Spring is nearly here, so its time to start tackling the yard work – nj.com

Four robins appeared in my backyard last week. Its spring. Forget the weather forecasters. Robins have been heralding spring long before people devised calendars. The birds dont use charts and maps. Welcoming spring is in the DNA of robins.

Soon, forsythia and daffodils will light up the landscape. Early spring means its time to get the seeds started. My little tomato plants now spend their days outside, hardening off. And the eggplant and pepper seedlings will follow soon. Next will come the marigolds.

Spring is when you tackle your gardening. It seems we are heading for an early spring this year. So, get moving on all those plans you dreamed about over the winter. If you need help, many professionals are available. Soon, they will be very busy, so begin making your calls.

Country Garden Shed is a family owned garden center, says Kaitlyn Prol. Were located in the heart of Hunterdon. It all began seven years ago with a roadside stand, and the operation has expanded into the garden center it is today.

Its a mother and daughter operation -- Kaitlyn is the daughter and Karen den Hollander is the mother. The shed is more akin to a building, with all sorts of plants set outside, spilling into the surroundings. The place is located at 1153 Croton Road (Route 579).

Country Garden Shed is not open yet. Mother and daughter are getting ready for the season which begins for them on Thursday, March 26. It will be like a grand opening the last week of March and it will continue through October.

We specialize in perennials and annual plants which we grow ourselves, Kaitlyn explains. As well as vegetables and herbs, tropical plants, unique houseplants, and a selection of deer-resistant shrubs.

Country Garden Shed offers many trays of plants -- think pansies and other annuals -- along with hanging baskets. Select from those trays, as well as 4-inch and 1-quart plantings.

You can bring your containers here and get some professional advice to fill them. Or, if you have big, heavy containers (iron, concrete), Kaitlyn can come to your place. Last year, they supplied the plants for the large containers on the streets of Easton. And they are supplying the plants for Flemington streets.

More than just plants, we also sell beautiful concrete pottery, handmade birdhouses, and durable outdoor furniture, she says. Inside, we have wreaths, trendy home decor and many great gift ideas for gardeners.

For more information, call 908-627-4007 and visit http://www.countrygardenshed.com/.

Several things are very important when you begin your landscaping project. My own plans always begin with thinking about spacing and balance. You want the landscape to fit together in the pleasing way you have in mind. What plants do you want to add to the landscape? Where will they be planted? And how big -- or wide -- will they eventually grow?

Perennials dont usually grow very big. Neither do annuals. But shrubs and trees are another matter. Driving around, youll see the result of a lack of planning in many landscapes. Things grow together when planted too close -- they are not given the spacing they need.

Then there are the hardscape considerations. How will you landscape around walkways, patios, outdoor fire pits, a pool? And dont forget play areas for children. Maybe you want to create a quiet nook where you can relax. Well, you might need an experienced landscaper.

Clinton Landscape owner Michael Tate can handle a wide variety of landscaping projects -- from putting in and maintaining lawns to designing and finishing walls, walkways, patios, exterior fireplaces, and other hardscaping.

We do tree work and irrigation as well, he says. And we do stuccoing, and masonry work including repointing brick and stone, along with foundations -- you have to use different types of concrete for different applications.

His operation is based at 9 Echo Lane, Clinton. Mike is fully insured and handles jobs anywhere in Hunterdon, Warren and areas beyond. Hes available for residential and commercial jobs, and you can contact him 24/7 and arrange for a free estimate. He offers specials for seniors, veterans and first responders.

For more information, call 908-674-1647, and check out a big gallery of photos of work hes completed. Its at Facebook.com/ClintonTates/.

If your gardening dreams include stonework, you will need a stonemason. And stonemasons are few and far between. Not many experts in stonework exist today, but we are fortunate in having the Artisan Stone Masons operation locally.

Its run by Paul Steinbeiser, Jr. He comes from a family of craftspeople. His father operates Landscape Design & Construction located in Frenchtown. But Pauls interest was in shaping and fitting stones together to construct different types of stone masonry.

Artisan Stone Masons specializes in walls, patios, walkways, fireplaces, stone pointing, custom handcrafted natural stonework, and historic restoration, says Paul. We believe that the diversity of our craftsmanship is one of our strongest assets.

Pauls stonework is always customized to the job at hand. A curving dry laid garden wall is one thing. A stone fireplace--inside or outside--is another. Then there are the special requirements of the historic restorations he tackles.

All of our stonework is handcrafted, he advises. The stone used and the stone color depend on the location and style of the house and time period in which it was built.

The same meticulous attention characterizes Pauls other work.

Dry laid walls and wet laid walls have different types of footings, he notes. Both are dug deeply to contend with moisture and freezing issues. For example, a standard footing needs to be at least 18 to 36 inches deep -- sometimes more.

Before the actual stonework begins on site, there is always a collaboration with clients. That collaboration continues from the beginning design phase to the finished product. Paul works from his Hunterdon base to provide stonework all over the area.

This year, turn your garden into that magical showplace existing only in your dreams -- with stone walls, stone pathways, and other constructions. How about a stone arch?

For more information, call 908-268-9608. For an extensive array of photos, visit the website at ArtisanStoneMasons.com and checkout the Facebook pages.

Al Warr can be reached at 610-253-0432 or AlWarr16@gmail.com.

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Spring is nearly here, so its time to start tackling the yard work - nj.com