YOUR GARDEN GUY: Ideas to keep you busy in the garden this week

Remove leaves from beds and start adding mulch. It's your very last call to cut back liriope.

Get a jump on spring by planning and designing the landscape now. Visit my website at www.FernValley.com for tips and advice.

What's blooming now? Okame cherry, daffodil, camellia Japonica, Japanese/saucer magnolia and star magnolia.

Fruit trees are arriving at local nurseries. Be sure to do some homework on varieties that do well in Middle Georgia, and the tree's growth habits and size. Consider dwarf varieties if space is limited.

Dead head (remove the faded flowers) and fertilize daffodils as needed. Do not cut back the foliage.

Summer- and fall-blooming perennials can be dug and divided now.

Now is a great time to aerate the lawn. This will break up the soil to allow for better water and fertilizer penetration. Aerators can be rented at several local stores.

It is still a great time to transplant trees and shrubs.

Next week, let's talk about types of grasses that grow well in Middle Georgia.

Todd Goulding provides residential landscape design consultations. Contact him at www.fernvalley.com or 478-345-0719.