Good Question: When Can We Start Yard Work?
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The National Weather Service tells us the frost is now out of the ground in the metro area. Add that to the warm temperatures these past few weekends and some of us are itching to get started on our lawns and gardens.
So, Benson asked: When can we start yard work? Good Question.
"You don't want to get too far ahead because it can get cold again, and often does," said Susie Bachman with Bachman's Floral Gift & Garden.
Despite the frost being out of the ground, there's still a good chance we'll get another few rounds of frost in the air. The average last frost in the metro area is generally between May 10 and May 15.
So, Bachman says there are some hearty flowers -- pansies, violas or primrose -- in planters that withstand colder temperatures right now. Those planters, though, should come inside if there's a threat of frost.
Right now, the ground temperature is about 42 degrees, which means the ground still has a lot of moisture in it.
Seeds, including grass seed, won't germinate until about 52 degrees and it really needs to be 56 degrees or so for the real yard work to begin.
"The best thing to do is wait until when you do walk on it, you feel like you're walking on solid ground, and that it's not squishy and spongy," said Bachman. "There's not a date or time that anyone can say that will happen."
A general rule of thumb is right around Mother's Day.
Until then, Bachman recommends picking up the yard of twigs or sticks, cleaning your tools, planning your garden and even planting seeds inside.
As for raking your lawn, Bachman advises against it because people could rake up the grass roots. But, UMN Extension turf expert Sam Bauer says a light rake to pick up leaves or debris likely wouldn't cause damage.
Bauer's main message: "Try to hold yourself back from any lawn care activities right now other than minor raking and debris cleanup."
He estimates people will be able to do the first steps of spring yard care in about three weeks – the application of crabgrass preventer.