But if the overstory trees are deciduous, there is lots of light available for those very early spring plants, so … they can photosynthesize and grow and flower before they are heavily shaded ...

The best time to prune most fruit trees is in late winter or early spring, says Boersma, while the tree is still dormant, but before the buds start swelling. “That way, you're not exposing fresh cuts ...

The key to tree pruning is to do it regularly, slowly and carefully. Early spring is a good time for pruning most trees. The exceptions are birch, maple, butternut or walnut trees.

An early spring for Lester is exciting, but he says it requires keeping a close eye on some parts of the farm, including the strawberry patch. "We're more optimistic than concerned about it, to be ...

There are few better, and more welcome, signs of spring than seeing the first buds gently emerge, whether it's on the branches of trees, or ground-level early-bloomers like crocuses or tulips.

Apple trees are best planted between late fall and early spring. Container-grown apples can be planted at any time of year, but getting them in the ground early in spring is preferred to help them ...