I am responsible for the maintenance of 4 vehicles. They range from a 1995 Chevrolet pickup truck to a 2013 Honda Odyssey van. Three vehicles for business use, one for personal. Because several of the vehicles have not been driven in 4 months, I have spent the past few days, having them cleaned, filling them with fuel, making sure the insurance and registration papers are accurate and checking to see if they need to have an oil change.
Horrifically, I discovered that the vehicle that I primarily drive was well overdue for an oil change. I have spent the past two days silently berating myself for allowing this to happen.
What was I thinking? I usually glance at that little sticker occasionally to see if I am close to the mileage amount, but somehow the sticker was gone and so, apparently, was my common sense.
This led me to wonder what other maintenance type items I have forgotten. Annual Mammogram? Done. Three kids in glasses, two in braces? All appointments completed. Veterinarian appointments? Relatively up to date. Spring Yard work? It is just beginning.
Maintenance of a home’s outside appearance is at least a 9 month job, but most of the work usually takes place in the spring. I encourage you to take a walk around your yard and evaluate what maintenance items might need to be done this spring.
Here are the 10 items you may want to evaluate.
1. Look for signs of animal damage. Rabbits are the animal that seems to do the most damage to plant in this area. Rabbits tend to eat branches of shrubs off at a 45 degree angle. The tips of these branches are usually a brighter color than the ends of branches that have not been eaten. If you notice rabbit damage, consider applying a homemade or commercial rabbit repellent product.
2. Look for erosion damage. All water from downspouts should flow into the lawn area, not into mulch, planting beds, sidewalks or driveways. Divert the water as necessary.
3. Uneven pavement. The freezing and thawing of the ground during the winter can lead to uneven pavement. Consider repairs as necessary to even out any walking surfaces.
4. Wind Damage. The brutal winter winds can dry out many types of shrubs, especially evergreens. Keep winter wind damaged shrubs adequately moist and fertilizer them appropriately. They may grow through the wind damage.
5. Snow Damage. Sometimes the easiest place to put the snow is not always the best for our shrubs. If any shrubs have broken branches from the snow, these should be carefully pruned off.
6. Evaluate your siding, decks and fences, as appropriate. I see quite a bit of damage to these items from weed whips, golf balls etc. If there is damage from a weed whipper, try to prevent future damage by removing the grass that is directly adjacent to the item that is being damaged.
7. Evaluate your trees. Prune, as necessary for the shape and health of the tree. Treat with systemic insecticide or fungicide if necessary. Also consider fertilizing.
8. Evaluate your shrubs. Prune as necessary. Prune dead tips or branches. Prune spring blooming shrubs only after they are done blooming. Also consider fertilizing.
9. Evaluate your perennial flowers. Many types of perennial flowers do better if they are divided. Look at the diameter of your perennial flowers as they are coming out of the ground. Consider dividing depending on the type of perennial flower, the length of time they have been planted and their size.
10. Evaluate your landscaping beds and mulched areas. Remove any weeds and debris. Consider applying a pre-emergent herbicide such as Preen. Spade the edges of the beds. Consider fertilizing. Spread mulch to aid in weed suppression and moisture retention.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a garden center and landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or tgsinc12@msn.com. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She may address it in an upcoming column.
