If you have read all of our blogs (and we hope you have) you probably noticed a recurring theme: Preparation is key for beautiful beds and gardens, a healthy lawn, and welcoming outdoor spaces. Well, March is one of those months that is hard to plan for – it could be mild and sunny one day and then dump 6 inches of snow and ice the next. With that said, here are a few things you can do when days are more like a lamb than a lion.

Winter Damage

Remove loose or broken tree branches. How far you prune should be determined by the severity of the injury.  The rest of the pruning should wait until later in the Spring when trees are out of dormancy and it is easier assess what is dead or sick.

Poor Drainage

Walk your property and look and feel for overly wet areas.  Standing or slow draining water from March rains or snow thaws may be a sign of poor drainage that can damage your lawn and, possibly, your home’s foundation.  Aerate areas that have very wet soil to help grass stay healthy after being in overly wet conditions. Then, as the Spring rains come, watch how your lawn drains.  If water is still pooling, you may want to consider landscape contouring to direct the flow of water and prevent future, more costly damage.

Garden Chores

  • Clean your yard and gardens of fallen branches and leftover leaves to make room for your early Spring bloomers.
  • Assess your mulch: Calculate how much you need (1 cu yard covers 100 sq. feet 3 inches deep), place your order, and schedule delivery.

Doing these things as weather allows this March will prepare you for success this Spring.  If you need help, visit nativedesignslandscaping.com or contact Tom Wolfgang, certified horticulturist, at 610.584.2989 for a quote that outlines your property’s needs.