Spring Lawn Cleanup Checklist for Virginia Homeowners

Spring cleanup sets the tone for the entire growing season. Done well, it gives sunlight and air full access to the soil and removes the cover that pests and disease love.

Start with a thorough leaf and stick removal. Even a thin mat of wet leaves left from winter can smother new growth and create dead patches you'll be reseeding into June.

Re-edge all bed lines and walkway edges. Crisp edges are the single thing most non-landscapers notice first — and they double as a barrier that slows weed creep into mulched beds.

Time your pre-emergent weed control to forsythia bloom. In Central Virginia that's typically late February to mid-March. Applying after crabgrass germinates is too late — and applying too early wastes the active window.

Finally, schedule your first mow on the high side of the season's range. Letting the grass come up tall before the first cut builds a stronger plant for the months ahead.