The stormy season is still upon us here in Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver, Washington, which was made abundantly clear by the recent onslaught of snow. Winter storms bring an ever-expanding list of tasks to perform on our lawns and landscapes. Here we will discuss just a few things you should consider doing for any post storm lawn cleanup.
Inspect Trees and Powerlines
The first step you should take in a post storm cleanup effort is to make sure that the storm did not cause any trees or large tree limbs to fall. Check any powerlines for damage from trees or other sources as well as this can create hazardous conditions for people, pets, and property. Before cleaning up your lawn, you should always ensure your safety. Check trees for any signs of damage and, if there is any, call a professional to take care of the problem right away.
Pickup Branches
Oftentimes, during a winter storm, smaller branches or limbs break from trees and fall into our yards. After ensuring there is no threat from further tree or branch breakage, cut up and remove any branches that have fallen onto your lawn. Removing these larger branches first will make the next steps easier.
Rake Lawn Areas
Storms also create a mess of other debris as well. Twigs and leaves often litter the lawn after a storm. It is important to remove this debris from your lawn as soon as possible, as it can damage the health of your lawn. Add the leaves to your compost pile to create a healthy source of soil for the future.
Assess Plant Damage
It is also important to evaluate if a storm has injured any of the plant life throughout your property. Check your garden and flowerbeds for any damages. Often, depending on the plant, if the stem of a plant has been completely broken, there may be no hope for recovery. If the plant cannot be saved, you should remove it as soon as possible and add it to your compost pile as well. If the damage isn’t too bad, simply trim any of the damaged areas away from the plant and keep an eye on it during the growing season to ensure its health.
Evaluate Drainage
Any storm that brings an abundance of precipitation will quickly demonstrate any failings in your lawn’s drainage. Evaluate any areas that have standing water and make a note of them. You may need to relevel these areas or, perhaps, even install a dry creek or rock gardened area to help deal with excess water.
If you are overwhelmed after a storm and feel that there is too much to catch up on, we don’t blame you one bit. Urban Eden Landscaping would love to help get your lawn back to looking its best. Contact us today or fill out our FREE estimate form now. Stay safe!