It’s only a matter of weeks before we’ll be back in the great outdoors, so we decided there’s no time like the present to begin preparing for the to-do list that’s soon to arrive. Rather than get overwhelmed from the beginning, we recommend breaking that long list of seasonal chores down by type and season – to keep your sanity and to keep your landscaping the talk of the neighborhood. Ready to tackle spring maintenance?
Spring Lawn Maintenance
- Fertilize lightly once snow has melted.
- Repair dead patches.
- If crabgrass is problematic, treat with a pre-emergent herbicide (place down around the time forsythia blooms in your area).
- Revive weak lawns by dethatching and aerating.
Spring Irrigation Maintenance
- Check controller settings, watering frequency and duration.
- Run through each station manually to ensure adequate coverage and that there are no leaks.
Spring Plant Maintenance
- Remove old mulch and re-mulch at the base of trees and shrubs.
- Prune and clean up dead, broken, or diseased branches.
- Prune summer-flowering shrubs (leave spring bloomers alone until after they bloom).
- Rake, fertilize, and trim groundcovers.
- Remove any dead shrubs or groundcovers.
- Amend soil with organic matter.
- Prune and plant roses.
- Divide overcrowded perennials.
- Plant fruit trees and shrubs; fertilize several weeks before bloom with a fruit-tree plant food.
- Prune vines growing over arbors and trellises.
- Cut back spring bulb foliage as it yellows.
Spring Hardscape Maintenance
- Clean wooden decks; protect with sealant or stain as needed.
- Move furniture out of storage; clean and repaint as needed.
- Repair cracks in paved areas.
- Organize the garden shed.
- Replace wiring and bulbs as needed on outdoor fixtures.
- Sharpen lawn mower and pruning tools.
