Have you stopped to listen to the birds calling from the trees? They are so in tune with the weather you can feel their excitement! Everywhere I look there are signs of rebirth, birds are looking for mates and nesting places, the first flowers of spring, our ephemerals, are blooming or getting ready to burst any day. In my garden and throughout our area, spring Crocus are the first to bloom. Then, Snowdrops, Daffodils and Bloodroot. These trio I prefer to Crocus or Tulips because deer and rabbits leave them alone, and we actually get to enjoy the blooms!
Probably the best thing to do as we enjoy some sunshine and balmy temperatures, is complete all major pruning before trees and shrubs come out of dormancy. Trim off dead or broken branches, thin out multi stemmed bushes to increase circulation and promote new growth. Remove tallest branches to a ‘y’ to reduce height and keep the shrub looking shapely and balanced.
Contract for a yard cleanup or start the cleanup yourself, if you have space in your yard, all leaves and soft wood clippings can go in a compost pile. Leaves could be ready, with the right conditions, to use for mulch by fall.
Let’s get out and enjoy the flowers!
“It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” ~Mark Twain