Garden Cleanup
Gardening After the Rain
After heavy rain and wind, your landscape might be left in a bit of disarray. However, the post-rain period presents a unique opportunity to breathe new life into your outdoor haven. This is your chance to rejuvenate your landscape and create a space that not only looks better but also thrives with renewed vigor. To help you achieve this, here are some easy yet effective tips that will guide you in transforming your garden post rain to a space that's not only tidy and refreshed but also brimming with improved health and vitality.
Rake Leaves & Debris
Grab your rake and gather fallen leaves and debris. Not only does this tidy up your yard's appearance, but it also prevents clogged drains and promotes healthier grass growth. Pile up the leaves and debris in a designated area for composting or proper disposal.
Light Pruning
Inspect your trees and shrubs for any broken or damaged branches. Using clean, sharp pruning shears or loppers, carefully trim away the damaged sections. Focus on removing branches that pose a risk to structures, other plants, or safety. Remember, light pruning encourages healthy regrowth and maintains the overall aesthetic of your greenery.
Mulch
Mulching is a fantastic way to protect your garden, improve soil quality, and enhance the visual appeal of your landscape. Once you've cleared away debris and pruned branches, spread a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of your plants. Mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and gradually breaks down to enrich the soil with nutrients.
Snails & Slugs
Adjust Your Sprinklers
If you haven't already, turn off your automatic sprinklers. Wait until the ground starts to dry out and then resume your regular watering program. As a reminder, it's best to water in the morning between 4-8am and water until just before you see the water runoff. This encourages water to penetrate down where roots can continue to access the water.
Erosion-Fighting Groundcovers
In areas where you experienced erosion, adding plants like groundcovers is the perfect solution. These low-growing plants create a protective blanket over the soil, helping to prevent erosion while adding beauty to your landscape. Our favorites include Carpet of Stars which produces delicate purple flowers, while Aptenia 'Red Apple' boasts vibrant reddish-pink blooms. Dymondia, with its silver-green foliage, forms a dense mat that's both attractive and erosion-resistant. These groundcovers not only stabilize the soil but also offer a colorful and textured addition to your outdoor space.
