KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – IS SUMMER ALREADY HERE?

KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – IS SUMMER ALREADY HERE?

In the last few weeks the weather has been something I have never seen in all my 53 years. I’m almost ready to believe in global warming (well almost). We always get a few warmer days but to see so many this warm this early is really unusual. Tulips Daffodils and other perennials are coming up all over. Spring blooming trees and bushes are exploding. So it’s time to start getting the yard ready for summer.

Give the lawn a good rake pulling up all the old dead thatch to give the grass some room and air to grow. If we get some rain (or you can water) fertilize with some pre-emergent crabgrass preventative. If any grass has grown more than 3 inches give a quick mow.

Rake the garden also bag and toss old plant debris. Throw out some mushroom compost hopefully when we finally get some spring rain it will work in. Make sure all the drains outside are clear so when the rains do come there’ll be no flooding.

Clean around all the perennials coming up so they get sun and water and look good too! Clean and add extra mulch here and around trees and bushes too!

Rinse off the outside windows with the hose. It will take off a lot of the winter crud and make them look much cleaner. You know you will be giving them a good cleaning later but this will let you live with them till then.

Enjoy the weather.

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO