12 Things I Clear Out Every Spring Before the Yard Wakes Up

Spring always sneaks up on me faster than I expect. One minute the ground’s frozen solid, the next there are weeds popping up and bugs flying around. I’ve learned that if I don’t do a good cleanup before things start growing again, the whole season feels like catch-up.

These are the things I always make time to clear out once the weather starts shifting—because once the yard wakes up, it gets a lot harder to stay ahead of it.

Dead Leaves

Even if I raked in the fall, there’s always a layer of soggy leaves hiding out under bushes and in garden beds. They block sunlight and trap moisture, which keeps grass from coming in right.

I go through with a rake or my hands and pull them out early. It gives everything underneath a chance to breathe and makes it easier to spot what needs fixing or planting.

Fallen Branches and Sticks

Winter storms always leave behind a mess—broken branches, twigs, and half-snapped limbs. If I don’t pick them up early, I end up tripping over them or chopping them up later while mowing.

I toss smaller stuff into the burn pile and set aside anything bigger for firewood. It’s not the fun part of spring prep, but it makes the yard look cleaner right away.

Dead Plants from Last Season

I try to leave some dead stalks through the winter for pollinators, but once spring rolls around, they’ve got to go. Old annuals, limp stems, and dried-out veggie plants need to be pulled.

Clearing them out makes space for new growth and helps me see what actually made it through the cold. Plus, it keeps the garden from looking like I gave up last fall.

Old Mulch

After a long winter, mulch can get compacted, moldy, or full of weeds. If it’s looking rough, I rake it out and toss it in the compost pile or use it in a non-essential spot like behind the shed.

Fresh mulch goes down later in the season once things warm up a bit more. But clearing the old stuff gives me a clean slate to work with.

Empty or Broken Planters

Every spring, I find at least a few planters that didn’t survive the freeze—cracked pots, dried-up soil, or ones I never got around to filling last year. They make the porch and beds look cluttered.

I either fix, toss, or store them, depending on their condition. If I’m not using it soon, it’s better off out of sight than sitting empty for weeks.

Debris from the Fire Pit

If we’ve been using the fire pit over the winter, it’s usually full of ash, half-burned logs, and even trash that blew in. Leaving it like that makes it an eyesore.

I scoop out the ash, tidy up the stones, and give the whole area a reset before we start using it again. A clean fire pit looks more inviting and feels safer, too.

Toys and Tools Left Out

Somehow, there’s always a stray shovel or soccer ball hiding out behind the shed. Spring’s the time I round everything up, clean it off, and figure out what’s still usable.

If something’s broken or sun-damaged beyond saving, I toss it. The rest goes back where it belongs, so I’m not stepping over it all season.

Old Garden Stakes and Twine

At the end of last season, I told myself I’d reuse those stakes and plant ties. But half of them are splintered or tangled up in weeds by spring.

I collect what I can actually reuse and toss the rest. It keeps my garden from looking like a mess of forgotten projects and saves time when I start planting again.

Moldy or Wet Cushions

Outdoor cushions that sat through the winter are almost always a mess. If they’re damp, mildewed, or smell funky, I get rid of them before they start attracting bugs or worse.

If they’re salvageable, I give them a good scrub and let them dry in the sun. Otherwise, I start fresh and replace only what I really need.

Random Yard Decor

Faded garden flags, cracked wind chimes, broken solar lights—they all start to look worse once the grass greens up. Spring is when I go through and get rid of anything that’s seen better days.

If I plan to decorate, I want it to look intentional, not like leftovers from five seasons ago. I either store it until I’m ready or send it to the trash.

Leftover Bags of Soil or Mulch

Every year, I find a half-used bag of potting mix or mulch slumped over in the corner of the shed. If it’s gotten wet or moldy, it’s no good anymore.

I toss what’s gone bad and make a note to use the good stuff first. Clearing it out gives me more room and helps me keep better track of what I actually need to buy.

Winter Decorations

There’s always something that sticks around too long—a snowflake stake, Christmas lights I forgot about, or that one wreath I swore I’d bring in. It only takes one or two things to throw off the whole look.

I make a point to grab them early before spring fully hits. Even if the yard’s still waking up, having those things gone makes it feel like a fresh start.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.