North Carolina Is One Of The Top States For Spring Lawn Care

Technically, we are just a few weeks into the spring season. However, we are understandably very focused on landscaping; North Carolina is one of the best states for tending to spring lawn care.

When you analyze this topic and compare our region to the rest of the country, there are certainly some differentiators in the changing seasons. Nonetheless, by the time April rolls around, we start to hear consistently hear the sweet sounds of baseball and lawnmowers.

Lawn Love has recently published numerous features detailing how tending to your grass differs per state. The good news here is that North Carolina did not rank towards the top for metro areas where lawn maintenance is most expensive. The even better news is that North Carolina ranked as the 7th in the list of states most interested in lawn care.

Last year, Craftjack detailed the most popular lawncare activities per state. Explaining how Americans love to tend to their yards, Craftjack said, "As it warms up around the country and Americans begin to think about spending more time outside, homeowners nationwide are confronting that big, green monster: the lawn."

They found that gardening, lawn mowing, and general lawn care are the top three activities in the United States, with gardening finishing number one. While all of those activities happen regularly across North Carolina, it added more spring work to the plate. According to Craftjack's analysis, building sheds ranked as the top outdoor spring landscaping activity in the state.

Over the next few weeks, as the weather breaks away from the cold temperatures, we will be able to partake in practices such as aerating in an effort to provide oxygen, water, and nutrients deep into the soil. Then, adding loam soil, fertilizer, and grass seed sets the stage for a blooming and colorful yard.

"The average American spends 3.4 hours per week taking care of their green space and spends about $55 per month," Craftjack continued.

As you then plant flowers, spread some mulch, and build your garden wall, you then start your regular routine of watering (constantly). If all goes according to plan, your lawn care techniques will set you up for a regular mow each week.

It may be a longstanding joke, but there certainly is truth to pulling out of your driveway and very slowly crawling past your yard, admiring the fresh cut you just gave it while analyzing what shade of green your grass is. As you drive down the street, it's only natural to judge your neighbors' lawns in comparison to your efforts.

In North Carolina, this is simply a sign of appreciating the times. After enduring a cold winter, you welcome those first few weeks of heavy lawn care and the opportunity to spend more time outdoors. However, perhaps by July, cutting the grass and pulling the weeds becomes a humid chore.

On Wednesday, December 27, North Carolina will play their last game of the season in Charlotte (Duke's Mayo Bowl vs. West Virginia). With Drake Maye being one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL draft, it's time to take a look at three potential landing destinations for the star quarterback.

UNC is coming off a 8-4 record this season. Although his statistics were not as high as last year, Maye still had an incredible year, throwing for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns. At just 21 years old, Maye is the ideal size for a NFL quarterback, standing 6 foot 4.

Many of the top players have still to officially declare for the draft. Yet, the expectation is that all the names we are seeing atop the mock draft boards will be moving up to the next level. There have been eyes on this year's class for a few years now. That's largely due to the generational quarterback pool.

USC's Caleb Williams is a safe assumption to be the first overall pick. That's where things can get tricky. The Carolina Panthers currently have the worst record at 1-11. However, due to last year's trade, the Chicago Bears own their pick. Do the Bears need or want a QB? They just drafted Justin Fields. Of course, we still have the NFL combine, player pro days, and team meetings ahead of us. Much can change in that time. Still, I believe Maye will be the next quarterback taken after Williams.

To further emphasize how deep (and potentially special)  this class is, three of the four Heisman Trophy finalists this season are quarterbacks. None of them are named Caleb Williams or Drake Maye (Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr.)

Come April, we can see as many as 10 NFL teams in need of a new quarterback.  Here are three NFL teams that have a good probability of selecting in the top five picks of the NFL draft, where Drake Maye will likely be taken.

Mac Jones may be handing his #10 jersey to another #10. With Jones expecting to be gone in New England, the Patriots will be one of the many teams interested in Maye. Their record also indicates they will have a top pick. What makes this equally intriguing is the fact that Maye could come into the Patriots at the same time as a new coach.

This would be a fantastic landing spot for Maye. Daniel Jones is out for year with his knee injury. The Giants could once again use a fresh start. Maye has many of the characteristics of a tough traditional Meadowlands quarterback, much like Phil Simms or Eli Manning. Maye has the demeanor, confidence, and intangible attributes to be the new face of this franchise.

Here's the wildcard of the bunch, and perhaps a stretch. Why? Because the Vikings will have to trade and move up to have a realistic chance at Maye. Crowd-favorite Kirk Cousins tore his achillies and doesn't have the long-term contract to fall back on. Furthermore, head couch Kevin O'Connell was a NFL quarterback himself. A young guy coming and developing under his tutelage would be a welcomed change that sets up Maye with support and success. It also doesn't hurt when you a guy like Justin Jefferson in house to throw the ball to.