While you may not be able to do a whole lot of work in the yard or garden during winter, that doesn’t mean you have to wait for the first day of spring to get back out there. As the weather begins to warm up, there are a few things you can do to prep your yard for spring. Here are just a few of them.
Rake
Make sure to rake up all the leaves and other debris in your yard. It will keep your lawn looking clean and neat and then, when spring finally hits, you can get right to treating the lawn and garden. You won’t have to worry about cleaning up from fall and winter.
Prune
Prune away any dead or broken branches. Check the trees and other bushes to make sure they’re healthy and in good condition. Make splints and repairs as necessary.
Reseed
Winter can often be brutal on the grass in your yard. If you find that there are some bald spots in your lawn, then go ahead and start reseeding. This will prepare the yard for spring and make it look great when the nice weather rolls around.
Check Tools
You don’t want the first of spring to come just to have to spend it cleaning your tools. A few weeks before you plan to get back to the yard, check your tools and make sure they’re clean and functioning.
Cut Back Perennials
While perennials are always nice to have in the yard, make sure to cut them back and keep the branches low. This will help the rest of the perennial grow better when warm weather comes.
Beds and Borders
Check all the beds and borders in your yard. Leaves and other debris often collect in those places and it’ll be easier to clean them now before the plants start blooming again. Get rid of any weeds or leftover garden nuisances.
Aerate Lawn
Aerating your lawn before spring hits can really help the grass get off to a good start. You’ll just want to make sure the ground isn’t too frozen for the aerator to work properly.
Test Soil
It’s always a good idea to test the PH levels of your soil at least once a year, especially before you start planting. You can get a soil testing kit at nearly any store and it will tell you the condition of your soil so you can know what to do to prepare it for spring.
Fix Fences
Take a quick look at all your fences and posts to make sure they’re still in good shape. Any dings, breaks, or peeling paint should be fixed and replaced since you don’t need to wait for good weather to get this chore done.
Plan Layout
Planning the layout of your garden and yard before you even get started is a great idea! When spring comes, you’ll know exactly what plants and flowers you want so you can take full advantage of the good weather. Consider a focal point in the yard like a statue or bird bath.
Thanks for sharing these outdoor spring cleaning ideas. Once I have my professional carpet cleaning done I will be ready to move from the inside to the outside! I will totally be using your tips!