We are ready for it!  Even though there might still be some of that awful white stuff still on the ground, it’s time to plan those spring projects.  From yard clean-up to brand new patio, it pays to be organized.

To tackle all of those ‘spring cleaning’ yard chores, start with a list of all the tasks you need to accomplish.  Take a walk through your garden and note any winter damage that you might need to address.  You might also be surprised at what has started to come back to life.  Discovering that first Crocus bloom is a late winter treat!  By assessing the conditions, you will get a sense for how much time you will need to devote.  Once you have your to-do list, you can take advantage of any windows of nice weather and chip away at the project.  If you approach the chores one at a time, the list may not be so daunting.

This is also the time to start your summer veggies and annuals.  You can get a quick shot of color therapy while you peruse the seed catalogs and websites.  You will need to order your selections as you want to set up your seed starting area soon.  This is also the time to order bare-root plants, including roses and fruit trees.  The companies will adjust shipping schedule according to your planting zone.

The best part about this time of year is planning your creative garden projects.  Look around your neighborhood and the web for inspiration.  Find things you like and apply those principles to your projects.  Whether you need new stepping stones or want to add a raised herb bed, you need to decide on your materials and your budget.  Don’t hesitate to call around and ask about pricing for stone, timbers, soil delivery, etc.  Depending upon the scope of your project, you may want to consult a landscape designer to help you with the details.  These lawn and landscaping professionals can offer you a whole range of services, from advice to installing you whole project and everything in between.

Remember, fortune favors the prepared.  By handling the decision-making ahead of time, you will be ready to jump in with both feet as soon as the weather is right.  You can accomplish your tasks early and enjoy the fruits (maybe literally) of your labor while everyone else is still toiling away.

If you really do need to prune, here is some useful information:

1. Remove suckers (those little sprouts at the base of the tree) by clipping them as close to the ground as you can with SHARP pruning shears.
2. Remove any interior branches that cross or rub on other branches.  Ideally all of your main branches will point “out”.
3. Remove any branches thinner than your finger.  This also includes basically all of the old seed pod branches.
4. Prune in the early spring.  Remember that Crapes leaf out a lot later than native trees.  In Central Maryland, this gives you until about the middle of April to prune safely.

If your Crape Myrtles are particularly tall or you don’t quite have the time to take on the work, we recommend contacting an Annapolis area landscaper who can provide a quote and handle the job for you.

1. Lawns need sun.  Grass does best when you start with ideal grass-growing conditions.  Turf (typically) needs 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.  A lush, green lawn under the oaks (or maples, or sweet gums, take your pick) is really not very practical.
2. Lawns need water.  While we do get rain frequently in the spring, by the time we get to the end of June, we run out of predictable rain fall.  Remember that grass has a shallow root system (2-4″ deep) and cannot pull water from farther down in the soil.  This means that when we go more that a few days without significant rain (1/2″ or more), you will need to turn on the sprinklers.
3. Lawns need air.  This means that you need to keep the leaves raked up and the thatch to a healthy amount.  If the airflow is impeded, growth will be hampered.  If your soil is compacted, appropriate airflow does not reach the roots.  This is where an aeration service would be beneficial.
4. Lawns need to be cut.  Most varieties of turf in our area are healthiest when maintained at 3 – 3 1/2″ tall.  Cutting it shorter stresses the plants, creating a higher water need.  Letting it get to long also creates plant stress (and human stress!) when you are struggling to cut down the meadow.
5. Lawns need TLC.  Along with all of the needs we have already mentioned, you will need to monitor the health of your grass.  You may need to do things like adjust the pH (to aid in nutrient up-take), add nutrients (in the form of fertilizers), and manage pests (both weeds and insects).

If this is more than you want to take on – there are well-known and trusted lawn care companies in Annapolis that can take on the hardest jobs for you.