With spring’s warmer weather and more daylight, you may be itching to get outdoors. Wondering what you should be doing now in your yard, flowerbeds and outdoor areas? Here’s a handy list to help.

 

Yard and Landscaping-

“Do not plant annuals until after April 15, we always get one more cold snap before then,” warns HBAGC board member and Home and Lawn Care Services owner Marty Hilliard. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, she is right as it predicts our last frost this year to be April 8 calculated using 1981-2010 climate normals.

To avoid pesky weeds later, Hilliard advises to be sure to put a preemergent or crab grass preventer on your lawn and ornamental beds now as well as a thick layer of mulch on your flower beds. She also recommends following up with a weed and seed in six to eight weeks. 

Now is also the time to do your pruning, and cut back shrubs before they begin flushing. No, we are not referring to the restroom. Flushing in shrubs refers to the point in a flowering cycle when a plant is in full bloom. The period when all blossoms of a plant are open is called a flowering flush. 

If all this sounds exhausting, perhaps you should consider hiring a professional landscaper. Why a professional? “Well for one, it saves your back,” laughs Hilliard, “But seriously, things that take a homeowner two weeks may take us a day. And you definitely help the local economy, which is very important after covid.” 

However, do not expect to call now and get immediate service from a landscaping professional. Be patient if you have waited to the last minute, as most are scheduled six to eight weeks out now for installation. Hilliard recommends calling in January or February to get on their schedule. For design, the wait typically isn’t as long.

 

Outdoor Furniture-

Now’s the time to clean up your outdoor furniture and get it ready for entertaining, too. Use a wire brush to clean off rust on your wrought iron furniture, then lightly sand, spray with a rust inhibitor and repaint. For teak, clean using a special cleanser, let dry then apply teak oil if you want to maintain the natural color. 

 

Window Washing-

April is a good time to clean your windows, too. Use a squeegee, and wipe it off after each pass. If you’d rather hire a professional, prices can start from as little as $100 for a small home. 

 

To find a reputable window cleaner, landscaper or any home services professional in the Chattanooga area, visit the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga’s membership directory at www.HBAGC.net.