April 25, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 27 Every spring, Bergen County homeowners get the itch to work in the yard. The air smells fresh, the birds are chirping, and the flowers are starting to bloom after one of the strangest winters on record. Now that the warmer weather seems to be here to stay, Spring cleanup: Rediscovering your lawn and garden during the heavy winds in February and March. Be sure to trim down any ornamental grasses that didn’t make the cut in the autumn, along with any withered growth from last season’s perennials. Landscape professionals agree that the secret to a healthy lawn is dethatching, so don’t overlook this crucial spring cleanup task. Dethatching your lawn is the process of freeing up old thatch (dead grass, mud, moss, other debris) that is blocking new growth from the moisture and oxygen it needs. It’s best to use a power rake for this task, but using a regular iron rake and a little elbow grease will provide the same results. Don’t be afraid to get aggressive when scuffing up your lawn, but be sure the leave enough old growth to ensure a flush of new grass. When turning your attention to the garden, remove the dead leaves and other organic items and run a wire rake through the flower beds to give them a fresh look. Use a shovel, spade, or edger to make a fresh edge around the plantings. This will create a clean finish to the flower beds and will provide a barrier that prevents mulch from washing onto the lawn after it rains. Once the hard work is done, it’s time for the fun. Pick up a few bags of mulch, preferably a dark cedar mulch, and give the gardens a fresh, polished look. In addition to improving your property’s curb appeal, re-mulching the garden protects plants’ roots throughout the season, discourages weeds from growing, and holds in the moisture during those hot summer days. By reacquainting yourself with your garden in the spring, you will lay the groundwork for a successful growing season. As your property flourishes in the coming months, you’ll be thankful you followed these few simple tips during your spring cleanup. it’s time to get the ball rolling on a spring cleanup for the lawn and garden. Here are a few tried and true tips that will help your property along as the plant life wakes up from its winter sleep. Start by taking a rake to the leaves that managed to get on your lawn over the winter and pick up any sticks that fell This article was submitted by Andee Dixon, residential maintenance specialist at Jacobsen Landscape Design and Construction in Midland Park. For more information, visit www.jacobsenlandscape.com.