6 Tips to Simplify Spring Yard Cleanup

Get your outdoor living space ready to use!

With the last frost behind us, it’s time to start prepping your yard for Spring!

Lawn Care

Remove winter debris by lightly raking. While considering de-thatching and aerating. Aeration is a great way to fertilize your lawn as it pulls tiny plugs of grass out of your lawn, allowing more air to reach the root system. De-thatching is more aggressive and can tear apart a healthy lawn. It only really needs to be done if the lawn feels spongy to walk on.  If there is no need to de-thatch or aerate your lawn, instead give it it’s first mowing in preparation to apply fertilizer. It's also a good time to consider if you need to neutralize your soil’s pH balance with lime to promote a healthy, lush lawn to grow. A soil’s pH is measured by its acidity and alkalinity and can be easily tested with an inexpensive test kit found at most garden centers. And if need be top-dress with a sand/soil mix accordingly which allows for better drainage and fills in any low spots. Then overseed as part of your maintenance for a healthy lawn.

Garden Beds

Start by removing any dead annual plants that remained over the winter and remove any of those pesky weeds before they take over. Spring is an excellent time to top dress your garden with compost/manure and till it into the existing soil for preparation of planting your beds. It’s also a good time to cut a clean edge on your beds as the soil is moist and easier to work with. Perhaps you have some perennials that can be divided too.

Pruning

It’s best to trim trees and shrubs when they are dormant. Cutting back branches before buds and greenery start appearing. Make sure and do some research on the specific types of trees and shrubs to find out if it should be done in the spring or the fall.

Plant a Tree or Two

If you are a City of Surrey resident, take advantage of planting a new tree or two. The city encourages residents to plant new trees on your property to help the environment, by providing shade and insulation for your home, while increasing your property value. Variety of trees available for $20 each and average in size from 2 to 3 cm in caliper size in 5 or 10 gallon pots varying from 5 to 12 feet. Make sure your vehicle can accommodate on pick up day! Tree’s go on sale on April 19^th at 9am until May 3, with tree pick up on May 14.  https://www.surrey.ca/renovating-building-development/trees-yard-garden/tree-sale-program

Wash and set up your patio furniture.

Whether your patio furniture was stored or outside for the season, give it a good rinse with a hose, then give it a wipe down with soapy water to remove any scum. Follow up with another good rinse.

Power wash the deck, patio, and driveway.

Remove the unwanted collected dirt and debris or possible mold that has accumulated over the winter by power washing all decks, patios and driveway surfaces. Getting it ready to set up your freshly cleaned patio furniture.