As the weather warms and spring approaches, homeowners and property managers start thinking about tidying up their outdoor spaces. Two common services often considered are spring clean up and mulching. While both contribute to a well-maintained landscape, they serve distinct purposes though often confused as the same service.... Let's explore the key differences between these two essential lawn care services.

Spring Clean Up: Preparing Your Lawn for the Growing Season

A spring clean up service is typically performed early in the season, before the grass actively begins growing or just as it begins to grow. The primary goal of this service is to remove winter debris from the turf and planting bed areas, setting the stage lawn care activities to come such as turf fertlization services or dethatching to create a lush, healthy lawn throughout the spring and summer months.

During a spring clean up, our landscape professionals will:

• Remove fallen branches, leaves, and other debris accumulated over the winter
• Clear out dead foliage from perennial plants
• Trim back ornamental grasses and prune shrubs as needed
• Assess the overall health of your lawn and identify any problem areas

By eliminating the debris and providing a clean slate, your lawn will be better prepared for mowing and mulching soon to come as the weather continues to warm up. In fact just the agitation from rakes and blowers begin to stir the turf back to life!

Mulching Service: Enhancing and Protecting Your Planting Beds

Mulching involves applying a layer of organic material, bark mulch should be used up against a residence in the planting beds while wood chips should only be placed far away from the home structure as it will draw bugs that are undesirable to have around your home. This service offers numerous benefits, including improved soil moisture retention, temperature regulation, and weed suppression. However, before the new mulch can be applied, some essential prep work must be completed.

A professional mulching service typically includes:

1. Re-edging of planting bed areas to create a clean, crisp line between the bed and the lawn
2. Thorough weeding of the planting beds to remove any unwanted growth
3. Pruning of shrubs and plants to maintain their shape and promote healthy growth
4. Application of pre-emergent herbicides may be used to prevent future weed growth
5. Installation of a 1-3 inch layer of mulch, depending on the specific needs of your property

By investing in a mulching service, you not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your planting beds but also create a healthier environment for your plants to thrive.

Combining Services for Optimal Results

While spring clean up and mulching services serve different purposes, they work together to create a beautiful, well-maintained outdoor space. By starting with a spring clean up, you ensure that your lawn is ready for the growing season. Then, by adding a layer of mulch to your planting beds, you protect your plants, reduce maintenance, and elevate the overall appearance of your landscape.

As a homeowner or property manager, considering both services as part of your spring lawn care routine can help you achieve the best possible results for your outdoor space. We are your local lawn care and landscape professionals and are happy to discuss your specific needs and develop a plan that keeps your property looking its best throughout the year.