Time to Celebrate Spring Colors

Spring officially arrived on March 20 and with it the chance to spend more time outdoors amidst new growth with a reinvigoration of color and texture in the landscape. Some would say that spring is the best season of all, and I’d have a hard time arguing with them. It’s always exciting working alongside Mother Nature in bringing to life new to outdoor areas in our town and region.

When we think of spring, it’s important to remember that the things we do for the interior of our homes carries over into outdoor spaces. You probably know what I’m talking about – spring cleaning! Most of us would agree that our homes benefit from a good spring cleaning and this is equally true for landscaping. The first, most obvious thing to do is clearing out dead plant material, which is really important. Most properties can be cleared of old growth and unwanted plant material in as little time as a weekend. But there are a number of other steps needed to “clean up” a landscape, including tearing out outdated designs, and   incorporating an irrigation system. Adding or seasonally updating an irrigation system can improve the strength of the spring growth in any outdoor area.

With a clean, fresh and newly-irrigated lawn, new plantings can be just the solution for a springtime update. Some of the most traditional blooms we associate with spring weather are those that grow from bulbs, so these would naturally have to be planted in the fall. Sometimes I like to take look at a landscape in the spring and note the color that should be added with bulbs the coming fall. I would advise that you make sure to record your plans for bulb planting, so that when fall comes around, you’ll have some specific steps to take. In a different vein, planting a vegetable garden in the spring can bring much more immediate results. Often, a dedicated planting bed for vegetables can transform an outdoor area from one that is beautiful to one that’s beneficial and provides nutritional foodstuffs at the same time!

This is a great time of year to take note of how spring colors bursting from your yard can be incorporated into outdoor areas. If you have outdoor furniture that is starting to fade, an update can be achieved by adding a few new throw pillows, or simply replacing the outdoor cushions with one’s complimenting your garden plantings. Annual blooms can be added to planters and garden beds for a minimal cost with a maximum return in color impact. I invite you to join me in celebrating the season by embracing the beauty, hope and new life that a little attention to colorful details can bring to your outdoor living area.

Adam Haynes is the owner of Artisan Landscapes and may be reached at 541-292-3285 and www.artisanlandscapes.com