Outdoor Spring Prep Checklist

Every yard is unique, and spring is the time to take a step back and assess how to help your yard flourish.

While the arrival of spring equinox (March 19, 20, or 21, depending on the year) is a good time to review your spring maintenance checklist, your location and climate will largely determine when you should kick off your spring to-do list (and in what order you complete those tasks).

Pro Tip: Always consult the last frost date for your area and check upcoming weather forecasts before starting spring prep.

Spring Lawn & Garden Checklist

• Organize, clean, and maintain garden tools. If tools have sat idle during the winter time, inspect for dull blades or loose hardware so you can get them in shape for spring. Read more in our post Spring Cleaning: Garden Tools.
• Turn on and audit your sprinkler system. Once the danger of frost or freezing temperatures has passed, it’s time to wake up your sprinkler system for the year. Landscaping professionals can perform an irrigation audit to assess your sprinkler heads for even water distribution and check for any issues (like pipes that may have cracked during any freeze-and-thaw cycles).
• Aerate your lawn. You can fight soil compaction and keep your lawn healthier by aerating it. Learn more in our blog post on lawn aeration!
• Clean up and compost any remaining leaves. This compost can act as a great fertilizer for grass or vegetable gardens!
• Apply fertilizer if needed. Work with a lawn care professional or gardener to decide which fertilizers or soil amendments (if any) are right for your yard. For a DIY approach, you can use a soil test kit to analyze your soil and get custom recommendations on how to improve soil health. Rachio also recommends Sunday Spring Starter Kit for a safe and comprehensive lawn care solution!
• Replace mulch with a fresh batch. If you apply mulch to protect your plants and reduce surface evaporation, assess whether your yard could use a refresh for spring. We suggest applying a layer of biodegradable mulch (like straw, wood chips, or grass clippings) for improved plant nutrition. Learn more in our blog post on mulching!
• Plant summer flower bulbs. Get bulbs in the ground during springtime for beautiful summer flowers.
• Overseed any bare spots on your lawn. If you live in a colder climate, spring or fall are both good times to overseed. For warmer weather areas, consider overseeding between late spring and mid-summer for best results.
• Reconnect any hose timers. If you’re using a Smart Hose Timer to automatically water from your hose, just screw the valve onto the faucet after freezing temperatures have passed and check your Rachio app to begin watering.
• Prune trees and remove dead branches. Inspect your plants and determine where pruning is necessary. When in doubt, leave this to the professionals; contact your yard care pro or an arborist for species-specific advice.
• Plan your garden. Decide any must-haves you want in your garden. We suggest putting pen to paper to get creative and determine the best placement for any fruits and veggies. Your Rachio app makes it easy to water the right amount for each plant type.
• Check your sprinkler controller status. Rachio makes it easy to reactivate your sprinkler controller for spring. To begin watering, simply turn off “Standby Mode” in the Rachio app and make sure your controller is online.
• Pull or remove weeds as soon as they appear. Get a jump on your yard defense by pulling weeds before they establish strong roots and have a chance to spread.