As the temperatures begin to rise and nature comes into bloom, there’s no better way to welcome in the warmer weather than spending time outdoors and giving your yard some TLC. Now is the perfect time to start thinking about preparing your landscape for the hot and sunny seasons, and spring lawn care is essential to keep your yard thriving and resilient through summer. At Riverside Homebuilders, we know that preparing and maintaining your yard can seem like a challenging task after the harsh winter—which is why we’ve put together a few tips and tricks to help you optimize your landscape during the warm Texas months. 

Clean and fertilize

To start your spring and summer spruce up, it’s best to do a thorough inspection of the current state of your yard. Look for any branches that might be broken or damaged limbs and prune them, or have them removed by a professional. Collect any leaves, twigs and other debris that has accumulated over winter, and rake your lawn to clear your landscaping of thatch—dried out, dead grass and organic debris. To help bring your landscape back to its fuller and lusher self for the warmer months, it’s important to do some basic clean-up and maintenance work. 

Once your landscape is clear of any extra debris and your trees are pruned, the next step is to fertilize. The spring months bring the perfect time to apply fertilizer to feed your grass the nutrients it needs, and you may want to consider using a pre-emergent herbicide as a natural way to prevent weeds before they grow. For best results, use a slow-release fertilizer, as its vital nutrients break down over an extended period of time—ensuring that you won’t have to reapply the fertilizer as often. A slow-release, high nitrogen granular fertilizer is typically the best blend to use for DFW landscapes, but if you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to contact a local nursery for assistance. 

Refresh and reset

After creating the perfect base for your landscape with a clean and fertilized yard, it’s time to incorporate some refreshing additions to your Riverside yard. Add an inch-thick layer of fresh mulch in plant beds and around trees, but be sure to not let the mulch touch tree trunks or accumulate to more than a 3-inch depth, as this can lead to issues with pests. Mulch not only makes planting areas look neat, but also helps to retain moisture in the soil, keeps roots cool in the summer, and insulates them in the winter. As mulch decomposes later in the year, it adds organic matter to the soil, providing endless benefits to your landscape. 

Additionally, a freshly-mowed yard always makes for a refreshing look in your landscape. When it comes time to mow your lawn for the first time of the year—typically mid- to late-spring—raise the mowing deck to its highest setting, trimming the grass about 3 or 4 inches high. Cutting grass too short, especially initially, can weaken early-spring grass plants—causing stunted growth and dull color. It’s also a good idea to think about incorporating an irrigation system into your yard, allowing for maximum moisture and care for your landscape at all times.

Add some color

There’s no better way to finalize your spring and summer yard renovations than including colorful plants and flowers in your landscape, adding even more to the scenic value of your gorgeous Riverside home. There are so many vibrant plants that thrive in the warm DFW weather, from tulips to primroses to desert willows. Whether you’re adding an incredible garden bed, a vibrant line of bushes or simple potted plants—incorporating beautiful, environmentally-friendly plants into your yard is a great way to optimize your spring and summer landscaping in your Riverside home. 

With these simple tips and tricks, your landscape will be extra prepped and ready for the DFW heat in no time—and it will look better than ever before. At Riverside Homebuilders, there’s nothing we care about more than building carefully-crafted homes with energy-efficient features throughout all of our amazing communities—and we’re here to help you receive the utmost experience in your forever home, from enjoying the comfort of your own yard during the beautiful seasons of spring and summer to being there with you every step of the way in the homebuying process. For any additional information or to learn more about the Riverside advantage, give us a call at (817) 601-6230 or contact us online at any time.