Homeowner Help / Seasonal Lawn and Garden Tips

Spring 2012

Now is the time to rejuvenate prune spirea. These can be cut all the way back to the size of a small basketball- don't worry if you think you are cutting back your whole plant- wait to see how full it will grow by mid summer!
Spring pruning of woody shrubs and trees is an excellent time to thin and shape your valuable landscape assets. Remember to wait on all spring flowering shrubs, otherwise you will prune off their floral display. If you really need to tame overgrown lilacs or forsythia, rejuvenate prune these to the ground as soon as possible, so new growth can emerge for the season. Some species of trees "bleed' overmuch in the spring as the sap starts to run. Save pruning of birch, elm, black walnuts, yellowwood, or maples until later in the season.
With the warmup, you can take the opportunity to care for your lawn. Areas where they may have been snow piled, could develop snow mold. This is a cosmetic problem, and will not persist once temperatures warm up. Overall, your lawn will appreciate a light raking will improve air circulation, reduce thatch, and reduce compaction.
Spring cleanup time is here!
- Cut back ornamental grasses to about 6"
- Cleanup shrubs and landscape beds, removing winter debris, leftover leaves
- Rejuvenation prune certain shrubs and shape others, or, renewal prune to remove 20% of the oldest growth of red twig dogwoods and viburnums to encourage new growth
- Reset tender perennials that may have heaved with the freeze/thaw cycles

Excess snow and ice can damage your evergreens- especially arborvitae, junipers, and yews. By trying to remove the snow and ice, however, you can do more damage than good. If you have flopping or bending branches, they can be tied together to help alleviate the stress out on a single branch. Twine, cloth strips or specially made arborist ties work well.
With the lack of snowcover, make sure that tender woody plants and roses have enough mulch covering plant crowns. Inspect plants to make sure small voles and other wildlife are not damaging plant stems.
Enjoy the seasonal splendor that ornamental grasses and plants with winter interest provide such as Winterberry and Cranberry bush Viburnums that offer beautiful red berries that pop out in a dull winter landscape.