warm rush...

Students enjoying a spring day. Photo courtesy SCC.

I noticed the past weekend I was not the only one enjoying the nice weather. Everywhere I went there was loads of others enjoying the outside air with me. Then, as I pulled up to my house, I realized how much work there is to be done. It is time to take advantage of these warm temperatures for some yard work!

Tree pruning is a big one. Trees are best pruned while they are dormant, and we are coming to the end of that period. If you have any tree pruning to be done, now is the time. Also, removing dead wood and broken branches now will make your yard safer in the spring. If you have any large trees or large pruning jobs remember to be sure you hire a certified arborist to complete the work to ensure it is done in a safe and correct manner! If you need to find a certified arborist in your area be sure to check out TreesAreGood.com

Ornamental Grasses in Late Spring. Photo Courtesy of SCC.

Another item to work on is your ornamental grasses and other perennials. It is a good idea to cut your ornamental grasses down to a few inches now, because they start sending up new growth as early as March! Also perennials that need cleaning up before they begin their spring growth could be cleaned up now if you haven't already done so in the fall.

I also noticed my neighbor still has a lot of leaves in their yard. Leaves are a perfect breeding ground for voles and insects. Mulching those leaves with a mower now will not only make it cleaner and easier for a spring green-up, but will also provide some nutrients to your yard and garden throughout the year.

Getting a head start on your yard and gardens now will really make the effort less daunting when everything starts to green up and get ahead of us! It is also a great excuse to get outside and enjoy some fresh, warm air for a change! Come on spring!