Your Spring Cleanup Checklist for Cleveland Lawns

Look, we get it. After a long Cleveland winter, the last thing you want to do is spend your first nice weekend raking leaves and trimming dead plants. But here's the thing: a little work in early spring sets your lawn up for success all season long.

Think of spring cleanup as hitting the reset button on your yard. You're clearing away winter's mess, giving your grass room to breathe, and making sure everything's ready to grow when the warm weather actually sticks around.

When Should You Do Spring Cleanup in Cleveland?

Timing matters. Do it too early, and you might damage new growth. Wait too long, and you're working around plants that have already started growing.

Best timing: Late March through mid-April, once the ground has thawed and you're not expecting any more heavy snow. Basically, when you're confident winter is actually done messing with us (which in Cleveland, let's be honest, could be May).

The Spring Cleanup Checklist

1. Remove All the Winter Debris

Start with the obvious stuff:

• Leaves and sticks that blew in over winter (yes, even though you cleaned them up in fall)
• Dead branches that fell during ice storms
• Any trash that somehow ended up in your yard
• Dog toys, holiday decorations, random stuff your kids left outside

A good leaf blower or a sturdy rake will do the trick. Just get everything off the lawn so grass can actually see sunlight.

2. Cut Back Dead Perennials and Ornamental Grasses

If you left perennials standing over winter (which you should, by the way—they provide habitat for beneficial insects), now's the time to cut them back.

How to do it: Cut them down to about 3-4 inches above the ground. Don't go all the way to the soil—you might damage new growth that's already starting.

Common plants to trim:

• Black-eyed Susans
• Coneflowers
• Ornamental grasses (miscanthus, switchgrass, etc.)
• Sedum
• Hostas (if there's old, mushy foliage)

3. Edge Your Beds

Over winter, the edges of your flower beds probably got a little... fuzzy. Grass creeps in, mulch spreads out, and the lines just aren't as crisp as they used to be.

Grab a flat shovel or an edging tool and redefine those borders. It makes a huge visual difference and keeps grass from invading your beds all season.

4. Clean Out Your Gutters (Yes, Really)

This isn't technically a lawn task, but hear us out: clogged gutters dump water right onto your lawn, creating soggy spots, erosion, and potential drainage issues.

Take 20 minutes to clear out the leaves, sticks, and whatever else is up there. Your lawn (and your foundation) will thank you.

5. Rake Up Any Matted-Down Areas

If you have spots where snow sat for weeks or where leaves piled up and got matted down, give them a gentle rake. This helps air and sunlight reach the soil and prevents dead spots.

Be gentle here. You're not trying to scalp the lawn—just fluff it up a bit.

6. Prune Shrubs and Trees (If Needed)

Early spring is a great time to prune most shrubs and trees, before they leaf out. Focus on:

• Removing dead or damaged branches
• Cutting back overgrown shrubs
• Shaping hedges

7. Check for Winter Damage

Walk around your property and look for:

• Bare spots where grass didn't survive winter
• Compacted areas from snow piles or heavy foot traffic
• Damaged sprinkler heads or garden lighting from plows or shoveling
• Heaved pavers or edging from freeze-thaw cycles

Make a list of what needs fixing so you can tackle it before the growing season kicks in.

What Comes After Spring Cleanup?

Once your yard is cleaned up, you're ready for the next steps:

1. Aeration (if your soil is compacted)
2. Overseeding (to fill in bare spots)
3. Fertilization (to kickstart growth)
4. First mow of the season (once grass starts actively growing)

Final Thoughts

Spring cleanup isn't glamorous, but it's one of those things that makes a huge difference. A clean, well-prepped lawn grows better, looks better, and requires less work later in the season.

So grab a rake, throw on some old clothes, and knock it out on the first decent weekend we get. Or, you know, just give us a call and we'll handle it for you.

Either way, your lawn will thank you.

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