A bit of warm weather often prompts homeowners to start scalping their lawns in an effort to have one of the first green lawns. Be patient. Scalping too soon can be more damaging than helpful, since there is still a chance of a frost. What's important is that the soil temperature warms up more so than the air temperature.

It's been a brutal winter not only for commuters but also plant material. Especially newly planted shrubs. The plant picture to the left displays cold damage to an established gardenia. Even if the leaves were totally brown the plant has a good chance of surviving. As long as the roots did not receive damage. Newly planted shrubs are more susceptible  to damage since they were recently transplanted and already undergoing stress. Good news is that there is still time for many plants to establish blooms.