Well, now that we’re half-way through the month of February it’s time to begin preparing our lawns for the coming spring. After all, crocuses are already in bloom in many areas and the robins have just made their first appearance of the season here in the mid-Atlantic states. Getting an early start will mean having the most beautiful lawn in your neighborhood!
Here are a few tips for getting your lawn ready for spring:
1 – Prune the branches of your fruit trees just enough to give them a good shape. Be sure to remove any dead twigs as you go along.
2 – Gather up and dispose of the pruned branches along with any branches that fell out of the trees over the winter months.
3 – Rake up any residual leaves and dump them on your compost pile.
4 – Pick up any trash that might have been thrown (or blown) onto your property.
5 – Remove all the dead stalks from your flower beds, making room for the new shoots that are soon to appear.
6 – Fertilize your lawn and flower beds in order to give your grass and flowering plants a healthy start.
7 -Re-seed any bare spots on your lawn with grass seed.
Summary: Spring is just around the corner, and a little preparation will ensure that your lawn and garden will be the most beautiful (and healthiest) around. A little time and money spent right now will pay off handsomely during the warmer months that lie ahead.
About the author: Sharon Mellon is an avid gardener and author. She lives in rural Virginia with her husband Tom and daughters Micha and Elise. Photo credit: Elke Sisco