Ready. Set. Spring!

Prep your yard now for planting and outdoor fun

Spring is upon us, and it's time to start thinking about preparing our outdoor spaces for the upcoming season. Whether you have a small balcony or a sprawling garden, there are plenty of things you can do to get ready for the warm days and outdoor fun ahead.

1. Clean up your outdoor space: Remove any dead leaves or debris that may have accumulated over the winter months, including cleaning your gutters. Rake your lawn, trim your bushes, and remove any dead or damaged branches from your trees. If you want to take your lawn prep up a notch, this is when you would apply pre-emergent weed control. Bob Vila’s website offers an array of natural and organic choices, perfect for anyone with pets or little ones that play outdoors. 
2. Prepare your garden and/or soil: Add compost, humus, or other organic matter to your soil to help improve its structure and nutrient content. You can get fancy with biochar, bagged humus, or other pre-mixed amendments, or feed your seedlings as they grow.
3. Start planting: Choose plants that are appropriate for spring in Iowa and that will thrive in the conditions of your outdoor space. Thinking about Iowa natives? White yarrow, columbine, false indigo, and hyssop are popular choices. And the planting calendar at Almanac.com is a great resource. Just enter your zip code to get started. 
4. Mulch your garden: Mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, naturally. Apply a layer of mulch around your plants, taking care not to cover the stems or trunks of trees. If you can’t make your own mulch from straw or last year’s leaves, or don’t know how, most garden supply stores carry it in stock.
5. Prepare your gardening tools: Clean and sharpen your garden shears, or replace the blade, chain or wire of any electric or gas powered outdoor appliances. Make sure to take proper safety precautions when doing so, as rusty blades and exposed wires are potentially dangerous if not closely monitored.
6. Prune your plants: Pruning your perennial plants can help promote healthy growth and improve their appearance. Remove any dead or damaged branches, and shape your plants as desired.
7. Check your irrigation system: If you have an irrigation system, check it to make sure it is functioning properly. Replace any damaged or broken parts, and adjust the watering schedule as needed. If your home/garden/lawn doesn’t have an irrigation system, make sure all of your hoses are functioning and clear the cobwebs and dust out of your watering pails. (Yuck!)
8. Pest control: Springtime is when pests start to become active again, from aphids and slugs, to voles and rabbits. Take steps to control pests in your outdoor space, with soil preservation and minimal chemicals in mind. Make sure your barrier fencing is in good repair and that your chemical sprayer is in working order. Natural chemicals like Neem oil and Liquid Fence are good choices, and blood meal both enriches nitrogen and repels mammals, who dislike the smell of its main ingredient - bovine blood.
9. Clean and maintain your outdoor furniture: If you have outdoor furniture, now is a good time to clean and maintain it. Remove any dirt or grime that may have accumulated over the winter months, and oil any wooden furniture to protect it from the elements.
   
10. Clean your outdoor grill: If you have an outdoor grill, it's important to clean it before using it for the first time in the spring. Remove any ash or debris, and clean the grates thoroughly. If your grill is connected to a gas line or propane tank, make sure to check the hoses and pumps to make sure nothing got damaged over the winter. This is to avoid any potential fire hazards and will ensure your home is ready to host the first big barbeque of the year.
11. Prep your pool: To avoid costly repairs - and lost splash time! - inspect your pump, plugs, connections, and skimmer basket before first use, or call a pro to help out. If you’re partially or completely filling your pool, consider renting a sewer reduction meter from IMU to save big on your water bill. You can find all the details in our story from last April.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your outdoor space is ready for the spring season. Whether you enjoy gardening, entertaining, or simply relaxing in the sun, a well-prepared outdoor space can make all the difference.