The seed catalogs have been out for a while, and it is time to plan your spring vegetable garden. Here are some tips on what to do to get ready to plant.
Clean Up and Remove Debris
Remove any old plants and debris that are in your garden area. Rake up leaves and other organic matter and save for the compost pile. Rake your soil to break up clods a few weeks before planting.
Amend the Soil
Work three inches of compost into the top six inches of soil. Mix the compost in with the soil so it is evenly distributed throughout, and you can also use a little extra in the holes of your plants mixed with.
Soil Testing
Every year after adding the compost to your soil, it is helpful to do a soil test. You can get instructions from your Extension agent. The soil test will tell you the nutrients present in your soil. If you specify that you are growing vegetables, the soil test recommendations will tell you what to add before planting.
Fertilize
Follow the soil test recommendations and work the fertilizer into the top three inches of the soil. After this, the soil will have everything a plant needs to get started. You will have to fertilize your vegetables during the season because it takes a lot of nutrients to produce vegetables especially if you want high yields.
Inspect and Repair Garden Tools
While you should have cleaned and sharpened your tools last winter when you put them up, check to make sure everything is ready for use now. Clean tools and sharpen the dull ones. Sharp tools are less likely to spread disease because the clean cuts make the plants heal faster.
Plan Your Garden Layout
Decide what you want to grow this spring and make a list. Using graph paper, lay out where you will plant each crop. Remember to plan to replant areas when you harvest the first crops. Don’t buy more seeds and plants than you have room to plant.
Start Seeds Indoors
You will need to start some seeds indoors. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant are generally started six to eight weeks before it is time to plant them outside. You can also start crops like squash, cucumbers, melons, cabbage, and broccoli indoors. Root crops need to be sown directly in the ground because they do not like to be moved.
Check Irrigation Systems
Hauling water to your garden is no fun. Make sure your irrigation system is ready to go and in good repair before you plant your garden. Keep seeds and new plants well watered so they can develop good root systems.
Create Support Structures
If you are growing plants that vine, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans, set up your support structures as you plant them. Setting them up at planting avoids damaging roots and lets the plants use the trellis or cage from the start.
Check Local Frost Dates
Plants are put in the ground at different times depending on the crop. The average date of last frost is April 15th. However, it has frosted as late as May 14th, but only once. Kansas Extension has a list of when to plant each crop here.
Purchase Seeds and Plants
Buy your seeds from some place that gets fresh seed each year. Most area nurseries will have fresh seed, as will the big box stores. You can also order it online. Order seeds early so you get what you want in time to plant. Some years, the seed companies run out of particular varieties. Buy plants when it is time to put them in the ground.
Spring Is Hopeful
Spring gardens are full of hope. While Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping doesn’t do vegetable gardens, we will take care of your landscape beds. Simply enroll in our garden care program and we will weed, add mulch, treat the beds with a pre-emergent, sharpen the edges of the beds, and fertilize the plants. We leave everything looking crisp and professional. Call (816) 825-2524 or schedule a consult to enroll.
In the Kansas City area, we recommend activating your irrigation system around St. Patrick’s Day because this is typically the time of year when the threat of freezing pipes has passed. Starting up your system is more complicated than just turning on the water. Here are the steps we recommend you go through to get things ready for spring.
Fill Backflow Valve
The first step in activating your irrigation system is to charge the backflow valve. Switching it to the on position begins to fill the irrigation system with water. If you have a master valve, which we recommend, it will open to pressurize the main line of your system to be ready to run.
Start System and Audit Zones
You might get wet doing this next step. Turn a zone on and check that the sprinkler heads are in good condition. Watch where the zone spreads water and make sure the sprinkler heads are turned in the correct direction. You want to water the plants, not the concrete or your house. After making sure the heads are watering properly, turn off that zone and start the next one. Continue until you have checked all the zones. You can set up a 1 to 2-minute test cycle also to help make this easier and not have to run back to the controller as much.
Make Repairs
Chances are you will have to make some repairs. Mowers hit sprinkler heads, the plastic cracks, or something else broke during the winter. Complete all the repairs, then return to the previous step. When you are satisfied that everything is working, you can move on.
Set Timer
The timer has two functions. You can set it to tell it what days to run and what time to run. Your sprinklers should run in the morning, before 10 a.m. That lets the water dry off the leaves before nightfall. Plants that are wet overnight are more likely to get fungal diseases.
You also need to set how long each zone runs. The run duration depends on temperature and rainfall. If the temperature is high, run the rotor zones so that each zone runs twenty to thirty minutes, and spray zones five to fifteen minutes. If you see water begin to run off then you can scale back the run times and set another start time for later. Shorter run times and more frequent watering allows the water to soak into the soil, so less runs off. If the temperature is cooler, you don’t have to cycle through as many times. Rainfall also means that you may not have to water one of the days you usually water that week, depending on the amount of rainfall. A rain sensor can shut off the system for a period of time so you don’t waste money watering when it is not needed. Smart controllers can also help conserve water and allow you to adjust controls remotely from your phone.
Summer Adjustments
You should check your system in early summer when it starts to get hot. Adjust the timer to water more often so your plants can survive the summer temperatures. Make sure none of the sprinkler heads have been damaged and everything is running smoothly.
We Can Activate Your Irrigation System
Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can activate your irrigation system for you. We will go through each of the steps and make sure your system is running efficiently and is set correctly. In fact, we have a new Lawn Sprinkler Subscription Program. The Fresh Impressions level includes sprinkler activation, a system inspection at activation, a summer season system inspection, and winterization. The Luscious Landscape level includes all that plus two additional seasonal system inspections, a zone diagram, and 5% off all repairs. Finally, the Royal Treatment level includes sprinkler activation, system inspection at activation, four seasonal system inspections, six remote adjustments of the sprinkler during the season, winterization, zone diagram, and priority scheduling. Royal Treatment clients will also get 10% off of all repairs. To fully take advantage of this level of service, you must have a Wi-Fi-smart controller, which may require a one-time additional fee. To enroll, call the office at (816) 825-2524 today.
We would like to introduce our new irrigation division manager. We are excited to announce that we are now offering lawn sprinkler service and repair.
Got Here As Soon As He Could
Raymond was born in Wichita, Kansas, but moved to Kansas City in high school. He got a degree in agriculture business from K State. For a while, he lived in Connecticut and serviced irrigation systems there. A few years ago, just before the pandemic, he came home to KC to help care for relatives.
Hobbies
Raymond loves the outdoors and gardening. He also loves hunting, fishing, and working on cars. On the weekends, he can be found at the track watching whatever car races are happening. Indoors, he likes to build trinket boxes from wood. He also creates spectacular woodburning conversation pieces. Raymond likes science fiction too, and can often be found watching sci-fi movies and shows during rain days when he can’t get outside.
Joining of Abilities
Raymond had his own irrigation and landscape business before joining Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping. He found Andy through a friend and fellow Blue Crew member who wondered if Raymond and Andy could do more together than apart. Once they met, it was quickly clear that Raymond embodies the core values of the company and that he would be a great fit for our team.
Irrigation Subscription Service
With Raymond here, we are now able to offer a Lawn Sprinkler Subscription program with three tiers of service to match our Garden Care model The Fresh Impressions level includes sprinkler activation, a system inspection at activation, a summer season system inspection, and winterization. The Luscious Landscape level includes all that plus two additional seasonal system inspection, a zone diagram, and 5% off all repairs. Finally, the Royal Treatment level includes sprinkler activation, system inspection at activation, four seasonal system inspections, six remote adjustments of the sprinkler during the season, winterization, zone diagram, and priority scheduling. Royal Treatment clients will also get 10% off of all repairs. To fully take advantage of this level of service, you must have a Wi-Fi-smart controller, which may require a one-time additional fee.
Time To Activate Your Irrigation System
St. Patrick’s Day is the traditional time of year to activate your irrigation system for the growing season. To enroll in our lawn sprinkler subscription program, give the Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping office a call at (816) 825-2524. To have us design your landscape, schedule a consult.
Trends change in landscape design just like they change with interior decor or clothing styles. Here are some trends that are big right now.
Native Plants and Sustainable Landscaping
As water becomes scarcer and the environmental cost of imported plants becomes better known, native plants and sustainable landscaping are more important than ever. Native plants have evolved to survive with the average amount of rainfall in the area, therefore requiring less watering by you to help them thrive. They also sustain many more pollinators and other wildlife than imported plants.
Outdoor Living Spaces
Outdoor living spaces have been a trend for a while but are becoming even more popular. Since 2020 when the world was forced to stay home, people are valuing their property’s outdoor spaces more. Families appreciate the experience of spending time together outdoors. Whether cooking on the BBQ, swimming in the pool, or sitting around the fire, our clients are making memories with their loved ones in the spaces we create. We exist to design and build interesting, functional, and comfortable outdoor spaces for our customers.
Colorful and Fragrant Gardens
For a while, plant developers prioritized vigor over fragrance. Now heady scents are back in vogue. Waves of color add to the sense appeal of a well-designed garden. Textures also make a garden more appealing, especially in shade gardens where color can be limited to shades of green. Seasonal container gardening is another great way to add pops of interest and focal points for your garden.
Vertical Gardens and Green Walls
Sometimes, there isn’t room to spread out. Spread up instead! Using vertical gardens allows you to grow an incredible amount of vegetation in a small area. Green walls improve air quality, too. Not to mention they may be used to create a unique privacy screen for your deck or patio space.
Smart Landscaping
Smart technology has really bloomed. Automated irrigation systems, smart lighting, and apps that assist with swimming pool and water feature management are only a screen away. Being able to control features from your phone is the norm for our society and is now available in many applications in the landscape industry.
Wildlife-Friendly Gardens
Butterfly and pollinator gardens are very popular. In addition to looking nice, designing landscapes that feed local wildlife can increase the pleasure a garden gives. Bird and butterfly watching is very popular. Water features draw an even wider range of wildlife to watch. Smart cameras make watching your garden wildlife easy wherever you are.
Edible Landscaping
As many people discovered during the pandemic, incorporating edible plants into the landscape design comes with twice the satisfaction – growing them and eating them. Fruit trees, berry bushes, vegetables, and herbs can provide delicious meals while lowering your carbon footprint. Automated systems like the Tower Garden have also made growing food stress-free and easy to maintain once set up for the season with NO WEEDING to worry about.
Natural Stone Elements
We always recommend using natural stone for pathways, patios, and other hardscape features because it is not only beautiful but durable. Natural stone doesn’t wear like some other man-made materials and will never go out of style. Rocks and stones come from the earth and will always be a part of landscapes from the beginning of time to now and forever.
Water Features
Water features provide a focal point for a landscape, and water is an essential element of all life. Water in the landscape is popular for the sense of calm and peace it creates. Water features also provide water to wildlife, giving more opportunities to enjoy watching the natural habitat.
Many people engage in a vigorous spring cleaning of the whole house. Don’t forget to clean your outdoor living space, too. Here are some tips on things to be sure and do to prepare for spending a lot of time outside.
Clear Debris
Over the winter, leaves and other debris end up on your patio, porch, lawn, and landscape beds. Rake this litter up and remove it. Many pests overwinter in leaves and organic debris, so removing it will help reduce your pest load as well as making the area look nicer.
Inspect and Clean Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture takes a lot of abuse. Clean it with soap and water to remove dirt that accumulated during the winter. Inspect furniture, especially deck chairs and other things that stay outside in the weather, to make sure they do not have rust or damage that would make them break under use. If needed, give the furniture a new coat of weather-resistant paint to spruce it up further.
Clean and Repair Your Patio or Deck
Patios and decks need regular maintenance. Sweep them off then inspect them for damage. Stone and paver patios and decks need to be hosed off carefully to avoid washing the sand out of the joints. Keep the water moving and don’t focus on the joints. Wooden decks need to be hosed off, too. Every two or three years, pavers and concrete should be chemically cleaned and resealed to keep them fresh and hold their color. Wooden decks can be cleaned and stained, and sealed.
Garden Bed Preparation
Remove dead plants and debris. Prune overgrown shrubs and cut back ornamental grasses and perennials to make room for new growth to sprout. Adding a layer of fresh compost to add organic matter on top of the soil will help your plants thrive. Apply slow release fertilizer to the plants to give them a boost and help them to grow well during the coming season.
Inspect and Maintain the Grill
If you have a grill, be sure and inspect it carefully and make sure all the connections are tight, there are no leaks, and you have a full tank of gas. If your grill uses charcoal, clean out all the ashes and lay in a supply of charcoal for the coming grilling season. Remove any rust from your grill and seal it so no further damage occurs.
Revive the Lawn
Rake the lawn to remove debris and thatch. Spread a layer of compost on the soil and rake it in well. Apply fertilizer and water well. If you have bare spots, spread seed into the compost so it will fill in.
Clean Outdoor Lighting
Clean the surface of all your lights with a damp cloth. Test each light to make sure the bulbs work. Replace any burned-out bulbs. Inspect the wiring for damage and repair any bad spots. Make sure lights are aimed properly and re-aim any that have gotten knocked around during the winter storms.
Inspect and Clean Gutters
Before the spring rains, clean out your rain gutters. Make sure the gutters are in good repair without any leaks. Replace any damaged sections. Make sure the downspout goes well away from the foundation. If there is erosion from the downflow of water, place a weed barrier and rocks around it to protect your soil from washing away.
Check and Repair Fencing
If you have a fence, check for loose or damaged boards. Replace any problem boards with new ones. If needed, re-stain the fence or paint it to spiff it up. Check gates to make sure they lock securely and will open easily.
Organize Outdoor Storage Areas
Clean your outdoor storage areas. Arrange and organize the items in it so you can find what you are looking for. Remember to keep fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals under lock and key so children and pets do not get into them.
Pest Control
Bugs and rodents come out in the spring. If pests are eating your plants, you can use an insecticide to help control them. Keeping your landscape clean from debris is a great way to safely limit pests before using chemicals.
Add Some Greenery
Add shrubs to replace any that died during the winter, like evergreens that got winter burn. We usually use Mother’s Day as a mark of when frost chances are gone to add seasonal color annual flowers. New plants are a fun way to start the year and add interest to the garden.
Get Help with Spring Inspections
Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can help get ready for the outdoor season. We can inspect your lights and make sure they are working properly and are aimed in the right direction. We offer patio maintenance and have the equipment and trained staff needed to do it properly. Finally, we offer a garden care program that includes weeding, pruning, new mulch, and pre-emergent to leave your landscape beds crisp and renewed. Call the office at (816) 825-2524 to get more information or schedule a consult.
