Most of us are happy to say goodbye to colder weather, but welcoming spring also means saying hello to what winter left behind in our yards and gardens. Consumer Reports’ experts are here to help you make the most out of the warmer days ahead with lawn and garden tips for spring. Full coverage: https://www.kcra.com/article/consumer-reports-spring-yard-and-garden-tips/60885568
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MESSY GARDEN BEDS, DEAD PLANTS, LEFTOVER FALL LEAVES, STICKS AND LIMBS. THEY’RE ALL HERE AND NEED ATTENTION. CONSUMER REPORTS PAUL HOPES ADVICE TAKES SPRING CLEANUP STEP BY STEP. ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS YOU WANT TO DO IN SPRING IS MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF YOUR EQUIPMENT IS READY FOR THE YEAR. SO LAWN MOWER, STRING TRIMMER, LEAF BLOWER, ALL OF THOSE MIGHT NEED A TUNE UP. CLEAR THE DEBRIS BEFORE YOU MOW AND TRIM, ESPECIALLY ANY LEFTOVER LEAVES FROM THE FALL. YOU WANT TO CLEAR THEM BEFORE GRASS STARTS GROWING IN THE SPRING. THAT’S BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE A DENSE BED OF LEAVES ANYWHERE ON YOUR LAWN, IT’S ACTUALLY GOING TO BLOCK OUT THE SUNLIGHT AND KEEP THE GRASS FROM GROWING PROPERLY. COMPOST THEM OR BETTER YET, MULCH THE LEAVES WITH YOUR MOWER OR TRACTOR. THE CHURNED UP CLIPPIPINGS WILL FEED YOUR LAWN AND REDUCE ANY NEEDED FERTILIZER. WHEN YOU FINALLY GET TO THE LAWN, CONSIDER KEEPING THIS SLOGAN IN MIND NO MOW MAY. NO MOW. MAY IS A GREAT WAY TO LET SMALL FLOWERING PLANTS HAVE A CHANCE TO GROW AND HELP OUT POLLINATORS. AND OF COURSE, IT’S NOT ALWAYS AN OPTION TO LET THE GRASS GROW, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WHERE TICKS ARE A CONCERN. THERE ARE LESS EXTREME ALTERNATIVES, THOUGH. INSTEAD, RAISE YOUR MOWERS DECK TO CUT YOUR GRASS HIGHER AND EXTEND THE TIME BETWEEN MOWINGS. YOU CAN ALSO FIND LAWN SEED MIXES THAT INCLUDE BEE FRIENDLY FLOWERS. IF YOU DON’T NEED A LOT OF LAWN SPACE, SET ASIDE A PORTION OF YOUR YARD TO GROW JUST WILD FLOWERS OR PLANT A POLLINATOR GARDEN. FINALLY, TAKE IN ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND DON’T FORGET TO ENJOY YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE THIS SPRING AND BEYOND. ANDREA FLORES KCRA THREE NEWS ANOTHER SUMMER POLLINATOR FRIENDLY TIP FROM CR AVOID CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS AND HERBICIDES AS THEY CAN GET ABSORBED INTO YOUR SOIL OR EVENTUALLY ENTER THE WATER TABLE AND THREATEN THE SURVIVAL OF POLLINATORS. NOT