Patty Manzi's Tri-Valley Real Estate Blog

• Add garden record keeping to the list of New Year’s resolutions. Make a note of which varieties of flowers and vegetables do best and which do poorly in your garden.

• Avoid heavy traffic on the dormant lawn. Dry grass is easily broken and the crown of the plant may be severely damaged or killed.

• Feed the birds regularly and see that they have water. Birds like suet, fruit, nuts, and bread crumbs as well as bird seed.

• If you have some time this winter, paint the handles of garden tools red or orange. This will preserve the wood and make the tools easier to locate in the garden or on the lawn.