On the first warm Saturday in March, Long Beach opens its doors and takes stock of what winter did: sand in the grass, salt along the curb line, a season of branches and litter piled against the fences. Valley Tree and Landscape starts the year right there — clearing the debris out, cutting the beaten turf back to an even height, edging walks and driveways to their proper shape, then setting the mowing schedule that carries through to fall. There is something hopeful about that first cleanup; the yard stops looking like something that was merely survived. Everything after it is upkeep, week by week, all the way through the growing season. The island greens up fast once somebody starts.