How to Prepare Your Lawn and Garden for Spring: A Complete Landscaping Checklist

As the snow melts and temperatures rise here in Kane County, it’s the perfect time to turn your attention to the outdoors. A well-maintained yard not only enhances your home’s curb appeal, but it also sets the foundation for healthy growth all season long. At The McKay Group, we understand that first impressions start at the curb and a thoughtfully maintained lawn and garden not only enhances your home’s beauty but also boosts its value. Whether you're planning to sell your home this season or simply want to enjoy a vibrant, refreshed yard this spring, it all begins with thoughtful care and preparation.

Our Spring Landscaping & Lawn Care Checklist is here to guide you through every step, so you can make the most of your outdoor spaces this season and get your property looking its best. From early cleanups and soil prep to pruning and weed control strategies, we’ve got your spring yard transformation covered!

1. Clean Up the Lawn and Landscape

Start with a basic cleanup:

• Pick up fallen branches, twigs, and debris.

• Rake away leaves and dead grass, especially if there’s a layer of thatch more than ½ inch thick.

• Compost the materials you can or dispose of lawn waste in paper lawn bags for municipal trash pickup.

As the weather warms up, it’s necessary to mow, edge, and trim your lawn, but wait until outside temperatures are safe enough and consistently above 40°F. Freezing temperatures can damage new grass growth.

2. Prep for a Healthy Lawn

•  An important aspect of spring lawn maintenance is checking the health of your soil and the type of soil you have.

  • Conduct a soil test in your lawn to evaluate pH and nutrient levels. 

    • You can get a low-cost test through your local Cooperative Extension Service or purchase one at a garden center.

  • Based on the results, amend your soil with products like compost, lime, or topsoil.

3. Aerate and Seed

Aerating helps loosen compacted soil from foot traffic and mowing, making it easier for water and nutrients to reach the grass roots. 

• Consider aerating and seeding your lawn early in the season to promote healthier grass growth.

• Use a steel spike aerator for small lawns or a core aerator for larger yards.

• After aerating, apply grass seed to your lawn according to the directions, generously seeding any bare patches. For added convenience, use a drop spreader. 

• Water thoroughly after you seed, and continue watering daily until seeds are established to ensure proper growth and development.

• Apply a light layer of fertilizer to prepare your lawn for the season ahead. 

  • This supports healthy grass growth and enhances the overall appearance of your lawn.

4. Refresh Flower Beds and Gardens

• Conduct a soil test in your garden and flower beds to evaluate pH and nutrient levels.

  • Based on the results, amend your soil with the appropriate products.

• If you planted a cover crop like clover over the winter (which is often done to enrich the soil, prevent erosion, and suppress weeds), you can now dig it up and turn it into the soil.

• Add a 1-inch layer of organic compost to enrich the soil, provide nutrients to plant roots, and improve drainage.

• Add a blanket of mulch in pathways and garden beds.

  • Spread the layer of mulch in planting beds about 3-inchs deep. Avoid piling mulch directly against plant stems or trunks as that could encourage insect or pest damage.

  • Applying a multi-purpose, organic product will help to control and suppress weeds, enrich soil nutrients, retain soil moisture, and insulate plants from weather extremes.

    • Plus, it is visually appealing and can boost curb appeal.

• Regularly water your garden and plants to support vital processes like photosynthesis, nutrient transport, and cooling, which are necessary for their health and growth.

• Plant seasonal spring flowers or native plants and trees that thrive in Kane County or your local area to enhance your landscaping.

5. Embrace Organic Weed Control

Chemical herbicides, especially those with glyphosate, a common active ingredient in weed killer, are known to cause serious health problems to people and pets. Other ingredients in weed killer amplify its toxicity, posing serious health risks. Thankfully, there are safer, effective organic alternatives for both lawns and gardens that will help get rid of weeds.

• For better weed control, build up and maintain healthy soil and apply organic fertilizer to create conditions where weeds struggle to grow.

• Pull weeds by hand or with a cultivating tool.

  • This is still the best method for killing weeds organically.

• Weed early and often, before they establish deep roots.

  • Dig up weeds by the root using weeding tools.

  • Try not to dig too deep to avoid perennial weeds

• Use mulch or landscape fabric to naturally suppress weed growth.

• Regularly hoe planting beds with a push or scuffle hoe.

 

6. Prune Trees and Shrubs

• Prune in Spring: Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches (wood) to promote healthy growth and shape plants.

• Spring-Flowering Shrubs: Prune after blooming to avoid cutting off flower buds.

• Thin crowded areas, remove crossing or rubbing branches, & prune back to a healthy bud or branch. 

  • This helps prevent plant diseases & encourages healthy, new growth.

  • Trimming encourages healthy new growth and lets you shape the plant before the leaves pop.

• Key Techniques:

  • Thinning Cuts: Remove entire branches to improve light and air circulation.

  • Heading Cuts: Trim branch tips to encourage bushier growth.

  • Cut Back to Bud/Branch: Directs growth where you want it.

  • Make Clean Cuts: Prune at a 45° angle near a branch node or junction to encourage healing and help with water runoff.

    •  Use sharp pruners, shears, or loppers to make clean cuts, leaving no stubs behind.

    • Use cuts to direct the shape and direction of the new growth. 

• Don’t Overdo It: Remove no more than one-third of the plant at a time.

• Timing Matters:

  • Trees: Best between mid-February and early May.

  • Non-Flowering Shrubs: Prune after new growth appears.

  • Deadwood & Suckers: Remove anytime, especially in spring.

• Tools to Use:

  • Pruning Shears: For small branches.

  • Loppers: For medium-sized branches.

  • Pruning Saw: For thick branches.

    • For large trees, hire a certified arborist.

• Tip: Wipe your pruning blades with disinfectant between cuts to prevent the spread of plant diseases from plant to plant.

7. Test Sprinklers, Irrigation System, and Faucets

Before watering season begins make sure to inspect garden hoses, sprinklers, and irrigation systems for leaks, clogs, or damage. Also check nozzles, hose reels, and drip systems for efficiency. Address issues now to conserve water and save on your utility bills—especially if your area experiences drought conditions.

• Sprinklers and Irrigation System

  • Only run your sprinkler system once temperatures are consistently above freezing to avoid damage from frozen water.

  • Test the system to ensure it’s working properly: check that sprinkler heads rise and retract correctly and aren’t stuck, leaking, or misaligned.

  • Immediately repair or replace any damaged sprinkler heads.

  • For complex issues, contact a professional irrigation repair company.

• Faucets and Valves Summary:

  • Test all outdoor faucets once it’s warm enough, reconnect hoses, and check for normal water flow.

  • Watch for slow leaks or dripping, which could signal freeze damage.

  • Check for leaks near exterior walls—water from behind a wall may mean a cracked spigot or pipe that needs replacement.

  • Inspect indoor shut-off valves and surrounding walls for leaks when turning water back on, as winter damage may only become visible at that point.

8. Consider Local Plants and Professional Help

• Choose native plants and flowers that thrive in Kane County, such as:

  • Coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, prairie dropseed, and other Illinois natives.

  • These plants are low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

• Add seasonal spring flowers to enhance your landscaping.

  • Adding seasonal color with spring-blooming annuals and perennials make your yard more vibrant.

• Group plants by sunlight and water needs to help them grow more successfully.

• Apply fresh mulch (2–3 inches deep) to:

  • Improve soil moisture retention and regulate temperature

  • Suppress weeds naturally

  • Enrich the soil over time

  • Give your landscaping a clean, polished look

  • Choose mulch that complements your yard.

    • Natural hardwood or shredded bark are great options.

• Feeling overwhelmed? Hire a local pro!

  • A landscape contractor can handle seasonal maintenance, cleanup, planting, soil prep, and more.

  • This saves time and ensures your yard is properly prepared for the season.

• Why it matters:

  • A thoughtfully landscaped yard boosts curb appeal

  • Supports long-term plant health

  • Increases your property’s value and enjoyment

By investing some time in thoughtful lawn and garden preparation now, you’ll enjoy a lush, vibrant outdoor space all spring and summer long, while protecting your property and boosting your home’s value.

Work with The McKay Group

Your home deserves to shine—inside and out. By following these spring landscaping and lawn care tips, you’re setting the stage for months of outdoor enjoyment and adding real value to your property. If you’re considering selling your home this season, or just want guidance on how your yard can support your home’s market appeal, The McKay Group is here to help. As your trusted real estate experts in St. Charles and across Kane County, we’re passionate about beautiful homes and the vibrant lifestyle that surrounds them.

The McKay Group, led by top-producing agents Debora McKay and Roger Erikson, has been a trusted name in Fox Valley real estate for over 25 years. As recognized leaders in the industry, we proudly rank among the top 1% of agents in the U.S. and have held the title of #1 in Kane County for seven consecutive years. With a commitment to building lasting relationships, leveraging unparalleled experience, and executing powerful marketing strategies, we are dedicated to guiding you every step of the way in finding your perfect home in the Fox Valley area.

Ready to get started? Contact Debora and Roger today for personalized advice, local resources, or to find your dream home this spring.