Spring has arrived in New Jersey…
at least according to the temperatures. In Northern New Jersey, Crocuses are popping, smell of fresh cut grass is in the air, the birds are singing in the morning, and the world is ready to move forward out of its winter sluggishness and come to life. With 73 degrees in Wyckoff, NJ at 2pm this afternoon – not exactly what we would consider winter to feel like. Therefore, lets jump out of the sluggish mindset and embrace what Mother Nature is gifting us with early.
Start planning…
Now is the perfect time to plan your outdoor spaces in NJ – your lawns, gardens, landscape renovations, irrigation upgrades and the like – by choosing the services you will use and the personal equipment you will need. The whole idea of enjoying your outdoor living areas is to do so without a lot of maintenance. And proper maintenance begins with good planning and preparation.
If your are currently using a lawn service, you should already have your lawn maintenance contract for secured for this season. If you are thinking about using a lawn service, call Horizon Landscape or ask around. Talk to your pickiest neighbors and ask for their recommendations – if they’re satisfied, chances are you will be, too. If you’re one of those brave souls who loves the challenge of a weekly lawn battle, you have work to do. Take your lawn mower in for service and have it tuned up and the blades sharpened. Take inventory of all your gardening tools and make sure they are in good shape. Replace any that are broken or damaged (safety first!).
Your landscape…
Think about what you want your landscape to look like this season. If you are tired of the way it looks but are not sure which direction to take, think about how you want your landscape to make you feel at the end of a long day. Make a list of the changes and a timeline so that you are ready to implement them. If you are looking to do some major renovation, such as rock walls, patios or other hardscaping, get involved with a landscape designer now – I guarantee that our designer’s time will be hard to come by once the temperature starts rising.
Irrigation and Lighting…
Most of all, don’t forget to think about your irrigation and lighting systems. Think about any lawn or flower bed areas that didn’t seem to get the right watering coverage last season. Have your sprinkler system opened and checked for leaks, valve troubles, or head adjustments needed due to plant growth.
Check your outdoor lighting and replace any bulbs that have burned out; check your fixtures for winter damage and replace them. Truth be told, none of these things in our opinion constitute the ‘fun’ of gardening, but just as with most things in life, if the foundations aren’t attended to early, the real fun will be delayed significantly.
Our website provides lots of helpful tips for taking care of all aspects of your lawn and landscape needs. And as always, you can contact us any time with questions – we are here to serve you.