Mow frequently in spring and be sure to mulch

Use a mulching mower that leaves the grass clippings on the lawn. This means less work for you, and it recycles those extra nutrients back to your lawn.

Regardless of which mower you choose, you need to mow more frequently during spring because of rapid grass growth. Mulching mowers, in particular, do not work well in tall, wet grass. Rake out any wet clumps of grass that remain on the lawn.

Keep the blades on your mower sharpened for a better cut. A good general rule to follow is to sharpen them after every eight hours of use.

Mow grass at 2½ to 3 inches in height, and frequently enough so that not more than one-third of the total height is cut each time. Most lawns are cut too short. Maintaining lawns at a taller height promotes a strong root system and helps choke out weeds. In hot weather, short lawns can turn brown more quickly and weeds are more likely to move in.

• Gradually move tropical plants outside to protected areas when temperatures begin staying above 40 degrees. Prevent any damage to the plants by gradually acclimating them to the sun and outside growing conditions. Start by putting them in a shaded location outside on warmer days, and bring them inside when nights are predicted to be cold.

Increase the time outside and exposure to sun over a period of 10 days or so. Large houseplants in plastic pots should be slipped into larger, heavier pots to prevent them from falling over in the wind.

There still can be nights that are cold enough (temperatures in the low 40s) that can damage or set back more sensitive tropical plants, especially those that have just come out of a greenhouse.

• Shrubs are starting to put growth on now. Prune back any unshapely growth on shrubs to improve their appearance and encourage the development of a fuller plant.

• Tim Johnson is director of horticulture at Chicago Botanic Garden, chicagobotanic.org.