Maintenance begins with weekly mowing and trimming of the turf but this is certainly not the extent of it. In fact, cutting and trimming is often the easiest part. A maintenance package begins in early April with a Spring Clean Up. This involves a rigorous raking or dethatching of all the lawn areas. A build up of thatch in the grass can be a breeding zone for all kinds of turf fungi and can prevent moisture and oxygen from getting to the roots.
Aeration is another important procedure done in the spring.
It also works against thatch in that it allows air and moisture through the thatch to the roots by pulling out little plugs of thatch and soil. A spring clean up also involves removing the winter protection such as burlap from the evergreens and rhododendrons and protective mulch from around the roses and other fragile perennials. All the trees and bushes are then pruned to remove winterkill, to cut back the size or just for reshaping. The garden beds are then raked clean of winter debris such as garbage, leaves, twigs, etc. Rich red pine mulch can be added to the garden beds at this time to retain moisture, discourage weed growth, add nutrients to the soil as well as enhancing overall aesthetics.