Tools and Equipment Needed for Your Spring Yard Cleanup
Spring is finally here and that means it’s time to get your yard ready for the growing season! After a long, Michigan winter, a thorough cleanup is just what your yard needs. A cleanup of this size involves a number of tasks and is usually only done once or twice per year. Depending on the size of your yard, it can take most of a day, or even an entire weekend, so before you begin, make sure that you clear your calendar and stock up on all of the necessary tools and equipment.
In today’s blog from the yard cleanup experts at Foundations Property Management in Ypsilanti, we’re going to review some key cleanup tasks and the tools you’ll need to complete them. With the right tools and a plan in hand, you can get your spring cleanup done in no time!
Debris Removal
The first step in a spring yard cleanup is to remove debris from your yard. This includes fallen leaves, branches, dead vegetation, and any other organic material that has accumulated over the winter. It’s best to do this before you start any other tasks, as it will make everything else much easier. Once the debris is cleared away, it is important to dispose of it properly. Most debris can be composted or recycled, and some cities also offer curbside pickup for yard debris. If you are not sure how to dispose of the debris, contact your local waste management company for assistance.
Equipment Needed: Rake, gloves, and lawn and garden bags. For faster, more effective cleanup, especially between rocks and in tight spaces, use a leaf blower or leaf vacuum. If you have a large area that needs to be cleared, you may want to consider renting a lawn vacuum to help speed up the process.
Lawn Fertilization and Aeration
Fertilizing and aerating your yard will help to promote the healthy growth of your grass and plants. Aeration involves puncturing the soil with small holes, which allows air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots more easily. This promotes deeper root growth and a healthier, more vibrant lawn. It also helps reduce soil compaction, which can lead to more serious problems like lawn diseases and weed growth.
Once you’ve finished aerating your lawn, it’s a good time to apply fertilizer. By aerating first, it allows the fertilizer to penetrate deeper and supply the roots with the nutrients your grass needs.
Equipment Needed: Aeration can be done manually with a garden fork or a hand aerator, or you can rent a power aerator which is faster and more effective.
Tree and Shrub Pruning
The next step is to prune your trees and shrubs. This process involves removing dead, diseased, or damaged branches in order to maintain health and aesthetics. It’s important to prune in the spring, as this will promote new growth and desirable growth patterns. Regular (at least yearly) pruning also helps to reduce the risk of potential damage from tree branches that could break off due to wind or other factors.
Equipment Needed: For shrubs and small trees, you can use either pruning shears or a hedge trimmer. Trimming large trees can pose a significant safety hazard. It’s best to rely on a professional tree care company for large tree pruning.
Weed Control
Weeds can be a major problem in your yard and can quickly take over if not managed properly. The best way to handle weed control is to use a combination of pre-emergent herbicides and hand weeding. This will ensure that any existing weeds are killed, as well as prevent new ones from taking root.
Equipment Needed: Protective clothing including gloves, a trowel or shovel for help with removing weeds with deep roots, handheld or broadcast spreader for weed killer application.
Flower Bed Preparation
It is important to prepare your flowerbeds before you start planting in the spring. Doing so will help you get the most out of your garden. The first step is to clear out any weeds, dead plants, and other debris that has accumulated over the winter. After you have cleared the area, you should till the soil to a depth of at least six inches. This will loosen the soil and provide better aeration so that the roots of your plants will be able to spread and take hold.
The next step is to add compost to the soil to help improve its structure. The compost will also help to add nutrients which will help promote healthy plant growth. Once you have tilled and added compost, you should add fertilizer to the soil. Keep in mind that with fertilizer, more is not usually better. Fertilizer should be applied at the recommended rate, as too much can be damaging to plants.
Equipment Needed: Garden fork, hand trowel, rake, and a wheelbarrow or garden cart for transporting debris, fresh soil, or compost.
Mulch Application
Mulching in the spring is an important part of lawn and garden care. Mulch is a protective layer of material, usually organic, that helps to insulate the soil, retain moisture, and suppress weeds. Applying mulch at the beginning of the growing season can help your plants achieve their full potential. When applying mulch, it’s important to spread it evenly around the plant. Generally, a layer of two to four inches of mulch is sufficient to provide adequate insulation and weed control. Make sure to keep mulch away from the base of the plant to prevent rot. It’s also important to water the soil before applying the mulch, as this will prevent it from drying out too quickly.
Equipment Needed: Shovel, pitchfork, rake, and a wheelbarrow or garden cart.
Save Time and Money on Your Spring Yard Cleanup
Some people love spending all of their free time working in the yard, but if you’re not one of those people – or if you don’t want to fill up your garage with a bunch of gardening tools, some of which you’ll only use once a year – give Foundations Property Management a call. We provide a variety of landscape maintenance services including spring yard cleanups. From lawn aeration and tree pruning to weeding, mulching, and landscape bed renovation – we do it all! Give us a call today to get a free estimate!