Spring Cleanup Checklist for Maryland Properties

A spring cleanup is the single most important service of the year. It resets the property after winter and sets the tone for everything that follows. Here's the full checklist we run on every visit.

Leaf and debris removal

Every leaf, stick, and pinecone that wintered over comes out — including the piles tucked behind shrubs and along fence lines. Leaves left in beds turn into matted, fungus-prone mulch that smothers new growth.

Cutbacks and dead growth removal

Ornamental grasses get cut to about 4 inches. Perennials that were left standing for winter interest are trimmed back. Dead annuals are pulled. Anything broken or split by winter weight comes out.

Bed edging

Every bed gets a fresh, hand-cut spade edge. This is what makes mulch look intentional instead of dumped, and it keeps grass from creeping into your beds for the rest of the season.

Pre-mulch prep

We pull any existing weeds, knock down last year's mulch so it's not stacking too thick, and prep the surface so the new layer sits clean and even.

Light pruning

Winter-damaged branches, crossing limbs, and any shrubs that have outgrown their space get a corrective trim. Heavy pruning of flowering shrubs is timed by species — we won't cut your hydrangeas at the wrong time of year.

First mow at the right height

The first cut of the year is short enough to remove winter tips but never a scalping. We set decks to 3 inches and gradually adjust as the lawn fills in.

Optional add-ons

• Fresh mulch installation (most popular).
• Core aeration and overseeding for thin or compacted lawns.
• Pre-emergent and starter fertilizer application.
• Gutter debris cleanup where safely accessible.

Most residential spring cleanups take a single visit. Larger properties or yards that were skipped the prior fall sometimes need two.