Is Spring Here Yet?!

It is warming up and I am done with the cold and snow. I am ready to see some plants leafing out and flowers popping up everywhere. But is my yard ready? It is hard to remember all the work that needs to be done now to make the rest of the year easier. So here is a list of late winter/early spring chores to get your yard ready for a better summer.

1-PRUNE! - If you have fruit trees they should be pruned by mid-March and should not be pruned after buds start to appear. Ornamental and Shade trees can be pruned later. Proper tree pruning will help trees grow big and strong and will reduce the amount of branches that litter your yard whenever the wind blows. This is a good time to prune rose bushes, remove dead branches from other shrubs, and prune bushes for desired shape and size during the summer. This is also the time to cut back ornamental grasses and perennials so that the new sprouts can easily burst forth in the coming months.

2-PRE-EMERGENT HERBICIDE - The weeds are already starting to sprout, applying a pre-emergent herbicide now will help deter the flush of weeds that inevitably come with April's showers. Pre-emergent herbicide will need to be reapplied every two to three months, or any time you disturb the soil. The pre-emergent forms a barrier over the ground that prevents seeds from germinating. So be careful about applying it in areas that you have or will be seeding. Some pre-emergents also need to be kept away from food crops and new plants, so read the lable carefully.

3-CHEMICAL WEED CONTROL - Anytime a weed is vulnerable is a good time to spray it. Spraying in the spring when weeds are just getting established will help deter the weeds throughout the remaining growing season. Fall and Spring are the most effective times to spray super-hardy weeds like Bindweed (aka Morning Glory).

4-PLAN - If there is something you want to change in your yard, make plans to do it sooner than later. Spring is the best time to plant new trees, shrubs, and flowers. Deciding what you want to do now will help you get the plants you want and have them establish faster than waiting until summer. Remember that new plants require extra water, so don't start planting until you can safely run your sprinklers. Our weather is unreliable so don't count on rains to get those new plants established.