Spring Forward: Your Essential Western NC Landscape & Pool Prep Checklist

Written By MALACHI GIRMANN

Welcome, Spring! Here in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina, the warmer air, budding trees, and vibrant green returning to the landscape have us all eager to get back outdoors. As the days get longer and warmer, now is the perfect time to tackle essential maintenance for both your landscape and your swimming pool.

Getting a head start in April ensures your property looks its best and your pool is ready for enjoyment when the swimming season truly arrives. Whether you're in Lake Toxaway, Brevard, Cashiers, or any of the surrounding communities, preparing your outdoor spaces now pays dividends all summer long.

At [Girmann’s Landscaping and Swimming Pool LLC], we help homeowners across the region get their properties ready. To help you get started, here’s our essential spring checklist covering both your yard and your pool:

Your Spring Landscape Revival Checklist

Your lawn and garden beds are waking up after winter. Give them the attention they need now for lush, healthy growth throughout the season.

  • ☐ The Great Cleanup: Rake away leftover fallen leaves, branches, and any other debris accumulated over winter. Pay attention to drainage areas and clear any blockages. Don't forget to clean out gutters!

  • ☐ Lawn Awakening: Give your lawn its first mow (but don't cut too short!). This is the ideal time to consider core aeration to reduce compaction and dethatching if needed. Discuss spring fertilization needs with a professional – a soil test can reveal exactly what your lawn craves.

  • ☐ Garden Bed Prep: Pull any early weeds that are popping up. Redefine garden bed edges for a crisp look. Amend the soil with compost if necessary, and apply a fresh layer of mulch (2-3 inches) to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and give beds a finished appearance.

  • ☐ Pruning & Planting Power: Inspect trees and shrubs for any winter damage and prune away dead or broken branches. Hold off on major pruning for spring-flowering shrubs until after they bloom. It's also prime time to plan and plant cool-season annuals and perennials to add vibrant color!

  • ☐ Irrigation Inspection: Turn your irrigation system back on carefully. Check for any leaks, damaged sprinkler heads, or controller issues that may have occurred over winter. Adjust head alignment for optimal coverage.

(Need help with aeration, mulching, or irrigation system checks? [Girmann’s Landscaping and Swimming Pool LLC] offers comprehensive spring cleanup and maintenance services!)

Your Pool Opening & Preparation Checklist

Opening your pool correctly sets the stage for a clear, safe, and enjoyable swimming season. Don't rush it!

  • ☐ Cover Care: Carefully remove your winter pool cover. Clean it thoroughly according to the manufacturer's instructions before letting it dry completely and storing it properly to prevent mold or damage.

  • ☐ Water Level Check: Bring the pool water back up to the proper level – usually midway up the skimmer opening.

  • ☐ Equipment Power-Up: Reinstall drain plugs on your pump, filter, heater, etc. Reconnect hoses and electrical connections. Open necessary valves and prime the pump according to instructions. Turn the system on and check carefully for any leaks or unusual noises.

  • ☐ Initial Skim & Brush: Skim leaves and large debris from the surface. Give the pool walls, steps, and floor a thorough brushing towards the main drain.

  • ☐ First Vacuum: Perform an initial vacuum (often best to vacuum to 'waste' if there's significant debris to avoid overwhelming your filter).

  • ☐ Water Chemistry is Key: This is crucial! Test your pool water for pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and sanitizer levels (chlorine, bromine, or salt). Balance the alkalinity first, then pH, then calcium hardness. Shock the pool according to instructions to eliminate contaminants built up over winter. It might take a few days and adjustments to get everything perfectly balanced.

  • ☐ Safety First: Inspect your pool fence, gate latches, ladders, handrails, and any other safety equipment to ensure they are secure and functioning correctly.

(Pool openings can be tricky! Let the experts at [Girmann’s Landscaping and Swimming Pool LLC] handle the heavy lifting and complex water balancing with our professional pool opening service.)

Get Ready for a Beautiful WNC Summer!

Tackling this checklist now might seem like a lot, but preparing your landscape and pool in early spring is the best way to ensure you can relax and enjoy your beautiful Western North Carolina property throughout the warmer months.

Whether you need a full spring cleanup, weekly lawn maintenance, expert pool opening services, or are dreaming up a new landscape design, [Girmann’s Landscaping and Swimming Pool LLC] is here to help. We proudly serve homeowners in Lake Toxaway, Brevard, Cashiers, Sapphire, Rosman, Pisgah Forest, and across Transylvania County.

Ready to kickstart your spring? Contact us today for a free consultation or to schedule your service!

Call us at [828-674-5522] or visit our website at [https://girmanns.com/contact]

MALACHI GIRMANN