Preparing Your Lawn for the Arrival of Spring

While spring has recently just arrived it is never too early for homeowners to start thinking about getting their lawn in shape and looking good.

With the help of our friends at Weed Man, Project EverGreen has put together a “Spring Lawn Care Checklist” to help you organize your to do list and get your lawn ready for spring and summer fun!

Inspect Your Lawn. Get your rake on – it’s not just for fall anymore. Gathering up last year’s leaves and thatch – that dead grass under all of the green grass in your yard – is important to keeping your lawn healthy. More than a ½ inch of thatch is detrimental, and you’ll have to rake hard to remove it. This also reveals any dead spots that were covered by the thatch that you should now treat.

Maintain That Mower. Arguably one of the most fun parts of spring is that dormant cutting machine in your garage. Before you fire it up, though, make sure to sharpen the blades, replace spark plugs and check the oil and air filters. If you need to take it to the shop, do it early. Repair shops get swamped this time of year.

Check Hoses and Sprinkler Heads. To conserve the most water possible, make sure you don’t have any leaky hoses or rotors, and that they’re spraying only where you want them to. No sense giving the driveway a bath.

Create a Compost Pile. Pick a spot away from your house and pile your grass clippings, dead leaves and even kitchen scraps. Give it a turn or two every weekend and you’ll soon have a nutrient-rich mixture to spread on your garden.

Get Organized. You’ll save yourself tons of time if your garage or garden shed is in proper order. Enlist (or coerce) your family to help – it’s a great way to spend some time together and be productive. Get some music on the radio, lots of trash bags and go! Get rid of anything you haven’t seen and haven’t missed in the last year. Throw away ancient bird seed. Take everything out, sweep the floor and put things back in a logical and orderly way. Return tools back to their proper places. Anything you don’t need, give to charity or sell.

Mulch Your Yard. Mulch around the bases of trees, shrubs and in flower beds helps keep your plants warm and retains water. Don’t lay it on too thick, though. A depth of 2 to 4 inches is all you need to get the job done. Early bulb shoots might need a bit more in the start of the season to protect them from damage.

Prune Roses, Shrubs and Bushes. Break out those pruning shears and trim up the plants that don’t bloom in the spring. Remove the deadwood, and keep the foliage in the plant’s natural shape. This will help the plants thrive as the season gets under way.

Turn Over Your Garden and Plant Seeds. Now is the time to amend your garden soil with fertilizer, peat moss and other nutrient-rich material to feed your vegetables all season long. Use a shovel and hoe or a powered tiller to break up the dirt and turn in your amendments.

Clean and Flush Your Gutters. Do this before the spring rains. Remove any debris from the gutters and downspouts, and then flush with a jet spray nozzle on your garden hose. Not only does this protect your foundation from water damage, but it also keeps the heavy downpours from inundating any plants under your eaves.

Clean Your Patio Furniture. Pull out the chairs and tables from your basement or garage, wipe off the cobwebs and dirt from last fall’s clambake and set up your backyard furniture. Take a seat and enjoy your newly organized yard with your favorite drink.

For more information on Project EverGreen’s programs that promote the economic, social and lifestyle benefits of managed green spaces, visit www.ProjectEverGreen.org

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A Case for the Great Outdoors

What’s not to like about a lush, green lawn and colorful landscape to compliment your home. Aside from curb appeal and bragging rights for “best looking yard” in the neighborhood, a well-maintained landscape offers both economic and lifestyle benefits.

Economic Benefits

Project Evergreen has put together a list of examples where a well-maintained landscape puts its money where its roots are.

Curb Appeal. A Money Magazine study said “attractively landscaping your yard can be one of the most cost-effective ways to boost your home’s curb appeal,” and emphasizes the value added by trees.
Perception Is Everything. An article in Smart Money Magazine showed consumers value a landscaped home up to 11.3 percent higher than its base price.
Return on Investment. A study by Aspen Environmental Companies found that a landscaping investment is nearly always recovered and can help reduce the time your home is on the market.

Lifestyle Benefits

Peace, Privacy and Tranquility. Well-placed plantings offer peace, privacy and tranquility by screening out busy street noises and reducing glare from headlights.
Blowing Off Steam. After a long-day at the office, may people like to relax by tending to their gardens, planting flowers or simply cutting the grass. Several studies have shown working in your yard reduces muscle tension related to stress and lifts your spirits. Fresh air never hurt anyone!
Good Landscaping Draws A Crowd. Parks and street trees have been found to be second only to education in residents’ perceived value of municipal services offered. Well-landscaped grounds and places for taking walks to be among the most important factors considered when individuals chose a place to live.

Project EverGreen’s Top Five Reasons
For Getting Outside

Staying active is good for the mind and body.
It sets a good example for kids to stay active and put down the electronics every once in a while.
It encourages kids to explore the great outdoors and learn about the environment.
It creates family time opportunities.
It creates opportunities to give back to the community.

Until next time, Project EverGreen encourages you to promote and enjoy the green spaces in your community.

Staying Safe While Shoveling Snow

Project EverGreen’s SnowCare for Troops provides complimentary snow and ice removal services for families of deployed military personnel and disabled and wounded veterans but for the rest of us winter means breaking out the shovels and snow blowers to clear the driveway and sidewalks.

While shoveling snow can be good exercise when performed correctly but taking on more than your body can handle or ignoring signs that you need to take a break may prove to be harmful.

The world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, wants to ensure your safety as you clear driveways and sidewalks and provided the following tips for safe snow shoveling:

Be heart conscious. If you have a history of heart problems and are currently inactive, it’s best to speak with your health care provider before shoveling. Additionally, don’t shovel while smoking, eating or after consuming caffeine; this may place extra stress on your heart.
Dress Warm. Wear several layers of clothing. You can always remove a layer if needed.
Drink plenty of water. Remaining hydrated during cold-weather months is just as important as during warm-weather months.
Warm up your arms and legs. Stretch your arms and legs before beginning to shovel. You are less likely to injure muscles when they are warm.
Take it slow. Pace yourself and take breaks if you need to. Safety is more important than speed.
Protect your back. Bend at the knees, not the back. Lift with your legs bent, stand with your feet hip-width apart for balance and keep the shovel close to your body. Also, don’t pick up too much snow at once; use a small shovel or fill up a large shovel no more than half way.
Shovel while snow is fresh. Freshly fallen snow is lighter than snow that has started melting.
Listen to your body. This is the most important snow shoveling tip. If something feels abnormal, or if you’re tired, it’s time to stop.

For more information on Project EverGreen’s programs that promote the economic, social and lifestyle benefits of managed green spaces, visit www.ProjectEverGreen.org

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