Spring is here, according to the calendar, even if your local weather says otherwise. That means its time for the annual Pursuit Of The Perfect Lawn. To get you off on the right foot, here are a few tips from TruGreen, the largest professional and landscape service in the United States:

1. Clean Area: Thoroughly clear dead leaves and debris from flower beds and lawn that may impede new spring growth.
2. Prune: Conduct corrective pruning of trees and shrubs to enhance plant appearance and vigor, and thin rather than top-shear overgrown shrubs and trees to preserve their overall shape. Make sure not to prune trees and shrubs that bloom in early spring, with the exception of removing dead branches.
3. Mulch: When your lawn is actively growing, return grass clippings back to the soil for added lawn nutrients. Consider using composted materials to nourish plants. Apply three inches of organic mulch to the base of shrubs and trees to help conserve soil moisture and reduce weed pressure, but be mindful not to cover the flare of the tree base.
4. Right Plant, Right Place: Plant the right type of grass for your lawn to ensure a green, healthy turf. Where grass has difficulty growing, plant shade-adapted ground covers for landscape appeal.
5. Feed: Lawn, tree and shrub roots seek nourishment after the dormancy of winter. Keep fertilizer on target to prevent run-off and sweep fertilizer granules that may reach pavement back onto your lawn.
6. Check Irrigation: Follow the owner’s manual to take an automated sprinkler system out of hibernation. Ensure that sprinkler heads and related water lines are working properly. Give your lawn a slow, steady watering about once a week, but adjust depending upon rainfall, grass and soil type in your area. Also ensure the irrigation system covers your landscape evenly. For example, you can place a one-inch deep food can in the middle of the lawn area to measure the depth of water collected after each watering cycle to ensure uniformity.
7. Protect Against Elements: The beautiful blooms of spring are vulnerable to frost. If a cold snap is expected, cover flowering plants before the sun goes down to maximize heat trapped by the plants. Create a tent of warmth with plastic tarps, cardboard, bed sheets or special plant frost protection blankets available at your local nursery or home improvement retailer.