THESE WARM TEMPERATURES HAVE MANY GARDNERS OUT IN THE YARD ALREADY. HERE'S WHAT YOU MAY WANT TO TACKLE THIS TIME OF YEAR ACCORDING TO A UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION HORTICULTURE EXPERT. 

NOW IS A GOOD TIME FOR GARDEN CLEAN-UP, CUTTING BACK ORNAMENTAL GRASSES AND PRUNING ROSES SAYS THE EXTENSION'S CHRIS ENROTH.

ENROTH ALSO RECOMMENDS GETTING COOLER-WEATHER VEGETABLES LIKE LETTUCE, BROCCOLI AND BRUSSELS SPROUTS PLANTED. HE NOTES IT'S TOO EARLY FOR OTHER PLANTS.

ENROTH SAYS IT'S PROBABLY TOO LATE TO PUT DOWN CRAB GRASS HERBICIDE IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS AND NOT MUCH TIME IS LEFT IN CENTRAL AND NORTHERN ILLINOIS.