-Be prepared to cover and protect plants in the event of late frosts. You may cover with frost cloth or bring pots inside, but continually be on the watch for cold weather patterns.

-Fertilize all roses, perennials, annuals, and lawn areas with a slow-release granular fertilizer, and then continue to fertilize every 4-6 weeks until the end of summer.

-After any spring flowering shrubs have finished blooming, such as forsythia and lilac, fertilize with a granular fertilizer, such as Happy Frog All Purpose or Happy Frog Rose and Perennial Food.

-After your Spring bulbs have finished blooming, fertilize with a granular fertilizer and give them a foliar feeding, which will re-energize them to bloom for the next year. An excellent granular fertilizer would be Happy Frog Bulb Food or Happy Frog All Purpose. Continue to enjoy the foliage by allowing the leaves to yellow and die back before cutting them off.

-Aerate any lawn areas. Irrigating first will allow the aerater to sink deeper into the soil and remove a full length plug. Do not clean up the plugs, but wait for them to break down and will eventually fill in the plug holes again as they scatter in smaller pieces.

-Freshen mulch around trees to maintain 4-6 inches of depth. This will block weeds as well as reduce water loss, but is not so deep as to suffocate any shallow roots.

-If any trees or shrubs are prone to insect infestations, apply a horticultural oil spray before they have leafed-out, which will suffocate any insects that have overwintered on the plant.

-Prevent weeds in lawns and garden beds by applying a granular pre-emergent herbicide, creating a barrier and preventing weed seeds from germinating.

-Insert plant supports around any plants that cannot stay upright through the growing season now while they are small and manageable, allowing them to grow upward and into the structure. Plants for which supports are commonly used include peonies, tomatoes, tall penstemon, hollyhocks, and tall delphinium.

-Wait to transplant tomatoes and other warm weather crops, such as peppers and beans, until the last chance of frost has passed. This is generally around the middle of May. You may plant earlier if using walls of water or if using pots which may be brought inside on cold nights.

-Thin crops that were started from seed, like root vegetables, lettuce, or smaller plants that won’t be productive. Consult your seed packet for details, as spatial recommendations vary.

-Water plants according to cultural requirements. When you do water, give them a good, deep drink and then allow to dry to their standard before you water again.