How to clean up your yard and garden for spring

Spring is officially here — and you know what that means! Now's the perfect time to get started on your spring cleaning. While you're at it, give your lawn and garden some attention, too. Keep these tips in mind as you get started:

1. Pick up the obvious stuff first. Once the snow is all gone, you'll likely need to go around your yard and pick up litter, dog waste, and larger plant debris (like fallen branches) left behind over the winter. Be sure to use a pair of gloves and beware of broken glass. Leaving debris on your lawn long after the snow has melted can prevent new, healthy grass from growing in and can be a wildfire hazard once the dry, hot weather rolls in.
2. Take a rake to your lawn. You may have thoroughly raked your lawn before the winter to prevent snow mould, but giving it another good once-over after the snow melts will help get rid of any remaining dead leaves, twigs, and pinecones and help keep your lawn nice and healthy going into the spring.
3. Clean up your garden beds. Use a pair of scissors or small garden shears to remove dead leaves and stalks from perennial plants and ornamental grasses, and pull out any dead annuals you plan to replace. You could also fertilize more established perennials by laying down some compost around the roots.
4. Keep an eye on low-lying areas in your yard. If you notice a few depressions in your yard, these can be areas where water will collect, which could lead to water-logged grass, become a breeding ground for mosquitos, and even cause water to run back towards your house, resulting in water damage. Consider creating flowerbeds on low-lying areas to catch rainwater and boost your property's curb appeal!
5. Take a good look at your tools. It's a good idea to carefully inspect your landscaping tools (like your lawnmower, your hedge trimmer, and your whipper-snipper) and clean them up before growing season hits in full force. Make sure all blades are sharp and rust-free, look for cracks and other signs of wear in visible belts, and if everything looks like it's in good shape, swap out used oil for new oil and follow the maintenance directions in the owner's manual.
    

   Once the snow clears, it's officially spring cleaning season. Give your lawn a good once-over and pick up any plant debris, garbage, or dead leaves to help promote healthy grass growth.

6. Prune dead branches from shrubs and trees. Look up pruning guidelines for your perennial plants, shrubs, and trees and prune the ones that should be tackled in the spring — but be careful not to start trimming and shaping live branches on flowering shrubs and trees, as they won't bloom nicely in the spring if you cut off living buds. Regular pruning helps promote new growth and can also prevent major damage from falling dead branches in a spring or summer windstorm.
7. Get your shed together. If you're planning on installing a new shed this year, why not get started in the spring? Take a little time to learn what's involved in installing a new shed on your property before you break ground.

These are just a few of the steps you can take to get your property summer-ready this season. If you're not sure what else needs to be done, consider seeking professional advice from your local nursery or landscaping company.

Bonus tip: Did you know that most standard home insurance policies include coverage for your garden shed (and the stuff inside it), as well as outdoor trees, shrubs, and other plants? If you're planning on doing some landscaping or installing a new shed this spring, contact your licensed insurance broker to make sure you have the coverage you need to protect your new additions.

Want to help your neighbours get on top of their spring cleaning, too? Share these tips on Facebook or Twitter.