Things to do: Outside

When working in beds and borders, be careful not to clean up too roughly; desirable emerging self-sown annuals and biennials (larkspur, nicotiana, Verbena bonariensis, etc.) can be disturbed unless you pay attention.

Now is the time to divide and move perennials. Water in well, and keep an eye out all season to watch that they don't stress.

Tender bulbs like cannas, callas, tuberous begonias, and dahlias get a head start if potted up indoors now, then transplanted after all frost danger passes.

Cool season annuals can be potted up for spring color. Think about pansies, primula, sweet alyssum, calendula, snapdragon, osteospermum and violas.

Prune roses when the forsythia blooms - just as buds begin to push, removing dead, damaged and diseased canes and open up the plants to allow light and air; feed.

Plant new roses, especially those that come bare-root. Look for Viburnum beetle egg case and prune out as well.

Cut back Paniculata and Arborescens Hydrangea (i.e. Annabelle) - but not moptop blue hydrangeas, as well as other summer blooming shrubs and trees; including buddleia, caryopteris, crape myrtle, etc.

Do Not prune spring blooming trees or shrubs until after blooming.

Fertilize all bulbs as green shoots start growing, including daffodils, tulips and garlic.

Bare root crops like raspberry bushes, strawberry plants, fruit trees, asparagus, should be planted immediately upon arrival.

Last chance to sow peas to avoid running into hot summer weather.

Sow spinach and other salad greens, including kale, collards, arugula, lettuce, broccoli rabe.

Sow carrots, radishes, dill outside as well as many Asian greens. Repeat in short rows or blocks every 10 days.

Cold season transplants like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower can still be sown indoors if you hurry (or store bought seedlings can go outdoors around month's end).

Sow tomatoes indoors around six weeks before their frost-free set-out date.

Eggplants and peppers can be sown indoors, too.

Clean your perennial beds. First, rake leaves and debris from your garden beds. It is much easier to do this now before your spring bulbs come up and flower or the new growth begins on your perennials.

Cut down ornamental grasses before they sprout anew.

Remove last year's dead foliage from your hosta, daylilies, iris, and peonies. Clear this from the garden - do not compost it as it probably harbors insects and disease.

Examine your lawn weeds to determine what's really needed this season. Moss means you need lime, for instance. Apply crab grass inhibiter as the forsythia blooms.

Resource: Plantnet - App for plant identification