It looks like spring weather is arriving so we can get busy in the yard. The exercise is good but if you have not been too active during the winter months, start off slow and don’t overdo it. It’s time to plant those colorful, cheerful pansies to welcome spring and get some color in the garden. You can also plant early blooming perennials like English Daisies, Prim Rose and Hellebores now for years of beauty. It is also a good time to get some cool weather crops, like lettuce and spinach, in the ground.

Soil Preparation- One of the things most of us want to do, as soon as we can, is roto-till the flower beds and vegetable garden area so we will be ready to plant when the time is right. But remember, do not “work” the soil when it is too wet. You can determine if the soil is ready for tilling in your yard by taking a handful of soil and squeezing it into a ball. If the ball doesn’t crumble when applying slight pressure with your finger, it is too wet to work. There will be an “opening” in the weather and we want to be ready when this time comes.

Insect Control- One of the most environmentally friendly ways to control some of the most damaging insects in the landscape and on your fruit trees is the use of an oil spray. Now is the time to apply dormant oil spray, before the plants begin to grow. Follow the instructions on the label. This spray is not toxic to bees or animals and acts as a sufficant for insect eggs. This is also an excellent control for scales and spider mites that can be prevalent in our yards. An application of dormant oil spray is one of the most effective controls for these critters. Bonide’s Horticultural Oil spray is one of the best. Avoid spraying Blue Spruce as this spray may cause the blue to be diminished. Follow label instructions for other important details.

Lawns- If you have some bare spots in your lawn and you plan to do some reseeding this should be done without delay. It is critical to have good seed contact with the soil. Keep in mind that late summer/early fall is the best time to establish a lawn but some patching can be done in early spring if completed before the end of April. Weeds will take over the spring seeded areas if there is poor soil contact with the seed or if seeding is too late in the spring. The two most important fertilizer applications annually are March/April and then in September. Enjoy the warmer weather and let’s get the yard in shape in the next week or so.