April on the east side is a negotiation — the lawns around Knob Hill start greening while Palmer Park still keeps snow in its north-facing draws. J&R Lawn Care opens the season there, waking the yards up and settling into a weekly rhythm of mowing, edging and trimming that carries through to frost. These are older blocks with mature yards, alley garages and lawn strips along the curb, all of which reward a careful pass over a fast one. Sharp lines at the walk, an even cut across the front, nothing left behind on the concrete. By June the whole street looks like it decided to try.