SET A REALISTIC PACE AND TIME FRAME - IT'S A MARATHON-NOT A SPRINT  

LET SPRING GAMES BEGIN-emergence / activity of Bugs, Buds, Bulbs, Blooms, Moles and start by looking sunny areas especially those south facing-temperatures trigger everything and this is warmest spot, look up at trees early blooming silver maple trees (flowers greenish to red without petals), down for mole surface tunnel and or mounds of dirt indicating skinny hungry on prowl, up and down for insect hatchings-tent caterpillar (thick webbing in tree branches), pine sawflies (on pine branch tips)-damage from these 2 insect larva are minimal if trees have been given proper care and maintenance, spider mites can doing damage as temperatures remain above freezing, green growth in lawn, pots, and garden spaces some good bulb foliage peeking out, some bad crabgrass, henbit, fungus bacteria-Staying Up Now will save lots of work later in season and or prevent disaster-

Applications of Anything-fertilizer, herbicide, fungicide, insecticide-follow label instructions-what, when, where, and how i.e. dilution rate, companion mixes, temperature / environmental factors, safety equipment-notations from extensive tests over multiple years pre-product release, not following instructions results could be worse than existing-DON'T FOOL AROUND

Anxious to Start-keep off wet areas foot steps compact soil, gather thoughts, plan to prevent back pedaling, whether long time gardener or first timer look for help in routine care / maintenance, diagnosis / treatment or renovation, and design check new products and ideas could help get  job done more efficiently making for more enjoyment time-Don't Rush-install only cool weather types i.e. forsythia, cornelian cherry, dianthus, iris, peonies, bluebells, columbine, forget me not, pansy (over-wintered likely dead do to severe and extended cold), linneria, broccoli, cabbage, creeping phlox, etc. skip warm weather types i.e. rose of Sharon, summer sweet, balloon flower, black-eyed Susan, lamium, sedum, hosta, marigold, petunia, herbs, tomato, begonia, etc. reminder cold ground inhibits root growth be patient and wait until late March at earliest for installing warm season plants

Birds-feeding encourages near-by nesting, can help with insect control and just fun to watch

Bulbs-all types prevent drying out / drought stress-hardy (daffodil, tulip, snow drop hyacinth, etc.) when foliage breaks surface fertilize-use powder water mixture (lower ratio), not granular-pieces laying on emerging vegetation can burn tropical houseplant (amaryllis, cyclamen, etc.) if actively growing keep watered / fertilize, tropical dormant (canna, gladiola, caladium, etc.) plant in potting mix, place pot on bottom heat mat, under grow lights, fertilize at first sign of emerging foliage-

Edibles-install asparagus, rhubarb, seed potato, herbs grow inside window sill till late month-

Ground Covers-(liriope, ivy, vinca)-mow down to 3" removes winter kill and leaf debris

Houseplants-fertilize ½ label rate, water as potting mix shrinks from pot side, remove yellowing foliage, monitor for insects, identify / control white fly-sticky trap, fungus gnats- sand layer / soapy water soil drench, scale-wipe off, aphid-insecticidal soap, mites-wash entirely optional-miticide

Lawn-most expensive part of landscape, in many ways most difficult timing is crucial especially when working to eliminate or control problem by using correct technique, product, timing and read label first,-follow soil test results when making / adding any type of fertilizer, first cut / mow of year with sharpened mower blade height 2-2.5" removing damaged blade allowing for better air circulation, look for signs of winter fungus 1) Fusarium Patch (Pink Snow Mold) 1-12” rounded bleached tan with white bright or pale pink mold on grass blades 2) Typhula Blight (Gray Snow Mold)- rounded grayish to straw colored, size from 2’ or more can merge together making an unusual pattern-annual weed control pre-emergent apply if soil temperatures above 45 degrees-3 days in row, broadleaf weeds    

-spot treat with ready to use trigger sprayer or wick applicator, cool season (blue, fescue) improve soil core aerate spread ¼-1/2" compost over entire are rake in with leaf rake, wait till April for zoysia  

New Mulch-use only composted types to reduce moisture wicking and nutrient binding factors, add only if needed (maintain 3-4" woodies and 1-2" herbaceous) spreading while ground is cold allows for more natural / gradual warm-up reducing freeze thaw soil cycle that can damage feeder roots

Soil Preparation-do not work wet ground (leave foot prints) creates below surface air pockets can cause installed plants roots to de-hydrate / die), workable dry ground-measure sq. ft. purchase 2 cu. yds. composted amendments per 100 sq. ft. to raise bed 6-8” proven best for healthy growth, mix amendment with existing soil for better drainage / root development, slope away from structure