The single greatest tip we can give homeowners about their outdoor living spaces is this: No matter how big or small your yard is, take care of maintaining it so that you can enjoy it.

The long and awaited spring season starts this Sunday!  Daylight savings time means later sunsets and more time to enjoy your yard.  It is not too late to start thinking about what your yard needs to be healthy and beautiful.  Below is a laundry list of yard maintenance items that every homeowner should take a look at:

“Prune Trees
Prune dead or damaged branches. Prune branches damaged by snow and wind back to the live stem using a handsaw or shears. Trim hedges with hand shears. Trim evergreens of dead branches.

Clean Flower Beds
Clean dead leaves and debris from flower beds. Remove spent annuals, tossing them in a wheelbarrow with other yard waste to add to your compost bin.

Divide Perennials
Cut perennials back to a height of 4 or 5 inches and ornamental grass to 2 or 3 inches. Divide crowded perennials such as hostas and daylilies. Leave at least three stems in each clump. Cut back damaged rose canes to 1 inch below blackened area.

Prepare Lawn
Prepare any damaged areas of lawn for reseeding. Test the soil’s pH levels and add the amendments. Work compost into soil to keep new seeds moist.

Prepare Tools
Clean yard tools of dried mud and rust. Get your lawn mower ready to use by replacing the oil and spark plugs and sharpening the blade.

Aerate Lawn
Soil becomes compacted throughout the year from heavy use. Remove plugs of sod to loosen the soil to let in water, fertilizer and air to get to the root structure of the grass. Top dress the soil after aerating. Rake a thin layer of peat moss over the grass. Top dressing strengthens the grass against disease, thatch and weeds.

Weed
Remove dandelions and other broadleaf weeds with a weeder. Be sure to remove all the roots to discourage regrowth. Cultivate a healthy lawn to crowd out weeds.

Compost Waste
Put all cuttings, leaves, dead foliage and last year’s mulch into your compost pile. A simple wire fence, 3 feet square, works well for composting. Shred anything larger than 1/2 inch. Moisten the pile occasionally and aerate every couple of weeks. Don’t add weeds that have gone to seed to your compost pile.

Fence Care
Remove any damaged or rotted wood. Replace with new wood. Clean the fence or trellis with a mixture of 2 gallons water to 2 quarts bleach to 1 cup liquid soap. Scrape old paint and sand smooth. Apply a new coat of stain or paint. Replace any loose posts.”

Sal Vaglica, This Old House magazine