It is almost May, but you sure can't tell that from the trees. Some of them are sending out leaves, and others still look pretty bare.

Some had their first buds frosted off and others did not. Those that didn't are probably the ones that are now starting to have leaves.

One of my ugly silver maples, which should have been cut down years ago, is now leafing out. But I'm still picking up clumps of seeds that were frosted off. Apparently the freeze did not slow this tree down too much.

Some people had some severe pruning done on their trees after the ice storm and now are wondering if they are going to have leaves this year. Eventually, these trees will make buds and leaves will emerge. I imagine the same thing will happen to those trees whose buds were frozen by the blast of cold weather in April. It just takes time.

The probability of another frost is mostly gone, but I've seen it happen in May. The actual frost-free date is about May 10 to 15.

Now is the time to:

- Think about planting a small garden or maybe a patio or pot version.

- Visit your local lawn and garden center or greenhouse for some transplants.

- Plant some flowers to brighten up your lawn.

- You can still sow grass seed or lay sod.

- Prune spring flowering shrubs such as lilac, weigelia and forsythia immediately after they bloom.

- Plant strawberries or brambles.

- Plant nursery stock.

- Search for morel mushrooms. (This last rain may help you find some.)

- Keep weeds under control.

- Plant garden seeds of snap beans and sweet corn

- Plant tomato transplants

- Watch for local plant sales by garden clubs

- Pick up sticks and limbs as they continue to fall every time the winds blow. (And they do blow here in Central Illinois!)

- Drive carefully in the country - farmers are busy moving machinery.

- Keep watching frosted trees and shrubs.

- Go for a walk.

- Don't do spring housecleaning.

- Don't wash windows.

- Go fishing.

- Go golfing.

Call of the week

"How can I get rid of snakes? Kids are scared to death by them, and I've seen them in the yard."

Well, they hide in tall grass, around rock piles and railroad ties. So you need to eliminate their nesting areas. I'm not aware of anything you can spray to get rid of them. They do eat rodents and are generally considered a harmless creature. If you are really paranoid, you can call an exterminator.

Stuart Hawbaker can be reached at hrnews@herald-review.com.