Cut English Ivy back very hard. It will come back very nicely in the spring.
Trim Mondo Grass and Liriope with lawn mower set on highest setting (6 inches). Dispose of trimmings.
Walks and drives help guide the flow of foot traffic. When lined with borders, hedges, or other plant materials, they may become too formal and prominent in the landscape.
Use enough plant materials to lessen the impact of large areas of pavement, but still allow grass to meet the pavement in areas.
Examine lawn areas where water may have pooled or snow cover lingered. Snow mold fungus may develop in these areas. Also look for meadow mouse tunnels in the browned grass.
Both can be improved by roughing up the affected area with a rake to encourage the adjacent healthy grass plants to fill in.
Take your lawnmower in for servicing to avoid the rush at the repair shop on that first nice weekend of April. Get it tuned up, the oil changed, and tighten all bolts.
At the very least, get the blade sharpened.
Early spring is the right time for two special turf treatments, if needed: vertical cutting or thinning to remove thatch and aerification or coring to reduce soil compaction.
Special equipment is available for each operation. Consult a lawn-care specialist, or rent the equipment and do-it-yourself.
Reposition stepping stones that have heaved or sunk below grass level. Lift them up, spread sand in the low areas, and replace
the rocks. A bed of sand under the stones will aid drainage and decrease heaving next year.
Take care to keep off soft and soggy lawns. Lime spreaders, wheelbarrows and other equipment will leave compaction marks. Seed new lawns and do repairs after the land has drained.
When a blanket of snow insulates the lawn, temperatures at ground level may rise to above freezing. Snow mold fungi (a white, cottony growth on grass blades) thrives at temperatures between
32 and 65 degrees F. To reduce possible snow mold damage, remove heavy snow accumulations in shady areas. If you cannot physically remove the snow, spread ashes or dry peat moss on the snow.
The dark-colored material will absorb solar radiation and melt the snow faster.
Variegated plants can help add the illusion of light to a dark area. Shade-loving ground covers, such as variegated liriope, ivies, euonymous and hosta, can be very effective for this.
Get your landscape design on paper. It's easier to erase it from a plan than to move it with a shovel.
Shrubs and trees in the home landscape break up sound waves and reduce the nerve-shattering noise of modern society. Plant some
new shrubs and trees this spring to improve the beauty and ambience of your home.
We come from the earth, we return to the earth, and in between we garden.
--Author unknown