One thing I will say, there is nothing like a fresh coating of mulch to “pretty” up a landscape. If you are laying your own mulch make sure and turn over any remaining mulch from previous years that is still in the current beds. Mulch is an excellent form of nutrients for the soil and surrounding plants, as long as it is decomposing correctly. You really should never have more then 3″ of mulch in any section. If you already have more then this down from previous years, just skim off the top layers and turn over anything remaining. This may actually save you a nice amount of money as well since you may only need 1″ of mulch as a top layer.

As this snow is melting, start checking out the drainage in your yard and flower beds. See which areas have the optimal drainage and plan what plants (annual or perennial) you would like to go there. Check out how much sun and shade each of these areas get. The internet is a wealth of regional information so that the homeowner can browse the best types of plants for their conditions.

Spring is an amazing time of year. It is a time where you can totally redo the landscaping of your home or freshen it up on a low budget. Enjoy the warm weather that will soon be here and get out in that garden!

On this same note, make sure to keep your walkways and patios cleaned off whenever possible. They are sure to take a beating in the cold weather. Concrete and brick will shift and settle unevenly. If you can keep them free of snow and ice buildup this will reduce the chances of any residual damage.

Final note, we are just a short time away from the big spring thaw so start planning your landscaping and vegetable gardens now. A little pre-planning can go a long way.