Homes Plus
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MAY 2013 HOMES PLUS 11 Renew your landscape with expert's tips By Melinda Myers SPECIAL TO HOMES PLUS The hot, dry summer of 2012 took its toll on lawns, gardens, trees, and shrubs. Now is a great time to plan for the upcoming season and any needed garden renewal. Start a list, mark your calendar and work your way to a beautiful landscape. Enjoy the tulips, crocus and other spring flowering bulbs that are just appearing with our late spring. Apply a natural repellent, like Messina Animal Stopper, to protect the blooms from hungry animals. Make a list and mark your fall calendar for new additions you want to make next fall. Refresh existing or spread a two-inch layer of mulch on the soil surrounding trees and shrubs. Make sure to keep the mulch away from the trunk of the trees and off the crown of the shrubs. Use woodchips, shredded bark or other organic matter to conserve moisture, suppress weeds and protect plants from weed whips and mower damage. Improve the soil before replacing perennials and renovating planting beds. Start as soon as the soil is workable. Adding several inches of organic matter to the top six to 12 inches of soil will create a strong foundation for deeply rooted, drought-tolerant healthy plants. Overseed thin lawns and reseed bare spots in the lawn in early to mid-May Be . sure to keep the soil moist until the new grass begins to grow. Then gradually reduce watering frequency Water thorough. ly and when the top few inches are crumbly and moist to encourage deep drought-tolerant roots. Wait until Memorial Day to fertilize lawns with a low-nitrogen slow release fertilizer like Milorganite. You'll help lawns prepare for summer, but eliminate the risk of burning if we experience another summer drought. Convert grass to new or expanded planting beds. Use a sod cutter to remove the existing grass and amend the soil with compost, peat moss or aged manure. Use the sod to repair bare areas in the lawn or place on the compost pile, green side down, to decompose. Or cut the grass short and cover with several layers of newspaper or a single layer of cardboard. Cover with six inches of a blended topsoil to create a raised bed, or cover the newspaper or cardboard with an organic mulch. Cut through the mulch for planting or allow the grass and paper to decompose and plant your perennials in late summer. Follow these steps and soon you'll be enjoying the many benefits of a healthier and more beautiful landscape. (Melinda Myers is a gardening expert, TV host and author with 30 years of horticulture experience.) Photo courtesy of Melinda Myers, LLÇ SPRING SALE! Storm Doors Garage Doors U p g r a d e Yo u r S h o w e r Pro's Pick® Solar Salt water softener salt upgrades your water and your life. That's because soft water is easier on your skin, laundry and more. Call for convenient delivery or pickup today. Entry Doors Upgrade Your Water Garage Screens • Water Softeners • Iron Filters • Drinking Water Systems Awnings "Experts in Garage Doors & So Much More!" 16601 W. Cleveland Ave • New Berlin Mon - Fri 7:30-5 • Sat 9-12 www.joewilde.com • 262-782-0500 231964002 Railings 262-547-3866 1344 White Rock Ave. Waukesha, WI 53186 www.softwaterinc.com 230290001