This weekend, as we turn our clocks forward, I am looking forward to the thaw that is on its way!  If you are anything like I am, you will be out poking around in your garden or landscape, being careful not to compact the thawing earth or to step on any sensitive plant crowns.  You’ll do a quick survey of any critter damage (or hopefully, lack thereof).  Taking stock of the areas that you know might need a little extra attention this spring.  I’m already dreaming up a daylily combo for along my garage, and deciding how many rows of beans, peas, lettuce, and carrots will be going in the vegetable garden this year.  Perhaps this will be the spring my husband and I install a patio for the basement walkout.  Or, I could have Chris our designer, come out and help me figure out that retaining wall for the east side of the house.  Jim and Todd would make quick work of that for us and I could have it planted before summer.  How could I forget those overgrown and dated shrubs by the backdoor?  They should be torn out and replaced with something fresh and new.  Ideally, with something that blooms.

I know, there is still snow on the lawn and frost in the ground.  I’m going to use that to my advantage.  Before the plants leaf out or spring up, I am looking at a blank slate.  There is really very little there to distract my imagination.  My planning will be all done so I can dig right in as soon as the yard and garden are ready!  Spring forward indeed!