Perennials
As the snow melts and the ground begins to thaw, you’ll notice the early risers trying to poke their way through the layers of mulch. You can help these new plants along by moving the ground cover to the side, allowing the stems easy access to the warmth of the sun.
Unfortunately, spring in Wisconsin doesn’t necessarily mean that the cold has moved on. Therefore, keep extra mulch handy in case there’s still the possibility of frost. Any perennials that needed dividing last season can safely be divided and transplanted to a new location. Pull any remaining weeds from last season and top dress beds with freshly shredded mulch.
Shrubs
Uncover rose bushes as the weather warms but be ready to recover them if the temperature is supposed to drop significantly. Any shrubs that need to be transplanted can safely be done at this point. Pull any existing weeds and top dress beds with 2-3” of shredded mulch.
When spreading mulch, be sure to taper away from the base of the plant. Too much moisture can weaken the outer layers, making the plant susceptible to disease. Any shrubs that need to be transplanted can be safely done until the buds begin to open.
Trees
Doing an annual tree inspection and taking corrective action if needed can help maintain overall stability. During the inspection, pay close attention to the base. If there is some critter damage, the tree will heal itself and be fine. However, if a large section or a complete ring of bark has been removed, it’s likely that the tree will eventually die due to disease vulnerability.
Broken branches, branches that are that are rubbing against each other, and branches growing at weird angles should be pruned.
When temperatures consistently stay above 40 degrees, apply dormant spray to crab trees to control overwintering pests. Make sure to remove any winter protection from around the trees such as cloth, plastic tubing, stray etc.
Lawn
April showers bring May flowers! Unfortunately, over time the ground around your house can settle and all this extra water can pool on your lawn. If areas of your lawn are underwater for too long, it can really damage the plant and lead to dead areas in your beautiful lawn.
If you notice areas of pooling, you should contact Heritage Hill to install hidden underground drainage tubes. This system allows water to drain and be carried away, so you never have to deal with unsightly pooling again.