SPRING CLEAN UP - THERE'S STILL TIME!

Start Planning:

Don’t buy a thing until you are familiar with your yard’s personality and profile. Do you know where it’s sunny, shady, wet or dry? Is your soil made of clay or sand or is it just right? When you get familiar with your property, you reduce the risk of buying and planting the perfect flower in an imperfect spot.

Start Dreaming:

This is the right time to consider how to transition your outdoor spaces into earth-friendly places. There are hundreds of perennial and native plants, shrubs and trees that work wonders to improve your soil, reduce your water bill and add interest and appeal to your yard. Can you say Schizachyrium scoparium? How about Liatris pycnostacha? Both are exciting natives that dig deep and bloom beautifully. Think about a specialty garden: a space to meditate, a corner for kitchen herbs, a hedge for songbirds or an ABC garden for children. And if you don’t have a small vegetable or herb garden, think about it. Victory Gardens are coming back!

Start Working:

Now is the time to dig in but you can get started with a few simple things.

Ÿ Clean and repair your garden tools and accessories instead of buying new. Sand and paint wooden handles, oil and sharpen dull blades and sterilize your planters and pots in the dishwasher (no soap, please).

Ÿ Cut back the ornamental grasses to 3”-6”, do the same to the coneflowers and other leggy plants that provided such beautiful winter interest.

Ÿ Be careful if you choose to prune your trees and shrubs – don’t clip the Spring bloomers!

Ÿ Re-edge sloppy garden areas with a sharp shovel. The ground is just moist enough to cut a clean edge with ease.

Ÿ Start to turn the compost bin. It’s been sitting outside all winter and it’s time to shake it up!