Early spring in South Louisiana offers a unique opportunity to rejuvenate your lawn and landscape, preparing it for the vibrant growth of the warmer months. The mild climate, characterized by warm, humid days and cool evenings, creates an ideal environment for many types of grasses, plants, and flowers. Here's an 800-word guide on how to make the most of this season for your lawn and landscape.

Assess and Clean
1. Assessment
Begin with a thorough assessment of your lawn and garden. Look for winter damage, noting areas that may need special attention, such as patches where grass has thinned or plants that didn't survive the cooler months.

2. Cleanup
Clear debris, such as fallen branches, leaves, and thatch (a layer of dead grass and roots) that may have accumulated over the winter. Removing this material not only tidies up your yard but also improves air and moisture penetration to the soil.

Soil Preparation
3. Soil Testing
Conduct a soil test to determine its pH and nutrient levels. South Louisiana soils can vary greatly, and knowing your soil's composition will help you make informed decisions about fertilizing and amending your soil for optimal plant health.

4. Aeration
Aerating your lawn can relieve soil compaction, allowing roots to breathe and grow more deeply. This process involves making small holes in the soil to improve water, nutrient, and oxygen absorption.

5. Fertilization
Based on your soil test results, apply a spring lawn fertilizer that's appropriate for your grass type. In South Louisiana, lawns are often composed of warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, or St. Augustine, which benefit from fertilization as they begin active growth.

Lawn Maintenance
6. Mowing
As the weather warms and your lawn starts to grow, begin mowing at the recommended height for your grass type. This usually means keeping the blades high to encourage root development and shade out weeds.

7. Watering
Begin watering your lawn and garden as necessary. Early spring often brings rain, but during dry spells, ensure your lawn receives about an inch of water per week. Morning watering is best to reduce evaporation and disease risk.

Planting and Landscaping
8. Plant Selection
Choose plants that are well-suited to the South Louisiana climate. Consider native plants, which are adapted to the local environment and require less maintenance. Early spring is a good time to plant perennials, as well as some annuals, for a season-long display.

9. Vegetable and Herb Gardens
Early spring is the perfect time to start a vegetable or herb garden. Consider starting with cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, and cilantro, transitioning to warm-season varieties like tomatoes, peppers, and basil as the weather warms.

10. Mulching
Apply a layer of mulch around trees, shrubs, and garden beds to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weed growth. Organic mulches, such as wood chips or pine straw, also add nutrients to the soil as they decompose.

Pest and Weed Management
11. Weed Control
Early intervention is key to managing weeds. Apply pre-emergent herbicides to prevent weed seeds from germinating, and hand-pull or use post-emergent herbicides for any weeds that have already appeared.

12. Pest Monitoring
Keep an eye out for signs of pests, such as damaged leaves or unhealthy plant growth. Early detection can make management easier, whether through cultural practices, natural predators, or, if necessary, appropriate pesticides.

Seasonal Considerations
13. Frost Protection
While rare, late frosts can occur. Be prepared to protect tender plants with frost cloths or by bringing potted plants indoors on chilly nights.

14. Pruning
Early spring is a good time to prune certain shrubs and trees, removing dead or diseased wood and shaping plants before the growing season. However, wait to prune spring-flowering shrubs until after they bloom to avoid cutting off flower buds.

Ongoing Maintenance
15. Regular Inspection
Regularly walk through your lawn and garden, looking for signs of stress or disease. Early detection and intervention can prevent many problems from becoming severe.

16. Adapt and Enjoy
​Be flexible and responsive to your landscape's needs. Conditions in South Louisiana can change rapidly, so adapt your maintenance practices as needed. Most importantly, take time to enjoy the beauty and bounty of your garden throughout the season.

Conclusion
Caring for your lawn and landscape in early spring sets the stage for healthy growth and lush beauty throughout the year. By following these steps, you can ensure that your outdoor space in South Louisiana thrives, providing a beautiful and enjoyable extension of your home. Remember, the key to a successful garden and lawn is consistent care and attention to the specific needs of your plants and the local climate. Happy gardening!

Pruning Shapes
Shrubs have a natural shape they will grow into if left untouched. The more you try to change the shrub's natural shape, the more problems you will have with the shrub. Pruning with the shape of a shrub will make life easier for the both of you. Generally, shrubs with hard leaves are better for pruning hard corners and edges. Shrubs with soft leaves are much better to let fill out and have a more natural appearance.

Pruning Flowering Shrubs
Prune spring flowering shrubs right after blooming. Prune too early and you will miss out on the color. Prune too late and you will remove flower buds which will affect the next bloom.

Stem Removal
Remove all dead, damaged, diseased or poor performing stems. If there are two stems rubbing together or that have grown into one another, make a judgement call and remove the worse off of the two stems.

Pruning Maintained Hedges
If you have a well maintained hedge, you will need to prune it on the last frost of winter or just after. Remove the fresh green growth on the hedge to have it keep its shape. Some hedges can be maintained by pruning them three times a year, others take much more. 

Pruning Poorly Maintained Hedges
If you have inherited a poorly maintained hedge, you will need make a choice on the height. If you want to lower the height of the hedge a little, then gradually lower it a couple inches further down each time you prune. If the hedge has grown drastically taller than you would like it, you will need to remove up to a third off the top of it. You will need powered pruners and most likely a chainsaw. This will leave your hedge looking rather unpleasant until the top starts too grow back. There is also an increased risk of losing some of your shrubs, so proceed at your own risk. 

GreenSeasons offers professional pruning and landscape bed cleanup in the greater Baton Rouge, greater New Orleans, Slidell, Prairieville, Walker, Denham Springs, Gonzales, Baker, Zachary, Hammond and Covington areas. If you need professional pruning or landscape bed cleanup service, just click here for a free quote  and we will give you a call. 

If you would simply like some advice on pruning or landscape bed cleanup, please contact us and we will be more than happy to help.