Now is the time to prep yard for summer

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - While the weather may not reflect it, there's only another week left of the Winter season.
     
For many, it can't come soon enough.
     
However, that means it's time to start getting your yard ready for Spring and Summer.

One of the best things you can do now is to rake up old leaves and shrubs. Getting rid of the old will help the new plants to come through."

"Pruning down old perennials, ornamental grasses, maybe trimming up the rose bushes, those types of things," said Tom Cummins. "The sooner you get those types of things done, the better."
     
Putting down weed preventers will also help keep your garden clear throughout the year.

"It's much easier to prevent crab grass than trying to fight it later on in the summer months, having to use some harsh chemicals to try and kill it out," said Cummins.
     
While you may think it's early to get plants in the ground, now is a good time to put in trees, shrubs, evergreens, and other permanent parts of the landscape.

"Even though the ground isn't quite warmed up yet to that 50 degree mark, getting those things in early will definitely help you get more root growth before we get into the hot summer months," said Cummins.
     
Finally, in order to grow, the plants need food.
     
Even if you're not putting bulbs in the ground, spreading nutrients will get the soil in good shape.

"That fertilizer can get down in the root zone, uptake by the plants, so when it's ready to take off, it has those nutrients available to it," said Cummins.
     
So the next time we have a nice, sunny day, get out and get your hands dirty; because some prep work now will pay off with a pristine yard this summer.