Tips for spring garden cleaning

Spring is finally around the corner! This is great news for gardeners who are itching to get their hands back in the dirt.

Before you get to planting this year’s flowers and veggies, it’s important to get your garden in tip-top shape. We’ve put together some tips that will help you get your garden ready for the season.

Clean up your garden beds

This might be one of dirtiest gardening chores, but it’s essential. If you don’t clean up the garden beds properly, pests and disease 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.

Rake your lawn

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!

Start weeding and composting

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.

Clean the 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. You should also take some time to clean outdoor items like patio furniture and any decorative items.

Get the right insurance coverage for your garden

Unexpected events like storms, wind, rain, lightning, and hail can cause damage to your garden. The right home insurance policy can help you cover the costs of repairing any unexpected damages to your garden.

Consult with our experienced brokers at BrokerLink and we will figure out how you can protect your outside oasis. A little forethought on your part can help you preserve your garden and allow you to enjoy it for many years to come.

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Tips for Spring Garden Cleaning FAQs

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