Tips for spring garden cleaning

Spring is finally around the corner! For many Canadians, that means getting their hands back into the dirt. After months of rain, snowfall, wind and freezing temperatures, your garden beds need a little TLC (tender loving care) before they can flourish. According to Review Moose, the Canadian nursery and gardening store market is valued at approximately $6.3 billion.

With the right spring cleaning, you can prevent pests and diseases and guarantee healthy growth from your plants. Below, you’ll find an easy-to-follow guide to assessing winter damage to your garden beds, how to refresh your soil, tackle weeds, safely prune and more.

Assessing your garden after the winter months

Before you jump into your spring cleaning mode, assessing your garden for damage can be helpful in planning your next steps. Canadian winters are no joke and often leave behind frost damage, broken branches, compacted soil and hidden pests.

Start by walking around your yard and looking for signs of frost heaving (plants pushed out of the soil), areas with poor drainage and spots where water has pooled during the wintertime. Then, check for pests by looking for any egg clusters, fungal growth or chewed stems. By doing this quick spring cleanup assessment, you can avoid potential issues that may stunt new growth during the spring growing season.

Clean up your garden beds

This might be one of the dirtiest gardening chores, but it’s essential. If you don’t clean up the garden beds properly, pests and diseases can carry over from last year. Here are some things you should do to make sure your garden beds are properly cleaned and prepared for the year:

• Get a pair of scissors or small garden shears and remove dead leaves and stalks from perennial plants and ornamental grasses. Pull out any dead annuals you plan to replace.

• Plants infested with pests or diseases like powdery mildew or blight need to be pulled out.

• Do not compost diseased plants. Burn them, discard them, or bury them.

• If you have any tomato cages or garden stakes, pull them out so you can wipe and rinse them. If any plant containers were left out, clean them out as well.

Pro spring gardening tip: To support early spring pollination, leave a bit of leaf litter in your garden bed. Just remember to avoid leaving behind any mouldy, diseased or matted organic matter.

Lawn preparation and first rake of the season

Once all the snow has melted, it’s time to get your lawn back in shape. Proper care of your lawn can help your grass grow stronger and healthier. Before you rake, take some time to pick up any litter or large plant debris like branches that may have accumulated over the winter. When raking, get rid of any twigs, dead leaves and pinecones.

Don’t put this important chore off for too long! Leaving debris on your lawn long after the snow has melted can prevent new, healthy grass from growing in. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind when raking for the first time this year:

• Use gloves and beware of broken glass.

• If you haven’t been physically active during the winter, go slow and take breaks.

• Using a lightweight rake that is the right size for your height will make the job much easier!

Raking early can help you break up leftover snow and improve airflow to your grass, which can help you achieve a greener, healthier yard. Avoid raking when the ground is too wet, as it can tear out new growth. Most importantly, remember that yard tools can cause injuries. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, between 2011 and 2018, hospitals recorded 512 lawn mower-related injuries. Proper use of tools and care during your spring cleanup can help you avoid a trip to the hospital.

Early spring weeding and compost pile strategies

According to Statistics Canada, Canadian households are becoming more engaged in composting each year, with 81% of households having a compost bin holding organic materials from their yard as of 2021.

Early spring is the best time to take action against pesky weeds. Damp soil makes it easier to pull young weed seedlings. Avoid composting weeds as this can lead to them growing back. Here are a few options to consider when disposing of weeds:

• Safely burn weeds if possible. This will prevent them from rooting in the garden.

• Leave weeds in the sun to dry out before throwing them away.

• Dispose of them in your green waste bin.

Aside from weeds, most of the other waste and debris you clean up in the spring can go in your compost. It’s best to start a new pile in the spring. You can flip and use your pile from last year. If you’re new to composting:

• Combine fresh plant material, fruit scraps and grass clippings in one bin.

• Any dried leaves, cardboard and branches should be in another bin.

• Avoid adding weeds with seeds or diseased materials.

Soil preparation and enhancing garden health

In 2021, approximately 61% of households in Canada grew flower beds, herbs, fruits and vegetables at home. If you’re a garden enthusiast, you know that healthy growth begins with healthy soil. After the winter months, the soil in your garden is compacted and depleted of nutrients for new growth. You should:

• Break up the top few inches of soil and mix it with new organic matter like compost or manure.

• Use a test kit to verify the pH of your soil to determine whether it is too acidic or alkaline for the plants you want to grow.

• Add early-season mulch but wait until the soil itself is warmer. Adding mulch too early can retain moisture and slow down your plant growth during the growing season.

Pruning and plant care in the early spring

The early spring is the best time to begin pruning shrubs, roses and fruit trees. You will want to avoid pruning spring flowers like forsythia, lilac and mock orange, as these plants bloom on old wood formed the previous year.

Remember to sterilize your shears between each cut to reduce the risk of spreading diseases through your planting beds. Additionally, if you live in a colder province like Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and in the north, check frost dates before pruning as late frost can damage growth of emerging plants.

Clean up your garden accessories

You want your entire backyard to be an oasis, not just the garden itself! Take some time to tidy up the patio and pathways around your home. A quick sweep and hose can do wonders and extend the life of your tools. You should also take some time to clean outdoor items like patio furniture and any decorative items.

Protecting your garden from spring weather and pests

Weather conditions in the springtime can be unpredictable, whether it be late frosts, heavy rainfall, early pests and temperature swings. To protect your garden and new plants from pests:

• Use frost cloths and overturned buckets to protect your plants from cold snaps.

• Look for pest activity including slugs, rodents and aphids (tiny green bugs).

• Use copper traps for slugs or prune out diseased stems to ensure a healthier garden all season long.

Insurance coverage and protecting your outdoor spaces

Unexpected events like storms, wind, rain, lightning and hail can cause damage to your garden. The right home insurance policy may help cover certain types of damage to insured outdoor property, subject to policy limits, exclusions and named perils.

While home insurance typically covers structures on your property like sheds, fences, patio covers, some outdoor furniture may be covered under personal property coverage, subject to limits and exclusions. Working with a brokerage like BrokerLink can help you get a better sense of what is and isn’t covered, so you can update your homeowners insurance plan accordingly.

Spring cleanup checklist

Here's a checklist you can follow that summarizes all of the spring cleaning steps mentioned above:

• Clean garden beds of dead grass, dead branches and fallen leaves.

• Inspect for winter damage.

• Rake your lawn to remove debris from winter.

• Weed your beds and compost garden debris.

• Amend your soil and test the pH.

• Prune your flower buds and other plants according to the season.

• Clean tools and outdoor accessories.

• Prepare for late frost and early pests.

• Review home insurance coverage with a BrokerLink advisor.

Contact BrokerLink today

As the days get longer and temperatures increase, spring is the perfect time to refresh your outdoor space and prepare your garden for the warmer season ahead. With a little preparation and the right home insurance, you can enjoy a beautiful garden all summer long. Speak with a BrokerLink advisor today to make sure your outdoor oasis is fully protected against unanticipated risks.

Get a home insurance quoteCall Us 1-866-724-2372

What's the best month to start gardening?

That depends on where you live and how warm it is where you are. Depending on the weather, it might vary from year to year. Look online for the frost date in your area. A frost date is the historically average date of the last freeze in spring. It will give you an idea of when you’ll be okay to start planting.

Is regular weeding beneficial to my garden bed?

Yes, you should weed your garden regularly. Try to weed at least once a week. Weeds can take precious nutrients from your plant babies, so it’s important to get rid of those pesky weeds as much as possible.

Does homeowners insurance cover my garden furniture?

Every home insurance policy is different. Depending on the exact coverage you have, garden furniture and other structures may be covered. Garden furniture varies in value so before you submit a claim, speak to your broker to find out what your options are.

If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.