted the yard and removed the grass etc. and leaving a few huge spruce trees and a Schubert Chokecherry. We added the large Rosetta stone steps and installed a cobblestone paver walkway with lower landing. The old stairs have a new cedar look over them and a couple of privacy panels were installed on either side property lines.

The lower level has a washed rock over a professional-grade landscape fabric so that when a vehicle is parked on the street and the passenger gets out, they aren’t stepping and juggling over plants as there is no sidewalk on this side of the street.

Plant Material & Considerations

The plant material is all hardy zone 3. Ornamental shrubs are used throughout for a year-round foundation. Then the perennials are added for an ever-changing blooming time from spring to fall. Mushroom manure was added to amend the existing depleted soil.

We used feature boulders throughout to make it look more natural and to help with any erosion that would happen when those big summer thunderstorms downpours arrive. The yard has a good thick 3“ layer of bark mulch to retain the moisture. There is also a micro irrigation head installed at the base of each plant.

The local rabbit loves to reside in the yard on a regular basis and the squirrels weren’t disturbed and continue to do life in and among the spruce trees!

Click here to check out our Landscaping Services.

 

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patio paver

Paving Stone patio, driveway or walkway

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Set in Stone: Paving Stone Is An Affordable Way to Add Lasting Curb Appeal and Low Maintenance Function

Paving stones come in different colours and sizes and can be laid in several different patterns.paving stone

In the Calgary area (Strathmore, Langdon, Indus, Chestermere) we source products from reputable manufacturing companies to ensure quality. Our preferred suppliers have their options online at Belgard and Barkman. Tell us what you like; we take care of it from there!)

Surprisingly versatile, paving stones can be used for pathways, patios and driveways. The most crucial step is the preparation of the site. If this step is overlooked or rushed or ill-considered, expect problems down the road!

When you hire a crew from Landscape Plus, you can rest assured that the foundation is properly laid for a solid project that will last for years to come.

Here’s what you can expect from our crew:

  • The soil is excavated out to a minimum depth of 8″.
  • Crush gravel is used as a base material.
  • It is well tamped to make sure the base doesn’t shift in any way.
  • Once the grades have been set and the finished surface will have a sufficient slope for drainage the paving stones are laid on a bed of sand.
  • A retaining edger needs to be installed on the outside of the stone to keep them tight and avoid shifting.

And that’s just the prep work!

Finishing your paving stone patio, driveway or walkway

Once we have properly prepared the site, we get to work on the fun part, laying the patio stones into place. A polymeric jointing sand is spread and swept into the cracks while a tamper runs over the stone many times. This firms up the stone by filling in the cracks with the jointing sand. Then the patio is wet down with a mist to activate the polymeric agent and the paving stones can now be used for many years to come.

Unlike concrete, the stones can be lifted and any cracks can be filled to have a smooth surface at all times. A stone lasts for many years. The European cobble walks and roadways can attest to that! Check out some of our past projects on Facebook or Instagram.

What does it cost to get a paving stone patio, driveway or walkway?

At Landscape Plus, we typically charge $25.00* per square foot which includes the materials, labour and equipment. Click here to contact us and get a quote today!

*Price estimate for typical materials as per 2021. Rates subject to change. Travel charges may apply.

Hardscape & Softscape: What is the difference?

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There is a lot to consider when it comes to landscaping your commercial or residential property. Ideally, a well-designed landscape incorporates a balance between the hardscape and softscape & that both elements are proportionate to the property size. So what exactly does each entail?

Hardscape is the structural, heavy-duty aspects of landscaping. Decisions will be around shape, foundation and drainage system of the yard. This usually entails hard materials such as concrete, bricks, and stone which makes it the more expensive part of your budget. It is also more permanent than soft landscaping and requires hiring a professional with the right experience and equipment to put everything in place.

Many of your outdoor lifestyle features are hardscape such as paths or patios, outdoor kitchens, water features, gazebos and decks. Landscapers will help to ensure that there is a flow to these elements so you, your family and guests can relax and enjoy the different areas.

Continue reading “Hardscape & Softscape: What is the difference?” →