There’s no doubt that a spring clean is the perfect way to welcome the warmer weather and feel organised for the rest of the year. Whether a spring clean means deep cleaning the bathroom or giving away clothes that haven’t been worn in years, don’t forget about the outside of your home! We recommend giving the outdoors and your garden a spring refresh so you and your home are completely ready to embrace and enjoy the warm weather.
Feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start with your outdoor spring clean? Jim’s Mowing has you covered with this comprehensive outdoor spring cleaning checklist so you can follow our tips step-by-step.
Checklist for garden and outdoor spring cleaning
You can follow our easy checklist below which breaks down the different areas to clean and what tasks are recommended.
Remember, you don’t need to do all of these tasks at once if you don’t have the time. Instead, spread them out over a series of weeks or months. Just do a bit at a time, in easily manageable amounts. With a little persistence and dedication, you should be able to get your garden cleaned up by the end of the season.
Spring cleaning your garden
After a harsh winter, your garden may need a little attention so it is prepared for the spring. Here are a few things you can do to ensure it’s in top shape!
Weed your garden beds
In spring, you might notice a surge of weeds popping up. Weeds can appear anywhere there’s a bit of space, meaning they could start showing in empty garden beds or even around tiles and concrete. You can choose to physically remove weeds by pulling the whole plant out (including the roots) or through chemicals by spraying them with weed killer. If you’d prefer a less intensive chemical solution, you can make a weed spray by combining washing up liquid, salt, and vinegar, and there are many such recipes online.
Remove winter protection
If you have put up structures or applied mulch to help keep plants warm and insulated during the winter, spring can be a good time to remove them in preparation for the hot summer months to come. The Australian summer sun has a reputation for being particularly warm, so be sure plants don’t get too overheated.
Refresh your soil & plant selection
As many plants are seasonal, you will likely need to remove your winter vegetables, herbs and other plants and begin preparing to plant something new for spring. Some of our favourite spring plants include corn, basil, strawberries and zucchini. You can find which plants grow best in your region by reading our spring plant guide.
You may also like to refresh your soil in your potted plants, as over time it can lose nutrients and may hold less water. You can follow our repotting guide to understand how to easily repot and refresh your soil.
Spring cleaning your lawn
Yes, you read that right! Even your lawn needs some tender loving care during the spring to ensure it is summer-ready. Follow our suggestions below.
Keep your lawn trimmed
While the winter weather tends to make lawns grow slower, the growth speed often picks up in the spring. If you’re noticing your lawn is getting a little long, get out there and get it under control before it gets too long! You can follow our lawn mowing techniques (just ensure that your mowing blades are sharpened first) or enlist the experts to cut your lawn professionally.
Aerate & dethatch your lawn
After a cold winter, spring is a great time to aerate your lawn. Aeration works by improving drainage and helping oxygen and light reach the roots of the grass which aids in healthy growth of your lawn. Lawn dethatching provides rapid recovery of your lawn by removing debris which has built up between the grass and soil. We recommend dethatching your lawn before aerating, and following with some top-dress.
Top dress your lawn
Top dressing is a lawn technique that helps keep your lawn healthy and looking great by adding material such as sand or organic compost to the grass. This material acts as a shield from the sun and helps keep your lawn and roots cool during the heat. Early spring is the ideal time for top dressing so follow our easy guide to protect your lawn.
Spring cleaning your outdoor space
You’re almost done! Just a couple more things to check off before your outdoor spring cleaning is complete.
Clean outdoor furniture and living spaces
While you’re out spring cleaning the garden, why not also clean up the outdoor living space? Hose or wipe down outdoor furniture, give any cushion covers a good wash, and sweep the patio of any dirt or leaves that may have accumulated there. Railings and sills can also be gently cleaned of any debris or dirt. When life gets busy, it can be easy to neglect the outdoor living space in favour of keeping things indoors together. A simple clean can help to make your outdoor space inviting again. If you like, you can rearrange the setting a little bit and maybe even purchase a few new decorative accessories for a fresh new look without buying new furniture!
Clean your gutters
After the winter and autumn seasons, your gutters may be in need of a good clean! Not only is gutter cleaning essential in helping prevent fire hazards, but will keep your gutters from becoming clogged and attracting pests. You can try to clean your gutters yourself, but due to the dangerous height and related risks, we recommend using a professional gutter cleaning service.
Get in touch with Jim’s Mowing
If there are tasks on this list that you don’t wish to do, why not consider bringing in the experts to help get your garden back in tip-top shape? The expert team at Jim’s Mowing is here and ready to ensure your garden and outdoor spaces are ready for the warmer months thanks to our wide range of services. Simply get in touch to learn more!
