Take advantage of sunny days in February to tackle these early tasks while you inspect your yard for signs that spring is on the way.

• Clean and sharpen the yard tools and service power tools so you’ll be ready to hit the ground running come spring. Investing in a little off-season tool care can make them work better in the short term as well as last longer.
• During thaws, check perennials and shrubs that were planted within the last year to make sure the root balls aren’t "heaving" out of the ground. Tamp them back down if they are. Freezes and thaws can push poorly rooted plants out of the ground, exposing roots to potentially fatal winter winds.
• Pull and prevent weeds. Winter annual weeds that sprouted last fall are likely small right now, but they will grow quickly as the weather warms in the coming weeks. Pull the weeds you see now while they are small and the ground is soft, before they have a chance to grow, flower, and go to seed. Apply Preen Garden Weed Preventer to create a weed barrier and prevent warm weather weeds from sprouting.
• Scout the landscape for tree and shrub branches broken by snow, ice or wind. Prune them off cleanly, back to the next healthy joint or bud.
• End of winter is an ideal time to prune woody plants, including shade trees, fruit trees, and summer-blooming shrubs. Make shaping cuts while the branches are bare, just before new growth begins. Avoid pruning "bleeder" trees such as maples, and birches and evergreens if temperatures are unusually warm. These should only be trimmed when temperatures are consistently cold and plants are still dormant. Hold off pruning spring flowering trees and shrubs until after they bloom.
• Clear away dead perennial leaves. Rake off or trim any frost-killed brown leaves from your perennial plants.
• Reapply anti-desiccant sprays such as Wilt Pruf to broad-leaf evergreens that are prone to browning around the edges from cold winter winds. Apply only during above-40-degree days. Also reapply deer repellents to landscape plants that are prime deer targets.
• Winter sowing — starting seeds outdoors in clear containers is a way to start growing seeds early by providing enough protection and ventilation to allow germination. It works best for cold tolerant plants and those whose seeds require a period of cold to germinate. This includes snapdragons, poppies, and delphiniums, coneflowers, Shasta Daisies and cool season vegetables.
• Take cuttings from geraniums, coleus and any other annuals you’ve overwintered inside to make "babies" for this spring. Dip cuttings in a rooting hormone, stick them in potting mix and set them under plant lights.