When spring arrives in Calgary the start is fresh and you can best celebrate this season by getting your yard ready for new blooming. A thriving yard represents great importance for your home based on our understanding at Landgraf Lawncare. The following guide presents step-by-step instructions that match Calgary-specific climate conditions together with area landscaping requirements.
Assess and Plan Your Spring Yard Cleanup
Before starting yard work make a stroll throughout your property. Inspect garden beds for wintertime damages while exploring both outdoor areas that will require upkeep. Spring weather in Calgary requires strategic planning to ensure cleanup happens only after snow disappearance and as the soil reaches full thaw.1
Key Steps to Assess Your Yard:
- Check for frost heave around plants.
- Identify damaged trees, shrubs, or lawn areas.
- Plan landscape changes or additions if needed.
Prune Trees and Shrubs for Healthy Growth
Active growth requires essential pruning measures for successful plant development. Trim dead or damaged limbs with clean and sharp implements.
Pruning Tips:
- Deciduous Trees: Prune before new buds appear, during the winter months is best!2
- Evergreens: Lightly shape and remove any winter burn.
- Flowering Shrubs: Prune summer bloomers like hydrangeas now, but wait until after flowering for spring bloomers like lilacs.
Pruning not only improves plant health but also enhances your landscape’s appearance.
Refresh Garden Beds and Borders for Spring
Calgary’s dry winters can leave garden beds looking tired. Revitalize them with these steps:
How to Refresh Your Garden Beds for Spring:
- Remove Debris: Clear leaves, dead plants, and weeds.
- Loosen Soil: Aerate compacted soil with a garden fork.
- Edge Beds: Redefine borders for a clean look.
- Add Compost: Enrich the soil with organic matter to boost plant health.3
Applying fresh mulch after planting helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Prepare Your Lawn for Lush Growth This Spring
Spring is crucial for lawn care in Calgary. Follow these tips for a healthy, green lawn:
Lawn Care Checklist:
- Rake Thoroughly: Remove dead grass, leaves, and debris.
- Aerate: Improve water and nutrient absorption if the soil is compacted.
- Overseed: Fill bare patches with climate-suited grass seed.
- Fertilize: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to support early growth.
Start lawn care when daytime temperatures consistently reach 10°C.
Maintain Perennials and Ornamental Grasses
Perennials and grasses need attention to thrive:
Caring for Perennials and Grasses in Springtime:
- Cut Back Old Growth: Trim perennials to 4-5 inches and grasses to 2-3 inches.
- Divide Overcrowded Plants: Share divisions with neighbors or replant.
- Fertilize Lightly: Apply compost or gentle fertilizer for healthy blooms.
Compost Yard Waste for Eco-Friendly Cleanup
Composting is an eco-friendly way to recycle organic waste and enrich garden soil.
Composting Tips:
- Collect Yard Waste: Gather leaves, grass clippings, and plant debris.
- Turn Regularly: Speed up decomposition by turning the pile.
- Avoid Adding Weeds with Seeds: Prevent future weed problems.
Tidy Up Hardscapes: Paths, Patios, and Fences
Winter can be tough on hard surfaces. Restore your outdoor spaces with these tips:
Hardscape Cleanup Guide:
- Clean Walkways: Sweep and pressure wash patios and paths.
- Repair Damage: Re-level pavers, refill gravel, and fix cracks.
- Inspect Fences: Check for rot, repaint, or stain wood surfaces.
Final Touches for a Spring Ready Yard
Last-Minute Yard Prep:
- Check Irrigation Systems: Test sprinklers for leaks or clogs.
- Set Up Outdoor Furniture: Clean and arrange seating areas.
- Plan Seasonal Plantings: Choose hardy plants suited to Calgary’s growing season.
Need Help with Spring Cleanup? Contact Landgraf Lawncare
Landgraf Lawncare exists to assist homeowners with their spring yard work tasks. The specialists at our team deliver Calgary-specific lawn and garden services to maintain attractive outdoor areas for the entire season.
Contact us today for a consultation and let us take the hassle out of your spring cleanup!
Citiations
- Lawn. (2024, May 28). Spring Yard Clean Up Tips: Top 10 Pro Tricks for 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2025, from Lawn Care Plus, Inc. website: https://lawncareplusma.com ↩︎
- Help your trees – residential tree care tips. (2025). Retrieved February 8, 2025, from https://www.calgary.ca
↩︎ - DAMIANO, J. (2024, December 17). How to renovate and restore a neglected garden. Retrieved February 8, 2025, from AP News website: https://apnews.com
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