It may feel like we are in the throes of winter, but spring will be here before you know it. That means it is time to start thinking about your yard and its upkeep. Here are some ways to spruce up your backyard as soon as the warmer weather hits.

Clean Up

Winter tends to wreak havoc on the yard, partially because of extreme weather and partially because no one wants to get out in the cold to clean up. With months of accumulated branches, leaves, and other debris, springtime always means a good deal of cleaning up . Pick up branches, rake up the late falling leaves that you missed in the autumn, prune your trees, and tidy mulch beds. Spring is also the time to clear your gutters, clean your siding, spray down your walkways, and trim the bushes. If you haven’t already, you should also pull out or cut down old growth around your perennials to allow space for the new growth to appear.

Buy Some New Furniture

Few things improve a backyard aesthetic like new furniture. If your outdoor furniture has seen better days, now is the best time to replace it. By summer, much of the inventory at your local home improvement and gardening stores will be gone. With everything from basic lawn chairs to indoor-worthy living furniture to choose from, it is hard to go wrong. You might want to include a cozy seating area, relaxing spots to lounge, and an outdoor dining space. Because outdoor furniture can be expensive, it is worth purchasing furniture covers to guard it from the elements. In particular, wood furniture should be covered to protect it from the sun . Covers will greatly extend the life of your outdoor furniture.

Plant Flowers

Nothing brightens an outdoor space like bold, beautiful flowers. There are many spring flower varieties that thrive even while there is still a frost. Snowdrops, glory-of-the-snow, and pansies are all hardy enough to survive the frost. And, after the risk of frost is gone, you can plant more delicate blooms. It is a good idea to pair bulbs with annuals, as your annuals will fill in the empty patches to create a full, contrasted look. Also, don’t forget to consider adding flowering shrubs. They offer height variation which gives your garden dimension and added interest.

Your yard needs attention with each change of the season. Coming in on the heels of a dreary and cold winter, spring is one of the most enjoyable times to clean up the yard. As you do so, be sure to soak in the sun and take some time to just be happy that springtime is finally here!

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