It’s time to prepare your landscape for spring — and your yard knows it! In Colorado, that first whiff of warmer air can feel like nature’s starting gun. After months of snow, ice, and that awkward muddy stage in between, your landscape is ready to wake up. And trust us — the sooner you show it some love, the better it will perform all season long.
Getting a jump on early spring tasks helps your yard:
- Bounce back stronger from winter stress
- Fight off weeds and pests before they take over
- Look its absolute best when prime outdoor season hits
Whether you’re dreaming of lush green lawns, colorful flower beds, or just a backyard that doesn’t scream “winter survivor,” a little prep now pays off big time later. Here’s how to shake off winter and set your outdoor space up for a blooming good time.
Table of Contents
TL;DR: How do I clean up my yard for spring?
Answer:
Prepare Your Landscape for Spring: What to Do Before the First Bloom
1. Clean Up the Yard
Winter doesn’t exactly leave your yard looking like a cover shot for Better Homes and Gardens. Branches, dead leaves, and “what even IS that?” debris can clutter up your lawn and garden beds.
Start by:
Raking up leftover leaves and sticks
Clearing out garden beds
Removing any winter protection like burlap wraps or covers
While you’re at it, look for signs of damage on trees, shrubs, and hardscape elements like patios and retaining walls. A little clean-up now prevents bigger problems later. Bonus points if you spot any early weed growth and nip it in the bud—literally! Clearing things out now sets the stage for a healthier, happier yard all season long.
Quick Tip: Spot weeds early and pull them by hand or treat them organically to stop them from spreading later.
2. Tune Up Your Irrigation System
Before you turn on the sprinklers and accidentally create a neighborhood water park, give your irrigation system a full once-over.
- Check for broken or misaligned sprinkler heads
- Inspect drip lines for leaks, cracks, or clogs
- Program your controller for spring watering schedules
Colorado Springs can be unpredictable (hello, 70 degrees one day and a blizzard the next), so be ready to adjust as needed. Also, double-check that your rain sensors are working properly so you’re not watering during an unexpected spring shower (or the expected June ones!).
Even if you’re hand-watering to start, it’s smart to inspect your hose bibs and connections for freeze damage while you’re at it. A little maintenance and Practicing Smart Irrigation now can save a lot of water (and money) later.
Download our Smart Irrigation Checklist to ensure your system is in top shape for the season. For an even more efficient watering system, consider using Cycle and Soak to minimize runoff and maximize water absorption.
3. Prune and Trim Your Plants
Spring is prime time to encourage strong, healthy plant growth. Focus on:
Pruning dead or damaged branches caused by heavy snow loads or wind. Pruning helps to prevent the spread of disease, promote a long livelihood, and direct the growth pattern of your tree.
Cut back ornamental grasses close to the ground to stimulate fresh growth. Grasses need to be cut to within 3” or less off the ground. Leaving more than this creates an environment where the center will rot because it holds moisture in the remaining grass stalks.
Russian sage should be cut back to 6” to allow for any stems that overwintered to sprout new shoots and leaves. Otherwise, if they didn’t overwinter they will grow from the base of the plant near ground level.
Lightly shape shrubs to encourage air circulation and new blooms. But tread carefully with flowering shrubs like lilacs, viburnums, and forsythia — many of them set their buds last fall! If you prune them too early, you could snip away the very blooms you’re waiting for.
4. Prep Your Lawn for Glory
Your grass is hungry after hibernation! Help it bounce back with a little TLC:
- Aeration relieves soil compaction and helps water, air, and nutrients reach the roots more effectively. It’s like a breath of fresh air for your grass!
- Overseed thin or bare spots with cool-season grass seed.
- Apply a spring fertilizer rich in nitrogen for that lush green-up
- Start mowing once grass reaches 2.5–3 inches — and don’t scalp it too short! But, sharpen your mower blades first. Dull blades tear the grass, leaving it ragged and prone to disease.
- Consider doing a soil test to see if your lawn is missing key nutrients. Colorado soils can be heavy on clay and low on organic matter, so knowing what your turf needs can make a huge difference. Test your soil pH before fertilizing. It helps you pick the right products for a lush, vibrant lawn. Adding organic matter, or compost, this time of year is important. Be sure to do it when soils are moist but not waterlogged or overly dry as this will impact the soil structure in a negative way. For more information, read our blog on why soil pH matters.
Quick Tip: Apply pre-emergent to rock, mulch, or hardscape areas where you don’t want any weeds to grow from seed. Pre-emergent stops seeds from germinating and gives your yard a head start on weed prevention. It can be applied as a liquid or granular application but be sure to water it in after.
This helps wash off unwanted overspray from desirable plants and hardscape surfaces and helps activate the chemical. Just be careful not to disturb the mulch or soil after watering in the pre-emergent, as this will break up the protective barrier created by the treatment.
5. Mulch It Up
A fresh layer of mulch = instant glow-up for your beds. Plus, mulch:
Locks in moisture
Regulates soil temperature during Colorado’s wild temperature swings
Smothers weeds before they even think about sprouting
Aim for a 2-3 inch layer around trees, shrubs, and perennials — but don’t pile it up against the trunk like a “mulch volcano” (trees hate that). It can trap moisture against the bark and lead to disease or rot. Always keep mulch a few inches away from trunks and stems! Organic mulches like shredded bark, pine needles, or compost are great choices. They break down over time and add nutrients back into the soil as it breaks down.
Mulch isn’t just a pretty face — it’s a powerhouse for healthy landscapes. If you are using existing mulch, rake it gently to break up compacted layers before topping off.
6. Plan Your Planting
Dreaming of colorful blooms and veggies galore? Spring is the time to:
- Sketch out any new beds or plantings you want to tackle
- Choose climate-appropriate, drought-tolerant, or native plants
- Shop early for the best selection at local nurseries and garden centers
Remember that Colorado’s last frost date can vary — typically mid-May in most areas. Hold off on tender plants (like tomatoes and annual flowers) until the danger of frost has truly passed unless you’re ready to bust out the frost cloths! If you’re feeling adventurous, start seeds indoors now to get a jumpstart on summer garden glory. Planning ahead now means you’ll spend more time enjoying your landscape later.
Free Download: Spring Lawn & Garden Checklist!
Ready to make your spring prep even easier? We’ve created a FREE printable Spring Lawn & Garden Checklist just for you! It’s packed with simple tasks to keep you organized and on track as you wake up your landscape for the season.
Print it out, stick it on the fridge, and check off each task like the garden champion you are. Your future self (and your future yard) will thank you!
Call In The Pros If You Need Help!
Sometimes your spring checklist grows faster than crabgrass. Whether you need help with irrigation repairs, landscape clean-up, or a full garden makeover, we have your back.
We offer professional lawn care packages, irrigation audits, and custom planting plans that take the guesswork (and the backache) out of getting your yard ready for the season.
Let’s make this the best-looking yard on the block — your landscape is ready to show off, and so are you!
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