Denny's Soapbox

February – and the Gardening is Easy

You won’t break a sweat gardening in your yard this time of year. You can, however, do some gardening now that can save you sweat and tears later.

The ground hog might see his shadow the first of March leading some to believe that we have six more weeks of winter. I personally don’t buy into this folklore. I believe the ground hog does the same thing we would do if we would wake up, go outside, and be exposed to a couple hundred people and T.V. cameras with lights. We’d go back inside too. Spring can come anytime over the next eight weeks. Time is running out on some pre-spring projects that can save you time and money later. Here’s what I would like you to accomplish over the next week or two.

Lawn Mower Check-up

I have a saying that goes “when the grass starts growing, you start mowing”. Problem is – is the mower ready to mow? Take your mower into your local lawn mower repair shop. Most tool rental stores repair mowers as well. Have your mower serviced including getting the blade or blades professionally sharpened. You do-it-yourself mechanics should still have the blade(s) professionally sharpened to make sure the sharpened blade(s) remains balanced when re-installed. If you’re shopping for a new mower, check out the mulching mowers before you buy.

Winter/Dormant Lawn Seeding

The clock is ticking to put grass seed on the weak and bare areas of your lawn. It is the easiest and second best time of year to seed with fall being the best and spring being third best. The only work you have to do is to remove any fallen leaves or other debris that would keep the new seed from reaching the ground. The freezing and thawing that will occur over the next few weeks will naturally prepare a seed bed with no raking required. The seed will naturally germinate in early spring as soil temperatures reach 55°. If you have a lawn service, notify them that you have winter seeded so that they don’t come and put down your crabgrass control until after your grass seed has germinated and started to grow. Then notify them of that fact and then they can come and treat. The same rule applies to Do-It-Yourselfers.

Pre-Landscape Planning

If you are considering re-landscaping parts or all of your landscape and you’re a do-it-yourselfer, take pictures of the area to be improved taking measurements of the area. On paper, note the locations of any walks, door and window locations, decks, and patios. Write down a budget figure that you would like to stay with and take all this information to your favorite, year round garden center. There are many qualified nursery people who can take all your information and start designing your improvement including as many of your favorite plants as will grow successfully in your various locations. They might even suggest plants that you were unaware of that will do better than what you originally wanted. Garden Center Designers have lots of time to devote to you during the month of February, much more time than they’ll have in April.

For those seeking professional plans and installation, same timing applies. Contact a designer over the next few weeks. The longer you wait now, the longer you’ll wait when you’re finally ready later. Your new design will be one of the first installed as the weather improves.

You may think I’m repeating myself from other articles this past month and I am. Repetition is the only chance your outdoor living area has to be its very best.

Now, let’s get to it!