North of the village the Champlain Canal begins its run toward the lake, and the road along it wakes in April with mud, meltwater and a first green nobody quite trusts. Jake's Lawn Care LLC opens the season out there with spring cleanups, then the first cut once the ground firms, then mowing, trimming and edging straight on through. Waterford's growing stretch is short and generous, and a lawn missed in May will let you know about it. So the work runs on rhythm: the same yards on the same days, grass held at one honest height. By the time the canal boats are moving again, the properties look like they were never let go.