Winter is brutal on your greenery, especially in Wisconsin. After a season of cold, ice and snow, it can be a let down to finally get into your yard only to discover that your plants and lawn took a beating. Don’t be discouraged! Thankfully, there are many ways to refresh your outdoor oasis in the spring so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy it before temperatures start to drop again.
Problem: Muddy Spots
Bothered by bare spots that have been waterlogged by snow and slush and quickly turned into a mud pit? While frustrating, this problem is incredibly common and easy to fix! Stay off of this spot as much as possible until it has fully dried, and then use a pitchfork to aerate the compacted soil. After a few weeks, you can cover this area with new plants or lawn seed一no one will ever know that this section of your yard was affected by winter wetness!
Problem: Compacted Soil in Pots and Planters
If you have pots and planters outside your home that are exposed to wind, rain or snow, chances are they were impacted by the fierce winter weather just as much as your lawn or garden. If the soil in these planters is too tough, it will be difficult for any new flowers you add this season to grow strong roots! Remove any dead plants from your pot and improve draining by poking a stick through any drainage holes to allow trapped water to more easily escape. Your pots will be ready for new plants in no time!
Problem: Root Damage
Winter winds can take a toll on your plants, especially roses. If you had more fragile plants that were exposed to strong gusts, chances are their roots took some damage, which can affect any future growth that you may have been hoping to see. Check to see if your flowers became removed from the soil. If they have, you will want to cover them back up and make sure that the dirt around them is firm enough to hold them in place, but not so firm that they cannot grow. Don’t be afraid to give your plants some support一you may need to use stakes to hold the plants up until they are comfortably back in the ground.
Problem: Lawn Trauma
Unfortunately, waterlogged grass is a real problem for Wisconsin yards, especially near the end of winter as things start to melt and turn to slush. Due to the shallow roots on grass, it doesn’t survive well in standing water. You can fix this issue by taking your garden fork, pushing deeply into your grass and wiggling. This helps give the water a place to go and will help your lawn to dry out quicker! You may want to consider reseeding your lawn and giving it some fertilizer to replenish any nutrients that were drowned out by standing water, too.
If you’re looking forward to diving into a new gardening season this year, you may need to give your yard a little TLC first. Don’t let this past winter’s damage leave you feeling defeated! With a bit of love and patience, your home is sure to bounce back to its full glory in no time. Ready to find a place that has plenty of room for the garden and lawn of your dreams? Talk to your Shorewest, REALTOR® today to get started on finding your new home!
Tags: Garden, garden care, garden maitenance, Lawn, Lawn Care, Lawn Maintenance, Season, spring 2023, spring lawn care
Categories: DIY, Home Improvement, Homeowner, Real Estate Tips, Shorewest Tips
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