The short version
- Wait until the soil isn't soggy before walking on beds and lawn.
- Clean up debris, cut back perennials and prune summer-blooming shrubs.
- Edge beds, weed early and top up mulch to 2-3 inches.
- Test soil, amend with compost and plant once frost danger passes.
The first warm Saturday of spring, Jared and I head outside with coffee and a very long list. Over the years, we've learned that doing things in the right order saves a lot of rework. Here's our spring yard cleanup checklist.
Early spring (soil still cool)
- Walk the yard. Note winter damage, broken branches, drainage problems and what's coming up.
- Clear debris. Rake leaves and sticks out of beds and off the lawn. Leave some leaf litter at bed edges for overwintering pollinators until it warms up.
- Cut back perennials and grasses to a few inches above the ground before new growth gets tall.
- Prune summer-blooming shrubs and remove dead or crossing branches. Leave spring bloomers until after flowering.
- Remove what isn't working. Overgrown or dead shrubs come out now, before they leaf out - here's how we removed ours.
- Clean gutters and check downspouts so spring rains drain away from the house.
Mid spring (soil workable)
- Edge beds with a flat spade for a crisp line that keeps grass out.
- Weed early. Small weeds pull out easily from moist soil.
- Test and amend soil. Work compost into beds, especially if you have clay - see our red clay soil tips.
- Mulch to 2-3 inches, keeping it off stems and trunks. Calculate how much you need below.
Mulch & Soil Calculator
Bulk is usually cheaper above about 2 cubic yards. Keep mulch a few inches away from foundations and plant stems.
Late spring (after last frost)
- Plant annuals, perennials, vegetables and new shrubs. Need ideas? Best shrubs for the front of a house.
- Get the outdoor living space ready. Wash the deck or patio, bring out cushions and hang the string lights. Our budget outdoor decorating tips help.
Lawn care
For cool-season grasses, early spring is time for a light fertilizing and pre-emergent for crabgrass (apply around when forsythia blooms). For warm-season lawns (Bermuda, zoysia), wait until the grass greens up fully. Sharpen your mower blade - a clean cut keeps grass healthier.
Printable spring checklist
| Task | When | Done? |
|---|---|---|
| Walk the yard and make a list | Late winter | ā |
| Rake debris from beds and lawn | Early spring | ā |
| Cut back perennials and grasses | Early spring | ā |
| Prune summer bloomers; remove dead wood | Early spring | ā |
| Remove overgrown or dead shrubs | Early spring | ā |
| Clean gutters; check downspouts | Early spring | ā |
| Edge beds | Mid spring | ā |
| Weed | Mid spring | ā |
| Test soil; add compost | Mid spring | ā |
| Mulch 2-3 inches | Mid spring | ā |
| Plant after last frost | Late spring | ā |
| Set up deck and patio | Late spring | ā |
Tool tune-up
Before the season starts, sharpen pruners and loppers, oil moving parts, replace the mower blade or have it sharpened, and change the mower oil and spark plug. Clean tools cut cleaner, and clean cuts heal faster - on plants and on you.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start spring yard cleanup?
When daytime temperatures are consistently in the 50sĀ°F and the soil has dried enough that it doesn't stick to your shoes. Working wet soil compacts it, especially clay.
Should I prune shrubs in spring?
Prune summer-blooming shrubs (like panicle hydrangeas and abelia) in late winter or early spring. Wait to prune spring bloomers (azaleas, forsythia, dogwoods) until right after they flower, or you'll cut off this year's blooms.
How much mulch do I need?
Multiply bed length by width by depth in feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A 3-inch layer over 100 square feet is about 0.9 cubic yards, or roughly 13 two-cubic-foot bags. Our calculator does the math.
