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Yard tidying tips for homeowners this spring

Spruce up for the season
web1_OBNHomefinderApril21

Spring is the time to clean up after winter storms and months of yard and garden neglect, but for many, it can be a daunting task.

However, there are a few easy and budget-conscious ways to perk up your property, says Nikolaos Lioucatis, owner of Victoria-based company, Nik’s Lawn and Garden.

“Spring is a great time of year to do basic clean-up of garden beds, shrubbery and lawns,” he explained, adding that there are a few options to consider when it comes your lawn in particular.

“Aerating and power raking are both great options to encourage lawn growth and condition,” he said.

“Most people are familiar with aerating, where small holes are put throughout the soil in order alleviate soil compaction and to allow water and nutrients to better reach the grass roots. But not a lot are familiar with power raking, which is a great option for lawns, especially this time of year,” he explained.

Lioucatis continued to say that power raking is carried out with a machine that has rotating tines which scratch at the surface of the soil and remove any dead grass (called thatch) and moss, much like a hair brush on hair. It’s a great treatment for lawns in the Pacific Northwest, he said, because of all the moss that can accumulate over the winter.

“Once a lawn has been power raked it can be top dressed and seeded depending on the overall condition of the lawn,” he said.

For lawns in need of a major overhaul, or a quick fix if a homeowner is looking to show or sell a home, Lioucatis recommends sod.

“It’s a bit pricier, coming in around $2 a square foot, but it’s a quick and easy fix for any lawn in need of a makeover,” he said.

Any reputable lawn and garden maintenance company should haul away (or arrange to have hauled away) any waste they create from power raking or sod installation, Lioucatis added.

To perk up established garden beds, pulling weeds and adding topsoil and mulch is a quick and easy way to give a yard a more manicured look.

“The nice part about putting down topsoil and mulch is that it also keeps weeds down and helps garden beds to retain moisture through the drier months,” Lioucatis explained, adding that if a homeowner is looking to show or sell, adding topsoil and mulch to beds adds great perceived value for potential homebuyers or renters.

Power washing mossy walkways, brickwork and siding can also give your yard a spring facelift as well as adding colourful annual plantings in pots and planters around the front door.

For more information on Lioucatis, see nikslawnandgarden.vpweb.ca or call 250-588-7547.

editor @oakbaynews.com