Tired of Winter? Get your House Ready for Spring!

by Blake Herzog
Most of us love the four-season climate Greater Prescott offers us, but that doesn’t mean we don’t get a little impatient when sub-freezing temperatures drag on into and even past March.
It’s not uncommon to get antsy for a little more warmth to go along with all that winter sunshine, and one good way to deal with that is to prepare your abode for warmer temperatures and the (welcome) changes that come with them as you bring your yard and outdoor supplies back into commission:
Plant your garden — Frost-sensitive plants will have to wait until spring actually gets here, but this is prime time for planting other species like most roses, trees and shrubs. Add in any bulbs you plan to use along with hardier vegetables like asparagus and garlic, too.
Groom your yard — As it begins to get warmer it will get easier to tell which of your trees and perennial plants may have sustained fatal damage during winter storms and cold and which have sailed through the season unscathed. (As of this writing winter has been pretty mild, so hopefully most everything in your yard has survived.) It’s also a good time to clear out any dead branches and the like.
Get your patio furniture ready — Some of it may be in storage, and if it feels a bit too early to haul it all out at least check it the best you can for any pest or water damage that might have snuck in over the past few months. If your outdoor cushions are made with high-quality fabrics, you can put them out so you can gaze at them with anticipation.
Gear up the grill — You can theoretically use your gas grill throughout the winter — and more power to those who do — but if you’re with the majority who’s not so inclined you can still peel the cover off and give the exterior a good cleaning, remove any caked grease residue from the grill and flavorizer bars and check the holes in the burner tubes for any insects. Make sure there are no gas leaks and figure out where your cold and hot spots are. Fire it up as soon as you like!