Starting spring chores is easy when you love gardening or landscaping, but knowing when to start yard cleanup is the hard part. The first sunny weekend will have you outdoors raking leaves and planting seeds, only for it to be soiled by an unexpected dusting of snow a few days later.
Dos Amigos Tree Experts is your provider of expert tree service in Springfield, VA. We explain when to start yard cleanup, but you can always call us for personalized recommendations for the best results.
When To Start Yard Cleanup
Not sure when to start yard cleanup? It’s all about seasonal timing.
If you start too early, your hard work could be ruined and you’ll have to start over. If you wait too long, you could miss your ideal plant growth window and have subpar plants this year.
Early to mid-spring is the best time to start cleaning up your yard, but you should keep an eye on the weather forecast and know which tasks should wait until it’s warm.
Early Spring
Early spring, typically from March to early April, is the best time for picking up debris. As snow piles on tree branches and shrubs, the limbs may crack under pressure and fall, not to mention all the leaves that fell last autumn. When the sun starts feeling warm in the daytime again, start raking up the leaf accumulation and working on mulch removal so you can refresh it later.
Avoid planting plants this early, as you likely haven’t seen your last frost date just yet. Many plants need the soil thawed out completely before you can plant them successfully. If you have perennial plants, don’t pull them out yet, as they have to get through the dormancy period before blooming again.
Mid-Spring
April and May will be warmer, and you’ll have your last frost date sometime at the end of April. If you’re unsure when to start yard cleanup, now would be the time.
During this time, you should focus on more intensive chores like aerating and fertilizing the lawn and flower beds, pruning shrubs and trees, and planting seeds or seedlings if the timing is right. This would be the time to keep your eye on the forecast so you don’t miss the peak planting window.
The Benefits of Spring Cleaning
If you know when to start yard cleanup, you should also know the benefits of it. As you sift through yard maintenance tips online, understanding why these chores should be done will help you find the motivation if it’s not something you’re looking forward to doing.
Yard cleanup gives you:
- A clean yard for a fresh start: If planting day is your favorite day of the year, cleaning ahead of time will give you one less thing to do on the day of, and you won’t be tempted to cut corners.
- No weeds for a strong start: Weeds breed pests and diseases. If you remove them all before nature comes to life in warmer weather, you’ll have fewer pest issues.
- Aerated soil for fast growth: Aerating the soil will allow new and old roots alike to grow with ease, allowing for better plant health and impressive results.
- Durable plants in time for summer: Starting your plants in the spring will allow them to be strong and healthy enough to endure the harsh summer weather.
Dos Amigos Tree Experts Can Help With Yard Cleanup
If you’re unsure when to start yard cleanup, give us a call. We can give you personalized recommendations and offer our services whether you need trees trimmed, new mulch laid down, or the entire yard cleaned. Contact us at (703) 300-6103 for a free estimate to start your yard off on the right foot.
