Spring Cleanup

A spring cleanup resets the garden after winter. It typically includes removing fallen branches and leaf litter, cutting back dead perennial stems and ornamental grasses, raking matted turf, edging beds and refreshing mulch, and sometimes a first mowing and fertilizer or pre-emergent application. Timing is more nuanced than many people realize. Many native bees and other beneficial insects overwinter in hollow stems and leaf litter. Pollinator conservation groups often suggest waiting until daytime temperatures are consistently mild before cutting stems and clearing debris, so insects have emerged. If you must tidy earlier, leaving some stems standing or stacking cut stems in a quiet corner is a compromise. Working on soil too early causes damage. Walking on or digging in saturated soil compacts it, and raking soggy lawns can tear roots. A simple test is to squeeze a handful: if it forms a wet ball that does not crumble, wait. Check for winter damage too. Look for broken branches, heaved perennials, vole damage and salt burn along walks. Some shrubs leaf out late, so avoid pruning for dead wood until you can see where new growth begins. Disposal differs by location. Many cities collect yard waste on set schedules or ask for paper bags, and some restrict burning. Confirm what applies to you and whether haul-away is in the quote. Spring cleanup is also a good time to book recurring service. Providers tend to fill their schedules quickly, so the earlier you ask, the better your choice of dates.

Debris removal, cutting back dead growth, raking, edging, mulching if included, bagging or hauling waste, and a walk-through to point out winter damage or problems that need attention.

Early to mid spring, once the soil is workable and temperatures are consistently mild. Timing shifts later in colder zones and earlier in the South and Southwest.

Most spring cleanup is DIY-friendly. Hire for large properties, heavy debris, physical limitations, or when you want everything done in a single day.

What is included in your spring cleanup, and what is extra? How do you handle pollinator habitat such as hollow stems? Is haul-away included, and where does debris go? Do you work on soggy lawns, or wait for dry conditions? Can you set up a recurring maintenance schedule at the same time?