Maple sap flow is triggered by nights below freezing and days above freezing.
Use a certified professional arborist to prune large branches on mature trees. Visit plantsomethingma.org/about-us/need-help/ to find a landscape professional near you!
Significant root growth can occur in spring; transplant trees and shrubs early.
It may be tempting to tackle overgrown shrubs when the weather breaks in early spring, but you may prune off the flower buds by accident.
Either put up or clean out nesting boxes for birds. The birds are searching out nesting sites now and you can attract them with a clean bird house and perhaps some nesting materials. Place any nesting materials either on the ground, in the crotch of a tree or hanging on a tree limb. Placing a birdhouse near your vegetable garden will help with keeping insect pests such as grasshoppers and caterpillars under control.
Pussy willow (Salix discolor Muhl.) is a native shrub that is most familiar when in bud. The buds are eaten by ruffled grouse and the upright twigs are a common nest site of the American goldfinch. The branches are beautiful when cut and brought in to decorate a vase. Pussy willows are a sure sign that spring is on its way!
Check on your compost pile. If it is not frozen, use a garden fork and dig into it and flip the compost over and over as much as you are able to.
Plant Something Massachusetts is a project of Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, and was originally established in partnership with Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association.