I enjoy the change of seasons. This time of year as each day gains a bit more light and the snow starts melting, we finally get a good look at how this winter’s weather treated our landscape.

Early scouting reports are coming back with mixed results. We had plenty of rain and snow, so most plants were kept hydrated and did not dry out. The heavy snow load insulated the root zones, but did some canopy damage. Now is the time to get out and prune any broken or dead limbs and get our plants back into shape. This is also the best time of year to transplant. Trees and shrubs are less likely to go into transplanting shock if moved before bud break.

This Spring, let’s try some sustainable alternatives to our conventional landscape practices. For instance, we are all too quick to get out the blower and remove every piece of organic matter off the lawn and garden. These clippings, if properly reintroduced into the soil, can add much needed organic material and build healthier soil for growing in. Cover the shoot of the lawnmower and have the blades grind the sticks, leaves, and grass into a compost that will break down and become a natural fertilizer in the lawn and garden. This will save us time and money because we will not need to apply as much fertilizer, or in most cases- no fertilizer. When pruning perennials and shrubs, prune clippings into smaller pieces and leave these clippings at the base of the pruned plants. The clippings will break down into a beneficial mulch and add body and organics to the soil.

This is the best time of year to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials. Here are some very important points to consider before diving in fingers first:

- Plant tighter and leave less space between plants. This will shade out unwanted weeds and keep the soil cool and moist.

- Plant the right plant in the proper location. More frustration comes from forcing a plant into a location where it does not grow naturally.

- Consider light, soil, and exposure before choosing plants.

- Use native plants over exotic species. Natives have adapted to our soils and pests, require less, if any, fertilizer, and these plants play an important role in our backyard ecology.

- Choose plants that will ultimately grow to the size and shape we are trying to fill in the landscape. A plant that will grow too fast and that will take over an area will generate many wasted hours of pruning and shaping, and before long you have a landscape of meatballs and lollypop shapes.

The best landscape design comes out of a naturalistic approach. Using plants that have adapted to our local climate have fruits and berries to attract local birds and animals, and create balance in our yard. We shouldn’t have to be slaves to our landscapes. A bit of pruning there, some weeding over here, and let Mother Nature do the rest. Try these new time and money saving methods. You will not be disappointed.