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.
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.
Apply a pre-emergent herbicide before lawn weeds get started.
These chemicals work by preventing the seed from germinating.
Therefore, it is important that the herbicides be applied in early
spring, before growth of the weed seedlings. Check with your
local Extension agent
for specific recommendations.
Use crabgrass killer before forsythia blooms fade.
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
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