As the cold of winter melts away and the promise of brighter days draws near, many homeowners feel the itch to revive their lawns and gardens.

But this version of spring-cleaning goes beyond general upkeep—it can also provide a peaceful outdoor sanctuary for you and your family. Discover how to refresh and revitalize your yard this season so you can enjoy it all year long.

Create a checklist

First things first, spend some time examining all your outdoor areas to build a thorough list of tasks to complete, starting with chores that need immediate attention. Whether you need to clear debris left by winter storms, weed last year’s unwanted growth, or prune overgrown plants, a well-defined plan can help give you better direction as you move forward. Additionally, identify any areas that could benefit from replanting, new landscaping altogether, or other sprucing up; you can look to knowledgeable gardening bloggers or influencers for creative ideas or insight into seasonal trends to spark inspiration.

Gather your supplies

Once your checklist is finished, it’s time to compile the tools and gear you need to tackle it. Begin with the basics for an initial cleanup: durable gloves to protect your hands from scratches, shears for tackling overgrowth, rakes to clean it all up, and strong garbage bags for gathering the debris. Further, assess what may be useful to help support the health of your yard. For instance, you may want a fertilizer spreader to ensure even distribution of nutrients across your lawn or some grass seed to patch bare spots, promoting a lush, green appearance. And if you plan to revitalize your garden beds, mulch is essential since it helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and enhance the overall look of the area.

Declutter and refresh

Regardless of your individual to-do list, every outdoor spring-clean should start with a simple tidying up. Primarily, this will involve clearing leaves, dead plants, and any rubbish that gathered over winter, making sure to check every nook and cranny in your lawn and garden. This will give your grass and plants the room and access to sunlight and air they need to thrive while also helping to prevent pests and diseases from taking hold.

If you have any outdoor furniture, now is also a good point to pull it out of storage or remove any covers. Give each piece a thorough wipe down as needed (using eco-friendly products to prevent harmful chemicals from getting into your soil) and check for wear and tear, and consider whether you want to update or add anything. A new rearrangement or comfy chair could make all the difference in your enjoyment of the space.

Tend to your lawn and garden

Following the winter weather, your grass may need some attention. One option to help improve its overall health is to is to aerate it. This is the process of removing small plugs of soil and thatch (dead grass and roots), leaving behind holes to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach your grass’s roots more easily. You can do this with the help of a specialized machine, which you can buy or rent at most garden centers or home improvement stores.

Additionally, if you’re aiming to plant anything, testing the pH of your soil is a key first step. This will reveal any existing deficiencies or potential growing constraints, allowing you to course-correct by adding amendments. For example, if the pH is below 6.5, that means it’s low in nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus and too high in ones like manganese and iron; a wood ash amendment could help adjust these levels. Many local garden centers sell testing kits, or you can order one online.

When your soil is all good to go, you can select your flowers, ferns, shrubs, or other plants. Mix in a good variety for visual interest and biodiversity—combining perennials, annuals, and even some herbs can enhance both the beauty and functionality of the area. Consider factors such as growth habits and sunlight and moisture needs to create a harmonious garden bed. And once your plants are in the ground, be sure to water them adequately, about twice a week depending their requirements, your region’s recent precipitation, and your soil type.

Establish a maintenance routine

Of course, you don’t want to let your hard work go to waste, so create a consistent care schedule to help your yard look great all year long. Staying on top of these chores and tracking the maintenance of your plants can be made easy with an app like My Lawn or Yard Mastery. These digital helpers offer useful features such as reminders for fertilizing or watering, better guaranteeing that nothing goes overlooked.

You may also find it valuable to interact with neighborhood gardening forums or social media groups, where you can share ideas and advancements with other aficionados. This can foster a feeling of community to keep you motivated and provide insight and support when you have a question or need help working through a challenge.

Spring-cleaning is a satisfying project that can not only improve the health of your yard but also help create better surroundings for your enjoyment. With a little effort and creativity, you can create a vibrant oasis perfect for relaxing in the sunnier days to come.