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While ‘Spring’ is a relative term here in Western NY, it still entails as many chores as you would expect. All the outdoor yard and house work, not possible in the cold or snow, piles up – sometimes literally.

The sheer number of problems can be daunting. It may even seem like you’ll be spending every weekend until September planting, spraying, shearing, digging, uprooting, raking, and so on. To help make things a little more simple, here is a breakdown of a few essential chores we at Black’s Hardware would stress remembering.

The heavy work: post-winter yard cleanup

This will likely be the first bit of yard work anyone undertakes. And for many people ‘bit’ does not accurately capture the amount that there is to do. Over the winter, your yard might have accumulated tree branches (or even limbs), unraked leaves from the Fall, and all sorts of other clutter.

For a lot of this work, a sturdy rake and some Lawn & Leaf bags will go a long way. Depending on your particular needs, you might also need a saw for cutting up tree limbs or a ladder to cut down some precarious-looking – but still attached – branches. Blacks Hardware has a selection of all these items so that you tackle these chores as efficiently as possible.

The particulars of planting grass seed

It’s good to think about reseeding your lawn sooner rather than later. Although, be aware that colder soil might slow growth a bit. Still, if you were to get a grass like perennial rye – which germinates quickly – it may grow better in moderate temperatures as opposed to the long periods of summer heat.

It’s best to pay attention to upcoming weather forecasts and wait until it’s a certainty that the snow is gone until next Winter. We imagine you won’t want to wait too long though. As who wants to have a patchy lawn for most of the Spring and Summer.

Blacks Hardware carries a grass seed blend specifically suited to our region and predominately perennial ryegrass. As gardeningknowhow.com notes, perennial ryegrass is known for its “lush appearance” and high “wear tolerance” – making it a good fit for home lawns.

The ‘joys’ of clearing gutters

One of the most frequently forgotten (or put off) sorts of yard work is clearing debris from one’s gutters. You could lump it into the ‘post-winter’ chores previously mentioned in this blog, but if you don’t have a ladder than it’s very easy to never get to.

But, as houselogic.com describes, a clogged roof gutter can result in more of other kinds of yard work, like cascades of water making canyons in flower beds. Not to mention, costly damage to your house’s foundation over time.

If you wish to attempt clearing gutters, and don’t have a neighbor’s ladder to borrow, Black’s Hardware does stock extendable ladders. Including models with the right stabilizers for this task. We also sell gutter scoops, a handheld plastic tool that you will need for removing all the gunk you’ll find. You might want to also take a look at our selection of hoses and nozzles, they could make this particular endeavor far easier.

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