5 Essential Things to Do to Get Your Landscape Ready for Spring in Olympia, WA
As the cold winter months begin to recede, it’s time to think about how you can prepare your landscape for the warmer, sunnier days of spring in Olympia, WA. The mild, maritime climate means that while we don’t experience the extreme temperature fluctuations of other regions, spring still brings a unique set of challenges and opportunities to ensure your outdoor space flourishes.
Here are five essential tasks to get your landscape ready for spring in the Thurston County area:
1. Clean Up Debris and Remove Winter Damage
Winter storms can leave your garden littered with fallen branches, leaves, and other debris. Start by clearing away the leaves, twigs, and dead plants that have accumulated on the lawn, garden beds, and walkways. This helps reduce the risk of mold and pests while giving your garden a fresh look.
Take a close look at trees and shrubs for broken branches caused by winter weather. If you spot any, carefully prune them back to avoid injury to the plant. Be mindful of sharp edges where cuts were made and use proper tools to make clean cuts to promote healthier regrowth.
2. Test and Amend Your Soil
Spring is a great time to test the soil in your garden to check its pH and nutrient levels. With Olympia’s somewhat acidic soil, it’s important to make adjustments to ensure the best-growing conditions for your plants. You can purchase a simple soil test kit, or for more accuracy, you can send a sample to a local extension service.
If your soil test reveals deficiencies, amend it by adding organic matter like compost, well-rotted manure, or organic fertilizers. This will help improve the structure of the soil, enhance moisture retention, and provide nutrients that plants need for healthy growth.
3. Edge, Aerate, and Fertilize the Lawn
Your lawn has been dormant throughout the winter months, but once temperatures start to rise, it’s time to give it some attention. Start by edging around flower beds, sidewalks, and driveways to create a clean and well-defined look.
Aerating your lawn in early spring helps improve air and water circulation to the roots, reducing compaction from the winter months. Use a lawn aerator to create small holes across the lawn, and be sure to overseed bare patches with cool-season grass varieties like fescue or ryegrass, which are perfect for the Olympia climate.
Apply a balanced fertilizer to jumpstart your lawn's growth, but avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can promote excessive growth and vulnerability to disease. Choose a slow-release, organic fertilizer designed for the Pacific Northwest.
4. Prune Shrubs and Trees
Once the danger of frost has passed, typically in late February or early March in Olympia, it’s time to prune back any dead or damaged branches from your trees and shrubs. Pruning helps encourage new growth, removes potential hazards, and ensures healthy and vigorous plants throughout the growing season.
If you have flowering plants like hydrangeas or lilacs, be mindful of when and how you prune. Some varieties bloom on old wood, so pruning too early could reduce your flowers’ potential. However, others bloom on new wood, and a more aggressive pruning in early spring will encourage more blooms later on.
5. Plant Early Spring Flowers and Vegetables
Finally, don’t forget to plant early-blooming flowers and vegetables in your garden beds. Olympia’s climate allows for hardy varieties to thrive even in cooler temperatures. Consider planting perennials like daffodils, tulips, or crocus that can brighten your garden early in the season. You can also plant cool-season vegetables such as peas, lettuce, and spinach, which do well in the mild spring weather.
If you’re starting seeds indoors, make sure to transplant them into the garden once the soil has warmed up a bit, typically after the last frost date in mid-April. Be sure to cover tender young plants with row covers or cloches if temperatures dip unexpectedly.
In Conclusion
By getting your landscape ready for spring in Olympia, WA, you’ll set yourself up for a successful growing season full of lush greenery and beautiful blooms. Whether it’s cleaning up debris, amending the soil, or getting your lawn and garden beds in order, early spring preparations are essential for a thriving outdoor space. So grab your gardening gloves, gather your tools, and enjoy the fresh, vibrant energy of a new season! Contact us today for a free quote!