Spring is almost here! Along with the changing of the season, Spring also brings a long list of household chores to be completed. As a homeowner, spring cleaning has likely become a regular part of your annual maintenance routine. It is important to remember that the exterior of your home also needs to be included in your seasonal cleaning schedule.

Keeping your landscape neat and tidy adds to the overall appearance of your home, and helps to extend the longevity of your yard. In a few easy steps, your yard will be tidied up and ready for your family to enjoy all summer long!

Here are 7 simple steps to spring cleaning your home landscape:

  • Start by giving the entire yard a thorough picking up. Throw away any garbage or debris that may have settled during winter months. Remove old leaves, branches, fallen fruits and other waste. Pay special attention to flowerbeds, and remember to clean out the areas underneath trees.
  • After you’ve removed larger debris, give the entire yard a good raking. Rake up any leaves that may have been missed before winter, and rake all grassy areas to reinvigorate stagnate grass.
  • Re-edge your borders to keep your landscaping sharp. Edging prevents grass from growing into your flowerbeds, and gives your area a well-manicured look. Clean edging is one of the best ways to prepare your landscape for spring.
  • Check plants for winter damage, and divide perennials as needed. Prune any broken branches, or dead spots on tress and shrubs. Cut back all perennials, and decide which, if any, should be divided and moved.
  • To make sure your grass and plants have the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy, you should fertilize and water your plants in early spring. The ideal time to fertilize is after a light spring rain. Sprinkle fertilizer around the base of your plants, and apply fertilizer to grassy areas with a drop or broadcast spreader. Avoid any areas where you may be planting grass seed, they will get fertilized at a later time.
  • Mulch helps to keep your plants healthy be controlling moisture and keeping weeds at bay. Remove old mulch from your landscaped areas and apply a fresh 2-3 inch layer of mulch around your plants.
  • Now that your yard is clean, it’s time to plant grass seed in any areas that need it. Till the areas to loosen the top 2 to 3 inches of soil. Remove any rocks, sticks, or debris the tiller might turn up. Use your rake to level out the dirt in the seedbed and try to remove any large clumps. Place half of the grass seed in your spreader, and walk the length of the area making rows, from north to south. Place the other half of the seed in the spreader, and walk in rows again, this time from east to west. This will make sure the area has even coverage for best growth results.

Preparing your home for spring will ensure your landscape is health and safe for your family to enjoy all year round!