Temperatures are starting to rise in the Valley as we move further into spring. Check out the fresh color in your parks as we are in the middle of a planting project there.

We’re also in the middle of transitioning your winter Ryegrass to summer Bermuda, fertilizing and adjusting mow heights as necessary to promote the Bermuda’s regrowth. During this period, your turf may look a little patchy, but that will decrease once the Bermuda has completed its full transition.

We’re aiding the Bermuda grass in the turf we didn’t overseed as it emerges from dormancy, fertilizing as necessary to encourage its regrowth.

We completed a process called aeration on your turf last month, which calls for perforating the surface to allow air, water and nutrients to reach the lower layers of the turf. This will help promote nutrient balance and overall health.

We’re also done with seasonal pruning for the year, the process in which we trim shrubs to about half their size or smaller to promote proper regrowth and health. Many of these shrubs are now in full bloom so be sure to take a look.

Our Arbor Department is currently inspecting your trees and developing specialized pruning plans for those that need them in order to prepare for monsoon season.

We continue with cycle work, trimming overgrown shrubs and low-hanging branches off of sidewalks and curbs as needed and cleaning up fallen leaf debris. As the weather heats up, we are increasing your irrigation water to keep your plants, trees and turf healthy and hydrated.

Caring for young trees

Did you take advantage of our early mild temperatures this year by planting new shrubs and flowers at home? Did you add any new trees to your landscape?

Sometimes we think when we install a new tree, nature will take over in caring for it. But really, a new tree needs special attention, especially as it tries to establish itself during the first few important years of growth.

During the tree’s first year in the ground, we encourage leaving as many limbs on the tree, including along the entire length of the trunk, for as long as possible. Keeping these extra limbs provides more leaves for the tree to use to make more nutrients so it can grow stronger more rapidly.

Light pruning may be required during the first year; this may include removal of dead or broken branches, a competing leader, any branches touching the ground or any sprouts (also known as “suckers”) growing directly out of the base of the trunk. Otherwise, young trees are best left un-pruned during their first year.

Visit the DLC Learning Center and search for “young tree” to learn more about how to care for your young tree including proper watering.

Turf transition continues

The natural progression to summer Bermuda grass from winter Ryegrass continues in your common areas.

During this time, the Ryegrass dies and the turf may appear to be yellow or have some areas that look dry. This is a temporary condition that improves as the Bermuda grass fills in.

Transitioning from Ryegrass to Bermuda grass is, ideally, a gradual process that typically lasts from the beginning of April through the end of May.