Spring is on its way, with all its longer days and blooming flowers. Finally, you can start to spend more time outside again, an exciting thought that may be overwhelmed by the dread of having to clean your yard. Where do you start? What do you do with all the debris your yard collected over fall and winter?

Fortunately, yard cleaning need not be as intimidating as it seems on the outset. Here are a few tips to help you take it task by task until you have a lovely, spring ready yard.

Clean Up the Sticks and Leaves

When we think of yard work, one of the first things that comes to mind is raking the leaves. Over fall and winter, anything from the changing of the seasons to heavy storms can fill your yard with dead leaves, twigs, and branches from nearby trees. One of the first steps is to clear this away. Pick up any large branches and then rake the smaller debris — leaves and twigs. You can place all of these in a large bin or in a plastic bag.

Start Trimming

Do you have bushes in your yard? Chances are they’ll probably need a good pruning, your first of the year as they’ll start to grow more rapidly now. This is also a good time to take stock of any overhanging or damaged tree limbs or branches. If they’re damaged or could potentially cause damage to your windows, siding, or roof, cut them off. If you’re not able to safely do so yourself, contact a tree trimmer to help.

Breathe New Life

Spring is the season of rebirth, so why not celebrate by planting something new in your yard? A new flower bed or herb garden might be just what you need to give yourself a fresh perspective on your lawn. If you have the space, you could plant a new tree or shrub. If you’re not sure where to start, talk to a landscaper about how to organize your plans for your revitalized yard.

Disposal

So what do you do with all those twigs, branches, and leaves when the work is done? They’re not exactly the kind of thing you drop in the recycling bin, and they can fill up your trash bin too quickly. Ask about lawn debris pickup, whether that’s a regular thing that’s offered or whether it can be done upon request.

If not, consider investing in a wood chipper. You can buy one if you plan to use it regularly, or you can rent one from a nearby hardware store. With the wood chipper, you can turn branches and twigs into mulch, which may come in handy for your new landscaping plans. Leaves can also be composted.

At Brazos Valley Trash Valet & Recycling, we aim to help our customers with trash and recycling pickup, as well as tips for other forms of waste management. Contact us today about signing up for our weekly trash pickup services, as well as complimentary recycling. And keep an eye on our blog for more tips on smart and effective waste management.