Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Before the bugs bite


Ah, that precious time when it's warm enough to shed the coats but ahead of mosquitoes and black flies.  Enjoy it folks, it's a shorter season than usual.  I've heard of several spottings in Chatham and East Conway already.


These summer temperatures certainly have taken us by storm.  It is a shock to our lawns and gardens as well.  Early spring means an even earlier start to outdoor property maintenance.  Whether you are a backyard warrior, a dabbler, or simply enjoy the results of others, there are several tasks that need to be tackled.  The sooner the better for all!


Most sunny yards in the north country have lost their snow cover and are now dry enough to walk on without leaving puddled footprints.  A light raking is a great way to gently nudge the lawn into spring while enjoying the fresh air and warmth.  Nothing extreme here, just catching the twigs, errant leaves and winter's debris.  If you're seeing any signs of pests or disease, now is the time to nip it in the bud.  


One of the most cost effective actions you can take in creating or maintaining a beautiful lawn is aeration.  This past winter saw the first snow storms before the ground had frozen.  The result of this early plowing can be the creation of heavily compacted areas of your lawn used for snow storage or extra parking.  Aerating loosens the soil structure allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of grass system.