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Spring clean-up is an annual event. It can begin as soon as the soil can be worked and the lawn is dry enough to walk on. This fact sheet lists all of the activities related to cleaning garden beds and sprucing up the lawn. Gardening in the spring can be very pleasurable. It is recommended that you not attempt to complete all of this work in one day.

Cleaning garden beds:

Clean beds by removing clumps of leaves by hand. Be careful not to damage new sprouts. However, leaf mulch left on the beds will result in organic matter being added to the soil through decomposition.

Annuals

• Compost what is left of last year's annuals.
• Soil from last year's pots and planters can be used to top-dress beds.

Perennials:

• Remove what's left of last year's top growth and seed heads.
• If detritus is diseased (i.e. powdery mildew) do not put in compost.
• Replant perennials that have been heaved out of the soil exposing their roots e.g. Heucheras/Coral Bells
• Consider dividing mature perennials this year.
• Cut back ornamental grasses in early spring as new growth appears.

Woody Plants:

• Prune shrubs to remove dead, diseased and crossed branches.
• If the shrub flowers early in the spring, prune after bloom. If it flowers late in the season, prune early in spring.
• To rejuvenate a mature or old shrub remove a third of the oldest stems from the base of the plant every year for 3 years. This will allow sunlight into the middle of the plant and encourage new growth.
• Do not remove more than 1/3 of the stems each year.
• To shape, cut the longest, awkward stems back to an outward facing bud.

Weeding:

• Many weeds can be controlled during spring clean-up. They are easier to pull out when young and the soil moist. Look for the ones that were bothersome last year.
• Watch for "volunteers" of desirable plants. Edit out those in the wrong place
• Mulch open soil areas using such materials as compost, shredded leaves, fine bark chips or straw to about 2 to 3 inches of thickness, to minimize the spread of weeds.

Soil Improvement

• Add organic materials such as compost, shredded or composted leaves or well-rotted manure around perennials.
• Add slow release nutrients such as bone and bloodmeal or granular fertilizers.

Sprucing up the lawn:

• Rake to remove thatch, leaves and other debris.
• Re-cut the edges of the beds. A clean edge improves the overall appearance of your lawn.
• Consider lowering your expectations for maintaining a perfect lawn (see Organic Gardening Fact Sheets).
• Cut grass long (at least 2 & 1/2 inches), leave clippings on, water deeply, less frequently (1 inch of water per week) and-pull weeds as they appear.
• Allow grass to go dormant in the hot, dry weather. It will recover when moist conditions return.
• If you missed seeding last September, spring is the second-best time to seed. Top dress with compost or purchased soil such as a triple mix (loam, peat and well-rotted manure). Keep newly seeded areas moist.
• Hand trim the lawn around trees - replace grass around trees with ground covers.
• Edge beds bordering the lawn and hand trim grass along edges - create ditch edges or create a mowing strip edge (brick or stone laid level in sand) to hold the mower wheel as you cut along the edge.
• Fertilize with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer:
  Nutrients: N Nitrogen - stimulates lush green growth of leaves and new shoots and promotes dark green colour
  P Phosphorus - promotes development of strong healthy root system and setting of flower buds
  K Potassium - aids in the overall strength of stems and roots and resistance to disease

Considerations:

• Observe the microclimates in your garden or lawn area. Which areas are damp and the last to thaw? Which are in full sun, partial shade or full shade. Are there areas that retain moisture throughout the growing season?
• Select new plants for specific growing conditions.
• Consider moving plants to more suitable locations.
• Consider which plants will need staking and put support in place early.
• Check your tools. Clean, repair, or replace them as needed. Sharpen and clean the lawn mower.

References:

The Toronto Botanical Garden Weston Family Library is an excellent source for horticultural information.

• Time-Life Books Inc. Complete Guide to Gardening Landscaping. New York: St. Remy Press, 1991
• Hole, Lois. Lois Hole's Perennial Favorites. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: Lone Pine Publishing, 1995

Factsheets are produced by the Toronto Master Gardeners in association with the Toronto Botanical Garden. They provide introductory information about a broad range of horticultural topics and are intended for personal use and study purposes. Should your gardening group or organization wish to use multiple copies we ask that you inform the Toronto Botanical Garden at info@torontobotanicalgarden.ca.

Date revised: April 20, 2006