As the weather warms up, it’s the perfect time to turn your attention to your yard. After months of winter, your outdoor space could use some care — whether you’re planning new landscaping projects or focusing on regular maintenance. To help you stay organized, here’s your complete spring landscaping checklist to guide you from early March through mid-May. With the right plan in place, you’ll set yourself up for a healthy, beautiful yard you can enjoy all summer long.
Make Your Spring Landscaping Game Plan
Before diving into your yard work, take a few minutes to outline your goals for the season. Are you starting a vegetable garden? Thinking about adding outdoor lighting or upgrading your patio? Planning to plant new shrubs, trees, or flowers? Or is this year’s goal more about simple maintenance after a big project last season? Making a clear plan helps you prioritize tasks and stay within your budget. This is also a great time to review your landscaping budget for items like mulch, plants, outdoor furniture, irrigation maintenance, or lawn care services.
Spring Yard Cleanup
A good spring yard cleanup clears the slate for everything else you’ll do this year. Start this in early March or April as soon as the snow is gone and temperatures start rising. Catching small problems early prevents larger issues later on and gives you a clear starting point for the rest of your spring landscaping projects.
- Remove leaves, branches, and winter debris.
- Walk your property and inspect for broken tree limbs or hanging branches.
- Look for fence damage, leaning posts, or other winter wear and tear.
- Assess garden beds, walkways, and retaining walls.
Lawn Care Checklist for Spring
Healthy, green grass starts with early attention. April is the ideal time to aerate your lawn to relieve compacted soil and promote strong root growth.
- Apply pre-emergent fertilizer to stop weeds before they start.
- Sharpen your mower blades to avoid damaging grass, and start mowing once your grass begins actively growing.
- Be careful not to mow too short, especially during the first few cuts.
- Following this lawn care checklist encourages a lush, healthy lawn all season.
Irrigation System Start-Up
An early irrigation start-up is one of the best things you can do for your lawn and garden. Schedule your irrigation company to come out in April or early May. Early activation ensures your system is working properly before hot, dry weather arrives. Fixing small issues now can prevent costly repairs—and stressed plants—later in the summer. Waiting until June or July can leave you scrambling when service providers are booked and your lawn is struggling in the heat.
Garden Preparation and Planting
Spring is also the ideal time for garden preparation and planting. Weed your garden beds and remove any dead plant material. Turn and refresh the soil to improve drainage and nutrient levels. Apply fresh mulch to help retain moisture and keep weeds under control. Plant summer annuals like petunias, marigolds, or impatiens in early to mid-May. This is also a great time to check on your perennials and replace any plants that didn’t survive the winter.
Prep Your Outdoor Living Space
Don’t forget about your patio, deck, and outdoor entertaining areas! A few finishing touches in May will have you ready to host summer barbecues and backyard gatherings. Power wash patios, decks, and walkways to remove winter grime. Clean outdoor furniture, wipe down cushions, reseal wood, and replace worn pieces. Check your outdoor lighting and replace bulbs or upgrade fixtures if needed. Add decor and finishing touches like planters, pillows, or outdoor rugs for a fresh summer look. A clean, well-maintained outdoor living space adds comfort and style to your backyard and makes your property feel like an extension of your home.
Ready to Get Started?
Taking a proactive approach to spring landscaping makes your outdoor space easier to enjoy all season long. Whether you’re tackling the whole checklist or just need a hand with lawn care, irrigation start-up, or garden prep, our team is here to help. Contact us today to schedule your spring landscaping services and let’s get your yard looking its best this year.