- Rake off beds gradually while temperatures go back and forth, keeping some winter protection in place for a few more weeks
- Rake off lawns and step carefully to avoid leaving footprints in overly moist soil
- Prune out any damaged branches on shrubs or small trees from winter ice and snow
- Continue dormant pruning of fruit trees and any deciduous tree or shrub
- Sweep decks, walkways and driveways of winter sand, stick and leaf residue
- Remove driveway markers and shrub protectors at foundations once the threat of snow is gone
- Clean out winter greens from containers and windowboxes, but hold off on filling with spring annuals until the threat of evening frost subsides the first week of April
- Keep garlic clips on shrubs as deer are still actively browsing woody plants until late April
- Cut back any perennials, ferns or grasses left standing for winter interest, even if still green, as increasing sunlight levels will fade them soon
- Cut back butterfly bush, smoke tree, caryopteris, beautyberry and similar “cutback” shrubs to encourage new growth that will bloom this season
- Large perennial grasses with hollow centers at the base can be divided or root pruned now
- Sow indoor seeds of cool season crops like kale, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce and parsley
- Pea seeds can be sown outdoors now, using legume inoculant for best germination
- Order seeds for early outdoor sowing in April such as carrots, radishes, beets, and spinach
- Sharpen and repair garden tools (if not done previously)
- Look for signs of spring daily!
