This disease is called petal blight, and the spores live in the soil below the plant and will infect next year's flowers. Pick up all dropped flowers and remove the old blooms from the plant. A thick mulch under the plant also will help. New LAWN seedbeds can be prepared now, but it is too early to sow the seed. Crabgrass pre-emergence killers can still be applied in most areas.
All lawns can stand an application of high nitrogen fertilizer to stimulate spring growth.
Fertilize all actively growing plants and shrubs. Rest up while you can and be prepared because next month is a biggie. After planting roses and cane fruits, mound some soil around the canes to protect them from drying winds. Be sure to remove this soil when growth starts. Plaster and concrete deposits are sometimes left on the ground by workmen.