Tip #1: Clean up winter's leavings. There are probably lots of things left over from winter in your yard that can ruin the view. Pick up sticks, debris, garbage, and other things that have blown into your yard during the winter and throw them out with the trash. There are probably lots of leaves that fell during the autumn that didn't get raked up, so it's time to gather them up now. These leaves are a great start to home-made mulch if you are planning on it, otherwise they can be thrown out with the trash as well. Make sure you cleaned out well enough to see the bottom of your house, fences, sheds, and other structures you may have in your yard.

Tip #2: Rake away the thatch. Thatch builds up on your lawn all summer long and is added to when the grass dies under the snow. Rake up the thatch and get rid of it to make way for new grass growth. This will keep your lawn looking young and green. There are specialty rakes available for the job or attach a de-thatching blade to your lawn mower. De-thatching your grass also allows it a bit of aeration the inexpensive way.

Tip #3: Break out the fertilizer. If you are doing your yard spring cleaning in the beginning of spring when the weather is still a bit uncertain, it would be better to use a slow-release formula rather than regular fertilizer. You'll want to add fertilizer to your lawn, garden area, and anywhere else you want things to grow. You'll eventually end up fertilizing again over the summer months, but fertilizer in the spring encourages new, quick growth to get your yard looking young again.

Tip #4: It is lawnmower maintenance time. Take your lawnmower in for a tune-up or if you like to do it yourself, check the oil and fluids, make sure all the nuts and bolts are secure, sharpen your mower blades and replace any spark plugs that are showing signs of wear. Your yard won't look good for long if the mower is out of commission, so make sure it's in proper working order before you need it.

Tip #5: Dust, sponge, and paint. If you have patio or yard furniture, make sure they are cleaned well of winter leavings. Throw any material that was left out of doors during the winter in the wash. Pull anything out of the garage that was put away and make sure it is well dusted. Make sure any hardware on your outdoor furniture is working and make any repairs that are needed. Wash your windows and spray off your walkways to remove dirt and hard water build-up from the snow. If your shutters, fence, or trimmings need re-painting or touch-ups, now is the time to do it.

Tip #6: Time to re-plant and cut out old growth. You may have had some plants die over the last year. Now is the time to visit the nursery or seed shop to get started filling in the holes left in your landscaping. Get your starts or seeds in your garden and get everything in working order so all you have to do this summer is enjoy the fruits of your spring cleaning labors.