While winter gives us time to cozy up and spend time with loved ones, spring and summer allows you to spend time outdoors, basking in the warm sun and enjoying all that nature has to offer. But before we can fully relax and start the fun, we must clean up after winter and prep our outdoor areas for the season. We understand that Life Out Here requires the right lawn and garden accessories, so discover the range of tools and cleaning supplies you need to start and complete your projects.
Landscaping and Lawn Care
As snow melts away, every homeowner and professional knows their lawns may appear as if they weathered some tough storms. That’s why it’s essential to take care of landscaping and lawn care as soon as the snow vanishes and grounds thaw out. Start by using your garden rake and clearing leaves and thatch, which is the dead layer of debris that builds up on lawn spaces throughout winter, as well as snow mold, which causes discoloration on grasses and sidewalks.
Then, bring out your lawn mower for the season, working to cut tall, out-of-control grasses and giving your lawn a smooth, manicured appearance. If you notice patchy areas with dead, discolored grass, you may need to apply grass seed. Additionally, you should use a soil conditioner to eliminate ice salt and other substances that can damage lawn areas and plants.
Next, you must aerate soils to loosen them up and allow for efficient growing, either by hand or using an aerator tool, and apply compost to your lawn, raking it into soils. Then, water overseeded lawn areas daily until the grass fills in fully. You should also use an edger along the edges of your lawn, freeing sidewalks from grass and other debris. It can help to have a wheelbarrow on hand as you complete landscaping work, allowing you to collect and reuse soils easily.
Wash Patio Furniture and Decks
Long winters can leave our decks, patios and front porches dirty and built up with debris and grime. Not only does this affect your home’s appearance, but also its ability to hold up over future winters. This makes it essential to clean off paved backyard spaces in addition to our yard areas.
Using a pressure washer, you should carefully rinse off dirt, grime and other substances. However, you must prep outdoor spaces first, removing all furniture and decorations from the area. Next, you should sweep your deck or porch using a broom to remove any loose leaves or debris. To use a pressure washer, simply connect it to your garden hose and turn it on.
Some pressure washers come with patio cleaning attachments, making spring cleaning easy and efficient. If you’re having trouble cleaning your patio with just a pressure washer, you may need additional supplies, such as a cleaning solution, which you spray on your patio before pressure washing. You can also use pressure washers to clean dust and dirt off patio furniture, making this a versatile, easy-to-use cleaning solution.
Give Home Exteriors a Fresh Coat of Paint
The exterior of your home arguably withstands the most wear and tear from winters, holding up against pounding snow, harsh winds and flying debris. Because of this, it’s inevitable that you’ll notice some scratches or cracks, especially after a long season. When it comes to spring cleaning, you also want to consider adding a fresh coat of paint to your home’s exterior, including the siding, exterior window trims, porches and other spaces.
But before painting, you must inspect your home’s siding and other areas for signs of extensive damages. This can allow contaminants to enter your home, becoming ineffective in protecting against the elements. If you notice damage, you should have siding replaced as soon as possible.
Refresh Gardens for the Summer
Before starting your garden prep, you must clean and disinfect your tools to remove contaminants, such as fungus, bacteria, viruses or rust, to prevent them from infiltrating soils and plants while they grow. To prep your garden beds for growing, start by pulling weeds and removing debris and other plant matter, discarding them in a handy garden cart. You should also use pruners or trimmers, including string, push and hedge trimmers, to cut away damaged branches on perennials, trees or shrubs.
Depending on where you live and the type of soil you’re working with, you may or may not need to till before planting. Many gardeners using compost and other soil amendments choose to till them into soils, creating an optimal ground environment for successful plant growth. You should also test soils using a soil testing kit, ensuring they’re at a suitable pH level to allow plants to grow and thrive.
Plants have different requirements for how acidic or basic the soil needs to be. For example, hydrangeas and azaleas thrive in more acidic soils. However, most plants prefer a pH level of around 6.5 to 7. If your soil ends up testing to be more acidic, add lime ingredients to balance the pH level. If your soil has too high of a pH level, consider lowering it using peat moss or sulfur.
Organize Garage Spaces
Alongside outdoor lawn care, you should think about indoor spaces, such as your garage. Having an organized garage space allows spring cleaning tasks to be smooth, making it easy for you to find what you need to prepare your spaces for summer. Start by going through your items, getting rid of old, worn tools and supplies to clear up space.
Next, you want to purchase organization accessories, such as storage containers and garage shelving. This helps keep items up and out of your way and easily accessible when you need them. Don’t forget about the power of vertical storage, using garage racks and wall organization to store items on walls and to clear walkways. Additionally, consider a tool storage and workbench to keep your tools and parts organized.
Get the Supplies You Need for Spring Cleaning from Tractor Supply
When you need quality, efficient cleaning tools to get your spring-cleanup jobs done, rely on our selection. From lawn mowers to edgers to pruners, we have exactly what you need to bring your lawn and garden back to life. To learn more about our gardening products, visit your local Tractor Supply store today or browse online.