The snow has melted away, the daylight lasts a bit longer, and there’s something in the air… It’s pollen, wind, warmer temperatures, and anticipation of better weather. Spring is here and you want a good start to the season by prepping your yard. But remember, timing is important, and you should know what kinds of yard work should and should not be done in the spring.

This article will focus on the New Hampshire, the Northeast US, and similar climates.

Why Spring Cleanup is important

We are focusing on the springtime in the Northeast US, which means March, April, and May. The weather can be especially unpredictable throughout these three months ranging from late snowfall in March to heat waves in May.

But generally during this time, the Northeast US sees higher wind speed in March, temperatures between 30 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and increased rainfall versus the winter.

When should you start Spring Cleanup?

Conducting a spring cleanup of sticks, pinecones, fallen trees, and other debris is essential to maintain the health and appearance of your lawn, grass, and landscaping.

Leftover debris from winter storms can smother grass and prevent healthy growth by blocking sunlight and airflow, which are essential to a healthy lawn. As temperatures rise, the debris can also create conditions for mold, fungus, and pests to thrive, posing a threat to the overall well-being of your yard.

Without proper removal of debris, grass and plants may struggle to recover, leading to patchy, unhealthy lawns and diminished curb appeal.

Spring Cleanup Tasks

Ignoring the leaves and hoping they will get blown away by the wind is a poor strategy. You’ll end up with smothered spots of grass that won’t grow as well as they should and instead of a even green, your lawn will have spots of brown and dry grass.

This picture was taken in the spring after this homeowner didn't address the leaves in the fall. Even with all of the snow and wind over the winter, the leaves didn't move much over a few months! Left unaddressed in the spring, these leaves will be a killer to the lawn!

Deadfall, and leaf cleanup

Sticks

There's never really a wrong time to pickup fallen sticks in the yard, but you'll definitely want to clear them away while the grass is still dormant, before it starts to grow again. When the grass starts to grow again depends on a lot of factors including your grass type, location, amount of shade it gets, and others. But generally, mid to late March is a good time to do a through stick cleanup.

You'll also want to do this on a day with little to no wind in case the wind causes any other sticks to fall.

Again, you'll want to clear these while the grass is still dormant. Clearing them will also give you a chance to see any damage to the lawn and give you some time fix it before the growing season starts.

The good news is that a fallen tree or large branch will be easier to cut up and haul away if it's already on the ground.

These are especially important to clear out before spring is over to prevent further damage to your lawn.

Fallen trees and large branches

Shrub, bush, and hedge trimming

Installing new Mulch

Planting new flowers and plants

Applying fertilization

Aerating and overseeing

Mowing and cutting the grass

Spraying chemicals to prevent weed growth

Trimming shrubs, bushes, and hedges depends on the specific type of plant. For many deciduous shrubs, spring is an ideal time for pruning, as it allows for the removal of dead or damaged growth before new growth begins to emerge. Trimming in the spring can promote healthy branching and encourage fuller, more vigorous growth throughout the growing season. Additionally, spring pruning provides an opportunity to shape and maintain the desired size and structure of your shrubs and hedges, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of your landscape.

However, it's important to note that not all shrubs should be pruned in the spring. Some species, such as those that bloom on old wood (i.e., growth from the previous year), may fare better with pruning immediately after flowering in late spring or early summer. This ensures that you don't inadvertently remove flower buds and sacrifice the potential for blooms later in the season. Examples of shrubs that bloom on old wood include lilacs, forsythia, and many varieties of hydrangeas.

On the other hand, evergreen shrubs and hedges can generally be pruned in the spring without concern for flowering. Trimming these plants in the early spring allows for the removal of winter damage and encourages new growth to fill in any sparse areas. However, it's essential to avoid trimming evergreens too late into the spring, as this can interfere with the development of new growth and potentially weaken the plant.

Overseeding involves spreading grass seed over existing turf to fill in bare patches, improve density, and introduce newer, more resilient grass varieties.

Aeration the action of perforating the soil with small holes to alleviate compaction, improve soil drainage, and enhance root growth. This process helps to ensure that air, water, and nutrients can penetrate the soil more effectively, promoting healthier turf and a more robust root system.

If you are going to aerate, it's a good idea to overseed as well. However, fall is the best time to aerate and overseed. If you are going to do this in the spring, it should be for smaller targeted areas (like where those large fallen branches gouged the lawn) with dead or brown grass.

Even as the weather warms up, your lawn is probably still dormant and doesn't require mowing just yet.

The best time to start cutting is when you see growth and and a thicker and greener lawn.

Don't cut it too short though! Cutting more than one-third of the grass length is usually not a good idea. Cutting more than one-third just as soon as it wakes up is could ruin it for the whole season though.

In the spring, many weed species are in their early stages of growth, making them easier to target with herbicides before they have a chance to establish deep root systems or produce seeds. By applying weed control early in the growing season, you can prevent weeds from spreading and competing with desirable plants.

Keep in mind, that many herbicides can kill healthy plants and grass too, so be careful with the product that you choose and where you spray. It's a good idea to test on a small section to see how it affects your lawn and the weeds.

Avoid applying herbicides during windy conditions or when rain is forecasted, as this can lead to off-target drift or runoff, potentially harming nearby plants or contaminating water sources.

Timing is critical when fertilizing a dormant lawn in the spring. Aim to apply fertilizer when the grass is just beginning to break dormancy and show signs of growth, typically in early to mid-spring.

Applying fertilizer too early, while the lawn is still fully dormant, may not yield optimal results, as the grass may not yet be actively taking up nutrients. Conversely, waiting too late into the spring risks missing the window of opportunity for maximizing nutrient uptake and promoting vigorous growth.

Spring is an excellent time to plant new flowers. It allows them to take advantage of ample moisture available in the soil and it also gives them a chance to develop strong root systems before facing the stresses of summer heat and drought. Additionally, spring planting provides flowers with the longest possible growing season, allowing them to establish and bloom throughout the spring and summer months.

Before planting, be sure to add fertilizer to the soil, place them at the appropriate depth and spacing, and water them thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil around the roots.

By planting new flowers in the spring, you can add color, fragrance, and beauty to your landscape while taking advantage of optimal growing conditions for successful establishment and growth. Whether you're adding annuals for seasonal color or perennials for long-term beauty, spring is an ideal time to introduce new flowers to your garden in the Northeast.

Spring is also an ideal time to install mulch because it coincides with the emergence of new growth in gardens and landscapes. Applying mulch in the spring helps to suppress weeds by blocking sunlight and preventing weed seeds from germinating. This allows plants to establish themselves more effectively and reduces the need for manual weeding throughout the growing season.

Additionally, mulching in the spring can help regulate soil temperatures, providing insulation against temperature extremes that can stress plants. In the Northeast, where temperature fluctuations are common in the spring, mulch helps to buffer the soil against rapid changes, creating a more stable environment for plant roots.

You can add new mulch to your existing mulch, or remove it and start brand new; it depends on how the existing mulch looks and the condition it is in.

Plus, some fresh mulch in the garden always looks great! Check out this transformation!

So grab your garden gloves and tools and refresh your yard this spring!

And if you are in Southern New Hampshire, don't forget to contact Verde if you would rather have us do the work while you enjoy spring from your porch instead!