A Spring Worthy Yard

Depending on where you live, you may be getting the spring cleaning itch to tackle yard and garden projects. As spring blooms around us, we are getting organized for the new season and thinking about how best to tackle our outdoor projects. While it might be tempting to begin digging in the dirt and planting, most horticulture experts agree to hold off on cleaning landscape debris early in the season. Many pollinators overwinter in old leaves and plant debris from the previous season. Leaving these in place allows beneficial insects and pollinators to emerge. As temperatures begin to warm up and low temperatures are consistently in the 50s, you can begin to clean up flower beds and start planting. Today we’re sharing simple lists for each area of your backyard. Dedicate a few pages of your planner to map out your own backyard spring cleaning checklist. 

Hardscape Surfaces and Furniture

While the flower beds and garden wait for clean up, you can focus your attention on hardscape surfaces and furniture. This is a great time to clean and powerwash outdoor furniture and patio surfaces. For wood and teak furniture, use this early spring time to lightly sand, clean, and oil or apply fresh stain to surfaces. If you have a wooden deck or other structures look them over for rotted or loose boards. As weather allows, consider doing a light sand, powerwash and restain before the outdoor season gets in full swing. 

Windows & Screens 

Spring is a great time to clean your windows, both inside and out. Opt for a cloudy day (a super sunny day can leave streaks on your windows as you clean them). Use your favorite window/glass cleaner or make your own with equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. For cleaning screens, You can vacuum them with an attachment and then spray them down with a cleaner like Dawn Power Wash or a vinegar cleaner and wipe down with a microfiber cloth. 

Grass & Yard 

Early spring is a great time to aerate your lawn to encourage new growth in your yard. You may have seen small holes appearing in the yards of your neighbors. Using a special aerating tool to evenly make holes in the yard helps break up thatch (the layer of dead plant material between the grass and dirt). It also helps water, oxygen, grass seed, and any fertilizers you use to get deeper into the root zone of the soil.

Flower & Garden Beds 

When the weather has warmed and you are ready to plant flowers and garden beds, you can begin by tilling your soil, breaking it up. Use a rake, shovel, and/or tiller to break up the hard clumps of soil and any plant matter. The top 8-12” of soil should be loosened. You can add compost, topsoil, and fertilizer to help your plants have a running start. For vegetable garden beds you can also add vermiculite to help with soil drainage. 

Miscellaneous  

Don’t forget to give any outdoor cooking equipment a deep clean such as gas and charcoal grills and smokers. You can remove the grill grates and power wash them and scrub down the outside of the grill. We like to use a mix of water, vinegar, and Dawn dish soap and a scrub brush to clean the outside of the grill. Wipe down firepits, check hoses for leaks or holes, and wipe down outdoor lighting. 

We’d love to hear how you’re preparing your yard for spring and summer. What are we forgetting on our list? Please tell us in the comments and share your best spring cleaning and backyard tips!