How To Do Wednesday: How To Prepare Your Home & Yard For Spring

Can you believe that Spring is here? And not to jinx it but we are actually getting favorable weather where I live, unlike the typical cold April that we are used to. If you live in a climate that frosts on average until Memorial Day, Early Spring can slip by pretty quickly due to unfavorable temperatures. This is why it's important to start Spring activities around your home and yard when you can.

I bought my home a few years ago as a foreclosure. When I purchased, the home was vacant but I later learned from a neighbor that the home had been abandoned for over a year. And whoever was supposed to be keeping up on the property wasn't doing that either. The greenery in the yard was completely overgrown and dandelions covered my property. I also had a wasp nest in a window, bird nest above my light, and bushes growing over and crushing my downspouts. Without going into any more detail I had a ton of work cut out for me.

Today I am going to provide you with some tips based off of my own experiences. I am still learning and I would love input so leave me comments below if I missed anything.

Lawn Care
If you have a lawn to care for you should be fertilizing your lawn three times per year. Lawn fertilization helps your grass grow thick and is supposed to reduce weeds like clovers and dandelions from taking over your grass. The three times per year that you should fertilize are: Easter Weekend, Mid Summer, and Thanksgiving.

You can find fertilizer sets at most stores that sell gardening items. I get my fertilizer at Stein's but I know that it is also available at the Home Depot.

Retails for $13.99

While I started with a yard COVERED in dandelions, I see less and less since I have started fertilizing.

You should also take the time to remove all excess brush and dead leaves that may be around from Fall. Any area of grass that is covered from the minimal sun that is available won't get the chance to grow. So rake and do as much tree/ bush trimming as you can early on in Spring.

Larger cities typically hold a citywide Spring Clean-Up program in Early Spring for excess brush and sometimes even provide special pick-up free of charge for larger garbage items. Check with your local sanitation department for a schedule and limitations.

Killing Dandelions and NOT Your Grass
Yep, I found the product. If you read and follow the directions, you will only need one application. This product is made to hook up to your hose. Also, please be sure to read the warnings as you are not supposed to walk on your grass after application for a period of time.

Display your Spring decor and add some curb appeal to your house before you even plant the garden. If you are living somewhere without a yard, decorate your patio a bit with furniture or a window box. This is the perfect time to start patio DIYs! You can set the bar for your whole living complex.

Starting Your Garden Indoors
Early Spring is also a great time to start a garden indoors if you have the space. Once the threat of frost is gone, transfer your plants outdoors. I have started growing herbs already and they are getting pretty big. I'm hoping that I can get them outside before they outgrow the tiny pots that they are in now.

$8.15 on Walmart's Website

Pest Prevention- Indoors and Out
Ants
If you have a problem with ants, now is the time to get some Raid and spray around your home. Spray all around the windows and doors, inside and outside. Also spray your baseboards around your home. Continue each month throughout Summer. If you have ever had ants in your home, you normally don't see one until you have 100.

Birds
When I moved in I had a bird's nest over my back door, on top of the light. I looked it up and in most cases to remove a bird all you have to do is evict it (remove the nest). The first time that I removed the nest the bird did not rebuild. Since then, every Spring I have birds that try to build a nest above my light but I just knock the nest down every time and throw away all of the garbage that they collect to build it. It normally takes a few times but the birds eventually give up and go somewhere else.

Bees
If you get them once, chances are that they will return. I get wasps in different spots around my property each year but I just get the insect killer from any store (Walmart, Home Depot, etc) and take care of business. It can be dangerous to approach Bees, especially Wasps because they are known to attack. Follow the instructions, which includes the time of day that you should spray the hive. If you don't kill the Queen, the hive more than likely move somewhere else on your property and continue to live.

Rabbits
Start your garden preparations now! I have decided to build a raised garden, which I will be doing in the coming weeks. Rabbits eat everything and multiply quickly so the sooner that you deter rabbits from your yard the better. There are rabbit repellent sprays available but you have to be careful what product you are using and where if you have pets or children.

Clean Up Your Yard and Neighborhood
One of my biggest pet peeves is seeing someone litter! If you see a piece of garbage, pick it up! Your neighborhood is a reflection of your home so set an example for your neighbors. You can do something as big as organizing a neighborhood spring clean-up or as small as just picking up the garbage around your own home.

Start Your Spring Cleaning
Click the links to see other organization posts for great ideas on: Storage Organization, Kitchen Cabinet Organization, Car Organization, Cleaning Tips, and more. Donate your unused items or prep for a May rummage sale. Don't wait until Summer is almost here to start on your chores.

**When the weather gets a bit nicer here you can expect me to post more on gardening. I will also include pictures. Do you have any Spring Prep tips for other readers? Leave it in the comments below! Thanks for reading.**