2012 Year of the Missing Winter + Coping with an Early Spring

Do you recall? Back on Feb. 2 groundhog General Beauregard Lee predicted and early spring. He was right on target. 

This year it seems that winter forgot to put in an appearance. Mild Fall temperatures blended into Spring and the whole season is so early that it is throwing metro-Atlanta landscapes off a little. Now is a great time to phone your Crabapple LandscapExpert Rep to discuss major league spring training of the properties you manage.  

• There was no snowfall this year and only 3 nights in the 20s or teens 
• Planting and transplanting trees and shrubs continued every month (October, November, December, January, February, March) 
• Daffodil bulbs planted as late as the end of January grew great roots quickly and are already blooming
• Now all the flowers are blooming at once and overlapping their seasons. Camellias at the same times as roses; daffodils and dahlias, flowering cherries and summer annuals all at once
• Likewise, pines, hardwoods and flowering trees, along with pollen from grasses, are all coming into bloom at once, creating a perfect storm for pollen sufferers.
• Weeds got an early start in turf and landscape beds (and some never died off from last fall)
• Fungus and mold growth got a good start in the warm, rainy winter
• Insects wintered over more easily so populations are bigger than normal
• Winter pruning is blending into spring (crape myrtles, grasses, groundcovers)
• Turf scalping is already in demand
• Fertilization to strengthen new growth is early
• Pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides are suggested for lawns and plant beds all at once
• Additional pesticide treatments may be advisable for ornamental shrubs and trees
• In some instances irrigation is already needed, and systems will need to be checked and turned on properly  

We are rolling up our sleeves to provide our clients with the best landscape maintenance services available. Your Crabapple LandscapExperts are here to advise you and recommend the landscape maintenance services are needed to keep the landscape looking great!