Spring is Almost Here

One of the most enjoyable things about living in our area is our fantastic Florida weather. When it is good, it’s very good, and when it is bad, it is horrid. Sorry! I couldn’t resist… Right now I don’t see how it could be any better. Daytimes in the mid 70′s to low 80′s with slow evening cool downs into the mid 50′s or 60′s. Hopefully the extreme cold is over for this year.

As demonstrated in the Old Farmer’s Almanac article we are fast approaching the Spring Equinox on March 20th, and our days are getting longer, giving us more daylight to enjoy outdoor activities and leisure. It is also a good time to take a look at our yards and assess what needs attention.

Unfortunately, with the few extreme cold spells we experienced this past winter, some damage may have occurred to your turf or landscape plants. If we can be of assistance in re-sodding or replacing plants or refurbishing your landscape, please give us a call so we can get you on schedule as soon as possible. JLC Outdoors can help, from the smallest details to complete clean-ups and plant installs.

Also, do not forget irrigation adjustments. Hopefully most systems were reset to decrease watering days and times for the winter months. As daylight increases and daytime temperatures rise turf and landscape plant /shrubs watering requirements also increase. If you give us a call we will be glad to schedule an irrigation system evaluation for your property.

This is also a good time to make sure mulch is sufficient in all your plant beds. Mulch, when correctly applied, has the following beneficial effects:

Benefits of Mulch

• Prevents loss of water from the soil by evaporation
• Suppresses weeds when the mulch material is applied thick enough to prevent weed germination or to smother existing small weeds
• Acts as an insulator that keeps the soil cool under intense heat and warm under intense cold
• Prevents crusting of soil surface, thus improving the absorption and movement of water into the soil while at the same time reducing erosion
• Prevents crusting of soil surface, thus improving the absorption and movement of water into the soil while at the same time reducing erosion
• Some mulches may add a small amount of nutrients to the soil
• Adds to the beauty of the landscape by providing a cover of uniform color and interesting texture to the surface

Fun Facts about Spring

The four seasons are determined by changing sunlight (not heat!)—which is determined by how our planet orbits the Sun and the tilt of its axis.

• At the start of spring—the spring equinox—day and night are approximately 12 hours long and the Sun is at the midpoint of the sky. Our north pole tilts towards the Sun.
• At the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, the Sun is at its most northern point in the sky. After this date, the days start getting shorter.
• Fall begins at the autumn equinox. Day and night are about 12 hours long and the Sun is at the midpoint in the sky. The north pole moves away from the Sun.
• The start of winter begins with the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, when the Sun is at its most southern point in the sky. From then on, the days start getting longer.

Seasons of 2011: SPRING EQUINOX March 20, 7:21 P.M. EDT SUMMER SOLSTICE June 21, 1:16 P.M. EDT FALL EQUINOX September 23, 5:05 A.M. EDT WINTER SOLSTIC December 22, 12:30 A.M. EST Seasons of 2012: SPRING EQUINOX March 20, 1:14 A.M. EDT SUMMER SOLSTICE June 20, 7:09 P.M. EDT FALL EQUINOX September 22, 10:49 A.M. EDT WINTER SOLSTIC December 21, 6:12 A.M. EST

Earth's Orbit and the Seasons - Image Credits NASA