The once lethargic and hushed landscape became frenetic and boisterous with the jubilant sound of chirping and twittering birds who seemed to have a season’s worth of gossip to share. The squirrels too descended in mass from the trees to forage and romp. The landscape had come alive and intimated a welcoming narrative of Spring’s imminent arrival.
The month of March is upon us, and Winter’s grasp is tenuous at best. Spring officially arrives March 20th, and judging by this hastened pace, Winter will be nothing more than a distant, contemptuous memory. Within a mere three weeks, Spring will be knocking on our proverbial doors, which ultimately means it’s time to get busy in our yards and gardens. First and foremost, Spring Clean Ups:
Spring Clean Ups position our yards and gardens to exploit the best of Spring’s warmer temperatures and rain fall. Essentially, a clean up allows us to put our best foot forward by:
- Raking and cleaning out accumulated leaves and debris.
- Pulling dead annuals and cutting back dead perennial stalks and ornamental grasses.
- Pruning any dead, diseased, weak or crossing branches, except for Spring-blooming plants, like Forsythia and Lilac. They should not be pruned until after they’ve bloomed.
- Edging or re-edging of bed edges and tree rings.
- Adding mulch to beds and tree rings.
- Assessing and addressing lawn issues, like snow mold, vole damage, salt damage, etc.
The weather will, undoubtedly, swing from one extreme to the other, but make no mistake, Spring is just a stone’s throw away. Reach out to Sweeney’s, and schedule your Spring Clean Up today!
Plant of the Week
Honeymoon Rome in Red Hellebore
Large 3-4″ maroon to deep burgundy blossoms with golden-yellow centers and creamy white stamens bloom March – April amongst course green foliage. Grows 18-24″ tall and 18-24″ wide. Prefers shade to partial sun and moist, well-drained soil. Attracts pollinators and is deer resistant.
“Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.”
-Virgil A. Kraft
Best wishes,
Kim Sweeney