Lawn care and other must-know spring maintenance tips

As a general rule, if needed, prune spring flowering shrubs after they finish flowering (to enjoy their flowers), and prune those summer flowering shrubs in the spring. 

Early spring is also a great time for pruning evergreens such as boxwood, junipers, taxus, etc.  

Clean up dead foliage on perennials and ornamental grasses. Rake out debris and weeds from the beds, and feel free to re-edge beds at this time. 

Fluff existing mulch now, and apply fresh mulch as needed later on. Keep your mulch levels 1-3 inches maximum, and never place the mulch against the trunks of trees. This is also a great time to apply pre-emergent herbicides to help prevent those weed seeds from growing.

Clear out winter debris from the lawn. If needed, apply a pre-emergent herbicide to the lawn before the air and soil temps reach 55 degrees consistently. If you are seeding bare areas in the lawn, do not apply a pre-emergent herbicide until the new seed is up and growing.

As the weather and soil moisture allow, start planting new trees, shrubs, evergreens and perennials. Add early spring colors to your landscape and containers by planting cold hardy pansies and take advantage of containers for early crops of greens. Apply deer and rabbit repellents to help protect your plants and keep those critters away from your yard.