Tips on Preparing your garden, yard for spring
Now is a perfect time to be thinking about what needs to be done for the lawn and garden. I'm going to start with one of the most important items, even though you won't be able to accomplish the task until the ice and snow melt. It's time to get the leaves and pine straw off the lawn and excess material out of the plant beds in the garden. Grass and shrubs...
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Tips on Preparing your garden, yard for spring
by Bill Hayes

Now is a perfect time to be thinking about what needs to be done for the lawn and garden. I'm going to start with one of the most important items, even though you won't be able to accomplish the task until the ice and snow melt. It's time to get the leaves and pine straw off the lawn and excess material out of the plant beds in the garden.

Grass and shrubs need to "breathe" and receive sunlight even during the cold winter months. Remember that we have many plants that flower during the winter. Camellias, Daphne, mahonia and hellebores are just a few of our cold weather plants. Some grasses, such as centipede and St. Augustine grass never go completely dormant and can benefit from the extra sunlight. While you are at it, pull the extra heavy mulch 3 to 4 inches away from the plant stems. This will help to prevent disease. Do this to your trees, too.

We want our lawn to be clean for another important reason. It will soon be time to put down a pre-emergence herbicide to prevent summer weeds. It isn't time yet, but it will be when the soil temperatures approach 55¼F. This usually occurs from late February to early March. If you wait too long to clean up the yard, you will risk missing the best time to prevent a hardy weed population. Old fashion raking with a wide leaf rake is the best way to prepare the lawn. Don't use a power rake or dethatcher on centipede or St. Augustine grass now since it may do severe harm to the lawn. Use the leaves or pine straw to start a compost pile or grind them up for mulch.

Now would be a great time to get your lawn mower in shape. Did you drain the gas from the tank in the fall? When was the last time you changed the oil or sharpened the blade? How old is the spark plug? Am I creating feelings of guilt here? Most of these tasks are homeowner friendly, so get at them before you need to do your first mowing. An extra blade would be handy, and they are inexpensive.

Check your pruning shears to be sure that they are sharp. This is a good time to prune a number of shrubs that do not have blooms in spring.

If you have a drip irrigation system be sure to get new batteries for the timers. Another item to have ready is a box of new rubber washers for all of your hose connections. Check your garden hoses for leaks and test the water nozzles.

Don't forget the birds! They were skidding all over the ice on my lawn looking for food. They also need some fresh water for a drink or a bath.

Moles are with us 12 months a year and do not hibernate. Right now, they are chasing earthworms that are close to the surface of the soil and making a mess of lawns. Unless you have a trap, cat, Jack Russell terrier or a neighborhood fox, these little guys are tough to catch, and they can make a mess in your lawn. For now, flatten out the tunnels so that the grass roots are back in touch with the soil.