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Spring Lawn Care Tip #2: Dealing with Early Warmth

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I have been involved in lawn and landscape care for almost 40 years - and this has to be one of the warmest years I can ever remember. *80 degrees in Chicago can be normal in June, July and August, but to have 6 consecutive days of 80 degree weather in March is unprecedented. Leaves are budding out, magnolias are blooming, spring bulbs are get ready to open and we haven’t even reached April yet. This weather is great, and it might feel like time to kick start spring lawn care, but Mother Nature has a way of turning the tables on us and it can come very quickly. The long term forecast does not indicate any freezing temperatures on the horizon, but it is only March. Traditionally, for much of the Midwest, the danger of frost gradually dissipates by mid May, which is a long way off.

Late Freeze Protection

What can you do to protect flowers that have opened up when the forecast calls for frost or freezing temperatures? Most spring bulbs close up every evening and can protect themselves, but it is a good idea to cover them with a plastic sheet or old sheet to prevent the frost from forming on the flower bulbs. Most trees can tolerate some freezing temperatures, although some leaves may be damaged. Fruit trees, on the other hand, can suffer a good deal of damage if the flowers freeze. It could lead to low fruit production this year. About the only thing you can do this year is enjoy the warmer weather while you can and hope for the best. Lawns can handle a lot of temperature fluctuations and pull through just fine. Landscape plants may suffer, so it is best to take a wait and see approach and hope that it does not get too cold. The plants will survive, but they may look a little weak this year. But again, they may not. We just have to be patient and wait to see what will happen. You can always find a local Spring-Green lawn care franchise that will help you restore the beauty you are used to!