Now that summer is in full swing here in Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver, Washington, many of us are venturing back out into our yards, spending as much time as possible there. However, it is incredibly easy to neglect our lawn and garden duties during the cold months of winter and rainy season of spring, so our yards are often left unkept making them somewhat difficult to enjoy during summer. If you are not feeling up to the task of cleaning up your yard, there are landscape companies, like Urban Eden, who will thoroughly clean up your yard for you. Here, we will discuss what any well-rounded landscape cleanup should entail.
Debris Cleanup
The first priority of any yard cleanup is addressing the debris that has been left to accumulate in your yard and lawns. This debris can range from leaves and twigs to large branches, windblown trash, and other litter. This debris clutters up otherwise pristine yards, distracting from their beauty. Therefore, it is paramount that you rake or otherwise collect this debris and remove it from the property.
Mowing & Edging
After the debris has been cleared away, especially from the lawns, you can give your yard a thorough mowing. Mowers can be set to cut grass at your desired length. We suggest cutting your grass slightly higher in summer than you would during the colder months. This reduces lawn stress and ensures your lawn is growing healthy root systems. Once the yard has been mowed, you can edge the perimeter using a powered edger or simply a string trimmer, depending on your preference. Edging creates a well-manicured look for your lawn.
Clean Out Flower Beds
Weeds have a tendency to grow quickly and efficiently, especially in areas such as flower and garden beds. Cleaning out these areas to discourage further growth is, therefore, extremely important. You have several options to thoroughly remove these weeds, though we suggest taking an organic route. To organically remove weeds from these areas, you can till, use a hoe to tear up the undesirable plant growth, or simply pull each weed by hand by the root. Once the areas have been properly cleaned up, you can apply a thick layer of mulch to minimize weed growth.
Trimming
Though the ideal time to trim overgrown bushes, trees, and shrubs is during the dormant months of late fall and winter, sometimes trimming cannot be avoided during summer. Cutaway any larger branches that are threatening to your home or those around. Shape any shrubs or bushes to your liking, and altogether remove any dead plants throughout your property.
Blowing Off Hardscapes
One final step for a well-rounded cleanup, one which should be performed last, is to blow or sweep off any hardscapes. Driveways, patios, porches, and decks have a tendency to store much debris that is easily swept or blown into piles, to then be removed from the property altogether. Saving this step for last is important because these areas easily become dirty again during other phases of the cleanup.
There are many more items that can be added to this cleanup list, like aerating, dethatching, overseeding and fertilizing, but this will get you off to a good start. If you are in need of assistance, Urban Eden Landscaping is always here and ready to help. Call us today at (360)567-6399, contact us here, or fill out a FREE estimate request online!