Tips for Spring Spruce Up in Kansas City

Here are some quick tips from Danny Triplett of Westland Landscape on getting your lawn and landscaping back in shape after a long Kansas City winter.

Check for Winter Damage

Perform a general clean up; pick up dead branches, remove leaves and other debris.
Evergreen branches: Save those you can! Use string to tie misshapen branches so they can regain their shape.
Remove any plantings that were damaged by snow shoveling, etc. (see below for tips on replacing dead trees and shrubs.)
Prune deadwood on trees before sap rises. For a demonstration, watch the HomeSense Spring Spruce Up video.

Replace/Plant New Trees and Shrubs

Replace dead trees, bushes and shrubs.
Spring is also a great time to plant trees, bushes and shrubs.

Plant Your Spring Pots

Even when the weather is still a bit chilly, it’s not too early to plant pots and ground plants.
Make hearty selections like pansies, ornamental grasses, snap dragons, and flowering tail annuals (mid-March).
Plan to change-out flowers in pots around Mother’s Day
Three color changes a year (early spring, summer, fall) is recommended.
Fill the bottom of the pots with packaging peanuts. For a demonstration on planting spring pots, watch the HomeSense Curb Appeal video.

Jumpstart the Grass

Put down pre-emergent in early spring to defend against grassy weeds.
Add or replace edging to keep grass from growing over beds.
Cut a new tree ring and add mulch to hold water, protect from mowers, edgers, etc.
Add new mulch or turn existing mulch (be sure to watch for spring mulch sales).

Sod vs. Seed

Cutting in sod is recommended in spring over seeding.
Seed will sprout and grow in spring but not in areas where fertilizers and herbicides have been applied.
If you can live with the weeds, you can seed and get great results! If you do seed, be sure to mow the new grass twice before using pre-emergent.
Fall is a better time to seed since weeds are dying back.