Coming out of winter, time spent outdoors in our lawns and landscapes is highly anticipated by many. Here is a short list of things to do:

• Clean up any leaf accumulations and/or old, dead grasses still present from both the lawn and landscape beds
• Have lawn mower serviced and blade sharpened
• Mowing of turf is generally best done at 3” (usually about 1-nothch down from your highest mower setting). Taller grass will build stronger root systems and help protect the lawn during heat stress periods!
• Be sure your mower is set on the mulching setting – do not bag the grass. Those grass clippings provide vital nutrients to your lawn.
• Pre-emergent put down over new grass seed will kill the seed. Avoid newly seeded areas with spring pre-emergent. If you have already put down pre-emergent and you still want to do some spot seeding, simply turn the dirt over well with a hoe or rake. Disturbing the soil with break down the pre-emergent and your grass seed will be allowed to germinate.
• Don’t be quick to start pruning your shrubs! New growth should be allowed to mature/harden off before pruning. Flowering plants should not be pruned until after the flowering period has ended.