It is important to repair winter damaged plants immediately since spring growth will be taking place and the healing of wounds and pruning cuts will occur quickly. Waiting until later in the year to do the repairs will slow healing of wounds and increase opportunities for invasion of plant pests and diseases. At this writing, the forsythia are in bloom across most of the region. This is a good indicator plant for the start of cabbage root maggot fly activity. Be prepared to protect cabbage and related crops from maggots by covering plantings with row covers.
Maggots are more of a problem in cool, wet soils.