It seems winter all happened in one week in February, then bam...spring temperatures arrived! Spring officially begins on March 20th this year, which is normally the first day for planting new sod, and landscape perennial plants. However, some summer vegetables can be planted much earlier, see guide. Realize some of the extreme cold damage on plants is already visible, but they may not be dead, just damaged. Before replacing, wait a little while to see if new growth emerges on shrubs, trees, and perennials. The turfgrass normally does not really green until late April to May, and you should not do anything to grass now. Normally you would use Pre-Emergent type herbicides now for summer weeds, but most experts are saying not to use it especially on St Augustine grass. Some varieties of St. Augustine may suffer from the cold injury--it is a wait and see for now. If you have already used these in the week before the cold, just hopefully the snow had some blanket effect. It will be late April to May to be able to know if it survived, so just wait. View Turf Talk for more information on lawn care.

This annual fundraiser for Collin County Master Gardeners will run from March 27 to April 10 with pick up on April 17. Get ready to reserve plants!

This is a campaign from EPA WaterSense program to promote water efficiency in homes by chasing down leaks. Did you know household leaks can waste one trillion gallons of water nationwide each year? After this hard freeze it is very important to look for and repair any leaks in your home as it can cost thousands of gallons of water each month for just a dripping faucet, leaky flapper in the toilet, or a broken sprinkler head. Learn how to chase down those leaks!

High water bills, during summer months, are normally caused by sprinkler use. Sprinkler zones can be using up to 15 gallons each minute. This free service, valued at $125.00, is just for Allen residents, with water utility account in good standing. Limited to the first 30 residents who Sign Up!

Each year, the Water Conservation Division hosts The Sustainable Landscape Series. This is normally several "in person" seminars held in City Council Chambers throughout the spring. This year it will all be virtual, so the entire family can enjoy from their homes. Many previous year seminars were videotaped and a few new ones were video taped in January. These can be viewed via cable channel on your television, or watched online. Check back often for new programs this spring. Hopefully, we will be back in person in 2022.

Water restrictions include no sprinkler use during rain or freeze events. From November 1 through March 31, watering IS allowed between 10 am-6 pm. Sprinkler use is only allowed on your designated day up to twice per week. See full restrictions list. Always check your sprinkler controllers after a power outage to make sure it has the correct time and programming! Many times, just a brief power outage or surge during thunderstorms can affect your sprinkler controller and change the time or program. Better yet, keep controllers OFF until you need to water.