After the brutal winter of 2014 that the entire nation experienced, everyone is ready to get out into their yards and whip them back into shape.  Here are a few tips to help you get going.

It is time to cut back all the ornamental grasses, and perennials that have browned, yellowed or appear dead. They should be sheered back to almost the ground level, but if there is any green growth, leave it and sheer around it.

Pre-emergent herbicides should be applied to precent the warm weather weeds from emerging. This will not kill existing weeds, but will keep the new seeds from germinating. This is also the time to put down a balanced slow release fertilizer (13-13-13) on trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses. Mulching flowerbeds also helps out with weed reduction, esthetics, and keeping the soil moist during long hot summer days.

When it comes to your lawn, a weed and feed can be applied once the grass gets out of dormancy. This will help strengthen the grass as well as help get rid of those pesky weeds. Just make sure to follow directions on the labels of the products you are applying. And frankly, the labels are often MUCH too small to read so be sure to go online and find the product guides. Print them out if needed.