Want the spring cleanup done for you? We clear what winter left behind, cut back last year's growth, clean and edge the beds and haul the debris away. The estimate is free.
Wait until the ground dries out
The first warm day in March is tempting, but most Southtowns yards are still saturated then. Heavy clay holds snowmelt for weeks. Walking, raking and wheeling equipment across soggy ground compacts the soil and leaves ruts that last all summer.
A simple test helps. Squeeze a handful of soil from a bed. If it crumbles, you can work. If it smears or drips, give it another week. You can still pick up branches and trash from the driveway edge in the meantime. Starting a little later on dry ground gives a better result than starting early in the mud.
Spring cleanup checklist: the lawn
Rake out leaves, sticks and the debris that blew in over winter. Look for gray or pink matted circles. That is snow mold, and a light rake to fluff and dry those spots is usually enough.
Check the driveway and street edges for plow damage and salt burn. Torn turf can be pressed back down. Dead strips need topsoil and seed once the soil warms. Note any low spots where water sat all spring. Those are worth filling or regrading before summer. If a sewer or utility trench sank over winter, now is the time to top it up and reseed.
Beds and perennials
Clear the leaves and debris out of every bed, including behind shrubs and along the foundation. Cut back anything left standing from last year, such as ornamental grasses, coneflowers and sedum. Do it before new shoots get tall, so you are not cutting off fresh growth.
Pull early weeds while the roots are small and the soil is soft. Then recut the bed edges. Winter frost and plows blur the line between lawn and bed, and a clean edge is what makes a yard look finished. This is also a good time to note plants that died or outgrew their spot, so you can plan replacements.
Shrubs after a lake-effect winter
Heavy snow and ice break branches, especially on shrubs near the driveway where plowed snow piles up. Cut broken and dead wood back to healthy growth with a clean cut.
Summer-flowering shrubs, like many hydrangeas and spireas, can be shaped in early spring. Wait on spring bloomers such as lilac and forsythia until right after they flower, or you will cut off this year's blooms. Evergreens that splayed open under snow often spring back on their own. Give them a few weeks before you decide to trim. More on timing is on our shrub and hedge trimming page.
Mulch and finishing touches
Mulch goes on last, after the beds are cleaned, weeded and edged. Spread it two to three inches deep. Keep it pulled back from the trunks and stems of shrubs and trees, because mulch piled against bark holds moisture and invites rot.
If last year's mulch is still thick, rake it to loosen it and add only a thin top layer. Mulch builds up year after year, and too much smothers roots. Our mulching service starts with cleaning and edging the beds for that reason. A final walk around the property catches anything missed.
What moves the cost of a spring cleanup
Spring yard cleanup cost depends on what winter left and how much there is to do. The main factors are the size of the property, the number and size of the beds, and the volume of leaves and debris.
Whether the yard had a fall cleanup matters a lot. A yard that went into winter clean needs a much lighter spring visit. Access, haul-off of debris, the amount of cutting back and whether you want fresh mulch also change the scope. We price each job after seeing it, so call (716) 671-4971 or use the contact form for a free estimate. Details are on our spring and fall cleanups page.
The short version
- Start once the soil crumbles in your hand, usually April in Western New York.
- Rake out matted snow mold spots and repair plow and salt damage on the lawn.
- Cut back last year's growth before new shoots get tall, then recut bed edges.
- Trim winter-broken branches; wait on spring bloomers until after they flower.
- Mulch last, two to three inches deep and pulled away from stems.
Quick answers
How much does a spring yard cleanup cost?
It depends on the yard size, the number of beds, the amount of debris, haul-off and whether you add mulch. A yard that had a fall cleanup costs less to clean in spring. We give a free estimate after seeing it.
When should spring cleanup start in the Southtowns?
When the snow is gone and the soil is dry enough not to smear. In most years that is April, sometimes earlier after a light winter.
Should I rake my lawn in early spring?
A light rake once the lawn is dry removes debris and fluffs up matted spots. Hard raking on soggy ground tears up grass and compacts the soil.
When do I cut back ornamental grasses?
In early spring, before the new green blades come up through the old growth. Cut them down to a few inches above the ground.
Want this done for you? Patrick comes out, looks at the yard and talks through the options. The estimate is free.