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Most people can hardly wait for the arrival of spring, following the cough, cold and flu season, cold weather and being cooped up indoors from the cold.

Here are is a list to of things to watch for while preparing for Spring :

FROST can kill your tender plants purchased early, so watch out for clear, still nights and protect your plants with sheets, tarps, cardboard boxes or plastic.

BULBS for summer planting should be purchased now before there are none left in the stores. Don’t plant them, though, until next month.  You can start begonias, dahlias, gladiolus, watsonia, and callas indoors now for planting out later.

BARE ROOT TREES AND ROSES can soon been planted.  Get into your garden center to select roses early, while there is still a good supply.  See what’s safe to plant early, below.

REPOT houseplants this month and they’ll have a great spring growth.

CHECK to see if you need an additional dormant spray on deciduous plants and roses. Only spray if they have not begun to bud or they could be damaged.

LAWNS will soon be ready to be mowed regularly in most zones. Feed with high-nitrogen fertilizer. If weather is dry, seed or sod new lawns. Pull any weeds, making sure to get the roots. To control crabgrass and broad-leafed weeds, spray paying careful attention to the labels.

SOIL PREPARATION is important for all new flower and vegetable gardens. Spade and till, adding organic soil amendments and compost from your pile. Work in a dry complete fertilizer.

COMPOSTING is still important for all your grass clippings and spring pruning. Don’t forget to add some fertilizer and keep moist for speedier results.

PERENNIALS such as day lilies, agapanthus, yarrow, and phlox need to be divided while they are semi-dormant.

FERTILIZE. This is the best time to feed all plants including fruit trees, annuals, roses, and shrubs. Mature trees need their nitrogen booster. Wait to fertilize rhododendrons and camellias with an acid fertilizer until next month and then when they are finished blooming. Don’t forget to give food to your potted plants as well.

PEST CONTROL is important before new growth starts.  Now is the time to apply dormant sprays.  For all the new growth that attract the creepy crawlies, in early spring – wash them off with a hose or use a spray gun with a little household detergent. Keep your vigilance on baiting or picking slugs, snails and earwigs – controlling them early reduces summer damage. Be ready with netting to keepbirds and small animals from eating your plants.

MULCH to conserve moisture unless rains have been extremely heavy.

PRUNE summer and fall-blooming shrubs, pelargoniums and geraniums for fuller summer blooms.