Even with the wacky winter weather (if you can call it that...) we’ve been having, it’s important to remember not to get in a rush for spring gardening. Don’t be in a big hurry to uncover plants, especially now that many have begun to emerge and could be damaged by frost. Another common mistake is planting too early. Early struggling plants will be no match for younger seedlings planted in warm soil later on.
A yard clean-up is fine, some casual puttering to see what is coming up and where. Check the trees that are forming buds and even flowering. Another task that can be done now with winter-weary heightened energy is WEEDING. This sounds worse than it really is. It’s too early to do much planting, lawn treatment is still a weekend away, the weather is nice and you’re itching for something to do outside, so try weeding. Lots of the groundcover type weeds that are coming up now in lawns and garden beds actually have a much smaller root than topand are not as formidable as they look. Carry a sharp shovel and dig them out, weeding is easier when the ground is soft and weeds are easy to spot. Don’t get sentimental about seeing the smallest living thing, you will thank yourself in July and August when the heat would make weeding much less pleasant. Of course, thinking of it, there are really lots of other things that can be done this time of year: moving dirt, adding compost to garden beds, Maybe clean some leaves from your garden pond, trim back some grasses, dig a new bed, plant summer bulbs...STOP! You get the idea.

This month we are going to devote ourselves to a Spring brush-up reminder to set the pace for the lawn and garden season to come. First and foremost, make gardening, like anything you do, enjoyable. Don’t take on more than is satisfying and relaxing for you to maintain. If it’s not fun, something is wrong.

A brief review of the pleasure in puttering

Move On Out — You’ve been cooped up all winter with the kids and the dogs and the basement still hasn’t been cleaned out. That’s another story...
It’s time to get out in the sunshine and do something to get the old juices flowing. Move on outside with the chores, ask the spouse for a “Honey-Do” list, enlist the kids and remember to take it slow. After all, we have spent a lot of time on the couch lately. No need for injuries so early in the season.

The Art of Listmaking — Always make a list of tasks you want to accomplish, it helps keep you focused and it is extremely fulfilling to cross off the completed items. Be careful not to make the list so long as to be impossible, include what you can reasonably expect to get done (and feel good about).
The true secret of a successful list is knowing how to break down the different aspects of the task at hand. For example, your swimming pool, front flowerbed and garden shed need attention. Here are examples of an ordinary and a successful “Honey-do” List.
The successful list accomplishes the most and makes the listmaker feel the best.

ORDINARY LIST
1. Pool
2. Front flowerbed
3. Clean garden shed

SUCCESSFUL LIST
 POOL
1. Add water
2. Check temperature
3. Monitor pH
4. Skim leaves off top
5. Check view from deck|
FRONT BED
1. Clean up perennials
2. Dig in compost
3. Dig weeds
4. Fertilize bulbs
5. Plant summer bulbs
6. Check view from porch
GARDEN SHED
1. Hang up tools
2. Sharpen pruners, mower blades
3. Sweep floor
4. Stack up flowerpots
 5. Check patio chairs

With the Successful List, you have carefully covered all the aspects of the job plus you have been able to cross not three, but fifteen items off your list, each completed small task giving you increased energy for the next. At the end of the day, when you show your spouse the list and exult about how much you accomplished, you will receive the appropriate adulation.
Listmaking well practiced early in the season will lead to an enjoyable and rewarding anticipation of seasonal chores. Post last week’s list on the refrigerator and get the kids involved. Think how proud you’ll be when they come to share your joy of crossing out a completed task on the list. Plus it could will keep them out of everybody’s hair and doing something useful at the same time. Imagine...
These early spring days are a time of renewal and vitality, a time to savor the lazy moments as well. You may find yourself lying on the warm grass, playing with the kitty or dozing in the Adrondiack chair with the sun on your face.
Whatever you do, be sure you enjoy it and don’t forget to cross it off the list.