Spring Fever
Helpful hints on pruning trees, cleaning gutters,and what to plant this season.
Is it absolutely necessary to prune my trees?
People prune trees for everything from aesthetics to safety, says Carolyn Oldham of North Haven Gardens (7700 Northaven Rd. 214-363-5316), but contrary to popular belief, pruning really does little to improve the health of the tree. Be careful not to over-prune trees, Carolyn says. Removing branches can reduce the integrity of the tree; they’re there for a reason “to help carry out the process of photosynthesis. And although this may seem like the perfect time of the year to prune, you could seriously damage your tree. It may be easier to see dead branches when the tree is in bloom, but it’s much better to prune during the winter, while the trees are dormant. To properly prune a tree, cut the branches at the nodes (that’s the point where one branch attaches to a twig).
The Honey-Do List
Clean Gutters Mark Brown, owner of Brown’s Window & Gutter Cleaning (8043 Nimrod Trail, 214-221-0649), recommends cleaning gutters two or three times each year. Start by cleaning your roof with a blower, hose, or broom, he says. Then move on to cleaning out the gutters with a blower, garden hose, or even manually. The most important thing, our expert tells us, is to flush out the downspout: This is what most people miss, and it’s where most of the problems occur, he says. If you see standing water in the gutter or missing or damaged brackets, contact professionals.
March
Check attic for leaks
Service A/C system
Inspect walls for cracks
Inspect and repair roof
April
Caulk and weather-strip doors
Turn off water to furnace humidifier and replace filter
Inspect foundation
Inspect exterior wood for damage
Perform seasonal pest control
What to Plant Now
Flowers: geraniums, salvia, and cleome; annual seeds, such as asters, cosmos, marigolds, and zinnias.
Fruits and veggies: beets, broccoli, chard, collards, endive, leaf lettuce, mustard parsley, garden peas, lima beans, snap beans, cantaloupe, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, black-eyed peas, pepper plants, pumpkin, radishes, New Zealand spinach, summer squash, sweet potatoes, tomato plants, and watermelon.
Four Things You Can’t Miss
The Better Living Flower and Outdoor Show Make the most of outdoor living spaces with unique products, services, and tips from guest speakers. April 4-6. Fri & Sat, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dallas Convention Center, 650 S. Griffin St. 214-977-7369.
Dallas Blooms Celebrate the grand opening of the Arboretum’s new visitor education pavilion and explore more than 66 acres of color. March 15-April 20. Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, 214-327-8263. www.dallasarboretum.org.
Hollywood Home Tour The Hollywood/Santa Monica Neighborhood Association sponsors its 12th annual home tour to celebrate the old East Dallas neighborhood. April 26 & 27. Noon-6 p.m. Tickets, $10. 214-712-0222. www.hsmna.org.
Munger Place Home Tour Head over to Junius, Worth, and Victor streets to tour the Munger Place Historic District, circa 1905, which boasts the largest collection of Prairie-style homes in the nation. April 12 & 13. www.mungerplace.com.
