“January opens the box of the year. And brings out days that are bright and clear. And brings out days that are cold and gray. And shouts, ‘Come see what I brought today!’ ” January (Leland B. Jacobs).

With the holiday season behind us and the cold weather upon us, make every effort to stay warm this month.  While kicking back by the fire in the evening for a good book or a movie, take the time to plan and schedule your springtime landscape and construction activities. As you do so, please take the following pointers into consideration.

Sketch before digging or building: Always plan your steps in the landscaping process. Part of the planning involves sketching your ideas onto paper. Do the math! Determine the quantities of plants needed and the volume of materials necessary to complete your job at hand. This approach will help you determine exactly what you need and avoid wasting your hard-earned dollars.

Pursue the right resources:  As you begin your planning, do the necessary research to find the professional assistance needed to assure economic savings with minimal waste from start to finish. Find the right personnel who will give you sound advice. This resourceful support and information may be partial or for the entirety of the development.

Consultation: Seek the advice of an advisor or consultant to point you in the right direction for the project. The price you pay for an hour of consultation could prove priceless, especially if it saves you money on designs, plants, supplies and other items, as well as preventing costly errors. However, do your homework before seeking such advice by creating the picture in your mind. The more ideas and facts you offer to the advisor, the more wise use you will get with their time.

Make an objective decision involving your needs and wants. Decide what you want and how you can get it. As you invest in your projects, be sure that they are do-able and user-friendly. If you cut corners on cost, quality and size, how will these decisions impact the end result? It may be less expensive to build a smaller patio or deck, but it will lose its bargain characteristics when you find it does not satisfy your needs and does not get used for its intent? It will be worth the few dollars you pay a designer to create a space that meets your criteria and be useable.

Complete your project in phases:  Very few people have the necessary and available financial resources to landscape their site or property all at once. Identify the use areas (public, private and service) and divide your project into phases over the next few seasons or years. This approach will be a “pay as you develop” with current funding on hand which will save you on credit or loan costs and fees. Also, you will be able to assess your progress within each phase and make any necessary changes or modifications before moving to the next phase. Do keep each phase on a time schedule to keep your family happy and interested in the project.

Look at price and quality: You should never assume that cheaper is better! You always get what you pay for, so if you go cheap you may end up with low quality and a less desirable space. Your  planning choices should include all types of retail outlets from warehouse to specialty shops to determine the best investment for you. Also, when (time of season) that you buy can be very critical in so far as being a bargain or not.  It is best to buy lumber in the winter, Christmas decorations about the first of the year, plants in middle or late season, equipment in the off-season, etc. What about personal service, expert advice, guarantees, and rebates? Are these available?  And, if you are planning specialized hardscapes, seek a specialty company rather than a general installation company that seldom deals with hardscapes.

Effective shopping and buying: Develop an instinct for finding the real deals. Always accept cheaper when it’s good enough and you know for sure that quality is not sacrificed. With some items, there’s very little difference in quality between first class and economy. (Like in a plane, both sections will arrive at a destination together so are you willing to pay extra for the comfort since timing is equal?) What is the extra costs providing you? Always take advantage of a home improvement warehouse’s volume buying power for bargains on plants and supplies. Always inspect your selections for quality and form before purchasing and leaving the store.

Online shopping and mail-order sources: Research catalogs and websites to expand your choices and buying power. Shopping online or by phone does offer a convenience but be assured of product quality and availability. Be certain that the company you are dealing with is reputable and not a scam. Also, are handling, shipping taxes, and other costs added to the purchase price? If so, is it now such a bargain? Often times, buying local does make exchanges or returns much simpler.

Check alternate resources: As you follow through in the shopping process, look beyond stores and catalogs for bargains and good deals. Be reminded that arboretums, botanical centers, and school programs often have plant sales and may have exactly what you need. Also, keep an open line of communication with your neighbors and friends who may have extra annuals and perennials that they will share. Furthermore, cities and municipalities may offer free mulch and compost throughout the year, and construction and demolition sites may be sources of bricks and stones. By being very aware of your surroundings and what is going on in your communities, you will be one of the first to know about such opportunities.

Adapt sharing opportunities: Through friends and neighbors, you can share equipment and tools. Also, this becomes another way to be sociable and neighborly. If you are planning on renting a tiller, chipper, tractor, trencher or other piece of equipment, always plan in a manner that will provide best investment and wise use. Check with your friends and neighbors for the possibility of renting and sharing costs to complete all projects in a certain time frame.

Preparing your lawn mower:  It is time to inspect and service your lawn mower for the spring and summer seasons. Don’t wait until the busy rush of March and April when repair shops get very busy. Make sure your mower blade is sharp and ready to mow. Check the spark plug for wear and replace with correct replacement if necessary. Put the proper grease into all the available grease fittings. Drain the old fuel and replace with fresh fuel. Crank the mower and let it run for a few minutes before placing back into the garage or equipment shed.

Pre-emergent herbicides: If your strategy is to preventively control the weeds in your lawn, you should start becoming familiar with your choices for herbicides.  The weeds for spring and summer will start germinating in late February and continue throughout the spring.  For those weeds that are early germinators, you should be thinking about an herbicide application in middle of February. For those that germinate later in the spring, you should be thinking about an early April application. Seek professional advice for your particular situation and plans.

Sustainability:  In all that you do in your landscape, think towards low maintenance and sustainability. Always make those choices that are environmentally-friendly and cost effective.

As you continue your plantscaping this month and commit to this cost and effort, please also commit to providing the necessary care to keep your plants healthy and attractive. Continue to think in terms of native and sustainable plants in the landscape as their supplemental needs (things you must do) will be much less than any of the exotic plants. As you continue to play in the dirt, think good drainage and proper fertilization, and as always, remember to feed and water the birds!

“Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:13.