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Make Your Yard ‘Spring’ to Life

This winter has been a particularly harsh one with the polar vortex and piles of snow. The good news is that spring really is just around the corner. There is a greater excitement and anticipation this year of the warmer weather and green grass as many of us are quite tired of Old Man Winter. In a few short weeks, the landscape will change from white, to brown, to green, and there are some things you can do to help your yard spring to life.

For some reason, outdoor jobs that must be done in the spring become enjoyable activities, while they’re simply chores at other times of the year. Take advantage of your extra energy this time of year and really get your yard in shape to so you can take it a little easier the rest of the year.

Here are some things you can do to jumpstart your yard:

Liven up your lawn
It might be a bit of a sorry sight after the winter, but with a bit of TLC, you can coax it back to vibrant life. If you can see a fair amount of thatch (the dead, straw-like stuff that is often tangled near the grass roots) you will need to rake it out before you attempt any other lawn care projects. Getting the thatch out of the way will allow grass seed and fertilizer to take hold into the soil. Patch those bare spots by scratching up the soil with a rake first. Mix a shovel of soil with a couple of scoops of grass seed and spread in the patch you’re fixing. Rake level and keep well-watered until seeds germinate and the new grass establishes.

Go on weed patrol
Weeds start growing vigorously early, so when you spot them, start pulling. Getting on top of the weeding now means a lot less work later. Weeds are easier to pull out while their roots are still shallow in early spring. Just work on a few areas of your yard at a time, so it won’t be so overwhelming.

Plant, prune and transplant
Early spring is a good time to plant those new roses, berries, fruit trees and most deciduous plants. You can also transplant any plants that haven’t started their spring growth yet. You will have a small window to move them around before it’s too late, so act quickly. If it’s still too early to plant, then start thinking about where you’d like to plant some perennials. Perennials are the backbone of your yard, providing structure and consistency to the landscape. Cut back any remaining dead perennial foliage from last season. Now is a good time to prune roses, but don’t prune any spring flowering shrubs until they are finished.