January 9th

By Mutt Mulligan

Use cold winter days to plan for spring landscape projects

When winter hits, it can seem like spring will never come. If winter blues have you down, TurfMutt has a tip. There is no time like the present to start planning your spring lawn and landscape projects! Here are a few to-dos you can tackle now to remind you spring is just around the corner and keep seasonal sadness away.

• Map out a plan for improving your outdoor living room.
  The family yard is an extension of the home, providing a safe place for families to gather and for kids and pets to play. What would enhance this space for your family? An outdoor kitchen, firepit, pergola, and patio are bigger ticket items that you should start planning and saving for now. Enhancing your living landscapes is another alternative.
• Determine which plants are best for your climate.
  Selecting the right plants, trees and shrubs for your climate zone is important for keeping maintenance to a minimum and maximizing benefits to the environment and ecosystem. Check out the USDA’s plant hardiness zone map to determine which plants are most suitable for your area now to make shopping at your local nursery more productive this spring.
• Decide now if you need professional assistance.
  You might be able to take on your outdoor living room improvement project on your own. But if you think you might need professional assistance, now is the time to line up consultants and obtain bids. This will put you a step ahead of the spring rush!

To learn more about the importance and value of living landscapes, go here.