Just like we “spring clean” our houses around this time every year, we need to do the same with our yard. Time to blow the dust off the mower and get back to work. We’ve compiled a spring to-do list to help you get off on the right foot this season. To make things even easier, download the printable outdoor spring-cleaning checklist. Let’s get started.

Greenspace’s Outdoor Spring-Cleaning Checklist

Here are our top 5 early spring tasks you should be doing to make your outdoor space the best on the block:

1. Tune up your equipment

Now’s the perfect time to give your lawn mower, trimmer, blower, chainsaw, and other tools a tune-up. Not sure how to perform the work yourself? Local hardware stores like K&K Hardware will service equipment for you!

  • Change the oil, filters, and spark plugs.
  • Clean off dirt, dust, and any grass or debris left over from last year.
  • Sharpen your chainsaw chains and mower blades as needed.
  • Charge or replace batteries
  • Fill up fuel tanks.

2. Prep your plant beds and gardens

Beds can start looking a little rough come spring. Cleaning them up early will make maintaining them this summer much easier.

  • Edge beds.
  • Cut back and trim shrubbery against walls.
  • Remove debris, leaves, etc.
  • Kill and prevent weeds.
  • Apply mulch (Hint: Need a bulk delivery? We can help with that!)
  • Divide perennials that are an inch or so high and don’t bloom in very early spring.

3. Give your lawn a little TLC

Winter can be hard on your lawn and may leave some unwanted things behind.

  • Clean out any gutters, strainers, window wells, drains, etc. and make sure downspouts are directing water away from the foundation. This is also a good time to check for other areas where water is pooling or running around your foundation.
  • Clean up around heating and cooling units.
  • Cut back any tree limbs growing on or over your roof.
  • Go over your lawn and remove any twigs, branches, dog feces, or other debris that has cluttered it up over winter.
  • Rake out any dead grass and leaves.
  • Repair bare spots in the lawn as needed.
  • Seed your lawn as needed.
  • Apply any necessary fertilizer, pre-emergent weed control, or proactive fungicide treatments (Need some help? Greenspace offers a turf care program to fit your lawns needs!)

4. Prune your trees and shrubs

Yes, trees and shrubs can often profit from a bit of spring cleaning, too. Dead limbs and winterkill on branches should be pruned. This is the easy part of pruning: Remember, you can’t go wrong cutting off something that’s already dead. When’s the best time to prune off healthy wood on shrubs is a different question because you can go wrong with your timing.  Pruning flowering shrubs instills fear in DIYers every spring because improper pruning will result in the loss of the blossoming displays to which we so look forward all winter long. To simplify, think of it this way:

  • Shrubs that bloom in spring have to have their buds already in place, on old wood (last year’s growth), so that they’re ready to kick into action when the warm weather comes; if you prune these branches off, you lose the flowers.
  • But shrubs that bloom later in the year don’t need that head start, blooming instead on new wood (growth produced in the current season).

5. Other miscellaneous tasks

A few other things to think about doing this spring

  • Grade and level gravel driveways.
  • Edge walkways and driveways.
  • Pressure wash siding or deck as needed.

Your lawn requires year-round care if you expect to see results. But getting started in the spring before the weather heats up is crucial. Use the outdoor spring-cleaning checklist above, and whenever you need help, ask Greenspace.