Bert Swope
Some of the top things to do when spring cleaning your yard are to clean up bird feeders, rake up leaves, and remove dead leaves from perennials. Checking for wildlife is another important spring cleaning task. Many animals, including squirrels and rabbits, make their nests in holes dug in the ground or in leaves wedged in trees. Wildlife rehabilitation centers can assist in moving any nests. In the meantime, use the following tips to make your yard and garden a great place to live.
Prepare your lawn
If you’ve neglected your yard this winter, it’s time to start preparing for spring cleaning. While you’re at it, take a moment to read this spring cleaning guide to get an idea of how to prepare your lawn for the season. It includes maintenance tasks that can improve the appearance of your lawn and garden, from lawn seeding to fertilizer applications. Keeping your yard clean can also reduce the risk of damaging your plants and landscaping.
Before beginning your cleanup, it’s important to pick up any obvious debris. Start by picking up leaves and twigs, as well as dog waste. Don’t forget to collect any fallen pine cones and dead annuals. The debris can attract insects and emit an unpleasant odor. If you’re dealing with shrubs or ornamental trees, make sure to clean them up as well. The more you clear away, the healthier your lawn will be.
You can prepare your lawn for spring cleaning by cutting back withered plants. Cutting back withered plants and tree branches will encourage perennials to grow stronger. In addition, it will make space for seasonal annuals. Use a pre-emergent weed killer if necessary. Moreover, you can fill in low areas by adding sand or stone dust. In addition to cutting down trees and shrubs, you can also prepare your lawn for the spring cleaning of your garden and yard.
Remove dead leaves from perennials
If you’ve been neglecting your garden this year, now is the time to do some serious pruning. During the early spring, you can easily remove dead leaves and debris from your perennials. Not only will this prevent diseases and insects from damaging your plants, but it will also allow needed light to reach the roots of your perennials. By following these simple tips, you’ll be on your way to a beautifully-kept perennial garden in no time.
When spring cleaning your garden and yard, it’s time to prune back the dead leaves on your perennial plants. Herbaceous perennials, for example, die back in the winter. During this time, cut back all shoots, leaves, and stems to a few inches above soil level. You may also wish to prune perennial plants that bloom on old wood after the flowers appear.
Some perennials remain green and evergreen all year and only lose their leaves in the spring. Among these plants are Hellebores, Heuchera, Epimedium, and other varieties. Depending on where you live, you may not need to prune these plants as often as other types of perennials. Regardless of the species, pruning dead leaves is essential to ensuring that they stay healthy and vibrant.
Clean up bird feeders
When you’re spring cleaning your garden and yard, make sure to clean up bird feeders. Birds tend to scatter seeds and make messes, so you’ll want to keep your bird feeder area neat and clean to attract the right kind of birds. Place the bird feeder at least 30 feet away from your home. Birds can’t tell the difference between a door and a doorway, so it’s best to keep the feeder area clean and uncluttered.
Before you begin cleaning your bird feeders, you should always wear rubber gloves to avoid bringing bacteria into the birdhouse. You should also use a stiff brush to clean the feeders’ parts thoroughly. Regular bottle brushes can also work. You can also use an old toothbrush to reach tight places. Then, rinse and dry thoroughly to prevent the buildup of bacteria or mold. Cleaning your feeders will keep your birds happy and healthy for years to come, so don’t be afraid to spend a little time on them.
When cleaning birdfeeders, remember that bird seeds can attract unwanted guests, including bears. Birdseed contains carbohydrates and bears tend to seek out carbohydrates during the spring season. If a bear visits your bird feeder, you’ll be in danger as they may learn to view human residents as a source of food. Make sure to clean your bird feeders regularly. Make sure to use the right cleaning solution for your feeders.
Rake up leaves from the lawn
When spring rolls around, it’s time to rake up leaves from your lawn. Not only will it help keep your lawn looking beautiful and healthy, but it will also help you discover any garden or yard issues that need to be addressed. The following are some tips for raking leaves safely. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of raking. The first step is to learn how to use the rake properly.
When springtime comes around, you might be tempted to spend more time raking up leaves from your lawn. After all, the days are longer, the sun is shining, and the snow is melting. That said, spring is not the time to rake up leaves from your lawn, even if it seems like a good idea. While it’s tempting to clean up your yard now, you should wait until the pollinators are back in the nest.
Once you’ve raked up the leaves, you may want to compost them. Leaves are rich in nutrients, which can be beneficial to your garden. Use a leaf rake to remove small leaves from your lawn, leaving room for airflow between them. Larger leaves can also be used as mulch around plants, although you should keep a distance from the roots of your plants to avoid damaging them.
Rake up dead stalks from ornamental grasses
To prepare your lawn for the next growing season, rake up the dead stalks of ornamental grasses. These plants are attractive in the fall and winter months, and they also provide food for wildlife. Before you rake up these dead stalks, make sure to divide them into smaller pieces. These pieces can be planted in different areas of your lawn or yard. If you have more ornamental grasses than you need, you can give them away to neighbors.
Most ornamental grasses need to be cut back in the spring in order to promote new growth. However, some grasses will not respond well to the spring pruning. Make sure you prune your ornamental grasses before the spring. This will ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from their plants. A general rule for raking up ornamental grasses is to remove the dead stalks from their plants when they are brown.
While raking up dead stalks from your ornamental grasses is a great way to prepare your lawn and garden for the coming spring months, there are also several other things you should know before you get started. Make sure you wear comfortable clothing and get outside in the fresh air. You can also take a soil sample to find out what kind of fertilizer is best for your lawn and garden.
Compost leaves
Composting leaves for spring cleaning your yard and garden is an easy way to make a difference. The leaves from your fallen trees and shrubs are a great way to start a compost pile. You can even collect sticks and fallen branches and add them to your pile. If you have a garden, weeds are an unwelcome guest. Pulling weeds during spring is easy because the soil is damp.
The process of spring yard cleaning is a great way to bring back pollinators and beneficial insects. Dead plant matter attracts pollinators that overwinter in the area and emerge in the spring. By composting this material, you will provide food for these insects and help them survive and reproduce. The pile will also provide a habitat for birds and other animals. If you’re interested in learning more about how composting works, keep reading!
You can create a compost pile in your yard, or purchase a compost bin. Either way, make sure to place the compost pile in a sunny area of your yard. Make sure it’s protected from wildlife. Then, in a few months, you’ll be able to add compost leaves to your yard. And don’t forget to rake the leaves in your garden for mulch.
Clean gutters
As you prepare for spring cleaning your garden and yard, remember to clean your gutters. Clogged gutters are not only unattractive, but they are also a perfect habitat for rodents and other pests. Getting rid of debris and bugs early will save you time and money in the long run. You can also hire a professional company to do this work for you. These companies use patented technology to allow only water to enter the gutters.
Before you begin cleaning your gutters, purchase a ladder tall enough to reach the roof of your house. It is important to use a ladder that is sturdy enough to avoid tipping or falling. You may also need to purchase a ladder stabilizer to prevent the ladder from leaning against the gutter. If you’re planning to climb the ladder, wear gloves that reach your elbow and a long sleeve shirt.
Before you start cleaning your gutters, you should prepare a bucket, tarp, and scoop to scoop out debris. If you’re doing this by yourself, prepare to wait until the weather has cleared so you can work safely. The debris will be lighter when it’s dry, making it a much easier job. Spring is an ideal time to clean gutters. If you’re cleaning them after winter, you might want to consider hiring a company. They should be willing to clean the entire system for a discounted rate.
